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Valve has rolled out a Steam update that adds new Big Picture mode features, speeds up client startup, and improves compatibility with Linux systems. The update is part of Valve's ongoing refinement of Steam's interface and performance.
An open-source app called DroidDeck lets supported Snapdragon Android devices run Valve's ARM64 Linux Steam client locally in Big Picture mode, without streaming, root access, or replacing Android's OS. Windows titles run via Proton with FEX handling x86 translation, and users can download games from their existing Steam libraries directly onto the device. It requires Android 9 or newer, Adreno 730+ graphics (6xx experimental), and several gigabytes of storage for the runtime and optional components.
iFixit's teardown of Valve's Steam Frame VR headset found that most components are repairable, but the internal cooling fan is buried deep within the device. Reaching it requires removing the optical assemblies and navigating past thermal hardware and cables, even though the fan and heat pipe are separate parts.
Omer Develioğlu, co-founder of Northend Games, published a breakdown showing that $560,000 in gross sales across two Steam titles—Northend Tower Defense and Deepstone Rift—over five years and 135,000 units ultimately left him and his co-founder with just $134,000 to split, and $73,000 after further costs. He says that works out to roughly $15,000 per year for him personally.
Star Citizen spinoff Squadron 42 now has a Steam page featuring a new trailer and listed minimum system requirements. Streamers and influencers who played a five-hour demo on October 9-10 have shared impressions, describing a linear, cinematic single-player experience rather than an open-world game.
Easy Fox, maker of the voice-controlled Steam demo Teach My Little Sister How To Drive, says a 20-fold surge in players has pushed its daily AI spending past $1,000. The game relies on Google Gemini and a ChatGPT fallback to interpret voice commands, and the studio took out a bank loan to keep the free demo running. Easy Fox says the paid release will fold AI usage costs into the purchase price rather than charging players per token.
AMD consumer chip lead Jack Huynh told Korean outlet The Elec that the company's FSR 4 upscaling technology will expand beyond desktop graphics cards to APUs, gaming laptops, and handheld devices by the end of the year. Huynh said AMD plans both to update existing APUs and launch new product lines, including a lighter version of FSR4 suited to lower-power chips.
The WD Black SN770M 2TB SSD has been discounted to $259.99, marking an 8% increase over its original launch price. This M.2 2230 drive is compatible with popular gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, providing a high-performance storage option amid ongoing shortages. Despite newer models emerging, the SN770M remains a cost-effective choice for expanding storage capacity in portable gaming devices.
Developers updated the Steam listing for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, removing Denuvo's anti-tamper technology ahead of its February 2027 release. This change has sparked speculation about the reasons behind the decision, with some suggesting low pre-order numbers or strategic timing. The removal may indicate a shift in the game's DRM approach before launch, as studios often adjust protections close to release date.
Xreal's xbx A01 Plus display glasses, which launched this summer at $299, are now selling for $254 on Amazon and through Xreal during its October Prime Day sale. The glasses connect via USB-C to mirror displays from laptops and gaming handhelds, and ship with swappable outer shells, though they lack the three-degrees-of-freedom screen-locking feature found on Xreal's pricier $399 1S model.
Geothermal energy derives from Earth's internal heat, which increases with depth and can be accessed through cracks and fissures. Regions with high geothermal gradients, such as along the Ring of Fire, are prime locations for energy projects, with surface temperatures reaching thousands of degrees Celsius deep underground. Scientists employ advanced mathematical models to study geothermal processes, which also have applications in fields like neurosurgery and industrial molding.
A new Android app called DroidDeck enables users to run Steam and Steam games with an interface resembling SteamOS. It supports features like Linux apps, Decky plugins, and Steam client in Big Picture mode, aiming to provide a PC gaming experience on Android devices. The setup process involves signing into Steam and installing necessary runtimes, though it requires enabling developer options, which can be complex on newer Android versions.