PC Gaming
Ongoing coverage on PC Gaming.
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Crimson Desert Is Going To Be A Big Deal On Steam, Early Numbers Suggest
Crimson Desert is projected to have a strong launch on Steam, with approximately 400,000 pre-launch copies sold, generating nearly $20 million. Developer Pearl Abyss also showcased the game on PlayStation 5 and confirmed the inclusion of Denuvo DRM. The game is set to release on March 19 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Nvidia's new Vera CPU has been designed for 'extremely high' single-core performance, but it's not…
Nvidia has unveiled its new Vera CPU, featuring Olympus cores designed for extremely high single-core performance and efficiency, primarily for AI servers. While currently not intended for PCs, rumors suggest these cores could power future Nvidia PC processors, potentially codenamed N2. The company also revealed its roadmap includes a follow-up CPU codenamed 'Rosa'.
Does Death Stranding 2 work on Steam Deck, or are you stuck with the big screen experience?
Death Stranding 2's Steam listing shows 'Unknown' for Steam Deck compatibility, but official requirements and a 'Portable preset' suggest it will be playable on handheld devices. While framerates are unconfirmed, it's anticipated to run at around 30 FPS with potential dips, likely requiring FSR upscaling.
Gamer Discovers Dad’s Incredible PC Gaming Legacy After His Passing
A Reddit user discovered their late father's extensive PC gaming library, which included classics like Doom, Half-Life, and SimCity. The user shared fond memories of their father, known as 'Mad Max,' playing these games and highlighted the importance of PC gaming's history and the generational connection it fostered.
Acer's "do-it-all" RTX 5070 Ti gaming laptop just dropped back to a record-low price at Best Buy
Acer's Predator Helios Neo 16S AI gaming laptop, featuring an RTX 5070 Ti GPU and Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, is available at a record-low price of $1,549.99 at Best Buy during their Tech Fest Sale. This deal offers significant savings compared to other RTX 5070 Ti laptops and provides strong performance for gaming and other tasks.
Morning Tech Bits
The Flipper One is a pocket Linux PC, not a Flipper Zero sequel, according to an XDA report on its firmware. Additionally, CachyOS has surpassed Arch as the leading desktop distribution for Linux gamers on ProtonDB.
Know if your PC can handle Death Stranding 2 with these system requirements
The PC system requirements for Death Stranding 2 have been revealed, detailing minimum and recommended specifications for players. The minimum requirements target 1080p at 30fps, while recommended specs aim for 1440p at 60fps. The PC version will also support various upscaling technologies and uncapped frame rates.
Monster Hunter Stories 3 Ultrawide Fix
This guide provides instructions for applying a mod using REFramework to enable ultrawide monitor support for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. The workaround addresses the game's default 16:9 aspect ratio, which causes black bars on wider displays, and may also fix FOV issues. While the mod is effective for improving immersion, it currently works more reliably with the game's demo version due to potential anti-tamper protection issues in the full retail release.
Abubakar Salim, Surgent Studios founder and Raised by Wolves star, gives us a guided tour of his PC: 'My desktop is so bad that even my wife refuses to look at my screen'
Actor and Surgent Studios founder Abubakar Salim gives a tour of his PC setup, discussing his current games like No Rest for the Wicked and Dave the Diver. He highlights his longest-installed games as Garry's Mod and World of Warcraft, and his all-time essential game as Solitaire, reflecting on his early PC gaming experiences.
Sony Fears Valve More Than Microsoft, Says Bluepoint Tech Boss
Bluepoint Games tech director Peter Dalton suggests Sony views Valve and its Steam ecosystem as a greater threat than Microsoft. This perspective may explain Sony's recent pullback from PC game releases, as exclusives on Steam could encourage players to abandon PlayStation consoles, especially with the success of the Steam Deck.
Steam Users Call for Hardware Compatibility at a Glance
PC gamers are calling for Steam to implement a feature that shows hardware compatibility at a glance, leveraging existing system data to inform users if they can run a game. This would streamline the purchasing process, reduce refunds, and improve the overall user experience on the platform. While Valve has the technical capability, the implementation of such a feature is still pending.
The rise of PC gaming is not what’s killing video game consoles - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that the perceived rise of PC gaming is actually a decline in console gaming, driven by mistakes from Sony and Microsoft. The author criticizes console manufacturers for focusing on hardware sales over game development and for inconsistent strategies regarding PC releases, leading players to seek more attractive options on PC or Nintendo Switch.
Marathon's next update will help your vault feel roomier, and Bungie outlines their plans for higher-end PCs
Bungie is releasing update 1.0.5 for Marathon next week, which will increase vault space by allowing greater stack quantities of consumables, ammo, salvage, and grenades, and add new vault filters for keys and backpacks. The developer also plans to adjust proximity chat audio distance and is outlining long-term improvements for high-spec PCs, alongside a near-term guide to optimize current hardware.
Morning Tech Bits
Microsoft is reportedly working on eliminating the "compiling shaders" wait times experienced by PC gamers. The article also briefly mentions a peculiar trend of RAM kits being sold with one fake stick alongside a real one.
'GeForce 3 was such a transition for us': Nvidia's Jensen Huang looks back on 25 years of the classic…
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reflected on the 25th anniversary of the GeForce 3 graphics card, highlighting its significance as a mainstream accelerator. He discussed the evolution of graphics technology, noting the dramatic increase in transistor count and power draw from the GeForce 3's 30 million transistors and 35 watts to modern GPUs. The article also mentions notable games from the GeForce 3 era and contemporary titles.
Gaming on ARM: Can Windows 11 Finally Make It a Reality?
Windows 11 is improving the viability of ARM processors for PC gaming through enhanced emulation and cloud gaming integration. While challenges like game compatibility and GPU power remain, ARM laptops offer potential benefits such as longer battery life and lower costs, making them a promising option for casual gamers.
Project Helix Release Date Speculation, Potential Price, Specs, And Everything We Know About The Next Xbox Console
Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that the next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, is in development and will play both Xbox and PC games, aiming to lead in performance. Speculation suggests a release around 2027, with potential pricing between $650 and $1200 due to component shortages. The console is expected to feature custom AMD chips and advanced technologies like next-gen raytracing and neural rendering.
Scopely hits $15 billion in lifetime revenue
Mobile game publisher Scopely has announced it has surpassed $15 billion in lifetime revenue. The article also discusses the current console generation, noting the Xbox Series X's potential advantages due to PC game compatibility and a slower exclusive release cadence on PlayStation 5 compared to previous generations.
Crimson Desert’s Last-Minute Denuvo Ambush Sparks PC Gaming Revolt
Pearl Abyss has added Denuvo DRM to Crimson Desert just one week before its PC launch, sparking significant backlash from the gaming community. Players are concerned about potential performance impacts and the lack of transparency regarding the anti-piracy software's inclusion. This decision has overshadowed the game's anticipated release, raising questions about the developer's relationship with its player base.
Tech Boss of Developer Sony Is Shutting Down Thinks PlayStation Has Pulled Back From PC in Response to Steam Machine - IGN
Sony appears to be scaling back its PC gaming efforts, potentially returning to a strategy of keeping major single-player titles exclusive to PlayStation 5. This shift may be a response to the potential competition from Valve's Steam Machine, which could offer a console-like experience with access to the full PC library. The closure of Bluepoint Games, a studio known for its PlayStation remakes, is also mentioned in the context of Sony's evolving strategy.
