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Latest Comments by ZekThePenguin
Entroware have released another beast of a Laptop, worth looking into
17 Jun 2016 at 1:51 pm UTC

Quoting: Mountain ManI would love to replace my desktop with a high-end gaming laptop simply for the convenience and space-saving, but the fact that laptops are generally not upgradable is always the deal-killer. I can afford to upgrade my graphics card or CPU every few years. I can't afford a whole a new computer every few years.
Hopefully with the new improvements coming from AMD's Zen we'll see laptops with desktop-grade processors soon. My dream laptop would be a small 12" laptop with an SSD, 16gb of RAM, and the ability to upgrade to the strongest APU available.

Want to play Morrowind natively on Linux using OpenMW? Well it's on sale on GOG
13 Jun 2016 at 7:16 pm UTC

Can't wait till we see OpenMW run perfectly, complete with mods!

Steam Machines are dead in the water according to Ars, not quite
2 Jun 2016 at 8:15 pm UTC Likes: 4

I still plan to buy a Steam machine, just haven't had the funds to do so.
Unfortunately, the gaming market has solidified into two masses: PC gaming and Console gaming. Steam machines are bridging that gap with a PC that is console-sized and uses a controller, but the resulting 1/2 PC, 1/2 console has confused many. PC folks looked at the offerings and said 'you can build something better for that much... it just won't keep up with a desktop PC... mouse and keyboard is the only good controller...' while console gamers said 'that controller is weird... there aren't enough games on SteamOS... that is WAY too expensive... there are too many to choose from!'
I really don't see PC gamers caring all that much about Steam machines because a console-sized rig will never pack as much punch as a desktop, and most PC gamers care about performance above all. (I'm one of the rare few who cares more about comfort and ease of use, but I was a console gamer for many years before coming to PC.)
For Steam machines to really catch on with console gamers, three things need to happen:
1. Steam Machines need a more solid identity for marketing. With Xbox, one sees 'elite edition,' 'halo edition,' and various other color schemes and tweaks, but each machine is still unmistakably an Xbox. Steam Machine branding should be for STEAM, period, with a mention of manufacture. Create a Steam Machine look and brand, with varying splash screens, console colors, and markings for manufacturers (ie a Zotac Steam Machine would be black with yellow markings and would have the Zotac symbol somewhere on it) This way, people will know a Steam Machine when they see one. More visibility will draw more consumers. On a side note, it would be awesome if Valve created the case themselves and one could buy a kit to build their own Steam Machine if they wish.
2. Steam machines should be low or medium-spec systems FOR NOW. People who actually know what high-end hardware is will likely be building their own machines. Perhaps after Steam Machines really get rolling there will be some fans that want high-end gaming in their living room, but for now the lofty price tags just scare potential customers away. Seriously, have ANY of the $1,000+ machines sold? Another benefit of limiting the builds is that testing will take less time and game devs will have a target for their minimum specs. Naturally, if this was the ONLY spec for games it would hold back progress, but settings can always be turned up. Besides, having a simpler platform to develop for will attract more games to SteamOS overall.
3. Fix the media deficit. I know this is secondary to games, but keep in mind that many people who own Xbox or PS4 use the machine as a glorified set-top box. Steam has started to get into music and video, but they really need to get serious about their library and/or add services like Spotify, Hulu, and Netflix to compete with the other consoles. Right now Steam just doesn't cut it in this area.

A bit wordy, I admit, but it's my hefty two cents.

Out of the Park Baseball 17 Released
23 Mar 2016 at 5:51 pm UTC

I can't wait for real sports games to come to Linux. -_- These are management games about sports... not even close to the same thing.

Stardew Valley developer says Linux is a top priority, woohoo
21 Mar 2016 at 3:52 pm UTC

Definitely buying this one as soon as it hits Linux!

Want to make an RPG game? Looks like RPG Maker MV may be coming to Linux
7 Mar 2016 at 10:40 pm UTC Likes: 6

Quoting: Nyapmeh. only noobs use tools like this. if you want to make a game, learn how to program you lazy nerds
Games have always been comprised of more than programming. There is music, artwork, story, game-play design, Level design, and more that goes into creating a game. If you have no talent in those areas, your game will be terrible. The best way to make a game would be collaboration between programmers, writers, and artists, but for small projects tools like RPG Maker serve to bridge the gap for artists to create games. Nothing wrong with that IMO.

Want to make an RPG game? Looks like RPG Maker MV may be coming to Linux
7 Mar 2016 at 9:53 pm UTC

I've been looking forward to seeing RPG Maker come to Linux! I know a few guys that this could be the last straw to get them to try Linux.

Our Linux & SteamOS gamer survey results for January 2016
3 Mar 2016 at 6:44 pm UTC

Quoting: gnaagIt would be great to add questions about gamepads. I am really interested in some data about steam controllers.

- If people use gamepads on linux
- What kind of gamepad do they use (steam controller, x360, dualshock, other...)
Fantastic idea! I did use a Logitech controller, but it wasn't very durable. Gotta admit, the X360 controller is still the best controller to be had on Linux right now. I would love to say the Steam controller is, but getting it to work on Mint seems to require some sort of voodoo that I don't possess.

A Linux & Mac version of Stardew Valley depends on sales from Windows to happen
3 Mar 2016 at 6:26 pm UTC

It's doing REALLY well on Steam, and they mentioned that success will define whether there will be a Linux port. I'm not worried. Starbound turned out really good on Linux, and I'm really looking forward to playing Stardew Valley on Linux. That said, I'm not buying it until a Linux port has been made.