Windows games Archives

BetaBeacon

May 11, 2026

How to play Steam PC games on Android phones and tablets (for real)

Valve released Proton in 2018, a fork of Wine that improves Linux compatibility with Windows games. By 2024, it became possible to run full-blown PC games from 1997 to 2005 on phones with Snapdragon processors. In 2025, GameSir released GameHub, allowing users to play Steam games on Android devices. Other open-source projects like GameNative and GameHub Lite have since improved the gaming experience on Android devices.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

PlayStation 5 Linux Tested: Steam PC vs Native PS5 Games

Linux has been successfully implemented on the PlayStation 5, allowing users to run an open operating system on the console. This implementation, led by security researcher Andy Nguyen (TheFlow), utilizes an exploit for PS5 consoles with system software versions up to 4.5. Users can boot Linux from a USB or SSD, with Ubuntu 26.04 LTS providing around 15GB of usable memory. The PS5's hardware, including its Zen 2 processor and GPU, is fully accessible, with CPU speeds reaching up to 3.5GHz and GPU speeds up to 2.23GHz when boost mode is activated. However, running Linux on the PS5 presents challenges, such as sourcing a unit with the required firmware and limitations in resolution, as users cannot exceed 1080p. Performance tests showed that Linux can match the PS5's performance in some titles, but issues with memory management were noted, leading to stuttering and crashes in certain games. For example, reducing texture quality improved performance in games like Pragmata, while rendering issues were observed in Crimson Desert. The implementation allows for a unique gaming experience, but it also highlights the complexities and limitations of running Linux on a gaming console.

Winsage

May 4, 2026

“Gaming compatibility on Snapdragon X has come such a long way”: What 200 tested games tell us about Surface Pro 11

Qualcomm and Microsoft are marketing their Snapdragon X-powered PCs without emphasizing gaming, despite Qualcomm claiming that 90% of top Windows games are compatible with Snapdragon X2 laptops. The Snapdragon X2 chip announcement does not mention gaming, contrasting with ASUS's promotion of the Zenbook A16 for gaming. YouTuber Ghobso Gaming has tested 200 games on a Surface Pro 11 with a Snapdragon X Plus, sharing a list of ten well-performing games, including Fortnite, which became playable after Easy Anti-Cheat support was introduced. The performance of Snapdragon X PCs has improved significantly, and there is potential for gaming handhelds powered by Snapdragon X chips to compete with Intel and AMD devices.

Winsage

April 29, 2026

Windows K2: The 6 Best Features From Microsoft’s Upcoming “Please Don’t Leave” Update

Linux is gaining support from gamers, partly due to Windows 11's complexity and Valve's Proton compatibility layer, which allows Windows games to run on Linux. In response, Microsoft is preparing a significant update for Windows 11, codenamed K2, to enhance gaming performance, improve the start menu's responsiveness by 60%, allow users to pause updates indefinitely, enhance file explorer navigation, provide taskbar flexibility, and reduce unnecessary AI features. Additional user suggestions include improving the Xbox app's reliability, offering a one-click telemetry opt-out, simplifying local account setup, and addressing repetitive prompts after updates.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Xbox PC Project Might Have Solved How To Fix Hundreds Of ‘Broken’ Windows Games

The Xbox Collection Tracker project on GitHub addresses connectivity issues faced by Windows 8-era games in the Xbox PC app due to the transition from XBL2.0 to XBL3.0 token formats. Microsoft has deprecated the old XBL2.0-formatted XSTS tokens, causing many older titles like Microsoft Mahjong, Minesweeper, Hydro Thunder Hurricane, and others to encounter sign-in errors and lose access to features tied to Xbox Live identity. The project aims to create a compatibility layer that allows these games to connect to Xbox servers using the modern XBL3.0 format without needing extensive modifications. Developers are advocating for a server-side translation layer to restore the functionality of these classic games while acknowledging potential security concerns.

BetaBeacon

April 20, 2026

Now you can run Steam games in Linux on some handhelds that ship with Android

- Valve has released Proton 11 beta 1, which allows you to run Windows games designed for x86 architecture on devices with Arm processors running Linux. - ROCKNIX, a Linux-based gaming operating system, has added support for Steam on handheld game consoles, allowing you to play PC games on these devices. - Not all PC games will work on these devices, especially those that require NVIDIA RTX graphics or use DirectX 12. - ROCKNIX can be installed on an SD card to use on Android handhelds without overwriting the original operating system, but performance may be better if installed on the internal storage.

Winsage

April 18, 2026

Linux promises freedom from Windows, but it demands something harder in return

The author has over two decades of experience with Linux, initially using it on a netbook during postgraduate studies. Linux is seen as a viable alternative to Windows, though its market share growth is slow. Recent gains in Linux's desktop market share are attributed to dissatisfaction with Windows, particularly due to unpopular AI features and disruptive updates from Microsoft. The increasing compatibility of Windows games with Linux has also helped. Linux addresses some issues associated with Windows, such as the absence of advertising and telemetry, and offers greater control over installations, which can improve performance on older hardware. However, users may face challenges with the variety of Linux distributions, leading to confusion and decision fatigue. Transitioning to Linux requires significant time and effort, as users must navigate a fragmented landscape without centralized support.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

This is not a drill: All-timer weirdo game Deadly Premonition now playable on Linux as of Valve’s most recent Proton beta, plus 17 others and your EA library (until EA breaks it again)

Proton 11 beta 1 has been released by Valve, enhancing the Steam Deck and Linux desktops, and incorporating features from Wine 11. This update includes an initial Arm64 version of Proton, with plans for implementation in the upcoming Steam Frame. Some Windows games may perform better on Linux with this update. Newly playable games include "Unknown Faces," "Gothic 1 Classic," "X-Plane 12," "Breath of Fire IV," and "Deadly Premonition." The update also fixes various issues, such as video playback in "She Sees Red," rendering problems with the Ukrainian language option in "Chambers," and voice chat issues in "Phasmophobia." Improvements have been made in VR support for "No Man's Sky," and many other gameplay and performance enhancements have been implemented across various titles. Proton 11 beta 1 is based on Wine 11.0 and includes updates to several components, including vkd3d, dxvk, and Wine Mono.

BetaBeacon

April 17, 2026

Valve’s Proton gets a big upgrade, and it could improve PC gaming on Android

Valve has released Proton 11 beta, allowing for the emulation of Windows apps and games on Linux, including popular titles like Resident Evil, now playable on Android devices. The update is based on Wine and includes support for NTSync to enhance performance. Valve has also introduced a Proton 11 profile for ARM64 devices, enabling games designed for x86 hardware to be emulated on devices with Arm chips, such as Android phones and tablets. Additionally, the update has enabled Steam to run on unofficially supported devices like the Nintendo Switch, expanding gaming possibilities for Windows gaming on various devices.

BetaBeacon

April 17, 2026

Your Android gaming handheld can now run Steam games, but there’s a catch

Rocknix has announced support for running Windows games via Valve's Proton compatibility layer on Android devices, effectively turning them into unofficial Steam Decks. The latest build only supports select Qualcomm chipsets and games that rely on RTX may not work. Support is currently only available via unstable nightly builds, so caution is advised before using the feature.