PC Gaming
Ongoing coverage on PC Gaming.
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Steam Week in Review: Steam sales are the best time to hoard dozens of forgotten '90s PC gaming oddities
The Steam Summer Sale offers deep discounts on major titles, but also presents an opportunity to explore forgotten '90s PC gaming oddities. The article highlights obscure FMV racers, cyberpunk adventures, and rail shooters, suggesting that even browsing trailers and screenshots can be a fascinating dive into video game history. It also notes the ongoing popularity of games like Cyberpunk 2077 and PUBG: Battlegrounds during the sale period.
Valve Engineers Keen on Steam Machine Price Drop But Warn Not to Expect It “Anytime Soon”
Valve engineers Pierre-Loup Griffais and Yazan Aldehayyat have expressed a desire to lower the price of the Steam Machine, but caution that it is unlikely to happen soon due to current hardware and storage costs. They acknowledge that the high price point is counterproductive to the device's goal of reaching a wider audience. Reservations for the first batch have ended, with shipments beginning on June 29th.
On Steam Machine, Valve engineers say "the cheaper the better," but a price drop is unlikely "any time…
Valve engineers acknowledge that while they prefer lower prices for the Steam Machine, a price drop is unlikely in the near future due to ongoing high hardware component costs, particularly memory. Despite the entry-level model costing $1049, Valve believes it offers value as an enabler for gaming experiences.
Five discounted Stream Decks, four historically low prices: Elgato's macropad lineup has never been more affordable
Elgato's Stream Deck lineup is currently available at historically low prices during Prime Day, with four out of five discounted models reaching new price lows. These macropads, useful for both streamers and general PC gamers, are being offered at significant discounts on Amazon. The sale is part of Amazon's Prime Day event, which concludes on Friday, July 26th.
Steam Machine Preorder Emails Are Super Confusing
Valve has begun sending out confusing preorder emails for the Steam Machine, which launches on June 29. These emails notify customers whether they are in the 'queue' to purchase within three days or on a 'waitlist' for future supply. The Steam Machine is described as a living room PC with prices ranging from $1050 to $1430.
Dear Rockstar: Please stop dancing around the GTA 6 PC release, it deserves better than this
This opinion piece criticizes Rockstar Games for its continued silence regarding the PC release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a trend seen with previous titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. The author argues that while a PC version is inevitable, the studio's 'hide the port' strategy feels unnecessary and potentially manipulative, suggesting that confirming its eventual release would be a better approach for the PC audience.
It's been a year since I bought my Steam Deck – here are 6 gadgets under $35 I couldn't live without
A year after purchasing a Steam Deck OLED, the author highlights six essential accessories under $35 that have improved comfort, portability, and durability. The article focuses on budget-friendly options, with many JSAUX products offering good value, and notes that Prime Day sales offer significant discounts on these items.
'Stim Machine' is an alternative build outgunning the Steam Machine with a more powerful GPU, all at the same price — but there are notable compromises
A French retailer, LDLC, has created a PC called the 'Stim Machine' that offers a more powerful RX 9060 XT GPU than Valve's Steam Machine at the same price point. While it boasts superior frame rates and upgrade potential, the Stim Machine is significantly larger, lacks some of Valve's user-friendly features like instant sleep/wake and HDMI CEC, and requires manual SteamOS installation.
Is GTA 6 going to be on PC? And if so then when?
Grand Theft Auto 6 is confirmed for a November 19, 2026 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, but Rockstar Games has remained silent on a PC version. Based on past releases like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, a PC release is not expected before November 2027, and potentially as late as 2028.
"Mission Impossible is high on my list" – how Paramount plans to use co-dev to exploit its archive, while building its own all-new IP
Paramount has merged its video game divisions into the new Paramount Games Studio, led by EVP Dan Prigg. The studio aims to leverage Paramount's extensive IP archive through co-development and internal projects, targeting PC, console, Roblox, and mobile platforms. While exploiting existing franchises like Mission Impossible and Star Trek is a focus, the studio is also developing original IP, aiming for games to potentially inspire future linear entertainment.
