Well i recently finished Metro 2033 Redux on Steamdeck, plan on playing Last Light next.

It's high time to get playing KotOR then.

And once you're done with the first one, get the second one, install the lost content mod, and then play the (vastly superior) second one

The first non-hardware related news of the year:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

Steam's Top 10

Factorio has sold 3.5 million copies
https://www.pcgamer.com/factorio-has-sold-35-million-copies/
Factory-building game Factorio has sold 3.5 million copies, reports developer Wube Software in its year-end update. It's an incredible validation of success for a game that would politely be described as of niche interest to mainstream gaming.
"This year we have reached another sales milestone, with 3.5 million sales being passed this Christmas. We are still having steady and consistent sales of about 500,000 each year, which in retrospect validates the original no-sale policy we have stuck with since we launched on Steam in 2016," said Wube in a blog post.
The same post includes an expansion teaser image, a few small development updates, and a statistics recap on Wube's mod portal feature. Wube Software also announced that it's still hard at work porting the game's new console controls to the PC version for both people on full-size rigs and on mobile PCs like the Steam Deck.

GOG's Winter Sale will end in roughly 7 hours (*sad violin noises*), but we have three new Deals of the Day, that will last until Wednesday:

• The first DotD is Seed of the Dead: Sweet Home, 40% off: https://www.gog.com/en/game/seed_of_the_dead_sweet_home
• Little Nightmares II gets a 67% discount: https://www.gog.com/en/game/little_nightmares_ii
• And the last one is Broken Sword: Director's Cut, with a 85% discount: https://www.gog.com/en/game/broken_sword_directors_cut

We're entering the last week of the Steam Winter Sale. I hope you've already gotten all you wanted.

There's a new Humble Bundle: the Level Up and Learn: Communication & Meditation, with 8 games to get during the next 18 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/new-years-resolution-learn-new-skill.

And we also have Fanatical, with a new Star Deal, that started yesterday: Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream Ultimate Edition is 43% off during another 24 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/atelier-sophie-2-the-alchemist-of-the-mysterious-dream-ultimate-edition.

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

INTEL Arc Graphics Driver 31.0.101.4032
https://videocardz.com/driver/intel-arc-graphics-driver-31-0-101-4032
Fixed Issues

• Intel® Arc™ Graphics Products:
  • Payday 2 (DX9) may exhibit flickering corruption on specific water surfaces.
  • God of War (DX11) may experience lower than expected performance on first launch within the main game menu.
• Intel® Core™ Processor Products:
  • Battlefield 2042 (DX12) may exhibit color corruptions during gameplay.
  • Watch Dogs: Legion (DX12) may experience application crash during gameplay.
  • Hitman 3 (DX12) may experience application crash while running benchmark.
  • Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (DX12) may exhibit visual corruptions while changing graphics settings.

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Grand Theft Auto 5 gets a Real Life Beverly Hills Mod
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/grand-theft-auto-5-gets-a-real-life-beverly-hills-mod/
Adnr Studio have released a new cool mod for Grand Theft Auto 5 that aims to bring to Rockstar’s title the city of Beverly Hills. This mod features textures from the real locations of Beverly Hills, adding to the game new architecture and new interiors.
>> There's an 11 minutes long video in the article.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim gets a new fully voiced massive quest mod
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-gets-a-new-fully-voiced-massive-quest-mod/
Modder ‘Elizabeth Jackson Hall’ has shared a new fully voiced huge quest mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This mod is compatible with both the Legacy and Special Editions, and you can also find a gameplay video for it below.
Brynjolf and the Riften Guild – Birthright extends the story of The Thieves Guild quest in a completely immersive way. According to the modder, players can expect an adventure that will lead them through Forsworn crypts and Dwemer ruins, to the very roots of Yddrasil to aid their brothers in crime.
What’s also cool here is that this mod is fully voiced, by both original characters and beloved NPCs, adding thousands of lines of dialogue. For instance, Brynjolf himself had 2000+ original lines. Furthermore, there are four dungeons and an actual romantic character arc for a certain infuriating Red-head.
>> There's an over 20 minutes video.

