Best of Gaming — November 2025

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TechCentral·28w
Valve’s Linux console takes aim at Microsoft’s gaming empire
Valve announced a new living-room console, controller, and VR headset running SteamOS (Linux-based) for early 2026, with pricing yet to be revealed. The Steam Machine aims to bring PC gaming to TVs with no Windows licensing costs, leveraging Proton compatibility improvements from Steam Deck. Success depends on competitive pricing against Sony's PS5 and Microsoft's Xbox, potentially disrupting the console market by offering Steam library access and Linux's open ecosystem advantages. The move could weaken Windows' dominance in gaming and establish Linux as a viable platform for mainstream console gaming.
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Video
Mental Outlaw·26w
The Best Desktop Linux For Windows Users
Windows 11's focus on AI features has degraded gaming performance by up to 65% for Nvidia users, prompting increased adoption of desktop Linux distributions. Zorin OS 18 attracted over 1 million downloads (78% from Windows users) with features like web app integration, Windows app compatibility via Wine, and suggested alternatives for Windows programs. Gaming-focused distributions like Bazzite and CachyOS now match or exceed Windows 11 performance out-of-the-box, while Microsoft's AI-generated code (30% of repos) and financial ties to OpenAI suggest the company won't reverse course on its agentic OS direction.
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Article
Collections·29w
Rising Viability of Linux Gaming as Nearly 90% of Windows Games Now Compatible
Linux gaming on Steam has crossed 3% market share for the first time, reaching 3.05% in October 2025—a 50% increase from the previous year. This growth is driven by improved compatibility layers like Proton (enabling 90% of Windows games to run on Linux), the popularity of Steam Deck (accounting for 27% of Linux gaming), and Windows 10's end of support pushing users toward alternatives. Popular distributions include Arch Linux, Linux Mint, CachyOS, and Bazzite, with new hardware like Lenovo's Legion Go S further expanding the ecosystem.
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Article
Game Designing·29w
The Future of Pixel Art in Games: Retro Style Meets Modern Tools
Pixel art continues to thrive in modern game development, driven primarily by indie developers who leverage it for budget efficiency and nostalgic appeal. Modern tools now enable artists to enhance classic pixel aesthetics with advanced effects like high-resolution layering, lighting systems, and physics-based sprites. The pixel game market is projected to grow 11.5% until 2031, as developers balance retro visual style with contemporary technology to create accessible, less computer-intensive games that appeal to both mobile and traditional gaming audiences.
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Article
80 LEVEL·27w
Ubisoft Blames Its Declining Revenue on Gamers Playing Fewer Games
Ubisoft's UK branch attributes declining revenue to changing player behavior, claiming gamers are playing fewer titles for longer periods. The company cites subscription services, live-service games, free-to-play models, and cloud streaming as factors disrupting the traditional £50-60 single-game sales model. With fewer planned releases and market unpredictability, Ubisoft Limited expects continued revenue decline in fiscal year 2026.
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Article
Hacker News·27w
Why I Don't Need a Steam Machine
A humorous personal reflection on Valve's newly announced Steam Machine console. The author lists 22 reasons why they don't need the device—from being a retro gamer who doesn't need the power, to already having too many gaming devices, to preferring physical games over digital—only to conclude they're buying one anyway despite all the rational arguments against it.
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Video
Blackthornprod·27w
5 DEVS Make SILKSONG without COMMUNICATING!
Five game developers independently create a Hollow Knight-inspired game in seven days without communication. Each developer contributes their specialty: hand-drawn 2D art and animations for the character Sherma and boss enemies, Unity programming for player controls and physics, music composition and audio implementation, sound effects and level design. The project demonstrates collaborative game development workflow, covering character animation, boss mechanics, parallax environments, shader programming, particle systems, and audio integration using Unity's input system and Cinemachine.
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Fireship·27w
This new gaming console uses Arch btw…
Valve's new Steam Machine is a gaming console running Arch Linux with Steam OS and KDE Plasma desktop environment. It features a semi-custom AMD chip at 4.8 GHz, 16GB RAM, 8GB VRAM, and can run 4K games at 60fps. The device supports Windows games through Proton compatibility layer and allows switching between gaming mode and full Linux desktop. Hardware is non-upgradeable, pricing expected under $1,000, with availability targeted for 2026.
