Tag: Asus ROG Ally

  • New Foldable Clamshell Handheld Gaming Concept Unveiled

    New Foldable Clamshell Handheld Gaming Concept Unveiled

    Key Takeaways

    1. The popularity of gaming handhelds has surged, driven by devices like the Asus ROG Ally and Valve Steam Deck.
    2. The industry has largely settled on a standard horizontal design with 7 to 8-inch displays for most handhelds, including Android models.
    3. Unique designs are still emerging, such as Samsung Display’s Flex Gaming foldable concept.
    4. A new clamshell-style design has been introduced that features hinged gamepad buttons instead of a hinged screen.
    5. The final version and release date of the innovative foldable gaming handheld by Nittrx remain uncertain.

    The rise of gaming handhelds has seen a significant increase in recent times, mainly due to popular devices like the Asus ROG Ally and Valve Steam Deck. At first, companies introduced gadgets with odd shapes. However, the industry has largely agreed on a standard horizontal design featuring displays that are around 7 to 8 inches, including for Android models.

    Unique Designs Still Emerging

    Despite this trend, some creative designs are still making waves, such as Samsung Display’s Flex Gaming foldable concept. Recently, the YouTube channel Nittrx has unveiled a fresh idea that takes a unique approach to foldable gaming handhelds. Unlike the Flex Gaming, which utilizes a foldable screen, this unnamed device incorporates two hinges to safeguard its fixed display when it’s not active.

    A Clam Shell Twist

    This new design flips the traditional clamshell concept on its head, much like the Anbernic RG35XX SP (currently priced at $79.99 on Amazon), where the screen is connected to the base via a hinge. In this case, however, the gamepad buttons are the ones hinging. Interestingly, when fully opened, it resembles the Ayaneo Pocket Micro, though it lacks the right joystick. Nittrx suggests that we might witness this design in the future, but details about its final version and release date remain uncertain.

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    New Foldable Clamshell Handheld Gaming Concept Unveiled

     

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  • Monster Hunter Wilds Poor Performance on Steam Deck: Players Struggle

    Monster Hunter Wilds Poor Performance on Steam Deck: Players Struggle

    Key Takeaways

    1. Performance Concerns: Players experienced pixelated visuals and inconsistent frame rates on the Steam Deck, despite Capcom’s assurances of improved rendering.

    2. Compatibility Issues: Monster Hunter Wilds is not officially listed as compatible with the Steam Deck, leading to performance challenges even with setting adjustments.

    3. Framerate Challenges: Maintaining a stable framerate near 30fps is difficult, even with upscaling techniques, making gameplay frustrating for Steam Deck users.

    4. Alternative Devices: Other handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally and MSI Claw 8 AI+ show better performance for the game, but expectations should be tempered due to issues with mid-range graphics cards.

    5. Cloud Gaming Limitations: Cloud gaming options like GeForce Now are not supported for Monster Hunter Wilds, limiting mobile gaming possibilities for players.

    Players were worried about how well the Steam Deck would perform during the open beta of Monster Hunter Wilds. Capcom had assured fans that rendering would be improved, which could benefit the handheld. Sadly, once the final version was released, gamers noticed pixelated visuals and frame rates that were all over the place.

    Compatibility Issues

    On its official Steam page, Monster Hunter Wilds does not show as compatible with the Steam Deck. Nevertheless, some games without this designation manage to run just fine on the device. Resourceful players often find ways to tweak their settings to work around the limitations. Still, many are discovering that Monster Hunter Wilds does not perform well, no matter the adjustments made.

    Performance Challenges

    Many players have shared videos showcasing Capcom’s new game on the Steam Deck. Even when using upscaling or FSR, it’s a challenge to keep the framerate near 30fps. On a brighter note, upscaling doesn’t seem to add noticeable lag when players are trying to catch monsters. Reducing the detail settings can help, but the overall performance is so lacking that players on the Steam Deck are looking for other options.

    Alternatives for Better Gameplay

    The Asus ROG Ally and MSI Claw 8 AI+, which run on Windows 11, are showing more power. Early feedback indicates that these systems provide slightly better performance with Monster Hunter Wilds. However, since mid-range Nvidia and AMD desktop graphics cards are having their own issues, mobile gamers should manage their expectations. A harsh review from Digital Foundry highlighted that frame rates were not matching up with the disappointing graphical quality.

    Cloud gaming could also be a way to enjoy hunting monsters while on the move. GeForce Now is an option that many would prefer for streaming, but, like other titles in the franchise, Monster Hunter Wilds isn’t supported. The cloud gaming situation on Xbox isn’t looking better either.

    At the moment, Monster Hunter Wilds isn’t the best choice for Steam Deck players. That said, the game does load up, and controls work without issues. If Capcom can manage to optimize the game further, any enhancements may eventually benefit portable PCs as well.

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    Monster Hunter Wilds Poor Performance on Steam Deck: Players Struggle
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  • Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: Steam Deck Unplayable, ROG Ally Works

    Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: Steam Deck Unplayable, ROG Ally Works

    Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has made its debut on PC, but the launch has been anything but smooth. Many players have reported issues like game crashes, frustrating frame drops, and some odd graphical hiccups. On a brighter note, the game has fairly modest system requirements, which could lead to a decent experience on various gaming handhelds. Nonetheless, an in-depth review from TechPowerUp reveals that the reality is a bit more complex than it seems.

