CrossOver 25 makes gaming on macOS and Linux even better -- could it help gamers ditch Windows 11?
CodeWeavers has just released CrossOver 25 for macOS and Linux, and it’s packed with some seriously awesome improvements. Thanks to Wine 10.0 bringing over 5,000 changes, this update should make running both Windows games and apps on non-Windows systems smoother than ever. Could this finally convince gamers to dump Microsoft's OS?
Let’s be honest, Windows 11 hasn’t exactly won over everyone. Between forced updates, hardware restrictions, and Microsoft’s annoying obsession with AI features (that most people don’t even want), it has left many gamers looking for alternatives. That’s where CrossOver 25 comes in.
Valve launches Steam Game Recording tool in beta
There are many solutions available for anyone who has asked themselves the question "how do I record what is happening on my screen?". Video recording is a recent addition to Windows' Snipping Tool, and Microsoft also includes a screen capture ability in the Xbox Game Bar app -- a versatile option that can be used to record more than just games.
Now there's a new contender from Valve. Currently available in beta, Steam Game Recording is a much-requested feature and one that has been implemented in an impressive way.
Steam ends support for Windows 7 and Windows 8
Windows 7 and 8 are now incredibly long in the tooth, and Steam has used the arrival of a new year to drop support for the aged operating systems.
The planned ditching of Windows 7 and Windows 8 was revealed by Steam-maker Valve way back in March. Now 2024 has rolled around, the company is staying true to its word. While this does not mean that games will simply stop working, it does mean that the Steam client for these versions of Windows will no longer be updated, and on-going functionality cannot be guaranteed.
Cyber threats get more personal
Popular online platforms such as Netflix, Facebook, and Steam are being used to spread cyber attacks as criminals focus on consumers' favorite online activities.
The latest consumer threat guide from F-Secure finds the most imitated social media platform used to spread phishing threats in 2022 was Facebook at 62 percent. Steam, the largest distribution platform for PC games, was the most popular gaming platform to spoof at 37 percent.
The Last of Us Part 1 bombs on PC
The long awaited first part of the previously PlayStation exclusive The Last of Us game has been released on March 28, 2023 on Steam. The remastered version of the game has received praising reviews for PlayStation, but when you check the Steam ratings one day after release, you notice that they are mostly negative on the site.
In numbers, more than 4,200 of the 5,740 reviews are mostly negative, and this leads to the question how this could have happened. From Game of the Year to one that sits at the bottom of Steam’s ranking charts.
Valve bans developer from Steam for using game update notes to share transphobic rant
The developer of the game Domina, Nicholas Gorissen, has received a permanent ban from Valve's Steam platform after publishing an anti trans diatribe in the notes accompanying a game update.
Gorissen, also known as Bignic, used the release notes for an update to his Roman gladiator sim Domina to attack the transgender community. In addition to a general anti-trans rant, he also personally attacked a prominent transgender game streamer. In response, Valve has removed all titles published by his company, Dolphin Barn Incorporated.
Steam snap now available for Linux gamers
Today we get some very exciting news for the Linux gaming community. And yes, smart aleck, people do play video games on Linux these days. What is the big news? Canonical has released an early-access snap version of Steam for Ubuntu and other compatible Linux-based operating systems!
What exactly does this mean? Well, Canonical is aiming to make it even easier to get Steam up-and-running on Linux. Gamers will be able to install Valve's software from the snap store for a more elegant experience.
PNY XLR8 Gaming microSD card is perfect for Nintendo Switch and Valve Steam Deck
From time to time, a manufacturer will release a memory card that it claims is designed for gaming. Consumers often wonder if there is anything special about these cards that will truly benefit gamers. The answer is largely... no. Sorry, folks, but a storage card that is designed for gaming is usually just marketing hype.
