Hmm yeah it's not really in ideal situation. Granted that a lot of us didn't expect it to run on Windows nearly as well as out of the box. Saying that if playing Steam games is your main want for the Deck then it should be fine for that use. And running dedicated programs specifically designed to run on Linux and emulators and such.

I was hoping it would be make for a great windows experience like GPD or Aya Neos though it looks like Valve is concentrating on getting their games working first and fulmost on their preinstalled OS. Who knows maybe they will improve the Windows drivers in the upcoming months.

Hmm we shall see. Still looks like a fantastic little machine for the price. But tbh without decent Windows support limits its appeal to me quite a lot.

Honestly though you can always try it and if you don't like it you could probably return it or even flip it on eBay at no cost or even make a return on it seeing as how limited in numbers these machines are being made.

Ehhhh, I still kinda find that hard to believe if I'm being honest. I've seen multiple side by side comparisons of FSR 1.0 vs the latest DLSS and FSR just barely manages to look ever so slightly better than native.

My personal experience with using it for Cyberpunk is ok-ish?, but because the AMD sharpening filter is jammed to on whenever I use FSR UQ mode, it has to also take into account the game's TAA implementation, and well... that completely mucks up the hair and I see blurry jaggies nearly everywhere, almost as if I'm still using AMD's CAS setting, so it's not really that ideal.

I am however hoping that when FSR 2.0 comes out, that CDPR will update their side and slap it in, hopefully with the option to disable the sharpening filter or an actual option to turn off their TAA (this is the one game I wish I could turn AA off, since it's mucking visuals up real bad with FSR). 

I think HZD has FSR now, but I've yet to try that out, but even without it I've been able to keep to my 72fps cap, same for Days Gone (just not Cyberpunk, because CDPR still have a fuck ton of miles to go before it actually performs good and stops having memory leaks). 

Well FSR rarely produces a result that's close to Native. At best case, you can do FSR ultra quality at 4k on a game that's very static like RTS. Then it can get pretty close but on games where there's a lot of movement or fine detail, it goofs. The only situation where it could be "seen" as being "better" is when something is blurry and the sharpen filter sharpens the blurry image slightly. But 99% of the cases, it's worse than Native.

And yea, hopefully FSR 2.0 will be good and games implement it. GPUs really need all the help it can get with games like Cyberpunk.

The Monday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

Steam's Top 10

GOG welcomes the week with two new flash deals and two sales:

• The first flash deal is Summer Memories Deluxe Edition, 35% off until Wednesday: https://www.gog.com/en/game/summer_memories_deluxe_edition
• The second flash deal is Ideology in Friction Deluxe Edition, 60% off during the next 46 hours: https://www.gog.com/en/game/ideology_in_friction_deluxe_edition
• The Weekly Sale features Visual Novels and jRPGs up to 80% off: https://www.gog.com/promo/20220314_weekly_sale
• And the Syberia franchise will be up to 85% off during the next 7 days: https://www.gog.com/promo/20220311_syberia

Steam has two deals:

• The daily deal is Deadside, still in Early Access, 30% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/895400/Deadside/
• The other one is Golden Light, 30% off until March 18: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1245430/Golden_Light/

The Humble Store has three new sales:

• The Bethesda Publisher Sale features up to 60% discounts during the next 4 days. The keys are for Steam and their launcher: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/bethesda-publisher-sale/
• The Sword Art Online franchise is going to be up to 85% off during 4 days. All the keys are for Steam: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/sword-art-online-franchise-sale/
• And the RPG Sale comes with up to 90% discounts during 4 days. There are keys for Steam, GOG, UPlay and EGS: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/assorted-titles-rpg-sale/

And Fanatical has two new flash deals during its Spring Sale:

• The first one is DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation - Deluxe Bundle is 70% off during the next 24 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/date-a-live-rio-reincarnation-deluxe-bundle
• The second one is The Jackbox Party Pack 5. 66% off during the next 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/the-jackbox-party-pack-5

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

-Empty-

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

First Nude Mod released for Elden Ring
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/first-nude-mod-released-for-elden-ring/
And it was bound to happen. It’s been two weeks since the release of Elden Ring and the first nude mods have appeared online. These first nude mods are for the female characters, though I’m sure we’ll get soon a similar mod for male characters.
Going into more details, the first mod comes from NexusMods’ member Sakura4. You can find the mod on NexusMods. Once you download it, you can install it by replacing the files in the ‘ELDEN RINGGameparts’ with the files in the mod_files folder.
The second mod comes from LoversLab’s member jmedia7. I don’t know whether these mods are identical. However, and from screenshots, this nude mod looks better than the previous one. As such, I suggest downloading this one (you can google it).

