PC Gaming
Ongoing coverage on PC Gaming.
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Dbrand unveils Steam Machine customization 'backup plan' after its Companion Cube got confined to the test…
Accessory brand Dbrand has launched a new line of customizable skins for the Steam Machine, with prices ranging from $35 to $60. While their initial 'Companion Cube' inspired design was scrapped due to not obtaining permission from Valve, the new offerings include options like 'Touch Grass' fuzzy skins and 'Real Black Leather' wraps. Dbrand also offers similar skins for the Steam Controller.
Valve assures everyone on the Steam Machine reservation list they "will have the option to purchase by the end of…
Valve has assured customers on the Steam Machine reservation list that they will have the option to purchase the device by the end of the year. The company is fulfilling orders daily and sending out purchase emails in the order reservations were placed. Updates also include FSR4.1 availability on Proton Experimental and the release of Steam Machine external geometry CAD files.
Mod activates split-screen support in Halo: Campaign Evolved PC that's just sitting there, unused
A mod has been released for Halo: Campaign Evolved on PC that enables split-screen co-op, a feature not officially supported on the platform despite being available on consoles. The mod activates existing code within the game, allowing for two-player local multiplayer, though it has limitations regarding player count and input methods.
AMD launches the RX 9050, and it's even more entry-level than expected
AMD has launched the RX 9050, an entry-level graphics card that falls below initial expectations in terms of core count and VRAM. It utilizes the Navi 44 GPU and RDNA 4 architecture, featuring 1,024 cores and 32 MB of Infinity Cache, with a typical board power of 92 watts. Availability is currently limited to LATAM and Asia Pacific, with ASRock being the only announced partner.
Epic taps Blizzard's Battle.net lead to fix the Epic Games Store as Steam dominates
Epic Games has appointed Martin Keely, formerly of Blizzard Entertainment's Battle.net, as the new VP and GM of the Epic Games Store. This move aims to improve the storefront's competitiveness against Valve's Steam. Keely expressed his excitement to enhance player and developer experiences within an open gaming ecosystem.
'The last time I liked everything about a game was probably Baldur's Gate 3': Raphael Colantonio, co-founder of Arkane Studios, talks us through the games installed on his PC
Raphaël Colantonio, co-founder of Arkane Studios and WolfEye Studios, discusses the games installed on his PC, highlighting Baldur's Gate 3 as the last game he "liked everything about." He shares his thoughts on current plays like Mewgenics and Cyberpunk 2077, his enduring love for immersive sims like Thief and Deus Ex, and his early PC gaming roots with Ultima 7.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 24: Steam Train Fest
This weekend's PC gaming deals include the Steam Train Fest featuring train-themed games, alongside significant discounts on titles like Resident Evil Requiem, Hades 2, and Red Dead Redemption 2 across various digital storefronts. Several games are also available for free weekends or trials, including Killing Floor 3 and Metal Gear Solid.
I've been testing Asus's $600 Keyboard with gold highlights and it's as luxorious as you would think
The Asus ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 gaming keyboard offers a luxurious experience with its gold accents and premium build, but its high $600 price point is questionable given persistent software issues. Despite its solid construction and comfortable typing feel, the keyboard's reliance on buggy software detracts from its overall value, making it a niche product for those prioritizing aesthetics and exclusivity over seamless functionality.
Sega isn't "abandoning" physical games: president reminds everyone "we used to develop consoles," but says it's eyeing PC gaming in an increasingly digital future
Sega president Shuji Utsumi stated the company is not abandoning physical games but is focusing on improving digital releases due to the increasing global popularity of PC gaming. While acknowledging Japan's preference for physical media, Utsumi emphasized the need to strengthen digital products to reach a wider, global audience. Sega is also considering the important elements of digital media while simultaneously trying to make a shift, rather than completely abandoning physical culture.
Razer's cute accessory trend continues as it unveils Sanrio keycaps featuring Hello Kitty and friends holding…
Razer has released new Sanrio Edition keycaps featuring characters like Hello Kitty and Kuromi, available in blind boxes at Target stores in the US. These accessories are designed to fit MX cross-stem switches and are part of Razer's ongoing trend of releasing cute gaming peripherals, following previous collections like Pokemon and Pikachu.