With all of that said, today, PNY launches a microSD card under its XLR8 gaming brand. You know what? Thanks to the card's impressive specifications, gamers will actually want to check it out. While it is primarily intended to be used with the Nintendo Switch, it will absolutely be a smart choice for the new Valve Steam Deck and Android devices too. The card will, of course, work with any device that uses such a card, including the Raspberry Pi, drones, digital cameras, and more.
Valve Steam Deck delay ruins Christmas for countless Linux gaming nerds
Do you hear that horrible sound? That's the combined screams and howls of countless Linux gaming nerds learning the devastating news -- the release of the Steam Deck video game console has been pushed to next year. In other words, anyone hoping to get the console under the Christmas tree this year will be left disappointed.
If you aren't familiar, the Steam Deck is a portable PC/gaming console hybrid that runs the Arch Linux-based "SteamOS" operating system which uses KDE Plasma. Similar to a Nintendo Switch Lite in design (but much bigger, heavier, and more powerful) it lets you play PC games in the palm of your hand. You can check out the specifications here.
Steam Deck is a Linux desktop trojan horse
Switching from Windows to Linux is pretty easy nowadays -- unless you're a gamer. If you are into PC gaming, Windows is still the best operating system for maximum compatibility and performance. Gaming on Linux has gotten better thanks to Steam's Proton, but still, Windows clearly reigns supreme.
With all of that said, Linux gaming is about to get much more possible. You see, Valve's new handheld gaming console is basically just a PC running an Arch Linux-based operating system. The OS is named "SteamOS" and it uses KDE Plasma.
Windows 10 handheld gaming PC now available for pre-order on Amazon
If you like the idea of the Nintendo Switch, but wish you could play PC games on it, then GDP WIN 3 could well be just what you’re looking for.
The handheld console runs Windows 10 Home and has Switch-like controllers on the left and right hand sides and a 1280 x 720 touchscreen that slides up to reveal to a keyboard underneath. It’s a nice piece of kit, but it comes with something that you might not be so happy about -- a high price tag.
Add new style modes to Windows 10 and give it a Windows XP or Mac OS makeover
Windows 10 currently lets you choose from two styles -- Dark Mode and Light Mode -- which you can enable and switch between in the Settings > Personalization section of the OS.
If you’ve ever wished for access to more style modes than that, then you’ll be interested in a new app which lets you customize Windows with additional styles, and can even give Windows 10 a convincing retro makeover.
Netflix series and a Steam sale give Witcher 3: Wild Hunt a huge boost
Despite being over four years old, Witcher 3: Wild Hunt not only remains popular but is actually more popular than ever on Steam.
Yesterday, over 94,000 players were logged into the game, exceeding the previous record from the launch back in May 2015. There is no doubt that the Netflix Witcher series has helped to boost interest in the game, but Steam also has a huge sale on The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt -- Game of the Year Edition (which includes the Hearts of Stone and Blood & Wine expansions), with a massive 70 percent off serving as a huge enticement for newcomers.
Valve finally kills Steam Controller -- sells remaining stock for $5 each
Remember when Valve had ambitious plans about revolutionizing the PC gaming landscape with the Linux-based SteamOS and its own "revolutionary" Steam Controller? Yeah, well, those dreams are dead. The company's Steam Machines (computers running SteamOS) were an utter failure and died an early death. The Steam Controller (a product I once had high hopes for) was a chore to use and is considered by many to be a terrible product. Of course, some people do love the controller.
Finally, after several years, that game pad is being canceled. In fact, to show how much a failure it is, Valve is selling all remaining stock for $5 each. Yes, for less than the price of a decent McDonald's meal, you can score one of these controllers. Unfortunately, there is a big catch.
Steam will not support Ubuntu 19.10 onwards
It is only a few days since Canonical announced that it was dropping support for 32-bit packages as of Ubuntu 19.10. The fall out from this is now being felt.
While there were many developers who were not happy with the decision, Linux-based gamers are now likely to be more than slightly annoyed. Steam has announced that "Ubuntu 19.10 and future releases will not be officially supported by Steam or recommended to our users".
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