These Elden Ring mods add an Easy Mode & reduce grinding
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/these-elden-ring-mods-add-an-easy-mode-reduce-grinding/
A number of gameplay mods have surfaced earlier this month for Elden Ring. These mods basically introduce an Easy Mode, something a lot of gamers have been asking. Still, and even by using these mods, the boss fights (and all your enemy encounters) will remain challenging.
>> There are three mods in total.

Cyberpunk 2077 Mods improve explosions & add vehicle combat
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/cyberpunk-2077-mods-improve-explosions-add-vehicle-combat/
Modders ‘AK47OG’ and ‘Scissors’ have released two new cool mods for Cyberpunk 2077. The first mod greatly improves the explosion and fire effects, whereas the second mod introduces vehicle combat and reworks the game’s police system.
Going into more details, AK47OG has used GIMP/Photoshop in order to enhance the game’s explosion and fire textures. The end result is amazing, and makes all explosions feel more violent. It’s really ironic how such a simple edit can greatly improve the visuals of these effects.
>> The vehicle combat one was already posted last Monday.

First-Person Camera Mod released for ELEX 2
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/first-person-camera-mod-released-for-elex-2/
Modder ‘Sangeki’ has released a simple first-person camera mod for Piranha Bytes’ latest RPG, ELEX 2. In case you were unaware, ELEX II is a third-person RPG. Thus, and as the title implies, this mod will let you play the game via a first-person perspective.
Now as the modder suggested, this mod is mostly for taking photos. After all, it does not alter the game’s combat mechanics. As such, it will be difficult to fight enemies via this mod.

Unofficial Patch 11.1 released for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/unofficial-patch-11-0-released-for-vampire-the-masquerade-bloodlines/
Wesp5 has released a brand new unofficial patch for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines. In case you weren’t aware, the Unofficial Patch is a combination of the default Basic Patch which mostly fixes bugs only, and the optional Plus Patch, which is kind of a mod adding various tweaks and restoring a lot of unused content, including new quests, levels, weapons, items, characters, dialogue, graphics, models, sounds and original music.
Update 11.1 packs a number of fixes and tweaks. As such, and if you want to replay this classic, we highly recommend downloading it. Naturally, it includes all the fixes from its previous versions.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Unofficial PC Port releases on April 1st
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-unofficial-pc-port-releases-on-april-1st/
Last month, we shared a video that showcased an unofficial PC port of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. And today, we are happy to report that this unofficial PC port will release on April 1st. Moreover, and on March 22nd, this fan project will get a “Nintendo Direct”-style presentation.
This unofficial PC port of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time won’t release with any in-game assets. In other words, it will be a similar release to Super Mario 64 PC.
>> I'd wait until April 2nd to download it, just in case it's a joke.

New BioShock Mod released for Half-Life Alyx, featuring over 15 hours of gameplay
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/new-bioshock-mod-released-for-half-life-alyx-featuring-over-15-hours-of-gameplay/
BioShock and Half-Life fans, here is something special for you today. Modder ‘wim.buytaert.1988’ has released the second episode of his amazing BioShock Mod for the latest Half Life VR game, Half-Life Alyx.
According to the modder, Return to Rapture Chapter Two has 24 levels and over 15 hours of gameplay. This second episode packs countless new and original features. Players can expect varied enemy types, AI, dismemberment, powers, weapons, soundtrack, animations, dialogue, writing, secrets and more.
In this second episode, Alyx will have to deal with numerous Combine and Splicers. Moreover, she will have access to numerous plasmids from BioShock.

