From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:33:24 +0200, "Werner P." <[email protected]> wrote:

Am 19.08.25 um 22:09 schrieb Spalls Hurgenson:

I wish I could find where I stashed my/first gen/ Steam Controller. I
know I bought one. I just don't remember where I put it.

The not putting in a second analog stick and not putting it a dpad
really limited the original steam controller, the new layout on the SD
fixed both issues it would be great to see that in a controller!
Admittably they have to improved the touchpads somewhat for shooters,
the reduced size definitely did not help it was a downgrade somewhat for >those kind of games, but there is always room for improvement!

Meh. I just liked the packaging. I'm a sucker for a well-packed box.
;-)

Whatver else you want to say about Valve's hardware, they've got some
TERRIFIC packaging. It's right up there with Apple's boxes.

Admittedly, that's the least important part, but it makes a great
first impression.


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

On Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:33:24 +0200, "Werner P." <[email protected]> wrote:

Am 19.08.25 um 22:09 schrieb Spalls Hurgenson:

I wish I could find where I stashed my/first gen/ Steam Controller. I
know I bought one. I just don't remember where I put it.

The not putting in a second analog stick and not putting it a dpad
really limited the original steam controller, the new layout on the SD
fixed both issues it would be great to see that in a controller!
Admittably they have to improved the touchpads somewhat for shooters,
the reduced size definitely did not help it was a downgrade somewhat for
those kind of games, but there is always room for improvement!

Meh. I just liked the packaging. I'm a sucker for a well-packed box.
;-)

Whatver else you want to say about Valve's hardware, they've got some TERRIFIC packaging. It's right up there with Apple's boxes.

Admittedly, that's the least important part, but it makes a great
first impression.

It's not the least important part, at least not to the consumer who is
easily impressed.
--
n
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Ant <[email protected]> wrote at 22:47 this Tuesday (GMT):

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

[snip]


must be REALLY tiny for you to use it lol
--
user <candycane> is generated from /dev/urandom
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Am 20.08.25 um 17:29 schrieb Spalls Hurgenson:

Meh. I just liked the packaging. I'm a sucker for a well-packed box.
😉

Yeah the packaging, never forget about the packaging, does not matter
what is in there, most important aspect.

But seriously a controller with the form factor of the Steam deck, with
a display you can adapt to your needs would be a dream come true!
Imagine being able to drop all the shortcuts you need with proper
descriptions to the display and having the controller of a steam deck
around it!
Of course people would not get it except for a handful because it would
be a novel idea in itself, people instantly would screem why don´t you deliver a proper console instead like the Steam deck :-D

But I instantly would buy such a controller!

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Am 23.08.25 um 08:30 schrieb candycanearter07:

Ant <[email protected]> wrote at 22:47 this Tuesday (GMT):

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

[snip]

must be REALLY tiny for you to use it lol

Size does not matter... :-D

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Am 19.08.25 um 22:42 schrieb Lane the Caustic:

Werner P. wrote:

Am 19.08.25 um 18:53 schrieb Spalls Hurgenson:

As I've frequently mentioned, I personally don't care much for the
handheld gaming PC form-factor. Still, I'm happy to see that it's a
flourishing market. And according to a new report* it is flourishing.
It's estimated that 2.3 million PC gaming handhelds will be sold this
year, an increase of 30% over 2024. It doesn't look like Valve's
SteamDeck (and its clones) aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

Literally the only interesting handheld gaming device for me is the
steam deck, the reason is, no one has nailed the controller for pc
gaming like Valve. I wished they would bring out a second gen steam
controller with a similar form factor!

I got to try out the Switch for awhile and found it somewhat
interesting.  If I didn't have other options I'd consider it more, but I gave mine away.  Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was "breathtaking"
for such a small handheld.

Its even more breadthaking on emulators, Nintendo should have learned
from the shading improvement they exposed instead of getting on a legal vendetta against the emulators, but hey this is Nintendo we are talking
about!

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Sat, 23 Aug 2025 10:12:28 +0200, "Werner P." <[email protected]> wrote:

Am 19.08.25 um 22:42 schrieb Lane the Caustic:

Werner P. wrote:

Am 19.08.25 um 18:53 schrieb Spalls Hurgenson:

As I've frequently mentioned, I personally don't care much for the
handheld gaming PC form-factor. Still, I'm happy to see that it's a
flourishing market. And according to a new report* it is flourishing.
It's estimated that 2.3 million PC gaming handhelds will be sold this
year, an increase of 30% over 2024. It doesn't look like Valve's
SteamDeck (and its clones) aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

Literally the only interesting handheld gaming device for me is the
steam deck, the reason is, no one has nailed the controller for pc
gaming like Valve. I wished they would bring out a second gen steam
controller with a similar form factor!

