I think we're expecting something from Valve that they've never done, and I notice that with the new Steam Machine. They don't go for the latest and best hardware, just good enough to run most of the Steam games. They're kind of like Nintendo in that regard.

Even with the original Deck, the device itself and the SteamOS were the main reasons to get it, because hardware wise it wasn't all that great, which was proven barely a year later when AMD came with the Z1 chips that were clearly more powerful.

In any case, a Deck 2 bring "only" twice as powerful as the original will not be its biggest problem. The problem will be, obviously, the price.

I don't know what's more impressive, that Intel still sends replacements or that the user has stayed with that platform for so long.

It's incredible how much emulation, and also the path of AnyPS5 is following, has benefited from AI. Without it, this kind of task would have taken many more years, even decades.

The thing is, Steam Deck released 2 years after PS5/XBX and it was running on same architecture, along with being "oh wow, I can have Steam on handheld". If they release Deck 2 around the same time as PS6/Helix, with architecture that is 2 generations behind (and that's underestimating how much RDNA5 is supposed to be architectural advancement), and go with it into market that's becoming fairly well served from other manufacturers, all the while having high price (which is most likely, given how much Frame costs and ridiculous price of Deck at this moment)...yeah, I'm just not seeing it.

Hopefully, this is based on some older leak/rumour and they will go with RDNA 5.

Doom 1993 gets DLSS 5 Neural Rendering

https://videocardz.com/newz/doom-1993-gets-dlss-5-neural-rendering

Valve adds Steam Deck FPS distribution charts for Verified games

https://videocardz.com/newz/valve-adds-steam-deck-fps-distribution-charts-for-verified-games

Valve confirms Steam for Linux on ARM hardware is still unsupported

https://videocardz.com/newz/valve-confirms-steam-for-linux-on-arm-hardware-is-still-unsupported

GameStop leak suggests used PS5 Pro could cost $1,399 to $1,499, more than a new console

https://videocardz.com/newz/gamestop-leak-suggests-used-ps5-pro-could-cost-1399-to-1499-more-than-a-new-console

GTA VI reportedly requires PS5 firmware 14.10, leaving current jailbreak users behind

https://videocardz.com/newz/gta-vi-reportedly-requires-ps5-firmware-14-10-leaving-current-jailbreak-users-behind

AMD plans to substantially increase supply in 2027, CEO says

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/amd-plans-substantially-increase-supply-2027-ceo-says-2026-10-06/

These are the Tuesday gaming news:

SALES/PLAYER COUNTS & DEALS

Steam’s Top 10

(Click here for the Top 100)

Steam sale deep cut alert: this ARPG originally developed for Nokia N-Gage is brilliant on Deck
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/steam-sale-deep-cut-alert-this-arpg-originally-developed-for-nokia-n-gage-is-brilliant-on-deck/
Xanadu Next is a Diablo-esque JRPG originally developed by Nihon Falcom for Nokia N-Gage. Those bullet points were enough for me to grab it when Steam's algorithm surfaced it for me last week as part of the ongoing Autumn sale. I wasn't expecting it to be good, but I was definitely curious.
Some background: Xanadu Next is actually a belated spin-off to the PC-88 game Xanadu: Dragon Slayer 2, which was released in 1985 and is sometimes credited as one of the first action RPGs. It took until 2005 for Nihon Falcom to follow it up with Xanadu Next, and when it did it was a Japan only affair.
A PC version did release a few months after the N-Gage version, but again, only in Japan. That PC version reportedly played much, much better than the N-Gage version, as I'm sure you can imagine, but the fact that the game's overarching design was conceived to work across both platforms is what piqued my interest. As did the fact that, when I googled Xanadu Next, I found many people claiming the PC version—which is the version available on Steam—is right up there with the best of Nihon Falcom's games (which is to say, up there with instalments of Ys, Trails and The Legend of Heroes).
(...)
Xanadu Next is currently 70% off for the Steam Autumn sale. It has a few quirks. This being a rare PC-only JRPG, it doesn't have thorough controller support. There is a decent community controller profile but you'll still probably need to use the mouse at times to equip items. I'd also definitely recommend loading the separate config executable and setting up graphics before heading into the game: it won't automatically adjust to your display. The Steam page says it's unsupported by Steam Deck but ignore it: boot the config first, use a community controller profile, and you'll be good to go.

