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Microsoft's big push to dethrone SteamOS in the handheld market launches tomorrow
Winsage
November 22, 2025

Microsoft’s big push to dethrone SteamOS in the handheld market launches tomorrow

Microsoft's Windows 11 platform is facing competition from alternatives like SteamOS and Bazzite in the handheld gaming market, leading users to replace Windows 11 on third-party devices. To address this challenge, Microsoft is launching the Full Screen Experience (FSE), which aims to enhance the gaming environment on Windows 11 by streamlining the user interface. Initially exclusive to Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X, FSE will be available to all Windows 11 handhelds starting tomorrow. The rollout was announced on Xbox Wire and will expand to more Windows 11 PC form factors through the Xbox and Windows Insider programs. Initial impressions suggest that while FSE improves game booting convenience, it has not yet significantly boosted game performance.
Full screen experience expands to more Windows 11 PC form factors for Windows Insiders
Winsage
November 22, 2025

Full screen experience expands to more Windows 11 PC form factors for Windows Insiders

Windows Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 is now available for the Dev and Beta Channels, expanding the Xbox full screen experience to laptops, desktops, and tablets. This feature provides an immersive gaming environment designed for console-style navigation. Users can access it via the Task View icon or by pressing Win + Tab, and it can be toggled on and off with Win + F11. The Xbox home screen will display a variety of games, and switching between applications is facilitated by a long press on the Xbox button. The rollout of this feature is phased, and it requires the Xbox app from the Microsoft Store. Feedback can be submitted through the Feedback Hub under Gaming and Xbox > Gaming Full Screen Experience.
One of the handiest items on my gaming desk is now 34% off, and trust me when I say you need it
AppWizard
November 17, 2025

One of the handiest items on my gaming desk is now 34% off, and trust me when I say you need it

Battery-powered compressed air dusters, specifically the FRESMOL air duster, are innovative cleaning devices for gaming PCs and other home tasks. Priced at .50, it operates at 100,000rpm and includes multiple nozzles, small brushes, and a specialized nozzle with a brush attachment. It has three adjustable power levels, with the lowest often sufficient for most cleaning tasks. The device features a small LED light for illuminating dark areas and charges via a USB-C port with a 7500mAh battery, providing 20 to 40 minutes of use per charge. A similar offer in the UK reduces the price from £29.99 to £22.99.
Valve just quietly redefined what PC gaming can be all while an increasingly delusional Microsoft desperately tries to tell everyone their PC is an Xbox now
AppWizard
November 13, 2025

Valve just quietly redefined what PC gaming can be all while an increasingly delusional Microsoft desperately tries to tell everyone their PC is an Xbox now

Valve has announced a new ecosystem that aims to reduce Microsoft's influence in the PC gaming market, introducing SteamOS on Arm architecture, which may eliminate the need for x86 CPUs. The new Steam Controller improves upon its predecessor and is designed for use with the Steam Deck. The Steam Frame is a high-speed streaming device that allows wireless access to gaming content, functioning as a versatile headset for both VR and traditional games. It operates on an Arm-based architecture with a version of SteamOS and includes the FEX translation layer for compatibility with Windows games. Valve is collaborating with companies like Lenovo for hardware compatibility and is focusing on supporting AMD graphics in the new Steam Machine, while also working on enhancing gaming experiences across various Linux distributions. Despite challenges like Windows' dominance in multiplayer gaming, Valve's initiatives indicate a shift towards a more open gaming ecosystem.
Arc Raiders quests list and all rewards
AppWizard
November 5, 2025