I got to try out the Switch for awhile and found it somewhat
interesting.� If I didn't have other options I'd consider it more, but I
gave mine away.� Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was "breathtaking"
for such a small handheld.

Its even more breadthaking on emulators, Nintendo should have learned
from the shading improvement they exposed instead of getting on a legal >vendetta against the emulators, but hey this is Nintendo we are talking >about!

IIRC, part of Nintendo's obscene amount of litigiousness has to do
with their being a Japanese company. IP laws in Japan are different
than in the west, being far more restrictive but also requiring a more proactive response from the IP owners. This includes patents (which,
unlike the west, can include things like game mechanics). So to some
degree, Nintendo's aggressive response is forced upon them. You see
similar tactics by other primarily-Japanese corporations for the same
reason.

That said, Nintendo does seem to take an overly-harsh method, always
opting for the legal option rather than seeking compromise with the
fans. But given that nothing they seem to do ever makes people stop
playing their games or buying their products, I guess they don't need
to.


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 8/23/2025 1:12 AM, Werner P. wrote:

Its even more breadthaking on emulators, Nintendo should have learned

"breadthaking"?
--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

candycanearter07 <[email protected]>
looked up from reading the entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The
Augury is good, the signs say:

Ant <[email protected]> wrote at 22:47 this Tuesday (GMT):

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

[snip]

must be REALLY tiny for you to use it lol

He's got a Zoolander phone.

Xocyll
--
I don't particularly want you to FOAD, myself. You'll be more of
a cautionary example if you'll FO And Get Chronically, Incurably,
Painfully, Progressively, Expensively, Debilitatingly Ill. So
FOAGCIPPEDI. -- Mike Andrews responding to an idiot in asr
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Werner P. <[email protected]> wrote:

Am 23.08.25 um 08:30 schrieb candycanearter07:

Ant <[email protected]> wrote at 22:47 this Tuesday (GMT):

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

[snip]

must be REALLY tiny for you to use it lol

Size does not matter... :-D

TWSS! :P
--
"Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." --Proverbs 16:19. Being sick sucks. :(
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org.
/ /\ /\ \ Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail.
| |o o| |
\ _ /
( )
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Xocyll <[email protected]> wrote:

candycanearter07 <[email protected]>
looked up from reading the entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The
Augury is good, the signs say:

Ant <[email protected]> wrote at 22:47 this Tuesday (GMT):

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

[snip]

must be REALLY tiny for you to use it lol

He's got a Zoolander phone.

https://old.reddit.com/r/thingsforants/ ;)
--
"Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." --Proverbs 16:19. Being sick sucks. :(
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org.
/ /\ /\ \ Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail.
| |o o| |
\ _ /
( )
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

[email protected] (Ant) looked up from reading the entrails of the porn
spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs say:

Xocyll <[email protected]> wrote:

candycanearter07 <[email protected]>
looked up from reading the entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The
Augury is good, the signs say:

Ant <[email protected]> wrote at 22:47 this Tuesday (GMT):

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

[snip]


must be REALLY tiny for you to use it lol

He's got a Zoolander phone.

https://old.reddit.com/r/thingsforants/ ;)

Specifically this one I assume. https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fckj2dz4k21gf1.jpeg

The scary part was one of the other threads also with a picture, which
had this fallout; https://old.reddit.com/r/thingsforants/comments/1mspu0l/butt_plugs/

People can find the original thread/pic if they want.

Xocyll
--
I don't particularly want you to FOAD, myself. You'll be more of
a cautionary example if you'll FO And Get Chronically, Incurably,
Painfully, Progressively, Expensively, Debilitatingly Ill. So
FOAGCIPPEDI. -- Mike Andrews responding to an idiot in asr
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:47:38 -0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Ant)
wrote:

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

You are boring Ant!

:-)

-pw
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:47:38 -0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Ant)
wrote:

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

I meant to say, that for an Ant you are boring :-)

-pw
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Sun, 24 Aug 2025 20:19:22 -0600, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action, PW
wrote:

On Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:47:38 -0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Ant)
wrote:

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

I meant to say, that for an Ant you are boring :-)

Phew, for a second I thought he was a carpenter ant.
--
Zag

Give me the liberty to know, to think, to believe,
and to utter freely according to conscience, above
all other liberties. ~John Milton
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Tue, 19 Aug 2025 12:53:57 -0400, Spalls Hurgenson <[email protected]> wrote:

As I've frequently mentioned, I personally don't care much for the
handheld gaming PC form-factor. Still, I'm happy to see that it's a >flourishing market. And according to a new report* it is flourishing.
It's estimated that 2.3 million PC gaming handhelds will be sold this
year, an increase of 30% over 2024. It doesn't look like Valve's
SteamDeck (and its clones) aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

Of course, 2.3 million may not sound like much compared to total PC
sales (256 million sold in 2024, so just 1% of the market) or even to
the 20 million Nintendo Switch 2's expected to be sold in 2025. Still,
it's a fairly new form factor and, as importantly, PC gaming handhelds
are mainly used as complementary devices to existing gaming hardware
rather than as singular devices. Which is to say, for a lot of people
their Nintendo Switch or PS5 is their main gaming hardware, while most >handheld gaming PC owners use it as a secondary device for while they
are on the go. So it's understandably going to have a lower growth
rate.