The Samsung 990 SSD is a speedy and reliable drive, but it's difficult to recommend when the Pro model is right there for the taking
The Samsung 990 SSD offers reliable performance and speeds comparable to its Pro model, but its current pricing makes it difficult to recommend over the 990 Pro, especially when alternatives like the WD_Black SN7100 are available. Despite being a DRAM-less PCIe 4.0 drive, it performs well in gaming load times and general use, though its warranty is shorter than the Pro version.
Meccha Chameleon ranks second behind Fortnite in PC revenue for June | Newzoo charts
Meccha Chameleon achieved significant success in June, ranking as the second-highest revenue-generating PC title behind Fortnite according to Newzoo. The indie hit, developed by Lemorion_1224 and Hagneiro, has sold over 15 million copies since its June 10 launch. Newzoo's report also highlighted the sustained commercial momentum of live-service titles and the impact of subscription services on game lifecycles.
Original Xbox games on PC means one less reason to buy the next console
Xbox is making original Xbox console games playable on PC, starting with Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live And Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road To Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. This initiative, which includes achievements and customizable graphics, aims to enhance backwards compatibility and game preservation. The move raises questions about the necessity of purchasing future Xbox consoles if games are readily accessible on PC.
Xbox launches new backwards compatibility program on PC, starting with four games from the early 2000s
Microsoft's Xbox division has launched a new backwards compatibility program for PC, making four original Xbox titles available on the Xbox app. These enhanced versions of Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, Blinx: The Time Sweeper, and Fuzion Frenzy feature upscaled resolution and other improvements. This initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve Xbox's gaming legacy and bring classic titles to PC.
Is Halo: Campaign Evolved Steam Deck Verified?
Halo: Campaign Evolved has been confirmed as Steam Deck Verified and optimized for handheld PCs like the ASUS ROG Ally. The game will feature cross-platform four-player co-op and will be available on Game Pass from day one for certain subscription tiers.
Palworld 1.0 has already moved over 1.8 million copies for Pocketpair, analyst estimates, with 65% of players on Steam
Pocketpair's survival game Palworld has reportedly sold approximately 1.8 million copies since its 1.0 update on July 10, according to analyst estimates. The game has reached over 40 million players across platforms, with Steam accounting for 65% of its player base. The analyst also noted that Palworld has generated around $700 million in revenue.
Samsung 990 review: a lower-spec SSD that’s weirdly great for games
The Samsung 990 SSD, despite being a lower-spec model with a shorter warranty and less impressive synthetic benchmarks, performs surprisingly well for PC gaming load times. While expensive, the 1TB model offers competitive performance in game loading, matching high-end drives like the WD Black SN8100.
The Steam Machine isn't doing exclusives because Valve thinks "restricting where people can play"…
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais explained that the Steam Machine will not feature exclusive games, as the company believes restricting access is not a good model. Instead, Valve aims to make the entire PC catalog available on the platform. This approach mirrors that of the Xbox Series X|S, focusing on the breadth of existing PC games rather than new, platform-specific titles.
Valve Says Memory Crisis is “Still Getting Worse,” But Believes the Steam Machine is a Success
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that the global memory crisis is worsening, with current retail supply lagging behind bulk orders by three to six months. Despite these supply chain issues, which are limiting production of the Steam Machine, Aldehayyat believes the platform is a success in addressing a real user problem. Valve is continuing production and support for the Steam Machine, even as the memory crisis is projected to continue into 2027.
Valve Doesn’t Want to Use Exclusive Games to Sell Steam Machines, Says Engineer
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the company does not intend to make games exclusive to the Steam Machine, preferring to keep the entire PC catalog available. Engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Griffais also emphasized Valve's interest in fostering innovation among hardware manufacturers rather than dominating the market. Despite early success and high pricing, Valve acknowledges ongoing memory supply challenges for the Steam Machine.