Sony has announced that all new PlayStation games released after 2028 will be digital-only, making it the first major console to fully embrace digital media.
Installing Windows 11 involves a complex setup process that emphasizes Microsoft accounts, OneDrive, and personalized advertising, making it feel more like an advertising campaign than a straightforward installation. Users are encouraged to create Microsoft accounts, with local accounts being less accessible. The installation prompts users to enable various services, which can be frustrating and intrusive. The Start menu has transformed to include recommendations and promotional content, cluttering its functionality. Microsoft makes it challenging to switch default applications, reinforcing reliance on its ecosystem. Windows 11 collects significant diagnostic data, raising privacy concerns, and users must actively seek to disable data collection features. Public institutions in Europe are considering alternatives to Microsoft due to these concerns. The trend towards subscription models, such as Microsoft 365, can feel burdensome for home users. Hardware requirements for Windows 11, including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, have rendered many older PCs obsolete. Despite criticisms, Windows remains a powerful operating system essential for many workflows. Linux is gaining popularity, especially among gamers, as a viable alternative. Users desire a less intrusive and more user-friendly version of Windows that restores their control over devices without constant interruptions.
Bethesda will unveil Oblivion Remastered for the Nintendo Switch 2 on August 11, featuring a trailer with a live-action portrayal of the Adoring Fan and minimal gameplay footage. The remastered version aims to address technical challenges and will include motion controls and touch screen features. The full game will be included on the cartridge. The PC version has received patches for various issues, but players still encounter bugs, and there is hope for an improved experience, especially for those using devices like the Steam Deck. A modded version of the original game currently offers a smoother experience.
A modder demonstrated Windows 11 running on a vintage system with a Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor, DDR1 RAM, and an ATI Radeon HD 4650 AGP graphics card, achieving stable performance with games like Half-Life 2 and Crysis. The setup utilized an ASRock ConRoe865PE motherboard with an Intel i865PE chipset and required some "hacking interventions" for hardware compatibility, including launching the AGP 8X interface and activating H.264 video decoding. The Radeon HD 4650 AGP used Windows 7 64-bit drivers from 2012. The modder noted that Windows 11 officially supports BIOS systems via Windows 11 IoT, contributing to its stability on older hardware. The system's performance was enhanced by a Toshiba THNSNJ512GCSU solid-state drive (SSD). Additionally, another modder doubled the performance of a GeForce GTX 1650 by increasing its VRAM to 8 GB, and a different modder compressed GTA V to 2.5 GB.
In 2001, Steve Ballmer, then CEO of Microsoft, referred to Linux as a "cancer" threatening Microsoft's intellectual property and likened its users to "communist thieves." By 2016, after Microsoft ported SQL Server to Linux, Ballmer expressed enthusiasm for the change and acknowledged that the conflict with open-source had benefited Microsoft's financial success. In 2020, Microsoft President Brad Smith admitted the company had been on the wrong side of history regarding open source and noted the need for change. Microsoft has since embraced open-source technologies, introducing products like Azure Linux 4.0, built on Fedora.
As Windows 11's transition becomes difficult for users, advocacy groups have criticized Microsoft for ending support for Windows 10, which could lead to millions of discarded computers. Microsoft extended Windows 10's life through an Extended Security Updates program until October 14, 2026, with a recent announcement pushing it to 2027. Rising hardware costs and design flaws in Windows 11 have led some users to consider alternatives like Linux. A survey revealed that 30% of PCs are still running Windows 10, and a poll showed that 68% of respondents plan to stick with Windows 10 through 2027.
Xbox Game Pass has added the co-op adventure game RV There Yet?, which is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Cloud. The game received a "Very Positive" rating on Steam and an average score of 72 on Metacritic. It features gameplay centered around navigating a Recreational Vehicle (RV) and has been praised for its engaging nature and fun multiplayer experience. The game is available on Xbox Game Pass for Premium, Ultimate, and PC tiers, or can be purchased for £6.69. Crossplay between Xbox Game Pass and Steam players is not currently supported, but developers are working on this feature.
The Steam Machine was announced with a starting price of 9 in the U.S. and £879 in the U.K. SteamOS is currently in beta and primarily supports the Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Lenovo Legion Go S, with only about 19.13% of Steam users utilizing AMD GPUs compared to 72.42% using Nvidia. AMD provides broad support for Linux through open-source drivers, while Nvidia's proprietary drivers complicate SteamOS installation. Installing SteamOS requires a complete wipe of the NVMe SSD, and there is limited support documentation from Valve. Users have created guides to assist with installation, which involves adjusting BIOS settings and partitioning drives. Networking issues were encountered during installation, requiring command line updates and workarounds. SteamOS offers a console-like experience and a user-friendly interface for gaming, but it presents challenges for users who are not experienced with DIY setups.
Comp stomp is a cooperative gaming mode where players team up against AI opponents, but it often lacks genuine strategy due to the AI's limitations. The Last Stand from Dawn of War 2, launched in 2009, offers an alternative experience by placing players in a scenario with a single commander unit facing waves of aliens. Although the standalone version on Steam is no longer available, it can be accessed through the Dawn of War 2: Anniversary Edition. The Last Stand simplifies gameplay by removing traditional base-building and research, focusing on tactical skirmishes. Players can unlock various wargear that alters their playstyle, allowing for diverse strategies. The mode features a variety of playable factions, each with unique heroes and abilities. Despite newer titles, The Last Stand remains popular for its engaging gameplay. Fans are eager to see how it will be integrated into the upcoming Dawn of War 4.
Mishaal Rahman, an employee at Google, revealed that Android 17 will feature a new foldable gaming mode designed to enhance gameplay on foldable devices. This mode will split the screen, displaying the game on the top half and a customizable virtual gamepad on the lower half, equipped with buttons similar to those on PlayStation or Nintendo controllers. The gaming mode is set to launch with the Android 17 platform release in the coming months. Additionally, Android 17 includes a multitasking tool called "Bubbles" and is currently undergoing testing with QPR1 Beta 5, which addresses various fixes.
Rockstar Games has opened pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6, offering two versions priced at and 0, but the latter has not generated much enthusiasm. The game will not be available on PC at launch, leading to speculation about its release date for that platform. A poll revealed that 39% of respondents prefer to wait for the PC version, 28% expressed no interest in the game, 16% plan to purchase it on console, and 8% would buy it on console if they owned one. Another 8% are undecided and will wait until release to make a decision.