Final Fantasy 7 remake mod restores Cloud Strife's OG dress
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/final-fantasy-7-remake-mod-restores-cloud-strifes-og-dress/
One of Final Fantasy 7's most infamous scenes, which survived in the remake, is when protagonist Cloud Strife—along with Aerith and Tifa—has to wear a pretty dress in order to try and win the affections of mafioso slimebag Don Corneo. Turns out that Cloud looks pretty good in a dress, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake went the extra mile by including three outfits for each character that unlock depending on choices made elsewhere. But one dress was missing: the original.
Now, in what has to be one of the funniest mods I've ever seen, you can restore Cloud's PlayStation 1 dress in all of its low-poly glory. The mod by Narknon (thanks, TheGamer) imports Cloud's simple purple dress from the original game and upscales the textures, giving the quite incredible sight of a character from another era running through his own game's remake.

Sifu's incredible Batman mod is just the tip of the iceberg
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/sifus-incredible-batman-mod-is-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/
Martial arts game Sifu certainly delivers on the premise, delivering a unique and flowing combat system that is arguably the closest a game has come to recreating the feel of watching old kung fu movies. Our mostly-glowing review says "the cohesiveness of the moveset comes through brilliantly" and "Sifu's focus on kung fu tradition is a success." You don't need to play the game to understand that, just watch a 30-second clip of it.
The game's been out since early February, and the focus of modders thus far has been an understandable one: switching out the game's somewhat generic protagonist for a wide range of famous kung fu stars and superheros. Earlier today I saw a new mod in action by NosbornGG that adds the Robert Pattison iteration of the Batman to the game, which looks absolutely incredible. Turns out, if you don't like that particular caped crusader, you can play as the Telltale one instead.

This immersive Skyrim mod gives bandits 500 more things to say
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/this-immersive-skyrim-mod-gives-bandits-500-more-things-to-say/
Bandits are everywhere in Skyrim and yet few of them are truly memorable. They hang out in forts, caves, and ruins, just waiting for the Dragonborn to show up, kill them, and take all their stuff. And when it comes to dialogue, bandits never have all that much to say. Once you've met a few bandits, you've met them all.
But they're finally getting some love and attention. Prolific immersion modder JaySerpa has created the Bandit Lines Expansion mod for Skyrim which adds around 500 new lines of dialogue spliced from existing voice files. The mod transforms the bandits from angry robots with a few common barks into more fleshed out and believable characters with a lot to say.

GAMING NEWS

Dead Space Remake will now officially release in early 2023
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/dead-space-remake-will-now-officially-release-in-early-2023/
Electronic Arts has just announced that Dead Space Remake will officially release in early 2023. The publisher was originally targeting a 2022 release date for this upcoming remake. However, and most likely due to COVID-19, the game has been delayed.

Dead Space – Original versus Remake Early Graphics Comparison Video
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/dead-space-original-versus-remake-early-graphics-comparison-video/
A couple of days ago, EA released a new Audio Developer Livestream for Dead Space Remake. That livestream featured some new WIP gameplay footage from this highly anticipated game. And as such, YouTube’s ‘Cycu1’ shared an early graphics comparison video between this remake and its original version.

Monday news, part two:

Ubisoft says 'cyber security incident' last week shows no evidence of data breach
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/ubisoft-says-cyber-security-incident-last-week-shows-no-evidence-of-data-breach/
Ubisoft says that a disruptive "cyber security incident" that took place last week does not appear to have resulted in the exposure of any personal information belonging to its users.
"Last week, Ubisoft experienced a cyber security incident that caused temporary disruption to some of our games, systems, and services," the company said in a message posted yesterday. "Our IT teams are working with leading external experts to investigate the issue. As a precautionary measure we initiated a company-wide password reset.

The Gold Box D&D games are coming to Steam
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/the-gold-box-dandd-games-are-coming-to-steam/
The Gold Box games are legendary among RPG fans of a certain age. Published by SSI through the late '80s and early '90s, they're based on numerous classic D&D settings including Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, Dark Sun, and Ravenloft. They're a seminal old-school RPG experience, and later this month they'll finally be available on Steam.