This Cyberpunk 2077 Texture Pack upscales all posters and signs to 4K
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/this-cyberpunk-2077-texture-pack-upscales-all-posters-and-signs-to-4k/
Modder ‘XilaMonstrr’ has released a new Texture Pack for Cyberpunk 2077, featuring 4K textures for all posters and signs. XilaMonstrr has used Cupscale/ESRGAN AI Software in order to upscale the original textures to 4K. As such, these newly overhauled textures retain the art style of the original/vanilla ones.
The good news here is that you can use this texture pack (which you can download from here) alongside the other packs we’ve shared. So far, we’ve shared 4K Texture Packs that improve the textures of body skins, walls, roads, and vegetation, as well as all weapons and player faces. By combining all of these, you can get better and crisper graphics.
Unfortunately, the modder has not shared a comparison video. However, we do have some comparison screenshots between the vanilla and the overhauled textures.

New 4K Texture Pack overhauls Valheim’s Mistland Update
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/new-4k-texture-pack-overhauls-valheims-mistland-update/
Back in November 2022, we shared a 4K Texture Pack for Valheim that overhauled all of its textures. And today, we are presenting you a new version of it that aims to improve the textures of the Mistland Update.
Willybach’s HD Valheim will overhaul the look of the game, making it more photo-realistic whilst staying as close as it can to the original look and feel of the game. This Texture Pack covers all current biomes, all building and crafting textures, all weapons and tools and all creatures.
>> There's an almost 4 minutes long video of it.

GAMING NEWS

The canceled Unreal Engine-powered remake of Duke Nukem 3D, Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded, has been leaked online
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/the-canceled-unreal-engine-powered-remake-of-duke-nukem-3d-duke-nukem-3d-reloaded-has-been-leaked-online/
And here comes another 3D Realms leak. In May 2022, the 2001 build of Duke Nukem Forever got leaked online. Then, earlier this month, we got a leaked version of PREY 1995. And now, it’s time to get our hands on the canceled Unreal Engine 3-powered remake of Duke Nukem 3D, Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded.
Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded started as a fan project from Frederik Schreiber. The game was initially called Duke Nukem Next-Gen, and Gearbox gave the green light to this project in October 2010. Then, in November 2010, its title was changed to Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded. However, and after the legal issues between Interceptor Entertainment and Gearbox Software, the game was put on ice.

PAYDAY 3 will release in 2023, gets new pre-alpha in-engine trailer
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/payday-3-will-release-in-2023-gets-new-pre-alpha-in-engine-trailer/
Prime Matter has just revealed that it will release PAYDAY 3 in 2023. In order to celebrate this announcement, the publisher released a short pre-alpha in-engine trailer for it that you can find below.

Monday news, part two:

You get two guesses as to what puzzle game Sushi for Robots is about
https://www.pcgamer.com/you-get-two-guesses-as-to-what-puzzle-game-sushi-for-robots-is-about/
I'm a sucker for a clever indie puzzler, so naturally Sushi for Robots looks quite nice, doesn't it? It's a simple premise, the robots are obsessed with some sushi and you've got to serve it to them by setting up the weird conveyors they eat from. It'll release in Spring of 2023, but we know a bit about it now, and I like how that looks.

Why'd nobody tell me about the heavy metal turtle racing scene in this JRPG?
https://www.pcgamer.com/whyd-nobody-tell-me-about-the-heavy-metal-turtle-racing-scene-in-this-jrpg/
It's nearly the end of the year and I'd like to take you all to absolute task for not telling me that there's an indie JRPG called Chained Echoes which is apparently not only quite good, but has a 15-second turtle race set to explosive, shouting hardcore metal. (If you also did not know I invite you to echo shame session here.)
>> It's not that 2023 has passed faster than usual, it's just that this article was posted three days ago.

Cult of the Lamb's first big update will bring new attacks for every weapon
https://www.pcgamer.com/cult-of-the-lambs-first-big-update-will-bring-new-attacks-for-every-weapon/
Action base-building roguelike Cult of the Lamb, one of this summer's hits, comes barreling into Winter announcing its first big content update for next year. It'll bring new stuff to the adorably violent cult of floofy animals, focusing on the combat portion of the game over the cult management.

