My best and only guess is that he cheats... (family or account sharing or something). But it's still incredible.

I hardly game on Steam, so it's below average on everything. Haha

Mostly GOG and Battle.net these days.

Nope it's all me.

But most of these games I only played for a few minutes to check if and how they run on my Steam Deck OLED.

That's why the number of games played (started) on my Steam Deck is much higher than on my desktop PC, but 81% of my playtime is on my desktop PC:

Since the offline playtime on Steam Deck ain't counted, a playtime ratio of 30% Steam Deck : 70% desktop PC is more realistic, perhaps even a 40:60 ratio.

So I only played 200 - 300 games (including GamePass, GOG, EGS, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch) this year for more than 10 minutes and finished less than 60 games this year (so far).

I only unlocked Steam Achievements in 210 games this year, less than in 2023... so it was a slow year for me:

Just... HOW?

And here are my embarassing PlayStation results: I completely ignored my PS5 for February to September:

Mine were a bit more modest:

Let’s check the Thursday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

The Epic Store is giving away Vampire Survivors: https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/vampire-survivors-f699a1
The next free game is a mystery.

GOG, whose Winter Sale is still going on, has another GIVEAWAY: Chicken Assassin: Reloaded will be free to keep during 70 hours: https://www.gog.com/en/game/chicken_assassin_reloaded.

At Steam we find some deals that couldn’t wait until later today to launch:

• Brain Show: Party Quiz is going to be 20% off until the 1st day of 2025: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2235150/Brain_Show_Party_Quiz/
• Hotel Renovator has a 60% discount until January the 1st: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1214470/Hotel_Renovator/
• Ghostrunner, that has a demo, will be 70% off until the 1st of January: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1139900/Ghostrunner/
• And Indivisible can be yours thank to its 85% discount: https://store.steampowered.com/app/421170/Indivisible/

Humble Bundle has launched the Silent Night, Deadly Night: A GOG Bundle, featuring up to 7 games to get during the next 20 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/silent-night-deadly-night-gog-bundle.

Fanatical has three new deals:

• The new Star Deal is DAVE THE DIVER, 50% off during, at least 24h: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/dave-the-diver
• The Star Wars Collection, with 14 games, has a 79% deal and will last 13 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/star-wars-collection
• The Winter Mystery Bundle features up to 20 unknown games to get in bundles of 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/winter-mystery-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

-Empty-

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Bloodborne Remaster Project Version 0.8 Available for Download
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/bloodborne-remaster-project-version-0-8-available-for-download/
Modder ‘fromsoftserve’ has just released version 0.8 of the Bloodborne Remaster Project that you can enjoy on PC via shadPS4. This mod will make Bloodborne look even better on PC. So, let’s take a closer look at what its latest build brings to the table.
For those unaware, Bloodborne Remaster Project aims to provide the best visuals for it. The mod enables dynamic shadowcasting for the entire game. It also modifies the range and visibility of shadows. Not only that but it packs some higher-quality textures.
And that’s not all. This mod even adds new lights to the game. Plus, it adds pointlights for street lamps, and wall lamps, and many will be shadowcasting as well. The mod also enables more ambient occlusion to be used by the game, by modifying the gparam files. Hell, it even adds parallax occlusion mapping to various surfaces.
In other words, this is what you’d expect from an official remaster of it. And, since this is a mod, PC players can enjoy it for free. Now this is why we love mods.
Anyway, Version 0.8 fixes the fog in pretty much every area. It also adds more point lights in central Yharnam, Byrgenwerth, and the Cathedral Ward. Moreover, it adds parallax occlusion mapping to some areas of Old Yharnam.
>> There is an almost 25 minutes video of the project.