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The Linux Experiment·29w
Python refuses $1.5M grant, Unity's in trouble, AUR attacked again - Linux Weekly News
Python Foundation rejected a $1.5M US government grant due to unacceptable restrictions on diversity policies and potential financial clawback risks. Unity desktop environment faces potential shutdown again due to lack of developer resources. Arch User Repository experienced another DDoS attack with unknown perpetrators. Firefox introduces mandatory data collection disclosures for browser extensions. Ubuntu 25.10 adds architecture-specific package variants for x86-64-v3 processors. Fedora 43 released with GNOME 49 and Wayland-only support. Linux gaming compatibility reaches 90% of Windows Steam games according to ProtonDB ratings.
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Jonas Tyroller·28w
This Young Solo Dev Built a Steam Hit in 4 Months
Solo developer Zoro Arts shares how he built Pedal Pedal Pedal, a viral co-op game that sold 120,000+ units, in just 4 months while studying at university. Working only 3 hours daily, he created a demo in 2 weeks that gained massive social media traction. The conversation covers his journey from his first commercial game Maky's Adventure, learning Unity networking with Photon, dealing with feature creep, working with publisher Assemble Entertainment, and his philosophy of making fun games quickly rather than spending years on single projects. He emphasizes gameplay over graphics, rapid prototyping, and using social media feedback to validate ideas early.
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Article
Collections·27w
Megabonk Developer Withdraws from The Game Awards Over Indie Qualification Concerns
Vedinad withdrew Megabonk from The Game Awards' Best Debut Indie Game category after clarification that it wasn't their first game, having previously released titles under different studio names. The withdrawal highlights ongoing industry debates about what qualifies as an 'indie' game, with similar controversies involving nominees like Dave the Diver (developed by a Nexon subsidiary). The Game Awards organizer Geoff Keighley acknowledged the withdrawal and the need for clearer guidelines on indie game qualifications in award frameworks.
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Article
GamesIndustry.biz·27w
The Steam Machine could be an industry turning point | Opinion
Valve's upcoming Steam Machine represents a strategic challenge to both Microsoft and Sony in the console market, leveraging a decade of development on Steam Deck and SteamOS. The device combines competitive pricing with access to extensive Steam libraries and a Linux-based OS that outperforms Windows in gaming benchmarks through lower overhead and the Proton emulation layer. This timing particularly impacts Microsoft's pivot toward Xbox-Windows integration, as Valve's approach offers similar PC-console hybrid functionality at mass-market prices. The Steam Deck served as a crucial testbed, proving that optimized software can deliver strong gaming performance on modest hardware specs.
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Article
Game Developer·28w
Take Two CEO: Rockstar chasing 'perfection' with GTA VI
Grand Theft Auto VI has been delayed to November 2026, marking a 13-year gap since GTA V. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick attributes the delay to Rockstar's pursuit of perfection, emphasizing the studio's culture of performance and excellence. The announcement came alongside strong Q2 financial results, with Take-Two recording $1.96 billion in net bookings. GTA V continues to perform well with over 220 million lifetime sales, and the company expects GTA VI to deliver record-breaking results when it launches.
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Article
Game Designing·25w
What is Min Maxing in Games: The Virtues of a Game Strategy
Min-maxing is a game strategy where players minimize weaknesses and maximize strengths by optimizing character stats, builds, and abilities. Originating from tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, this approach has evolved across video game genres including RPGs, MOBAs, and shooters. Players use spreadsheets, calculators, and community forums to find optimal builds, creating an ongoing dynamic between developers who balance systems and players who find new optimization strategies. While some view it as obsessive number-crunching, others see it as strategic mastery and deep engagement with game mechanics.
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Article
80 LEVEL·29w
Waterworld Meets Frostpunk In This City-Building Survival Sim
Drownlight is an upcoming city-building survival game where players manage a settlement around a lighthouse in a flooded post-apocalyptic world. The game features resource management, difficult moral choices, and the challenge of keeping the lighthouse operational as the last beacon of civilization. Players must balance expansion with survival while welcoming drifters and uncovering secrets in the surrounding waters.
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GamesIndustry.biz·28w
What's going on with Acclaim?
Acclaim, the iconic 1990s game publisher that went bankrupt in 2004, has been resurrected by CEO Alex Josef and industry veterans. The new Acclaim focuses on indie game publishing rather than reviving old IP like Turok or Mortal Kombat, which are scattered across different rights holders. Josef emphasizes a calculated approach, targeting late-stage indie projects to minimize risk while building developer relationships. The strategy prioritizes helping small to mid-size creators gain visibility over chasing nostalgic franchises, despite the brand's retro appeal.
