Open Source
Ongoing coverage on Open Source.
Latest coverage
PS5 Linux dev abandons the project as AI "slop kiddies" ruin open-source mods ahead of GTA 6: "Just a bunch of noobs using LLMs and writing hacks they don't even understand"
Andy Nguyen, the lead developer for the PlayStation 5 Linux project, has abandoned his work due to frustrations with the open-source community, specifically citing the influx of users misusing AI tools to create low-quality mods. He expressed disappointment that these 'slop kiddies' are exploiting vulnerabilities, potentially jeopardizing the project and the community's efforts, especially with the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Switzerland trials ditching Microsoft and using free and open-source software, available for 'around 3,000…
Switzerland's Federal Chancellery has successfully trialed the use of open-source software as a replacement for Microsoft 365, concluding it is feasible for its Federal Administration. A follow-up program will make these solutions available to approximately 3,000 employees by the end of 2027, aiming for greater digital sovereignty.
Nvidia acquires open-source AI platform Hugging Face for $12.9bn
Nvidia has acquired the artificial intelligence platform Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, with approximately $11.9 billion going to investors and up to $1 billion in stock-based retention incentives. Hugging Face, founded in 2016, will remain open-source, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated the deal will enhance its infrastructure while preserving its open ecosystem.
Nvidia puts its money where its mouth is on open weight AI, moving to buy Hugging Face for $13 billion
Nvidia has announced its intention to acquire Hugging Face, a leading open platform for machine learning applications, for approximately $13 billion. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that Hugging Face will remain an open platform, supporting various models, frameworks, and computing platforms, emphasizing Nvidia's commitment to open-source AI development.
Linux manages to avoid the age verification apocalypse, but SteamOS isn't in the clear yet
California's Digital Age Assurance Act, set to take effect in 2027, will exempt open-source operating systems like Linux from mandatory age verification checks due to an amendment. However, Valve's SteamOS, which has proprietary elements, may still be subject to compliance, and users will likely still need to verify their age on Steam for certain games.
Two Alleged TeamPCP Hackers Arrested in Australia Over Supply Chain Worm That Hit 1,000+ Organizations
The Australian Federal Police have arrested two men in Western Australia in connection with the TeamPCP hacking group, which allegedly distributed malware through open source software packages, impacting over 1,000 organizations. The group's supply chain attack, utilizing a worm named Shai-Hulud, compromised tools like the Trivy vulnerability scanner, leading to the theft of terabytes of credentials and private data.
Nvidia’s $12.9 Billion Bet on Hugging Face Arrives as the Closed Labs Drift Away
Nvidia is acquiring the open-source AI platform Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, a price significantly higher than its estimated $150 million annual revenue. This strategic move aims to bolster Nvidia's position in the AI market as major clients like OpenAI and Google develop their own custom silicon, potentially reducing their reliance on Nvidia's hardware. The acquisition is seen as a counterweight to the trend of closed AI labs, securing Nvidia's hardware dominance within the open-source AI community.
Linus Torvalds details his 'debug session from hell' pushing an AI to fix an error it repeatedly said was 'impossible and unsolvable'. He then made it write the report
Linux creator Linus Torvalds detailed a challenging debugging session where an AI repeatedly failed to solve a 'round_up()' to 'round_down()' error, suggesting it was impossible. Despite the AI's repeated suggestions to give up, Torvalds persisted through 24 patches and 18 kernel boots to fix the issue, ultimately letting the AI write the commit message. The article also touches on the broader debate surrounding generative AI in coding, its potential pitfalls, and the ethical concerns raised by AI-assisted game development projects.
W4 Games raises $18M to expand its international team
W4 Games, a startup founded by former Godot veterans, has secured $18 million in Series B funding, primarily led by Tencent. The investment will be used to expand its international team, accelerate the development of its enterprise offering, and support the growing demand for the open-source game engine Godot. Tencent also signed a multi-year strategic partnership to help scale W4 Games and the Godot ecosystem in Asia.
