A dual-CPU cooling mod by Redditor "ntsow" allows the Nubia Z70 Ultra to run Counter-Strike 2 at over 100FPS, showcasing significant performance improvements.
Xodus is an open-source project aimed at enabling Linux and macOS users to access Xbox PC and PC Game Pass subscriptions without Windows. Developed by the team behind the Heroic Game Launcher, Xodus builds on existing functionalities to allow gameplay from various platforms. The project has successfully created an Xbox authorization system for users to log in, verify licenses, and identify available Game Pass titles. However, challenges remain in launching games, requiring reverse engineering of Microsoft technologies like the Game Development Kit (GDK) and MSIXVC format. Compatibility issues are anticipated, particularly with older Universal Windows Platform (UWP) games, such as Forza Horizon 3. Additionally, launching games will necessitate the use of Linux technologies like Wine, DXVK, or VKD3D-Proton, complicating full compatibility with the Game Pass catalog.
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls has received mixed reviews on Steam, currently holding a "Mixed" rating from 1,565 reviews. Players have reported issues related to the PC port, including the requirement of a PlayStation Network login that limits access in some regions, as well as technical difficulties like micro-stutters and dropped frames during online play. Arc System Works has acknowledged these performance issues and is investigating them. Additionally, the game has faced criticism for being incompatible with Linux systems. Meanwhile, the Marvel franchise remains successful, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day becoming the highest-grossing movie of the year and potentially surpassing the all-time box office record held by Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The PC version of Halo: Campaign Evolved lacks split-screen functionality, which is available on Xbox and PS5. This absence has disappointed players, especially with the rise of living room PCs. A mod called "Halo Campaign Evolved Split-screen Coop," created by Jpurd123, allows for local split-screen play by utilizing existing code in the game. The mod supports only two-player split-screen and has been tested with the Steam version, leaving other platforms potentially unsupported. Additionally, both players must use controllers, as mixing input methods causes issues. Despite these limitations, the mod's quick development reflects the community's dedication to enhancing the gaming experience.
Players who own digital copies of 13 Ubisoft titles on XBOX can access the PC versions through Ubisoft Connect at no extra cost. The included games are:
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
- Far Cry 6
- Immortals Fenyx Rising
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
- Riders Republic
- Skull and Bones
- The Crew 2
- The Crew Motorfest
- Rainbow Six Extraction
- Rainbow Six Siege
- Watch Dogs Legion
Purchases made from July 27 onward grant immediate access to both versions, while existing owners will see a gradual rollout of PC versions by August 4. Users should update Ubisoft Connect to the latest version for a smooth transition. This offer is exclusive to XBOX console-to-PC; PC copy owners do not receive a free XBOX version. Most supported games allow the transfer of owned editions, season passes, and downloadable content to PC, excluding consumable items. Ubisoft has also expanded its catalogue on the Xbox PC app with additional premium editions and add-ons for various titles.
Ubisoft and XBOX are enhancing their collaboration by introducing premium editions and selected add-on content for various Ubisoft titles on the XBOX for PC platform. Notable titles include Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Star Wars Outlaws, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, Skull and Bones, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. XBOX console players can access the PC versions of select games at no extra charge if they own the digital XBOX console versions. The included titles are:
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
- Far Cry 6
- Immortals Fenyx Rising
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
- Riders Republic
- Skull and Bones
- The Crew 2
- The Crew Motorfest
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
- Watch Dogs Legion
To access these, users should update Ubisoft Connect. New purchases will provide both console and PC versions immediately, while existing owners will receive the PC version progressively until August 4. Season Pass or add-on content generally transfers, but consumable items may not. In-game currencies and consumables are excluded from the offering, but cross-progression is supported for select games.
Sega's president, Shuji Utsumi, stated that the company recognizes the importance of digital titles in the gaming industry, particularly as more players are turning to PC gaming due to accessibility issues with consoles. He emphasized the need to strengthen digital products to develop this market, especially in regions like Japan where physical media remains popular. Utsumi also expressed that Sega still values its history with physical games while adapting to the digital landscape. The company's major releases are increasingly being made available on PC, indicating a strategic shift towards aligning with evolving gamer preferences.
Rockstar Games is launching Grand Theft Auto 6 without a simultaneous PC port, which has disappointed some PC players. Former Rockstar producer John Ricchio explained that the decision is based on resource allocation and the need for a compelling business case for PC ports. He noted that past hardware limitations favored console development, but the performance gap between consoles and PCs has narrowed recently. Despite the delayed PC version, 39% of players are willing to wait for it. The game, titled Phantom Vice Auto, is set to launch on November 19.
Sony plans to discontinue the production of physical game discs for the PlayStation 5 by 2028, shifting towards a fully digital licensing model. Frank Cifaldi from the Video Game History Foundation has raised concerns about the preservation of video game history, stating that piracy may become the only means of safeguarding digital works. He criticized the Entertainment Software Association for resisting efforts to create a legal framework for preserving digital content. Cifaldi highlighted that museums and archives are preparing for this digital future, questioning the industry's expectations for cultural institutions as physical media is phased out. The transition to digital ownership has sparked discussions in the gaming community, particularly regarding the lack of backward compatibility in the PlayStation ecosystem and the challenges posed by the closure of digital stores for older consoles. The urgency for solutions to protect video game history is increasing as the industry moves towards a digital-only future.
Spyro the Dragon has been remastered in the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, available on Steam. Developer Toys for Bob is working on a new game, Spyro: A Realm Beyond, set to release in 2027. A fan group is developing a PC port of the original Spyro the Dragon, with 88% of the game's functions and 58% of its bytecode decompiled. The port features 60FPS gameplay, true widescreen support, perspective correct textures, and no polygon wobble. It is being developed without AI, runs at 320FPS, and is still in early stages with some visual artifacts. The release of the port may come sooner than expected.
