I guess there’s a nice idea behind the process. But tbh, I don’t even remember what instance I joined. I tried joining a tech instance but my application was rejected … I’m really not that interested in applying like it’s a job or something. (Though I understand lots of IRL groups have application processes)

It’s such a stupid thing, not only do people have to pay over the odds to scalpers, but how do people go about claiming on warranty or returns.

Excellent choice! In my vague memories it was an original game with a fun theme

Black & White 2 gets my vote

I didn’t remember this specific incidence, but the govt. / media do like to blame that darn rock music, mini skirts, Doom game, horror movie for all the bad things that are happening.

Also, link to this specific incidence https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_Rose#Controversy

I WFH, so my chair gets a lot of use - it’s one of the tools I use.

If I was an electrician, or I commuted to work I know I’d be paying for tools, fuel, repairs, train tickets etc

I don’t know what your circumstances are, but I find a cheap chair falls apart pretty quick.

The better office chairs have 10+ year warranties, if you spread out the cost of buying a cheap chair (£150) every 2 years Vs a £1000 one that lasts 10 years its not such a huge difference in price whilst the benefits to your back are worth much more.

I know not everyone can afford this, but it’s worth checking for interest free credit from either the manufacturer, store, or even PayPal / klarna (which is what I did).

Windows 10 gang here. If I wait a few years I’m sure 11 will be usable by the time 10 support ends.

Same with buying pc games.

I should say that that’s a fairly recent news article talking about the next FSR in development.

As to if we need it … I don’t know, we certainly managed a long time without AI everything!

I hate to say it, but FSR4 is AI powered https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/amd-plans-for-fsr4-to-be-fully-ai-based-designed-to-improve-quality-and-maximize-power-efficiency

Let them eat cake

Lol. I just found it in my works GitHub instance. I asked what files a ticket refers to and it just returned an error message.

Great point, except you’ve completely failed to show how any of the alternatives are better.

Epic, GoG, Microsoft store, if Steam is so awful, then why don’t people use the competition?

There’s really no penalty to me as a consumer if I choose to buy on any platform, they all work on Windows, and to a lesser extent Steam OS. I’m not locked on hardware, there no subscription, the biggest challenge is keeping all 4 app stores updated to the latest version which costs me a little time and storage space…

Actually, dlc is a good example of being trapped in one ecosystem, but beyond that I can buy games from any publisher on any store without penalty.

Compare that to Apple and their restrictive app store, or other innovators that stop supporting hardware upgrades or disable servers removing key features (Unisoft…) Steam even goes further and provides users access to games that have been withdrawn from sale, compare that with Nintendo.

Like Apple’s vr headset? Or did you forget the first 2 Valve VR (HTC hardware) sets and associated software?

What about the Steam Deck, of course hand held consoles are nothing new, but what makes it special is the combination of the rather excellent trackpads and controller mapping that debuted in the Steam controller and with an OS (that uses wine) to bypass Windows and all it’s bloat - It must be quite popular as we’re now seeing a number of imitators!

Imho Steam is, by far, the gold standard for digital distributors.

So as a developer I could release my software on Steam directly (no publisher and associated costs) and have access to how many potential customers? Of course I could also release on my own website and host everything myself, or I could use the Epic Store, perhaps GOG.

How do you think Steam store restricts the industry? I can buy steam keys on alternative sites, is that possible in Epic or GOG?

https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/keys

Steam Keys are a free service we provide to developers as a convenient tool to help you sell your game on other stores and at retail, or provide for free for beta testers or press/influencers.

As a customer the steam store experience, mod workshop, Steam deck and OS, Steam VR app (I use with my Quest 2) all work really well for me. Reviews seem pretty uncensored (at least I’ve not read about Valve doing anything underhand)

I’m very happy to say that the Steam android app could be better!

As a final point, I would like to see a viable alternative to Steam as competition is generally good for consumers!

Fair point, however everyone (just about) has either an android or apple phone. Not everyone plays computer games.

This is neat solution, you’ll lose the laptop WiFi internet access though.

You can set the pi to connect to the phone WiFi by editing files on the SD card (using your laptop)

https://desertbot.io/blog/headless-raspberry-pi-4-ssh-wifi-setup-64-bit-mac-windows

SteamOS struggles/struggled to support some online gaming due to anti cheat. I think that’s why the support is mentioned.

Pi4 with 2TB SSD running:

• Portainer
• Calibre
• qBittorrent
• Kodi

HDMI cable straight to the living room Smart TV (which is not connected to the internet).

Other devices access media (TV shows, movies, books, comics, audiobooks) using VLC DLNA. Except for e-readers which just use the Calibre web UI.

Main router is flashed with OpenWrt and running DNS adblocker. Ethernet running to 2nd router upstairs and to main PC. Small WiFi repeater with ethernet in the basement. It’s not a huge house, but it does have old thick walls which are terrible for WiFi propogation.