Godot adoption is rising: what are devs getting out of the engine?
Godot is experiencing significant adoption growth among game developers, driven by its lightweight nature, fast testing capabilities, and open-source model. This trend accelerated following Unity's controversial runtime fee announcement, leading many developers to seek alternatives. Developers praise Godot for its quick startup times, efficient debugging, and ability to run on less powerful hardware, making it a viable tool for both hobbyists and commercial projects.
OpenTTD - Open Source Transport Tycoon Deluxe gets a big PC update, as well as Amiga port!
The open-source simulation game OpenTTD has received a significant update for PC, version 16.0-beta1. Additionally, a port of OpenTTD v1.0.5 for Amiga systems (OCS/AGA/RTG) has been released, offering a native experience without requiring SDL or an RTG card. Transport Tycoon Deluxe, the original game by Chris Sawyer, was a popular PC title in the mid-90s.
Meta's 'open source' Muse Glimmer model can run on a single computer
Meta has released a new, slimmed-down open-source AI model called Muse Glimmer. This model is designed to be lightweight enough to run on a single computer.
Moving away from Windows is getting a little easier, as Linux will soon support more SteelSeries gaming headsets
Open-source developers are improving Linux driver support for SteelSeries gaming headsets, with a new patch set to be included in the upcoming Linux 7.3 kernel merge window. This update will enhance compatibility for 14 SteelSeries models, addressing issues like battery reporting and wireless functionality that have previously been problematic on Linux-powered systems.
Embrace the great Tech Pause
The article advocates for a 'Tech Pause,' encouraging gamers to appreciate existing hardware rather than constantly chasing the latest expensive technology. It highlights the stagnation in GPU improvements and the rising costs of PCs and consoles, suggesting that older hardware is still capable of playing a vast library of games, including many new releases. The piece also celebrates the advancements in emulation and PC handhelds as more accessible and rewarding avenues for gaming.
Keychron's gaming mouse firmware is going open-source, while the company critiques 'firmware you can't…
Keychron is developing ZGM, an open-source gaming mouse firmware set to launch in early 2027, aiming to provide transparency and customizability lacking in current market offerings. The company, known for its open-source keyboard software, is building ZGM on Zephyr ROTS, designed for modularity and low-latency input, supporting both wired and wireless mice. The G6 HE gaming mouse will be compatible with the new firmware, with the potential for community contributions to adapt it for other hardware.
Pixels Opens Its Game Client Code as It Pivots Toward Platform Model
Pixels has open-sourced its game client as part of a strategic pivot towards an ecosystem and platform model. This move allows developers to contribute to improvements and modifications, with plans to eventually open-source the backend and build community governance mechanisms. The company aims to leverage its player community for content creation and scale, while retaining oversight on official game updates.
You can now play Morrowind entirely in your browser: 'Honestly just wanted to see if it could be done'
A Reddit user has successfully ported The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to run entirely within a web browser using the open-source OpenMW engine compiled to WebAssembly. This allows players to experience the game without installation, with support for saves, controllers, and even mods, though original game files are still required.
Pixels goes open source: modders can now reshape the game’s frontend
Pixels has open-sourced its game client's frontend code, allowing developers to download, modify, and create mods for the game's user interface and controls. While the client code is now public, the server code, which handles the game's economy and state, remains private. Community contributions to the client will be reviewed and merged monthly, with voting power weighted by in-game asset ownership.
Morning Mobilization
Samsung has announced its first Android XR glasses, boasting an impressive 9-hour battery life. The article also briefly mentions open-source firmware and software for e-readers.
Rise of the Robots
NVIDIA has open-sourced its first GPU-accelerated medical physics simulation framework, making it available through the NVIDIA Blog. This initiative aims to advance research and development in medical physics by leveraging the power of GPU acceleration for complex simulations.