You forget to check the deals one day and it comes back to bite you in the arse... *sigh*. These are the “new” sales at Steam, with few details:

• IAM Gaming Expo has upcoming titles and games up to 40% off: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/46298407/sale/IAMGamingExpo
• New York Games Week also has upcoming releases and has up to 50% discounts: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/46303830/sale/NYGamesWeek2026
• Haunted House Festival revolves around indie horror games. It has future releases, demos and games up to 45% off : https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45703068/sale/HauntedHouseFestival
• PAX Australia 2026 mimics the other sales, but with up to 60% discounts: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/pax-aus-2026
• Ars Independent Festival has games up to 90% off: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/46255707/sale/ArsIndependentFestival2026
• Playtime Horror Showcase 2026 features upcoming titles and games with up to 90% discounts: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/46149947/sale/PlaytimeHorrorShowcase2026
• Mobidictum Indie Showcase 2026 follows the rulebook with upcoming releases and games up to 80% off: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/30448918/sale/MobidictumShowcase2026
• Atlantic Canada Game Celebration includes upcoming games, demos and games with up to 90% discounts: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/46201172/sale/AtlanticCanadaGameCelebration
• And there are also a handful of new Weeklong Deals

The Humble Store has launched the new Sci-Fi & Fantasy Universe Sale, with games up to 90% off during 6 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/scifi-fantasy-universe/

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

NVIDIA GeForce Game Ready 617.42 driver
https://videocardz.com/driver/nvidia-geforce-game-ready-617-42

HIGHLIGHTS
Game Ready support for:

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
• Game Ready support for STAR WARS: Galactic Racer

Optimizations for:

• Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen
• Valor Mortis

Support for:

• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Sim Update 7

FIXED ISSUES

• Assassin’s Creed Shadows may crash to desktop after extended gameplay after updating to driver 616.56. [6685219]

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Super Mario Sunshine Unofficial Native PC Port Released
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/super-mario-sunshine-unofficial-native-pc-port-released/
An unofficial PC port of the Nintendo GameCube Super Mario game, Super Mario Sunshine, has just been released. This will allow you to experience Super Mario Sunshine on PC without the need to use an emulator. So, let’s take a closer look at it.
This native PC port of Super Mario Sunshine gives PC players many features that emulation does not offer. It supports Windows and Linux, with a simple launcher that handles setup, graphics, controls, and other options.
You can play at up to 8x the original resolution. The port also supports 2x, 4x, or 8x MSAA, FXAA, up to 16x anisotropic filtering, and sharpening. You can also install the UHD texture pack with one click. This pack replaces more than 2,000 textures. Not only that, but the port supports HD versions of all 21 movies.
Super Mario Sunshine can now run at 60 FPS while keeping its normal speed. You can use windowed, borderless, or fullscreen modes. It also supports widescreen displays up to 32:9.
One of the greatest features of this PC port is its camera options. Yes, you can use a keyboard and mouse to play it. This is something that will please a lot of PC gamers. You can also change the camera speed and use a free camera. Every key can be remapped, and Xbox, PlayStation, Switch Pro, and other controllers work automatically.
The port even adds online co-op for up to eight players. You can also use game mods and a performance overlay.
You can go ahead and download the PC port from this link (Github). As you may have guessed, it does not contain any in-game assets. To play it, you’ll have to provide your own ISO/ROM.
>> The article doesn’t have any media.

GTA San Andreas & Vice City Get a Major Proper Shaders Update With New Graphics Features
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/gta-san-andreas-vice-city-get-a-major-proper-shaders-update-with-new-graphics-features/
Modders ‘Jessica Natalia’ and ‘Junior_Djjr’ have released a new version of the Proper Shaders mod for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Vice City. This is one of the best graphics mods for these two GTA games. So, let’s see what’s in store for us. Before continuing, I have some good and some bad news. The bad news is that this latest version is behind a Patreon wall. The good news is that it will become available to everyone on December 5th. Right now, this latest version of Proper Shaders is in an alpha stage. This means that it has a number of bugs and glitches. This alpha phase will last until December, when the modders will fully release it to everyone.
>> If I posted every detail, the article would have been too long. Be aware that the article has links for both mods, on Patreon and Mediafire, and a video for each one.