Hunt: Showdown's disappearing dirt man will finally be visible in upcoming patch
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/hunt-showdowns-disappearing-dirt-man-will-finally-be-visible-in-upcoming-patch/
Bam! You're playing Hunt: Showdown, and you just got shot in the head. Sorry. You're confused, because you didn't see anybody but the death screen says your killer was only a few meters away. I don't blame you. Hunt characters are usually pretty easy to pick out among the bayou's muddy swamps, but your killer was Cain, Hunt: Showdown's problematic dirt man.

Dune: Spice Wars' Smugglers let you use your enemies' strengths against them
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/dune-spice-wars-smugglers-let-you-use-your-enemies-strengths-against-them/
Up until now we've only known about the Atreides and Harkonnen factions in Dune: Spice Wars, the veritable Mario and Bowser of any potential Dune videogame. In an update posted to Steam on March 11, Shiro Games unveiled the game's third faction: the Smugglers.

Bots remain one of Lost Ark's top issues
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/bots-remain-one-of-lost-arks-top-issues/
Lost Ark has had a problem with bots for a while now, and publisher Amazon Games has already taken some steps to deal with it. On March 4, over a million accounts were banned for running bots—an unprecedented number. And yet, as mentioned in a recent update to its top issues, bots remain a problem.

Indie gladiator game faces Steam review backlash over anti-mask patch notes
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/indie-gladiator-game-faces-steam-review-backlash-over-anti-mask-patch-notes/
Gladiator management sim Domina has seen a rush of negative reviews over inflammatory and disconcertingly libidinal anti-mask rhetoric in the patch notes for its 1.3.18 beta update. "TAKE OFF THE FCKN MASKS," it begins, "Next time you're at the grocery store, try showing a woman your face. Be confident, unafraid of the LIES –- you might get a girlfriend." Thanks man, but I'm usually there just to pick up some eggs or another carton of orange juice.
>> What a dumb thing to do to yourself.

Former Division studio head leaves Ubisoft for good
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/former-division-studio-head-leaves-ubisoft-for-good/
David Polfeldt had previously stepped down from his role as studio manager of Ubisoft Massive, based in Malmö, Sweden, with the intent of returning to Ubisoft in a "strategic role" following a sabbatical. Polfeldt instead seems to have changed plans and left the company entirely according to a recent interview with Nathan Brown for his Hit Points newsletter (thanks, VGC).
>> Isn't that what always happens in the video game industry with sabbaticals?

Perfect Dark reboot director leaves studio
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/perfect-dark-reboot-director-leaves-studio/
User Klobrille on the ResetEra forums noticed a curious change related to the development of the Perfect Dark reboot announced back in 2020: the game's director, Dan Neuburger, seems to have left the project. Neuburger's LinkedIn shows him as having departed Perfect Dark's developer, The Initiative, last month.

The next Warframe is Gyre, a ballerina full of electricity
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/the-next-warframe-is-gyre-a-ballerina-full-of-electricity/
With Warframe's Angels of the Zariman expansion coming up in April 2022, we're finally getting a first look at what's coming in it. The follow up to the rather well regarded The New War expansion, Angels of the Zariman will also bring along a new frame, as is customary for such things in the world of Digital Extremes' free to play sci-fi action game.

Warren Spector confirms Otherside last worked on System Shock 3 in 2019, and that 'NFTs are ridiculous'
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/warren-spector-confirms-otherside-last-worked-on-system-shock-3-in-2019-and-that-nfts-are-ridiculous/
In May of 2020 it was confirmed that Otherside Entertainment was no longer working on System Shock 3, and that it had been taken over by Chinese conglomerate Tencent. Speculation that the studio remained involved in some capacity continued, however, and the fact there's still a System Shock 3 page on the Otherside website and its Twitter avatar is series villain Shodan didn't help. But then earlier this month, Warren Spector (CCO of Otherside) announced that his team was working on a brand-new immersive sim.
In a new interview with Gamesbeat, Spector reiterated that Otherside is definitely not working on System Shock 3, saying, "Tencent is taking the franchise forward. It'll be up to them to say what they want to say." He also explained that his team had worked on it in 2018 and 2019, "That was it."
>> And we haven't heard a thing about the game since Tencent took over.