The mother of all XCOM 2 mods just got its first update in a year, with 9445 words of patch notes proving it worthy of the Long War name
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/the-mother-of-all-xcom-2-mods-just-got-its-first-update-in-a-year-with-9445-words-of-patch-notes-proving-it-worthy-of-the-long-war-name/
Since XCOM and XCOM 2 cemented themselves as the definitive PC strategy games of the 2010s, the Long War mods likewise became the definitive enhancements for both games. Longer, tougher, more varied, the Long War mods upped the complexity of some already impressively complex games, to the point we had XCOM expert John "Beagle" Teasdale write us some tips for surviving Long War 2 back in 2017. Time marches ever onwards, of course, and these days the version of the mod to play is Long War of the Chosen, which incorporates XCOM 2's incredible expansion.
Specifically Long War of the Chosen 1.2.0, which landed on Steam on December 16—one year to the day since the mod's last version.
The patch notes are as immense as you'd expect for such a mod, weighing in at 9,445 words and drilling down into microscopic details like "Warlock Mind Scorch can now also target SPARKs" and "Danger zone moved from TSgt to SSgt, allows suppression gunners to be able to get both cup and danger zone, buff to suppression builds."
(...)
One notable change with LWOTC 1.2.0 is that the mod now requires XCOM 2's Shen's Last Gift DLC, which awkwardly isn't available to buy standalone on the Steam store (you've got to get it in a bundle). The XCOM Ultimate Collection happens to be 89% off as of this writing, though, so it's not too pricey to grab it.
LWOWTC 1.2.0's many updates have been in the works on the mod's experimental branch for the last year and should be compatible with existing saves, though due to some major rebalancing and new additions, you're probably better off with a fresh save. You didn't have other plans for the rest of the year, did you?
If you're looking for some beginner's tips or installation help with the mod, head on over to the LWOTC Discord.
>> The article has a couple of screenshots, but not from the mod.

GAMING NEWS

STALKER 2 Patch 1.1 is 110GB in size & fixes over 1,800 issues
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/stalker-2-patch-1-1-is-110gb-in-size-and-addresses-over-1800-issues/
GSC GameWorld has just released a new major title update for STALKER 2, Patch 1.1, and shared its full changelog. Update 1.1 is, believe it or not, 110GB in size. According to the devs, it fixes over 1,800 issues. So, let’s see what this new patch brings to the table.
>> The system requirements of the game ask for 160GB. Therefore, you’re almost downloading the whole game again.

Unreal Engine 5-powered Catly gets real-time in-game trailer
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/unreal-engine-5-powered-catly-gets-real-time-in-game-trailer/
One of the games that caught my attention at the TGA 2024 event was Catly. Catly is an open-world adventure game in which you control a cat. The game is using Unreal Engine 5 and looked amazing. And now we have a new real-time in-game trailer for it.
>> The studio behind the game has been accused of using AI for the trailer, which they’ve denied. This may the their prove that it isn’t.

Thursday news, the long second part:

Ill-fated co-op slasher Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance disappears in February, though will still be playable solo
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/ill-fated-co-op-slasher-dungeons-and-dragons-dark-alliance-disappears-in-february-though-will-still-be-playable-solo/
In news that's only surprising on account of the fact that the game lasted as long as it did, Tuque Games' co-op hack-and-slasher Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance will be shutting down servers and be removed from sale on February 24, 2025. The game will still be available to play single-player, but as things stand there will be no more online functionality as of that date, which is pretty much a death knell for a game largely built around co-op dungeoneering.

Helldivers 2 players rip into Arrowhead for 'straight-up ridiculous' Killzone crossover prices, CEO defends the choice: 'The more of this we sell, the more Illuminate-type stuff we can keep dropping for free'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-players-rip-into-arrowhead-for-straight-up-ridiculous-killzone-crossover-prices-ceo-defends-the-choice-the-more-of-this-we-sell-the-more-illuminate-type-stuff-we-can-keep-dropping-for-free/
Helldivers 2 takes two steps forward and one leap back. Less than a week after surprise dropping the Omens of Tyranny update at The Game Awards, Arrowhead has dropped another surprise, though this one isn't as fun or exciting: Helldivers 2 just got a Killzone armor set, cosmetics, and a Helghast gun, which is kinda cool, except they cost three times more than usual and can't be earned in a warbond.
(...)
Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani addressed the angry mob this morning in a rare appearance on the Helldivers Discord server:
"Hey, quick comment on the Helghast stuff. Firstly, this is our first collaboration so we'll be figuring it out as we go along. Let us know what you'd like to see in the future," Jorjani wrote. "Secondly it's optional. The more of this we sell, the more Illuminate-type stuff we can keep dropping for free."

'We are beholden to the lore': CD Projekt says there are 'valid worries' about Ciri as a witcher, but 'the answers we want to give in The Witcher 4 are in line with this attitude'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/we-are-beholden-to-the-lore-cd-projekt-says-there-are-valid-worries-about-ciri-as-a-witcher-but-the-answers-we-want-to-give-in-the-witcher-4-are-in-line-with-this-attitude/
So Ciri's a Witcher now, taking the lead in The Witcher 4, and that has resulted in questions. Some of them are the predictable hue and cry about a girl taking over for Geralt—complaints about "wokeness" and DEI and all that sort of nonsense—but there are also legitimate questions about how it all fits with the established Witcher lore. The Trial of the Grasses, for instance, was previously only survivable by young boys (and only a small portion of them), so how did Ciri get through it—or did she at all? And what about the powers enabled by her Elder Blood?
In an interview with Eurogamer, narrative director Phillipp Weber and director Sebastian Kalemba acknowledged that there are "many very valid worries and responses" about what was shown at The Game Awards, but reassured fans that they're not just making stuff up on the fly.