Still, it's cool to see that the new form factor is taking off.

Although if one thing is to stop the rise of these devices, its the
ridiculous prices being attached to them. While Valve wisely keeps its SteamDeck at a starting price of $399, other OEMs have much higher
prices. ASUS starts at $599; MSI is offering one for $999 USD.

Admittedly, the hardware in these competitors is often more powerful
than Valve's offering, and Valve does offer more expensive models too.
But given how many handheld PC gaming device owners reportedly use
these machines as complementary devices, these premium costs aren't
likely to play well with the average consumer. Valve understands how
and why people want their SteamDeck and price accordingly. ASUS, et
al. are trying to sell these at desktop (or laptop) replacement
prices, and this will greatly hamper the form-factor's adoption.

It doesn't help that the SteamDeck is the "lowest common denominator"
hardware spec for the platform too. Developers are going to target the SteamDeck's hardware, knowing it has to at least run on that machine.
That means that a lot of the advantages of the more powerful machines
from ASUS, etc. won't be taken full advantage of. So a lot of what
people are paying extra for will be, to some degree, wasted money.
(and, anyway, it is a 7" 1280x800 screen. It's not like you need a lot
of extra power. The tiny display makes everything look great just
because all its pixels are smushed together already).

Understandably ASUS, MSI and the rest are upcharging because it is
such a new and risky market; they're putting a lot of development into
a platform that may not be popular in six months. But their higher
prices aren't going to help the success of the form factor.





--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:29:54 -0400, Spalls Hurgenson <[email protected]> wrote:

On Tue, 19 Aug 2025 12:53:57 -0400, Spalls Hurgenson ><[email protected]> wrote:

Understandably ASUS, MSI and the rest are upcharging because it is
such a new and risky market; they're putting a lot of development into
a platform that may not be popular in six months. But their higher
prices aren't going to help the success of the form factor.

Case in point:

The Abxylute handheld PC that boasts that it will be available for
"under $1,700".
https://abxylute.com/products/abxylute-3d-one


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:51:13 -0500, Zaghadka <[email protected]>
wrote:

On Sun, 24 Aug 2025 20:19:22 -0600, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action, PW >wrote:

On Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:47:38 -0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Ant)
wrote:

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

I meant to say, that for an Ant you are boring :-)

Phew, for a second I thought he was a carpenter ant.

*--

Are those the worst types?

-pw
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Wed, 27 Aug 2025 21:04:07 -0600, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action, PW
wrote:

On Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:51:13 -0500, Zaghadka <[email protected]>
wrote:

On Sun, 24 Aug 2025 20:19:22 -0600, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action, PW >>wrote:

On Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:47:38 -0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Ant)
wrote:

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

I meant to say, that for an Ant you are boring :-)

Phew, for a second I thought he was a carpenter ant.

*--

Are those the worst types?

No, but they do bore, and I've had them in my house. They can screw up
lumber very badly. IMO, Fire Ants are worse though.

What say you, resident ant experts?
--
Zag

Give me the liberty to know, to think, to believe,
and to utter freely according to conscience, above
all other liberties. ~John Milton
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Xocyll <[email protected]> wrote at 20:51 this Saturday (GMT):

candycanearter07 <[email protected]>
looked up from reading the entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The
Augury is good, the signs say:

Ant <[email protected]> wrote at 22:47 this Tuesday (GMT):

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

[snip]


must be REALLY tiny for you to use it lol

He's got a Zoolander phone.

Xocyll

Ah man, I loved that movie :)
--
user <candycane> is generated from /dev/urandom
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

I wont speak his name, otherwise he might turn up again like an undead zombie....
But for good old times someone / something to remember:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APRA_z6wDWQ&t=1402s


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Sat, 30 Aug 2025 14:53:39 +0200, "Werner P." <[email protected]> wrote:

I wont speak his name, otherwise he might turn up again like an undead >zombie....
But for good old times someone / something to remember:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APRA_z6wDWQ&t=1402s

I figured this was either Derek Smart or Cleve Blakemore before I
clicked on the link.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Am 30.08.25 um 15:47 schrieb Mike S.:

I figured this was either Derek Smart or Cleve Blakemore before I
clicked on the link.

