Steam users Archives

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Xodus Cracks Xbox Authentication and Game Package Decryption to Bring PC Game Pass to Linux

Developers of the Heroic Games Launcher have announced Xodus, an open-source project aimed at enabling access to PC Game Pass on Linux and macOS. Launched on August 10, 2026, Xodus has successfully addressed Xbox identity authentication and the decryption of MSIXVC packages, allowing local play of Game Pass titles for Linux and macOS users. Currently, the only way to access Game Pass on non-Windows devices is through Xbox Cloud Gaming, which requires a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and introduces latency. Xodus employs a layered architecture, including an Xbox Authentication Library (xal-rs) for managing Microsoft account sign-ins and license verification, and a reimplementation of the xgameruntime.dll for license checks and Xbox service access. The project can retrieve MSIXVC game packages using a valid Game Pass subscription and decrypt executables for local storage. However, it does not yet support UWP-based titles and lacks a user-friendly interface for general users. The project is under pressure due to Microsoft's upcoming transition to the MSIXVC2 package format, which Xodus does not currently support. Xodus is in early development with only a command-line interface available, and the team is working on emulating the GDK Gaming Services layer necessary for game initialization. The project is legal as it reimplements Xbox runtime behavior without enabling piracy, but it faces risks if Microsoft alters its authentication infrastructure.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

Newest Marvel Game Is Off to a Rough Start on Steam: “The Issues Are So Steep”

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, released on August 6th for PC and PS5, has topped Steam's best-seller list but received a Mixed reception from PC gamers. Despite early sales success, players have reported significant performance issues, including frame rate problems and the impact of Kernel Level Anti-Cheat software on gameplay. Many users are frustrated by the requirement to log into a PlayStation Network account to play, and there are complaints about lack of support for Linux systems and the Steam Deck. A day-one patch was released to address some issues, but the overall launch experience has been problematic.

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

2 Star Ocean games go DRM-free on GOG as the storefront promises it’s working on embracing the Linux faithful

Select titles from the Star Ocean series, specifically Star Ocean: The Divine Force and Star Ocean: The Second Story R, are now available on GOG, marking their premiere on the platform. Both games have been included in the GOG Preservation Program to ensure compatibility with modern operating systems. GOG is also working on making the GOG Galaxy launcher compatible with Linux systems, acknowledging the growing number of gamers migrating from Windows to Linux.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

25-Year-Old Game Is Currently the #1 Best-Selling Game on Steam

Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, has been released in early access on the Steam marketplace by Xbox and Halo Studios. It has quickly become a top seller on Steam, currently priced competitively. The game has received a “Mostly Positive” rating from users, with around 70% of reviews being positive. Players have praised its gameplay mechanics and visuals, but there are concerns about bugs, performance issues, and the quality of cutscenes. The game has been verified for compatibility with the Steam Deck. Its position as a top seller may be challenged by other games like Palworld as the gaming community explores new releases.

Winsage

July 23, 2026

Windows 10 has almost three times as many active vulnerabilities as Windows 11, according to researchers

Windows 11 is installed on 78.8% of Windows computers, while 16.9% of users remain on Windows 10. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 in October 2025, with an extension until 2027. Windows 10 has 1,903 active Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), 2.9 times more than Windows 11, which has 652 CVEs. Of the active CVEs on Windows 10, 66.6% are classified as high or critical risk, with 2.4% actively exploited. Small businesses show the most significant lag in upgrading, with 21.4% still using Windows 10, while two-thirds of large enterprises have moved to Windows 11. The cost of upgrading is a primary barrier for smaller companies.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

It’s Monday, and Steam is currently struggling just like the rest of us

On July 13 at 11:30 PT, Steam experienced intermittent downtime and various errors affecting the store, community hub, and game APIs. Users reported that the store and community pages had a "Very Slow" status, and Deadlock's multiplayer API showed an Internal Server Error. The Steam API displayed erratic behavior, with users encountering "Bad Gateway" errors. By the end of the day, all systems were reported to be functioning normally.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

Steam Machine compatibility checks are here, though not every game on the store enjoys a rating

Steam users can now check a game's compatibility with Steam Machine and SteamOS directly from the store page. This feature was introduced after the Steam Machine's June release. Players can click 'learn more' next to the Steam Deck compatibility rating for an overview of compatibility across Valve's hardware and software. The game Black Myth: Wukong has an 'unknown' compatibility status with the Steam Machine, while it runs successfully on SteamOS. Valve is investigating compatibility for titles like Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Elden Ring Nightreign. Some games, like 007: First Light, can achieve a 'Verified' rating on the Steam Machine. Currently, the Steam store does not allow filtering by Steam Machine or SteamOS compatibility, but this feature is expected soon.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Echoes of Aincrad release date and launch times

Bandai Namco will release the game Echoes of Aincrad on July 9, 2023, for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The game will be available for purchase on Steam at a price of £55, with a deluxe edition available for an additional £20. The launch times for PC are as follows: 3 pm PDT in Los Angeles, 6 pm EDT in New York, 11 pm BST in London, 12 am CEST in Berlin, 8 am AEST in Sydney, and 10 am NZST in Auckland. For PlayStation and Xbox, the launch times are 9 pm PDT in Los Angeles, 12 am EDT in New York, 12 am BST in London, 12 am CEST in Berlin, 12 am AEST in Sydney, and 12 am NZST in Auckland. Echoes of Aincrad does not offer pre-loading for Steam users, but console users can preload the game.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

PC gamers remain skeptical of Steam’s AI disclaimers, poll shows many believe game devs are hiding it

A poll by GameDiscoverCo involving nearly 3,800 Steam users from June 25 to July 2, 2026, found that 43% of respondents are comfortable purchasing games with AI disclosures, while 31% view such disclosures negatively, and 8% refuse to buy games featuring them. Approximately 44% of participants read AI disclosures in detail, and 45% at least glance at them, indicating that 89% consider this information in their purchasing decisions. Trust in the accuracy of these disclosures is low, with only 17% believing developers fully disclose AI use, while 25% think many are transparent, and 35% feel only some provide accurate information. Additionally, 56% of respondents believe AI-assisted development tools should be disclosed, with only 8% disagreeing. Nearly 20% of games in Steam’s recent Next Fest event included a generative AI warning, a figure expected to rise as the industry evolves.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Steam Users Hooked On New Free Slice Of 9/10 Titanfall-Inspired Shooter

Titanfall 3 is not currently in production, but a new game called Code RAPID, developed by HitBreak, has released a free demo on Steam that has received positive feedback. Set in a post-apocalyptic world called Ondarea, players control customizable mechs in dynamic combat that emphasizes agility and strategy. The demo allows players to experience the first three missions, showcasing mech customization and core gameplay mechanics. The full version is expected to launch in 2026, and the game currently holds a 90% rating on Steam. Early players have expressed excitement and satisfaction with the demo's controls and gameplay.