Windrose Developers Request Patience During Six-Month Wait for Upcoming Major Update

The SteamOS 3.8.0 update is available to try now on the Preview branch, and it’s the first to bring “initial support for the upcoming Steam Machine hardware.” That is, of course, merely a passing mention of Valve’s reborn PC box in the 3.8.0 patch notes. Am I going to engage strong, some might say excessive optimism that this suggests its recent delay and subsequent release date uncertainty aren’t as damning as they look? Sod it, it’s Friday.

Those in search of more practical updates, and presumably own a Steam Deck, have much more to chew on. This is a wide-ranging patch, spanning a new graphics driver, improved support for OBS and Discord, better frame pacing with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) tech, crash fixes, and a bunch of tune-ups for non-Valve handheld PCs, with plenty more besides. I’m most intrigued by the bullet point that promises “Preliminary support for hibernation,” which – assuming it works like hibernation on a Windows laptop – would drastically reduce the frequency with which I pick up my Deck to find its battery dead, drained to emptiness by my thoughtless misuse of Sleep mode. Yes, Valve. Continue to enable my shortcomings.

Read more

**Crimson Desert: An Initial Insight into the Controversial Game’s Reception**

*Crimson Desert*, the eagerly awaited title from Pearl Abyss, has been active for about 12 hours, creating a stir within the gaming community. With a peak of 240,000 simultaneous players on PC, the game has swiftly garnered over 13,000 reviews on Steam. The feedback is notably varied, with nearly 60% of the 13,477 ratings skewing towards a favorable outcome, placing the game squarely in the “Mixed” category.

This varied reception corresponds with the critical consensus visible on platforms such as Metacritic, where *Crimson Desert* boasts a commendable score of 78 based on 98 evaluations from esteemed sources. However, this score is shaped by a spectrum of extreme ratings, including several perfect 10s, indicating a divided sentiment among both critics and players.

Steam reviews depict a tumultuous scenario: positive reviews frequently include anger-fueled criticisms directed at reviewers, while negative reviews may arise from personal grievances against the game or its promotion. Roughly a quarter of the positive reviews explicitly state they are retaliatory reactions to critics’ judgments, underscoring a dismissal of perceived unjust narratives. Amidst this chaos, one consensus prevails: nearly all players fault the game’s controls, describing them as “shockingly poor” and “cumbersome.” The intense reactions communicate a sentiment that the controls feel as if created by someone “that doesn’t have hands.”

In spite of the backlash regarding the controls, some affirmative feedback recognizes the game’s appeal. Players highlight elements such as the strangely endearing blend of mechanics, although many concede that the movement is odd and the game has its share of glitches. Significantly, the limited accessibility options have also sparked criticism, with one player observing that the only modification available is shrinking the UI, which some believe does not meet true accessibility standards.

One captivating element that has appeared in multiple reviews is the ability to “cuddle a crying cat,” which seems to resonate positively amidst the discord.

Regarding the controls, players express frustration over a potentially complicated mapping of game mechanics to inputs on either keyboard or controller. In reaction to the backlash, Pearl Abyss’s PR and marketing director sought to clarify through a post on social media, comparing the learning curve to riding a bike, implying that it takes time to become accustomed to the controls. However, the comparison seems to have missed the point, as it implies a steep learning curve rather than an instinctive experience.

To respond to some player feedback, a patch has been released for PC, updating the game to version 1.00.02. This update features a new tutorial quest and various adjustments, but notably omits enhancements to the criticized controls. As the PlayStation release of the game rolls out in phases, players remain optimistic for improvements that may address the current challenges.

Overall, *Crimson Desert* emerges as one of the most contentious games of the year, eliciting strong feelings on both sides. While some players value the game’s distinct offerings and inventive designs, many feel disappointed by its execution, especially regarding controls. The forthcoming days will determine whether updates can alleviate concerns and enhance the overall player experience.

Battlefield 6 experiences a seasonal postponement as it deals with community dissatisfaction. EA’s developers have revealed that Season 2 will be rescheduled to February 17 from its initial January 20 date. This decision comes as fans voice concerns about the game, especially regarding the REDSEC feature and the limited amount of content released over recent months. EA reaffirms its dedication to community feedback, stating that this additional time will enhance and refine the upcoming season’s offerings. Nonetheless, players are wishing for larger maps to rejuvenate the gameplay experience.

In the meantime, Eidos Montreal is diligently working on a new “AAAA” title utilizing Unreal Engine 5. This ambitious venture has supposedly been in development since 2019 and signifies a considerable investment for the studio, which is acclaimed for its previous achievements like Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Although specifics remain undisclosed, fans are keen for updates on what this endeavor involves, particularly following the studio’s collaborative efforts on various high-profile games.

Conversely, Games Workshop’s CEO, Kevin Rountree, has clearly declared that the firm will not employ generative AI in its content or design workflows. Rountree discussed this issue during a recent earnings call, articulating the company’s cautious stance towards AI technologies and underscoring their commitment to preserving creative integrity within the Warhammer franchise.

Valve is also advancing with its verification system for Steam Machines, vowing a more seamless experience than the Steam Deck. The company has indicated that titles Verified on Steam Deck will also undergo similar verification on Steam Machines, albeit with fewer limitations, which could be advantageous for developers.

Moreover, enthusiasm is growing for the forthcoming dark fantasy RPG Blood of Dawnwalker, crafted by the developers of The Witcher 3. Game director Mateusz Tomaskiewicz has hinted at romance options within the game’s narrative, suggesting an exploration of depth in character relationships and interactions.

As the gaming industry evolves, these developments indicate a blend of excitement and cautious optimism amid fans and developers, highlighting the intricacies within the sector as it navigates technology, community expectations, and innovative gaming experiences.