Now you have said it, they will rise from the ashes, to torment us!

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

candycanearter07 <[email protected]>
looked up from reading the entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The
Augury is good, the signs say:

Xocyll <[email protected]> wrote at 20:51 this Saturday (GMT):

candycanearter07 <[email protected]>
looked up from reading the entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The
Augury is good, the signs say:

Ant <[email protected]> wrote at 22:47 this Tuesday (GMT):

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

[snip]


must be REALLY tiny for you to use it lol

He's got a Zoolander phone.

Xocyll

Ah man, I loved that movie :)

Pity about the sequel though.

Xocyll
--
I don't particularly want you to FOAD, myself. You'll be more of
a cautionary example if you'll FO And Get Chronically, Incurably,
Painfully, Progressively, Expensively, Debilitatingly Ill. So
FOAGCIPPEDI. -- Mike Andrews responding to an idiot in asr
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Xocyll <[email protected]> wrote at 00:12 this Sunday (GMT):

candycanearter07 <[email protected]>
looked up from reading the entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The
Augury is good, the signs say:

Xocyll <[email protected]> wrote at 20:51 this Saturday (GMT):

candycanearter07 <[email protected]>
looked up from reading the entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The
Augury is good, the signs say:

Ant <[email protected]> wrote at 22:47 this Tuesday (GMT):

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini. >>>>[snip]

must be REALLY tiny for you to use it lol

He's got a Zoolander phone.

Xocyll

Ah man, I loved that movie :)

Pity about the sequel though.

Xocyll

Huh? I thought it was still funny, even if it wasn't as good..
--
user <candycane> is generated from /dev/urandom
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

candycanearter07 <[email protected]>
looked up from reading the entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The
Augury is good, the signs say:

Xocyll <[email protected]> wrote at 00:12 this Sunday (GMT):

candycanearter07 <[email protected]>
looked up from reading the entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The
Augury is good, the signs say:

Xocyll <[email protected]> wrote at 20:51 this Saturday (GMT):

candycanearter07 <[email protected]>
looked up from reading the entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The >>>> Augury is good, the signs say:

Ant <[email protected]> wrote at 22:47 this Tuesday (GMT):

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini. >>>>>[snip]

must be REALLY tiny for you to use it lol

He's got a Zoolander phone.

Xocyll

Ah man, I loved that movie :)

Pity about the sequel though.

Xocyll

Huh? I thought it was still funny, even if it wasn't as good..

Like so many sequels it wasn't a patch on the original.

The loss of the female lead really hurt it, since half the charm of the original was the play between her and Derek Zoolander.

Xocyll
--
I don't particularly want you to FOAD, myself. You'll be more of
a cautionary example if you'll FO And Get Chronically, Incurably,
Painfully, Progressively, Expensively, Debilitatingly Ill. So
FOAGCIPPEDI. -- Mike Andrews responding to an idiot in asr
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:55:46 -0400, Spalls Hurgenson <[email protected]> wrote:

Case in point:
The Abxylute handheld PC that boasts that it will be available for
"under $1,700".
https://abxylute.com/products/abxylute-3d-one

Case in point #2:
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is releasing at a starting price of $1,100.*
That's almost twice the price of the first original Lenovo Legion Go
handheld PC.

I really think the handheld gaming PC form-factor has legs. But not if
it is only targeted at the premium market. You aren't going to get the
number of people buying these things to make it a worthwhile
form-factor if the number of people who actually buy them can be
counted in the thousands, and that's probably what will happen if each
new device has a >$1000 price-tag.

The people who are really interested in the form-factor (aside from
the 'I-have-too-much-money tech enthusiasts' who are scrambling after
these machines right now) primarily use them as secondary PCs. Valve
recognized this and engineered their SteamDecks so you could get one
for <$500 USD. They saw success. I don't think ASUS, Lenovo, MSI and
the rest will have the same luck with these overly expensive machines.

And I really do want this form factor to succeed, even if I don't want
one myself. Partly because it promotes SteamOS (not that the
abovementioned Legion Go 2 uses that operating system, but still), and
that's a good thing. Not only does it bolster Linux compatibility, but
it's a shot across Microsoft's bow. Also, as mobile gaming becomes
increasingly important (especially to the younger set), having a
'mobile' PC will help keep PC gaming viable. So for a variety of
reasons I don't want handheld gaming PCs to die a quick death.

But they just might if OEMs overprice their gear so that nobody buys
it.






--- --- --- ---- ---
* reported here https://www.theverge.com/news/769776/legion-go-2-official-lenovo-new-flagship-handheld-cost




--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2