'Gooner 9/11' averted as Zenless Zone Zero's butt-obfuscation technology is rolled back in the face of horny outrage
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/gooner-9-11-averted-as-zenless-zone-zeros-butt-obfuscation-technology-is-rolled-back-in-the-face-of-horny-outrage/
I'm really not sure where to begin with this one, so I'm just going to lay it out and then try to explain later: A recent update to Zenless Zone Zero made it impossible to get a good look at character's asses, and the blowback was so fierce developer MiHoYo reverted the change less than a day later.

Project Zomboid's new Build 42 update, 3 years in the making, is the biggest game release of 2024 for me—here's why
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/project-zomboid-build-42-update-patch-notes-new-features/
Christmas came early for me yesterday. After previously announcing Project Zomboid's long-awaited Build 42 would be out by the end of the year, developer The Indie Stone released the absolutely colossal update on Tuesday. In terms of the sheer number of features—from a total crafting overhaul to a considerable expansion of the already huge map—this is the biggest update Zomboid has ever gotten. And for me? It's the biggest game release of 2024. Move aside, Shadow of the Erdtree.

XDefiant's final content patch is unexpectedly massive: 'Not all journeys end well but we can all be proud of what we accomplished'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/xdefiants-final-content-patch-is-unexpectedly-massive-not-all-journeys-end-well-but-we-can-all-be-proud-of-what-we-accomplished/
I had fun playing XDefiant when it launched: It was a free-to-play hero shooter with a lot of Call of Duty in its veins, and it was pretty good, but not popular enough to dodge the live service graveyard. Ubisoft announced this year that XDefiant will shut down in 2025, and executive producer Mark Rubin just announced that its final content patch is here.

The game director of Elden Ring: Nightreign has delivered an ultimatum to gaming couples everywhere: Find a third wheel or play by yourself
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/the-game-director-of-elden-ring-nightreign-has-delivered-an-ultimatum-to-gaming-couples-everywhere-find-a-third-wheel-or-play-by-yourself/
Learning about a new Elden Ring spin-off was my highlight of The Game Awards. Over the last few years, my partner and I have spent a great deal of time playing Elden Ring and its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC alongside each other, occasionally teaming up to explore the lands between or fight a particularly tricky boss. Still, summoning other players is still quite fiddly Elden Ring: Nightreign seemed like the perfect solution.
(...)
During an interview with IGN, game director Junya Ishizaki explained why FromSoftware decided to opt for such an awkward number. "The game is designed to be played as a three-person team, but you can play it as a solo player," Ishizaki says. "The reason that we went with a three-player focus was that we wanted to retain that sense of accomplishment you get from battling a boss together or from conquering a map together and that sense of enjoyment, but we wanted to recreate that in a fresh way. And we felt like focusing on a three-player co-op experience would provide a brand new sense of accomplishment with it."

PEGI digs its heels in over Balatro's 18+ rating, according to its disappointed dev: 'blaming EU laws, blaming storefronts, waiting for the future'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/roguelike/pegi-digs-its-heels-in-over-balatros-18-rating-according-to-its-disappointed-dev-blaming-eu-laws-blaming-storefronts-waiting-for-the-future/
Balatro has been hit with an 18+ rating by PEGI, a European age rating system that's used in more than 35 countries, over its allusions to real-world gambling. The game's developer, LocalThunk, spoke out about the decision earlier this week—and has since contacted PEGI over the choice to lay down the law on a funny game with poker cards in it (but no microtransactions or actual gambling elements), while others with actual, chance-based microtransactions continue with 3+ age ratings unabated.
Unfortunately, the organisation is still adamant that its choices are in accordance with its guidelines, as LocalThunk writes on Bluesky: "I talked with PEGI and they do not see anything wrong Balatro being rated 18+, nor with EA sports FC (and similar games) having a 3+ rating." He goes on to say that the ratings board was "blaming EU laws, blaming storefronts, waiting for the future. Sitting on their hands. I thought some good might come of this, this sucks."

