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Valve is telling devs how well their games actually run on Steam Deck with real world data
AppWizard
October 10, 2026

Valve is telling devs how well their games actually run on Steam Deck with real world data

As of October 1, Valve has introduced a feature that allows developers to access frame rate data from Steam Deck users, showing the percentage of sessions at which their games are played. This data helps developers assess game performance and identify areas for improvement. The system is limited to verified games and does not affect the verification process itself. Developers can use this information to analyze player experiences and the impact of updates on performance.
Free-to-play playtime is broadly flat as gacha RPGs drive PC growth, says Newzoo
AppWizard
October 6, 2026

Free-to-play playtime is broadly flat as gacha RPGs drive PC growth, says Newzoo

The Newzoo analysis indicates that the share of playtime for free-to-play (F2P) games is expected to decrease by 2.9 percentage points from 2021 to 2025, reaching 29.3%, although total hours spent on these games remain stable. The decline is linked to the rise of premium games and platforms like Roblox, with F2P playtime on PC increasing while it wanes on consoles. The number of F2P live-service launches peaked at 36 in 2017 but has since dropped by 31%, averaging 14.7 titles from 2023 to 2025. Revenue concentration among the top five F2P titles is decreasing, with their share on consoles falling from 79% in 2021 to 72% in 2025, and from 68% to 65% on PC. Gacha games are growing significantly, with major titles expected to increase from three in 2021 to 17 by 2025, and PC gacha playtime rising by 92%. RPGs are the only F2P genre gaining market share on both platforms, with PC RPG playtime increasing by 5.3 percentage points to 14.3%. New releases include EA Sports Madden NFL 27 debuting at No. 2 on console and Big Walk at No. 3 on PC.
The Pixel 11 series has a gaming problem, and Google's new graphics default is to blame
BetaBeacon
September 28, 2026

The Pixel 11 series has a gaming problem, and Google’s new graphics default is to blame

ANGLE is the default OpenGL ES implementation on the Pixel 11 series, introduced in the September 2026 update. It translates calls to Vulkan and is meant to improve compatibility and stability, but it is causing significant microstutter and lower frame rates in games like Genshin Impact, COD Mobile, and Asphalt Legends. The default ANGLE rendering on the Pixel 11 series is resulting in poor gaming performance.
ARC X1 Packs a 120Hz Screen and 9,300mAh Battery Into an Android Handheld
BetaBeacon
September 24, 2026

ARC X1 Packs a 120Hz Screen and 9,300mAh Battery Into an Android Handheld

The X1 handheld gaming device uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 Gaming Platform with 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage, expandable up to 1TB. It features a 7-inch 120Hz display and OwlOS software for a controller-first interface. The device also includes TMR sticks for precise control and a 9,300mAh battery for long gaming sessions. The price for the X1 is ₹29,500 for the Community Batch Drop, with reservations starting in October 2027.
First Xiaomi, then the world: why Arm might give phone gaming a huge graphics boost
BetaBeacon
September 8, 2026

First Xiaomi, then the world: why Arm might give phone gaming a huge graphics boost

Arm's DLSS for Android is set to be released soon, starting with the Xiaomi 18 Fold in China. The new Arm Mali G2-Ultra NX graphics processor inside the custom Xring O3 chip promises to enhance mobile gaming by providing PC-like technologies to improve game performance without using more power. This technology includes AI gaming graphics accelerators that can eliminate jagged edges in games and offer features similar to Nvidia's DLSS, such as AI upscaling, frame generation, and ray reconstruction. The new graphics tech is expected to be available in various devices beyond Chinese phones, including tablets and Chromebooks. The technology is aimed at improving gaming experiences while maintaining battery life and will be integrated into games like Where Winds Meet, Infinity Nikki, and Arena Breakout: Infinite.
Xodus: Project to Run Xbox PC Games on Linux and Mac Hits Important Milestone
AppWizard
August 11, 2026

Xodus: Project to Run Xbox PC Games on Linux and Mac Hits Important Milestone

Gaming on Linux is experiencing a resurgence, with projects like Xodus aiming to enable Xbox PC games, including Game Pass titles, on Linux and Mac. Xodus is developed by a team of three, including a contributor from the Heroic Games Launcher. They have made progress in authorization and game downloads and are working on replicating Game Development Kit (GDK) functionality for Xbox services. The project currently uses technologies like Proton, dxvk, or Wine for game performance, focusing on GDK and MSIXVC format games, while older UWP titles are not supported. The Xodus project has a GitHub page and a Discord server for community engagement.
Mangmi Air Y Makes Android Retro Gaming Cheaper
BetaBeacon
August 6, 2026

Mangmi Air Y Makes Android Retro Gaming Cheaper

Mangmi announced the release of the Air Y series, with pre-orders starting at .99. The base model comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, while the Pro model has a Snapdragon 865 processor. The 4.2-inch 4:3 screen is designed for retro gaming. Buyers should consider the specs and performance before making a purchase.
Minecraft Java Edition Now Demands 16GB RAM in First Hardware Overhaul in 17 Years
AppWizard
July 29, 2026

Minecraft Java Edition Now Demands 16GB RAM in First Hardware Overhaul in 17 Years

Mojang Studios has updated the system requirements for Minecraft: Java Edition for the first time in 17 years, raising the recommended memory to 16GB of RAM. The new minimum specifications include a 64-bit operating system, a quad-core CPU, a graphics card supporting Vulkan 1.3 API with at least 2GB of VRAM, and 8GB of system RAM for discrete GPUs or 12GB for integrated graphics. For the recommended "Fancy" preset, 16GB of system memory, a current-generation processor, and a graphics card with 6GB or more of VRAM are required. Older hardware may struggle to run the game, leading to low frame rates and visual issues. Mojang is transitioning from OpenGL to Vulkan to enhance game performance and visuals. Players can still use Minecraft: Bedrock Edition for lower system requirements or community optimization mods like Sodium to improve performance on less capable hardware.
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