Arc Raiders quests list and all rewards

Arc Raiders features a variety of quests that players can undertake to enhance their gameplay experience. The quests are available from different NPCs, each offering unique rewards. Players can complete these quests in any order, and they will appear in the player's logbook once accepted. Quests can be accessed through the menu of their respective trader, and players can view available quests by selecting the trader and clicking on the quests tab. Completing quests often yields valuable mechanical components and other rewards, making them beneficial for players, especially when tackled with friends. Here is a list of the current Arc Raiders quests along with their rewards and associated NPCs: 1. Picking Up the Pieces - Shani - Rewards: Rattler III, 80x Medium Ammo 2. Clearer Skies - Shani - Rewards: 3x Sterilized Bandage, Light Shield, Black backpack (Hiker) 3. Trash Into Treasure - Shani - Rewards: Tactical MK. 1 Augment, 3x Adrenaline Shot 4. Off the Radar - Shani - Rewards: 2x Defibrillator 5. Small But Sinister - Shani - Rewards: 2x Lure Grenade 6. Controlled Demolition - Apollo - Rewards: 2x Jump Mines 7. Fight Fire With Fire - Tian Wen - Rewards: 3x Blaze Grenades 8. Hatch Repairs - Shani - Rewards: 10x Metal parts, 5x Steel Spring, 5x Duct Tape 9. The Right Tool - Tian Wen - Rewards: Cheer Emote, Stitcher II, Extended Light Mag I 10. Safe Passage - Apollo - Rewards: 5x Lil Smoke Grenade, 3x Shrapnel Grenade, 3x Barricade Kit 11. A Better Use - Tian Wen - Rewards: Extended Light Mag I, Stable Stock I, Muzzle Brake II 12. Down to Earth - Shani - Rewards: Combat MK.1, Medium Shield 13. The Trifecta - Shani - Rewards: Orange Camo outfit, Dam Control Tower Key, Raider Hatch Key, 2x Defibrillator 14. What Goes Around - Apollo - Rewards: 3x Blaze Grenade, 2x Noisemaker, Cans backpack 15. Finders Keepers - Tian Wen - Rewards: 2x Heavy Fuse Grenade 16. Wasps and Hornets - Shani - Rewards: Wasp Driver, Hornet Driver, Mechanical Components, Electrical Components 17. From a Distance - Shani - Rewards: Photoelectric Cloak 18. Movie Night - Apollo - Rewards: 2x Show Stopper 19. Sparks Fly - Apollo - Rewards: Trigger Nade Blueprint, 4x Crude Explosives, 2x Processor 20. Greasing Her Palms - Celeste - Rewards: Lure Grenade Blueprint, 3x Speaker Component, 3x Electrical Components 21. A First Foothold - Apollo - Rewards: 3x Shrapnel Grenade, 3x Snap Blast Grenade, 3x Heavy Fuze Grenade 22. Dormant Barons - Shani - Rewards: 3x Door Blocker, 3x Li'l Smoke Grenade 23. Mixed Signals - Shani - Rewards: Photoelectric Cloak, Raider Hatch Key 24. What We Left Behind - Tian Wen - Rewards: Photoelectric Cloak, Raider Hatch Key 25. Doctor's Orders - Lance - Rewards: 3x Adrenaline Shot, 3x Sterilized Bandage, Surge Shield Recharger 26. Medical Merchandise - Lance - Rewards: Banana backpack charm, 3x Defibrillator, 2x Vita Shot 27. A Reveal in Ruins - Lance - Rewards: Tactical Mk. 3 Healing Augment, Surge Shield Recharger 28. Broken Monument - Tian Wen - Rewards: Arpeggio I, Compensator II, 80x Medium Ammo 29. Marked for Death - Tian Wen - Rewards: Shotgun Choke II, Angled Grip II 30. Straight Record - Tian Wen - Rewards: 5x Medium Gun Parts, 3x Advanced Mechanical Components 31. A Lay of the Land - Rewards: Dam Testing Annex Key, 3x Zipline, 2x Smoke Grenade 32. Market Correction - Tian Wen - Rewards: Silencer II, Extended Light Mag I, Compensator I 33. Keeping the Memory - Celeste - Rewards: 5x Simple Gun Parts, 5x Duct Tape, 5x Magnet 34. Reduced to Rubble - Rewards: Zipline, 3x Barricade Kit, 3x Doorblocker 35. With a Trace - Rewards: Medium Shield 36. Eyes on the Prize - Tian Wen - Rewards: Extended Shotgun Mag II, Extended Medium Mag II 37. Echoes of Victory Ridge - Celeste - Rewards: 6x Crude Explosives, 2x Processor, Music Box 38. Industrial Espionage - Tian Wen - Rewards: 3x Mechanical Components, 3x Simple Gun Parts 39. Unexpected Initiative - Tian Wen - Rewards: Il Toro I, Shotgun Choke II 40. A Symbol of Unification - Celeste - Rewards: 3x Mod Components, 5x Duct Tape 41. Celeste's Journals - Celeste - Rewards: Magnetic Accelerator, 3x Heavy Gun Parts, Exodus Modules 42. Back on Top - Tian Wen - Rewards: Renegade I, Stable Stock III, 80x Medium Ammo 43. The Major's Footlocker - Tian Wen - Rewards: Hullcracker Blueprint 44. Out of the Shadows - Shani - Rewards: 3x Surge Shield Recharger, 2x Wolfpack 45. Eyes in the Sky - Rewards: Vita Spray, 5x Yellow Light Stick 46. Our Presence Up There - Shani - Rewards: Buried City Town Hall Key, Raider Hatch Key, Jolt Mine 47. Communication Hideout - Shani - Rewards: Anvil III, 40x Heavy Ammo 48. After Rain Comes - Celeste - Rewards: 5x Blue Light Stick, 3x Antiseptic, 5x Durable Cloth 49. A Balanced Harvest - Celeste - Rewards: 3x Advanced Mechanical Components, 3x Medium Gun Parts, 10x Steel Spring 50. Untended Garden - Celeste - Rewards: 3x Advanced Mechanical Components, 3x Heavy Gun Parts, 5x Canister 51. The Root of the Matter - Celeste - Rewards: 3x Advanced Mechanical Components, 3x Heavy Gun Parts, 3x Canister 52. Water Troubles - Rewards: 3x Mechanical Components, 3x Simple Gun Parts, 3x Steel Spring 53. Into the Fray - Rewards: Radio Renegade outfit, Burgerboy backpack charm, Vulcano III, 40x Shotgun Ammo 54. Source of the Contamination - Rewards: 5x Steel Spring, 5x Duct Tape, Mod Components 55. Switching the Supply - Celeste - Rewards: 3x Synthesized Fuel 56. A Warm Place to Rest - Rewards: 3x Noisemaker, 5x Blue Light Stick 57. Prescriptions of the Past - Rewards: Heavy Shield, Tactical Mk. 3 Healing Augment 58. Power Out - Celeste - Rewards: 5x Wires, 5x Explosive Compound, 5x Oil 59. Lost in Transmission - Rewards: 1x Snap Hook 60. Flickering Threat - Celeste - Rewards: 5x Medium Gun Parts, 3x Advanced Mechanical Components 61. Bees! - Rewards: Advanced Electrical Components, 3x Sensors 62. Espresso - Apollo - Rewards: Coffee Pot, 3x Adrenaline Shot 63. Life of a Pharmacist - Lance - Rewards: Defibrillator, Surge Shield Recharger, 3x Sterilized Bandage 64. Tribute to Toledo - Celeste - Rewards: 5x Magnet, 2x Advanced Mechanical Components, 3x Synthesized Fuel 65. Digging Up Dirt - Celeste - Rewards: 2x Advanced Electrical Components, 4x Speaker Component 66. Turnabout - Celeste - Rewards: 2x Heavy Gun Parts, 2x Medium Gun Parts 67. Building a Library - Apollo - Rewards: 2x Heavy Gun Parts, 2x Medium Gun Parts 68. A New Type of Plant - Rewards: Vita Shot, 5x Antiseptic 69. Armored Transports - Rewards: 3x Smoke Grenade, 3x Defibrillator 70. Lance's Tea Party - Lance - Rewards: 2x Defibrillator 71. Handover - Tian Wen - Rewards: 2x Jolt Mine 72. Pied Piper - Apollo - Rewards: 3x Gas Grenades 73. Powering up the Greenhouse - Tian Wen - Rewards: Raider Augment III 74. The Bandage Run - Lance - Rewards: 3x Herbal Bandages 75. The Control Tower - Shani - Rewards: 1x Snap Hook 76. ESR Analyzer - Lance - Rewards: Tempest I 77. Raider Versus Rocketeer - Shani - Rewards: 2x WolfPack 78. Bringing Down a Bison - Shani - Rewards: Equalizer
Arc Raiders and Battlefield 6 prove that great performance and low system requirements are king for multiplayer PC games in 2025
AppWizard
November 4, 2025