The Sam & Max remaster continues with a trailer for The Devil's Playhouse
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-sam-and-max-remaster-continues-with-a-trailer-for-the-devils-playhouse/
Hope you're ready for cosmical and magical adventure, because Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse Remastered is coming in 2023, and Skunkape Games has released a new trailer teasing the return of what is definitely the most wild-ride-bonkers entry in the series. Started back in 1993, Sam and Max are pretty venerable characters in PC Gaming, and it's good to see them looking so good again.

I've already started playing XCOM with the Long War mod. KOTOR will have to wait.

Radeon RX 7900 XTX vs. GeForce RTX 4080, 50+ Game Benchmark @ 1440p & 4K

As usual, AMDunboxed do try their best to skew several games towards Radeons favor such as using software Lumen with Fortnite and including Modern Warfare 2 in there twice. But least Metro isn't as gimped as their past benchmarks.

Samsung announces Odyssey Neo G9, world’s first ‘Dual 4K’ ultrawide 57-inch 240Hz gaming monitor with DisplayPort 2.1

https://videocardz.com/press-release/samsung-announces-odyssey-neo-g9-worlds-first-dual-4k-ultrawide-57-inch-240hz-gaming-monitor-with-displayport-2-1

"The gaming monitor delivers 7,680×2,160 resolution and a 32:9 aspect ratio in one screen for the first time.

Its 1000R curved 57” screen uses quantum mini LED technology with VESA Display HDR 1000 specification to deliver superior imaging in any game environment, from shadows to bright scenes."

There's also a 49 inch QD-OLED coming out:

"Odyssey OLED G9: Brighter Whites, Deeper Blacks, and Near Infinite Color Contrast

The Odyssey OLED G9 (Model Number: G95SC) is the latest addition to the Odyssey lineup, featuring a dual quad-HD 49” 1800R curved display, with a 32:9 ratio. Its quantum dot technology OLED lighting is controlled pixel-by-pixel, allowing a near-infinite color contrast ratio."

So, a "6K" monitor with up to 240Hz, because current GPUs can even run every game at 4K 60fps without extra help.

Don't get me wrong, it'll be a technical marvel, but also kind of useless for gaming.

NVIDIA introduces GeForce RTX 4070 Ti graphics card at $799

https://videocardz.com/newz/nvidia-introduces-geforce-rtx-4070-ti-graphics-card-at-799

The kicker with the price is there is no FE model so it's all AIBs who don't have to follow the price. Usually Evga has at least one model that follows MSRP but they are gone. Hopefully someone else other than zotac does.

AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX vapor chamber has been cut open

https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-radeon-rx-7900-xtx-vapor-chamber-has-been-cut-open

While it looks interesting, it doesn't provide answers as to why mounting it horizontally ramps up the temps to 110C. Karma certainly hit Radeon team hard this gen. Just about everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. They even lost the efficiency crown.

Intel launches 13th Gen Core 65W and 35W Desktop CPUs, pricing and specifications revealed

https://videocardz.com/newz/intel-launches-13th-gen-core-65w-and-35w-desktop-cpus-pricing-and-specifications-revealed

AMD Ryzen 7000 Zen4 CPUs are 5 times less popular than Zen3 according to December retailer sales

https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-ryzen-7000-zen4-cpus-are-5-times-less-popular-than-zen3-according-to-december-retailer-sales

Zen 4 was such a big step in the wrong direction and it really shows. I do think that my hype about the 5800X3D has been justified

If anyone wants to watch the 4070 Ti launch here:

Apparently it launches on January 5th so pretty soon

The Tuesday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

It's Winter Sale may be over, but GOGstill has a lot to offer:

• There's a NEW CONTEST with Mad Catz to win an arcade fight stick and game bundles. Learn more here: https://www.gog.com/en/news/winter_sale_special_mad_catz_x_gog_new_year_contest
• The Weekly Sale is full of 2D games with up to 90% discounts during 6 days: https://www.gog.com/en/promo/20230102_weekly_sale
• And the New Year's Resolution Sale features up to 90% discounts on a variety of games until next Monday: https://www.gog.com/en/promo/20230102_new_year_resolutions

The Humble Store has two new deals:

• The new Spotlight Deal is Elden Ring, 30% off during 43 hours: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/eldenring/
• And the Lost In Space Sale comes with up to 85% discounts during 6 days. There are keys for Steam, GOG (5) and EGS (1): https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/lost-in-space-sale/

And Fanatical's new Star Deal is DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT, 54% off during 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/death-stranding-director-s-cut.