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80 LEVEL·29w
Tiny Glade-Like 3D Diorama Builder Is Out
Outside the Blocks, a modular 3D diorama builder by former Dying Light artist Michał Kubas, has been released on Steam. The tool allows users to create 3D architectural scenes without traditional 3D modeling software knowledge, featuring an autobuild system, animated characters, customizable materials, and an advanced layer system. Users can add finishing touches like epoxy resin water effects and display creations under glass domes.
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Phoronix·28w
Linux Proposal Aims To Overcome Kernel Limitation Affecting Various Gaming Peripherals
Red Hat engineer proposes a patch to enable Linux kernel's HID subsystem to support multiple batteries per device, addressing current limitations affecting gaming headsets, graphics tablets, wireless earbuds, and multi-device receivers. The architectural change would eliminate the need for proprietary protocols and vendor-specific software while maintaining backwards compatibility with existing single-battery implementations.
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Game Designing·27w
Toby Fox and the Making of ‘Undertale’
Toby Fox created Undertale, a critically acclaimed indie RPG inspired by Earthbound, largely by himself. Starting with RPG Maker 2000 as a kid, Fox developed a unique battle system where players can spare or kill enemies. After raising over $50,000 on Kickstarter in 2013, he handled writing, design, and music composition, though the project exceeded its summer 2014 deadline. Released in September 2015, Undertale achieved 96% positive Steam reviews, sold over 6 million units, and grossed roughly $30 million, becoming one of the most influential indie games.
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GamesIndustry.biz·29w
Nintendo wins lawsuit against streamer who livestreamed priated games before release
Nintendo successfully sued streamer Jesse Keighin for livestreaming pirated Switch games before their official release. Keighin streamed leaked titles over 50 times since 2022, including unreleased games like Mario & Luigi: Brothership and Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, using modified consoles and emulators. Despite receiving numerous takedown notices, he continued streaming and shared emulator links with viewers. The court ordered him to pay $17,500 in damages after he failed to appear in court. This follows Nintendo's broader legal campaign against piracy, including a recent lawsuit seeking $4.5 million from another individual for similar violations.
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80 LEVEL·26w
Schedule I Could've Been a Farming Sim If Steam Refused to Platform It
Schedule I, 2025's second-most played indie game, nearly became a farming simulator. Developer Tyler had a backup plan to strip all drug-related content and pivot to farming if Steam rejected the game. The platform approved it, though Australia temporarily blocked it due to missing age ratings. Despite commercial success, the game received no nominations at The Game Awards 2025.
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80 LEVEL·28w
Low Morale, Falling Stocks, GTA VI Delay: What's Going On at Rockstar?
Rockstar Games faces controversy after laying off 30-40 employees, allegedly for unionization efforts, though the company claims it was for leaking confidential information. The Independent Workers' Union disputes this, stating the private Discord group only discussed working conditions. GTA VI's delay to November 2026 and an 18% stock drop followed the layoffs. An anonymous Rockstar developer revealed that fired workers included veterans across multiple roles, all union members, many from organizing committees. The developer reports morale is at rock bottom, with remaining union members working in fear of similar termination.
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80 LEVEL·27w
Ex-Activision CEO: Elon Musk Would Be Best Owner of Any Game Company
Former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick stated on a podcast that Elon Musk would be the best owner of any game company, citing his capabilities despite Musk's limited gaming industry experience. Kotick, a controversial figure who left Activision after Microsoft's acquisition amid workplace misconduct allegations, also praised Musk's Twitter acquisition and priorities. Musk recently announced plans to release an AI-generated game through his xAI company by the end of next year.
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Hacker News·28w
Valve is about to win the console generation
Valve announced three new gaming products: the Steam Controller, Steam Machine (a console with PS5-level specs running SteamOS/Arch Linux), and Steam Frame (a standalone VR headset with ARM CPU). The Steam Machine stands out for its openness—users can install any OS, marketplace, or development tools, making every unit both a gaming console and a potential game development machine. The Steam Frame uses foveated rendering and runs full SteamOS with Android app support. Success depends heavily on pricing, but the hardware specs and software flexibility position Valve competitively against traditional console manufacturers.
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