GAMING NEWS

Amazon Game Studios Removes Denuvo From Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/amazon-game-studios-removes-denuvo-from-tomb-raider-legacy-of-atlantis/
Now, here is something interesting. Amazon Game Studios has removed Denuvo from the Steam store page for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis.

Gears of War: E-Day October 5th Patch Released & Detailed
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/gears-of-war-e-day-october-5th-patch-released-detailed/
Yesterday, The Coalition released the October 5th update for Gears of War: E-Day and shared its full patch notes. So, let’s see what this pre-release update brought to the table.

Tuesday gaming news, part two:

Arc Raiders is looking for 'more ways to integrate real human performances' starting with Celeste's visual overhaul for Frozen Trail
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/arc-raiders-is-looking-for-more-ways-to-integrate-real-human-performances-starting-with-celestes-visual-overhaul-for-frozen-trail/
Embark is doing some monumental spring cleaning in the lead up to its major Arc Raiders' update Frozen Trail. There's been an overhaul to its anticheat approach, the news of a potential PvE test, and a change to loot hotspots. But amid all of this, we're also getting a rework to one of Speranza's most important residents: Celeste.

Industry layoff watch: Supermassive, Ninja Theory, The Coalition, and a warning from Warhorse
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/industry-layoff-watch-supermassive-ninja-theory-the-coalition-and-a-warning-from-warhorse/
The plague of games industry layoffs and studio closures that seemed to explode in 2023 has yet to subside. Just about every week there's news of some new restructuring, closure, or cancellation as the videogame industry, particularly in North America, is battered by global economic forces, corporate maneuvering, and private capital.
Here's the latest news related to the crisis that continues to unfold
>> To be clear, there hasn’t been layoffs at The Coalition. Yet. But the devs are worriead about what will happen now that E-Day is out.

Despite the tragic death of its lead writer, one of the scariest games I have ever played will finally come out later this month
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/despite-the-tragic-death-of-its-lead-writer-one-of-the-scariest-games-i-have-ever-played-will-finally-come-out-later-this-month/
I cover a lot of demos for PC Gamer, and some of them really stick with me. Divine Frequency has been a real lost Lenore among those memorable games: It was a rare shooter that managed to scare the living daylights out of me, while also being an amazingly satisfying action experience. I've been up on the widow's walk every night, watching for any sign of its ship returning from the long voyage.
Only, I wasn't watching closely enough. On September 25, developer Abraxaes released a new trailer revealing an early access launch date of October 27 for the surreal and horrific FPS-RPG. Before that announcement, back in March, they outlined some of the herculean challenges Divine Frequency has faced⁠—most notably the surprise death of lead writer Pablo "Artistical" Lamprea. (...)

And here are the short stories as well:

RuneScape dev apologises after RuneFest debut of an AI-generated six-fingered character: 'That's pretty hard to explain away'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/mmo/runescape-dev-apologises-after-runefest-debut-of-an-ai-generated-six-fingered-character-thats-pretty-hard-to-explain-away/

Developer gets a little too silly, recommends deadly psychoactive ingredient in its bad boy-themed cocktail
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/adventure/developer-gets-a-little-too-silly-recommends-deadly-psychoactive-ingredient-in-its-bad-boy-themed-cocktail/

This is actually fucking nuts in both good and bad ways

The games for Humble Choice October 2026 have been reavealed.

• Asgard's Fall — Viking Survivors
• Cataclismo
• Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
• Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers
• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
• Prince of Persia The Lost Crown
• Psychonauts 2
• Toy Shire

I skipped this month. Already have Prince of Persia The Lost Crown & Psychonauts 2.

The only other game I might play of this selection would be "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii".... but I already have sooo many unplayed Yakuza games.

Damn. That deserves its own thread. 

Yeah, I'm fully expecting infinite number of decomped, modified and then published games to drown the Steam, unless Valve does something about it.