Valve reveals plans to extend Steam game compatibility to ARM PCs beyond its new Steam Frame device.
Today’s PC gaming news highlights Valve’s ambition to broaden the reach of Steam games beyond their newly launched Steam Frame device, especially towards ARM-based PCs. This could be significant for gamers using devices that have traditionally struggled with game compatibility. According to RockPaperShotgun, Valve’s latest project is a compatibility technology embedded within the Steam Frame, a VR headset capable of running Steam games independently of a standalone PC. This initiative aims not only to enhance the gaming experience with the device but also to extend this compatibility breakthrough to more hardware, potentially making gaming more accessible on a wider variety of platforms.
Industry Updates: Build A Rocket Boy and s&box
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind the project Minds Eye, is reportedly undergoing another round of layoffs. According to RockPaperShotgun, the IWGB Games Worker Union has expressed their disappointment and extended solidarity to those affected, as the studio experiences ongoing issues with management and sustaining staff levels.
Facepunch’s game creation platform, s&box, has received a price reduction in an attempt to increase its user base. GamingOnLinux reports this move, along with other improvements, aims to attract new players to the platform noted for its creative flexibility.
Security and Software Developments
On the topic of security, GamingOnLinux provides reassurance that Valve has confirmed user data remains secure in light of the CEVA Logistics cyberattack that previously impacted the delivery of Steam hardware in Europe.
From a software perspective, the DXVK 3.1.1 update brings notable fixes to several games when run on Linux via Wine/Proton, enhancing the compatibility and performance across titles such as Call of Duty: Ghosts and Skyrim SE. GamingOnLinux details these improvements, providing Linux users with more stable gaming experiences.
Industry Reflections
In a candid critique, former Doom producer Andrew Willis has voiced his concerns about the current state of AAA gaming. According to RockPaperShotgun, Willis criticizes Microsoft for allegedly reducing the Halo franchise to a “mid-tier” series, symptomatic of a broader “financialisation” trend in triple-A games, where financial decisions undermine creative integrity.
In summary, today’s briefing highlights technological advancements, industry challenges, and reflections on the broader impacts of financial dynamics in gaming. Valve’s push to expand Steam compatibility and the struggles faced by studios like Build A Rocket Boy underlie the diverse challenges and innovations within the gaming industry.