Hi-Fi Rush devs brim with optimism after their near-closure experience, say they're building a place 'where people feel like the work is their baby, not just some task to be done'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/hi-fi-rush-devs-brim-with-optimism-after-their-near-closure-experience-say-theyre-building-a-place-where-people-feel-like-the-work-is-their-baby-not-just-some-task-to-be-done/
Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks was part of a set of sweeping layoffs that shocked the industry earlier this year, least of all because the studio's last game, Hi-Fi Rush, was pretty much a success by most metrics, winning awards, a "breakout hit by all key measurements and expectations", according to Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg. Cue a parade of anything other than a straight answer.
Luckily Krafton, PUBG's publisher, came in at the last minute to snatch Tango from going the way of the dodo, acquiring the studio three months after its closure had been announced—not before half of its talent understandably went elsewhere, given they'd assumed the curtains had already been called.
Still, the studio's developers are putting on a brave face. Speaking to 4gamer (spotted and translated by Automaton), general manager Colin Mack, creative director John Johanas, and development director Kazuaki Egashira all had some optimistic words to share. For Egashira, nothing's changed about the studio's goal to take a stab at breakout IPs, whether they fly like Hi-Fi Rush or amble a little more, like Ghostwire: Tokyo

Skull and Bones is reportedly going to remain supported for Year 2, despite no one playing it
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/skull-and-bones-is-reportedly-going-to-remain-supported-for-year-2-despite-no-one-playing-it/
The seas have been choppy of late for live services games looking to make a name for themselves, with most of them sinking forlornly to the bottom of the Steam charts. (...)
But it seems that Ubisoft isn't done with Skull and Bones yet, as Insider Gaming has reported that Ubisoft has plans for Year 2 content for the game. How many players will actually be around to play this content is a bit of a mystery. Steam Charts shows Skull and Bones averaging under 200 concurrent players in the last 30 days, though it's worth noting that it only came to Steam some six months after its initial launch on Ubisoft Connect. On the other hand, plenty of other online games—the Battlefield series, Titanfall 2, Sea of Thieves, to name a few—found success on Steam despite arriving on the platform years after their initial launch, so those Skull and Bones numbers don't look great comparatively.
>> Imagine how bad is Xdefinat doing if they’re closing that one but keeping this alive.

League of Legends hit by SAG-AFTRA union action as Riot delays English VO to 'respect the ongoing strike' over AI, though voice actors think it could be doing more to help
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/moba/league-of-legends-hit-by-sag-aftra-union-action-as-riot-delays-english-vo-to-respect-the-ongoing-strike-over-ai-though-voice-actors-think-it-could-be-doing-more-to-help/
This is the fallout of the SAG-AFTRA strike for ol' Riot: As announced on the studio's X account earlier this week, the Riot Games will "be temporarily using existing (base) VO for some English-language skins in League of Legends & Wild Rift. Other languages will still have custom VO. Once the strike ends, we’ll record new VO with the original actors."

This upcoming RPG is injecting a healthy dose of magic, demons, and steampunk gizmos into 19th-century Japan
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/this-upcoming-rpg-is-injecting-a-healthy-dose-of-magic-demons-and-steampunk-gizmos-into-19th-century-japan/
With Ghost of Tsushima, Assassin's Creed Shadows, and the recently announced Ghost of Yotei, the feudal Japanese setting is well accounted for in games these days. But considering the rich mythologies, aesthetics, and customs found throughout Japanese history, it's a tad surprising that developers haven't thought to merge that with more traditional RPG mechanics.
Enter Owlcat Games, publishers of the Pathfinder series and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, who have teamed up with Another Angle Games to deliver Shadow of the Road, an isometric-presenting RPG that sees you mingling with yōkai in a dark-fantasy world inspired by Japanese folklore. 

NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 50 “Blackwell” Gaming GPUs Surfaces Over EEC Listing; Validating Presence of Several Models

https://wccftech.com/nvidias-geforce-rtx-50-blackwell-gaming-gpus-surfaces-over-eec-listing/

Intel’s Newest Arc B580 “Battlemage” GPU Witnesses Tremendous Market Demand, Team Blue Rushes To Fix Supply Issues

https://wccftech.com/intels-newest-arc-b580-battlemage-gpu-is-witnessing-tremendous-market-demand/

There will always be an audience when the product is good

Retailer lists €5999 GeForce RTX 5090 and €3499 RTX 5080 Acer Gaming PCs ahead of launch

https://videocardz.com/newz/retailer-lists-e5999-geforce-rtx-5090-and-e3499-rtx-5080-acer-gaming-pcs-ahead-of-launch

Placeholders and all that

AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE China-Edition GPU Reaches End-of-Life

https://www.techpowerup.com/330000/amd-radeon-rx-7900-gre-china-edition-gpu-reaches-end-of-life

Microsoft bought nearly 500K Nvidia Hopper chips this year

https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/18/microsoft-bought-nearly-500000-nvidia-hopper-chips-this-year/?guccounter=1