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

-Empty-

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Racer improved 1000% by mod that replaces supercars with man in dolly cart
https://www.pcgamer.com/racer-improved-1000-by-mod-that-replaces-supercars-with-man-in-dolly-cart/
Here's the thing: Racing sims lack ambition. Yes, yes, these hyper-detailed recreations of Ferraris are all very nice, but they don't move me. Watching them zip around Monza and Mugello doesn't speak to my soul. If only there were a sim that saw beauty in the mundane, that discarded sleek curves for rough function, that shared my bottomless passion for the ice resurfacing vehicle, the shopping trolley, and the Roomba.
Oh wait, there is. It's Assetto Corsa, the supercar racing sim from Kunos Simulazione.
Thanks to the tireless work of a Japan-based modder named takeyoh, Assetto Corsa's library of gorgeous supercars has been joined by far more serious vehicles, including a tricycle and Santa's sleigh. They've also modded in running, which was pretty much humanity's first car if you think about it.

Take a look at Star Wars Jedi Outcast/Academy with Ray Tracing
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/take-a-look-at-star-wars-jedi-outcast-academy-with-ray-tracing/
Mr Zyanide is currently working on a Ray Tracing Mod for Star Wars Jedi Outcast/Academy. And, in order to showcase their progress, Zyanide released a new video for this RTX project.
In this video, Zyanide showcases a map from the game with over 1000 lights. We also get to see improved reflections, a better denoiser when using ReSTIR GI, as well as fixed motion vectors for models.
Unfortunately, there is no ETA on when this Ray Tracing project will come out. And for those wondering, this isn’t a simple RT Reshade Mod. This is a native Ray Tracing Mod that will significantly improve the graphics of these classic Star Wars games.

GAMING NEWS

Cyberpunk 2077 – Ultra vs Overdrive Ray Tracing Graphics Comparison Video
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/cyberpunk-2077-ultra-vs-overdrive-ray-tracing-graphics-comparison-video/
YouTube’s ‘Cycu1’ has shared an interesting comparison video between the Ultra and the upcoming Overdrive Ray Tracing Mode for Cyberpunk 2077. This video will give you an idea of the graphical improvements that this free update will bring to the table.
>> It's a 6 minutes video.

Tuesday news, part two:

World of Horror will finally release in Summer 2023
https://www.pcgamer.com/world-of-horror-will-finally-release-in-summer-2023/
Accalimed indie World of Horror will exit three years of Early Access this coming summer, according to developer panstasz and publisher Ysbryd Games. world of Horror has had a long development cycle, first releasing in February 2020, but devotees have been thrilled at each new update over that time.

The post-apocalyptic beavers have robots now
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-post-apocalyptic-beavers-have-robots-now/
Turns out that while we weren't looking the sapient beavers that will succeed us as the dominant life form on this planet have developed functional wood-and-steel robots. These are, of course, designed to accomplish menial tasks so their furry, flat-tailed masters can more easily relax in hot mud baths and ponder whatever philosophies beavers ponder.
I am of course talking about the beavers of Timberborn, a city-building game where these clever creatures use their mastery of water to make the climatically-devastated planet we left them with into a beautiful-green paradise. Their vertically-stacked cities and tower dams, not to mention clever constructions, are extremely cool.

Happy new year everyone: Square Enix still loves the blockchain!
https://www.pcgamer.com/happy-new-year-everyone-square-enix-still-loves-the-blockchain/
Happy new year, writes the president of Square Enix in a new letter, and now let me tell you all about the blockchain. The wider industry, or the respectable side of it at least, remains deeply sceptical of the value added to games by web3 technologies, but there are a few big outliers such as Ubisoft (which last year launched an ill-fated NFT experiment) and above all Square Enix.

The System Shock remake shows off the results of its 'staggering' work on dismemberment
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-system-shock-remake-shows-off-the-results-of-its-staggering-work-on-dismemberment/
The New Year brings a new update from Nightdive Studios, developer of the upcoming System Shock remake. The post opens with confirmation that the game is due to arrive in March this year, which the studio had previously announced as a target.