Valve clarifies that all Steam Machines have a single 16GB RAM stick — here's what this means, and why I think it's another reason gamers may hold off buying the PC
Valve has clarified that all Steam Machines will ship with a single 16GB RAM stick, correcting previous statements that suggested some models might have two 8GB sticks. While this configuration offers a better upgrade path to 32GB, it sacrifices the performance benefits of dual-channel memory. The article suggests this detail, along with potential pricing issues, might be reasons for gamers to delay purchasing a Steam Machine.
Valve says Steam Machine won't have 'as long of a timeframe' as Steam Deck, and new models are 'just…
Valve engineers discussed the product strategy for the Steam Machine, indicating it will not have as long of a product lifecycle as the Steam Deck. Unlike the Steam Deck, which requires a fixed performance target for developers, the Steam Machine is more akin to a gaming PC with a variable performance gradient. Valve is observing the evolving PC hardware market and new game demands before committing to a new Steam Machine iteration.
LDPlayer 14 officially launches, redefining the Android gaming experience on PC
LDPlayer has officially launched LDPlayer 14, its next-generation Android emulator for PC, featuring support for Android 14, optimized Hyper-V compatibility, and enhanced performance for a smoother gaming experience. This update aims to solidify LDPlayer's position as a global PC mobile gaming platform, catering to the growing demand for playing Android games on larger screens with better controls and stability, especially for long-session genres like MMORPGs and strategy games.
Razer Put RGB Lighting In A Gaming Chair, And Honestly, It Was Only A Matter Of Time
Razer has introduced the Soma Chroma, its first wireless RGB gaming chair, priced at $500 and launching in July. The chair features reactive lighting around the shoulders and head, capable of syncing with over 300 games via PC. It also includes 10 lighting presets and can be powered by a power bank through a USB-C connection.
When the heck is GTA 6 going to release on PC?
This article speculates on the potential PC release date for Grand Theft Auto 6, suggesting it may not arrive until late 2027 based on Rockstar Games' historical release patterns for PC ports. It highlights that Rockstar often delays PC versions by a significant margin after console launches and may not announce a date until well after the initial console release.
I always forget to cancel free trials, so I'm sticking with Newegg's anti-Prime Day deals this week
Newegg is running its Fantastech sale concurrently with Amazon's Prime Day, offering numerous deals on PC gaming hardware, components, and accessories. The article highlights various discounts on items like GPUs, CPUs, monitors, and gaming chairs, encouraging readers to find better prices than those offered by Amazon. It also provides advice on navigating marketplace sellers and checking for price protection.
GTA 6's preorders mark the start of a long wait for it to come to PC, despite the fact we'll likely make up…
Grand Theft Auto 6's preorder availability highlights the long wait for its PC release, a decision criticized by PC Gamer staff. Despite PC's significant market share, Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive continue to prioritize console launches, with CEO Strauss Zelnick citing the need to serve the 'core' audience. This approach, coupled with pricing strategies and potential limitations on modding, leaves PC players feeling excluded.
Issues and Activism
The article discusses concerns that Grand Theft Auto 6 might lock core content behind a $20 upgrade, potentially impacting its PC release. This potential monetization strategy is seen as a dampener on the initial hype for the game.
The one thing Valve would change about the Steam Machine? 'Make it cheaper'
Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais admitted that the primary thing they would change about the Steam Machine is its high price, with the cheapest model costing $1,049. They attributed the cost to difficulties in securing components like RAM due to market conditions. Valve also confirmed that users can now install SteamOS on non-Valve hardware, including PCs with AMD GPUs.
Prime Day PC deals are the answer to RAMageddon, and I've found the discounts to prove it
Amidst a significant RAM shortage impacting PC upgrades, Prime Day offers are presented as the best opportunity to purchase computer components. Deals are available from major retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy, including discounts on pre-built gaming PCs and individual components. The article highlights that these sales may be crucial for acquiring PC gaming hardware due to ongoing shortages and high demand.