Arc Raiders and Battlefield 6 prove that great performance and low system requirements are king for multiplayer PC games in 2025

Arc Raiders had over 350,000 simultaneous players during its launch weekend. It is designed to run on older hardware, requiring a minimum CPU of Intel Core i5 6600K and a GPU like the GTX 1050 Ti or RX 580. The RTX 3060 is the most commonly used desktop GPU among gamers, while the RTX 4060 is gaining popularity. The high cost of PC upgrades and inflation make it difficult for many players to keep up with the latest hardware. Battlefield 6 is playable on older hardware like the 4 GB AMD Radeon RX 570, while Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford described Borderlands 4 as "a premium game for premium gamers," which may limit its audience. Performance optimization is crucial for attracting a broad player base in multiplayer games.
A new Battlefield 6 "casual" mode aims to find middle ground as dev continues fightback against XP farming
AppWizard
November 2, 2025

A new Battlefield 6 “casual” mode aims to find middle ground as dev continues fightback against XP farming

Battlefield Studios has introduced a new Casual Breakthrough mode for Battlefield 6, designed to offer a relaxed gameplay experience by combining human players and AI-controlled bots. In this mode, two teams of 24 players each consist of eight human participants and 16 bots, allowing players to earn progression and complete challenges. Players receive full XP rewards for actions against human opponents, while interactions with AI yield reduced experience rates. The mode is currently available on two maps: Siege of Cairo and Empire State, but does not include dogtags, accolades, or career stat upgrades. The developers are seeking player feedback to make further adjustments if necessary. Additionally, temporary changes to XP rates in the Strikepoint mode have been implemented to ensure fair progression while investigating an exploit for rapid experience gains.
New data shows most Windows games now work on Linux – and I hope the same will soon apply to anti-cheat titles
Winsage
October 29, 2025

New data shows most Windows games now work on Linux – and I hope the same will soon apply to anti-cheat titles

Recent data indicates that nearly 90% of Windows games can now launch on Linux, particularly through SteamOS, marking a significant advancement in Linux gaming compatibility. However, games with kernel-level anti-cheat systems, such as the Call of Duty series and EA's Battlefield 6, remain incompatible with Linux. Some titles, like Helldivers 2 and Splitgate 2, have successfully integrated anti-cheat systems that work on Linux. The reliance on kernel-level anti-cheat has raised concerns about security vulnerabilities and gaming performance, as it restricts legitimate gamers while failing to effectively combat cheating.
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