Splatterpunk horror FPS Golden Light leaves Early Access
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/splatterpunk-horror-fps-golden-light-leaves-early-access/
(...)
Golden Light is a game where you descend through the levels of a fleshy construct called the Gut, which is equal parts Silent Hill office space and cannibal nightmare. It's a game that lists among its features: "Things you can eat or throw in this game: Bat Head, Corrupted Fetus, Fish Head, Fat Lips, Meat Apple and many more!"

All of Elden Ring's demigods have names from George R.R. Martin's initials
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/all-of-elden-rings-demigods-have-names-from-george-rr-martins-initials/
When I first realized it, I said, out loud, "George, you huge dork."
All of Elden Ring's main gods and demigods have names that start with one of George R.R. Martin's initials. How's this for the big four? Godfrey, Rennala, Radagon, Marika. GRRM.

Amazon warns Lost Ark players not to 'expend valuable time or resources' on broken Tytalos raid
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/amazon-warns-lost-ark-players-not-to-expend-valuable-time-or-resources-on-broken-tytalos-raid/
Amazon Games has warned Lost Ark players to not waste their time on the Tytalos raid right now after a recent patch broke some things, making the guardian "extremely difficult" to defeat.

Journey, once called Dragon, was almost rated Teen for being too bloody
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/journey-once-called-dragon-was-almost-rated-teen-for-being-too-bloody/
This past weekend Journey celebrated its tenth anniversary—probably the definitive title from thatgamecompany, the game casts players as a mysterious and be-scarfed figure who runs, surfs, and eventually soars through vast, mystical landscapes. (...)
Matt Nava is now the creative director at Giant Squid, developers of ABZÛ and The Pathless, but before this was thatgamecompany's art director during development of both Flower and Journey. To mark the game's 10th anniversary Nava shared some behind-the-scenes looks at how particular elements came together, and in the process showed how developers oft weave magical brocades out of cardboard and sticky tape.

Star Wars: The Old Republic – Legacy of the Sith's final boss is still broken a month after launch
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/star-wars-the-old-republic-legacy-of-the-siths-final-boss-is-still-broken-a-month-after-launch/
When Star Wars: The Old Republic's Legacy of the Sith expansion launched last month, it was a mess. Alongside welcome changes like the class system overhaul were plenty of game-breaking bugs, an amateurish UI update, and a disappointing and brief series of quests that kicked players towards an underwhelming climax.

Stalker 2 renamed Heart of Chornobyl to reflect Ukrainian spelling
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/stalker-2-renamed-heart-of-chornobyl-to-reflect-ukrainian-spelling/
(...)
Today the Steam entry for Stalker 2 was updated, and has changed the sequel's subtitle to Heart of Chornobyl. This change has affected most of its Steam entries and description, though the original 'Heart of Chernobyl' spelling can still be seen on promotional art and some listings.
There's no statement about the change, but the reason behind it is almost certainly that Chornobyl is the Ukrainian spelling for the region, whereas Chernobyl is the Russian spelling.

AMD FSR 2.0 ‘next-level temporal upscaling’ officially launches Q2 2022, RSR launches March 17th

https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-fsr-2-0-next-level-temporal-upscaling-officially-launches-q2-2022-rsr-launches-march-17th

Certainly sounds like it will be similar to TAA up-scaling which would certainly be a good improvement over FSR 1.0 but most likely, still worse than DLSS.


XFX China website shuts down after Chinese Customs Office seizes 5840 illegally mislabeled XFX graphics cards worth 3M USD

https://videocardz.com/newz/xfx-china-website-shuts-down-after-chinese-customs-office-seizes-5840-illegally-mislabeled-xfx-graphics-cards-worth-3m-usd


Intel might be preparing three DG2 GPUs after all, SOC3 with 256EUs appears

https://videocardz.com/newz/intel-might-be-preparing-three-dg2-gpus-after-all-soc3-with-256eus-appears

We'll have to wait until GDC to see if FSR 2.0 is that big of an improvement or not.

And XFX China tried to save some bucks and will probably end paying a whole lot more as a result. i wouldn't rule out the possibility of someone goin gto jail as well. Deserved.

Mine has arrived!



So far my main problem is the high pitched noise coming from the fan but lets see how it goes.

Grats Yuri. Looks slick! Looking forward to your impressions for it.

Congratulations, Yuri. I hope you have fun with it.

And take your time with it before making any final decision.