    Handheld Performance Test

    TechPowerUp ran tests on two well-known gaming handhelds while playing Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: the Valve Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally, both utilizing AMD APUs. The Steam Deck operates with the AMD Van Gogh APU featuring a Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU, while the Asus ROG Ally comes equipped with the much stronger Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU. The latter has an 8-core CPU and a 12-CU integrated GPU, delivering an impressive 8.6 TFLOPS of performance. Now, let’s dive into how these devices performed during the tests.

    Frame Rates and Settings

    At a resolution of 720p with “very low” settings, the ROG Ally, powered by the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, achieved a playable 51.3 frames per second (FPS) at 25 watts, with a minimum of 17.8 FPS. When it dropped to 15 watts, the performance fell to 38.9 FPS, with a minimum of 13.1 FPS. In contrast, the Steam Deck struggled, managing just 26 FPS under the same conditions, with a minimum of 12.8 FPS. When set to the slightly more appealing “low” preset, the ROG Ally performed well with 46.1 FPS, while the Steam Deck was left behind at 21.1 FPS.

    Issues and Future Updates

    Notably, the game crashed on the Windows-based ROG Ally, a problem that didn’t occur on the Steam Deck. According to TechPowerUp’s findings, the Steam Deck maintained more stable frame rates, although still teetering on the edge of being unplayable, even with upscaling. The ROG Ally, on the other hand, showed much better results and is expected to improve even further with an update that introduces the new Ryzen Z2 Extreme, which comes with four extra CUs. Currently, the Steam Deck is priced at $470 on Amazon, but unfortunately, a successor isn’t anticipated anytime soon. However, Lenovo has already released SteamOS handhelds featuring Ryzen Z2-series APUs.

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  • Epic Games Store Leak: Possible Free Game for Christmas Eve

    Epic Games Store Leak: Possible Free Game for Christmas Eve

    Epic Games Store is offering a highly acclaimed adventure game for free! Starting on December 24 at 16:00 UTC, there will be a new addition to their free game lineup. While Reddit user MeguminShiro has been providing hints that are fairly simple to decipher for previous free titles, this time, the reliable leaker has decided to keep things a bit more mysterious.

    Upcoming Free Game Hints

    Nevertheless, a clue was revealed by the leaker, suggesting that the game available for free on Christmas Eve might be either Dredge or The Call of the Wild: The Angler. Both of these games fit the hint given by MeguminShiro, but some Reddit users are also speculating that it could be Dave the Diver.

    Fishing Emoji Clue

    Notably, since MeguminShiro used fishing emojis in their hint, it raises the likelihood of the free game being either Dredge or The Call of the Wild: The Angler. Additionally, Billbill_kun, another well-known leaker on X, has suggested that Dredge might be the game in question.

    Ratings of the Possible Games

    No matter which of these three games ends up being the free title on the Epic Games Store on December 24, all are well-received by players. For instance, Dave the Diver has an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam, backed by more than 108 thousand reviews. Meanwhile, The Call of the Wild: The Angler holds a “Mostly Positive” rating based on recent feedback, and Dredge is noted to be one of the finest indie games, also enjoying an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating.

    Currently, you can snag Dark and Darker – Legendary Status for free on the Epic Games Store. This is a downloadable content (DLC) expansion to the main game, which is typically priced at $30.

    Source: Link

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  • Asus Boosts FPS on ROG Ally Handhelds with AFMF 2 Support

    Asus Boosts FPS on ROG Ally Handhelds with AFMF 2 Support

    AMD introduced the AFMF 2 in October, and while it was previously possible to get it running on ROG Ally handhelds, Asus has now confirmed official support. This new frame generation technology from AMD promises an impressive boost of up to 2.5x in frames per second (FPS). As mentioned before, many games see a significant enhancement in the overall gaming experience.

    Asus’s Promises

    Asus claims that enabling AFMF 2 can provide a 2x or even greater increase in FPS. During their official live stream, the company demonstrated how to implement this tech across various games, including those lacking direct support. Although the stream did not delve deeply into benchmark comparisons, YouTuber Quick Expert Reviews has provided insights on this matter.

    Performance Testing

    Quick Expert Reviews conducted tests on the Asus ROG Ally X, and a similar performance increase is anticipated for the Z1 Extreme-equipped non-X ROG Ally, currently priced at $499.99 on Best Buy. In their benchmark tests, Helldivers 2 was shown to run at approximately 40 FPS without the technology activated, but this figure soared to around 70 FPS with AFMF 2 engaged.

    The frame times were also quite decent, staying around 15 ms. Another title evaluated on the ROG Ally X was Fallout 76. Without AFMF 2, it operated at roughly 40 FPS, but once it was turned on, the FPS jumped to about 100, offering more than a 2x improvement. Cyberpunk 2077 also performed well, increasing from about 30 FPS to over 50 FPS, but it should be noted that the frame time reached around 25 ms. This means that in certain games, there might be some input lag. To find out more, be sure to check out the linked videos below.

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  • Steam Deck 2: Valve Fremont Promises Enhanced Performance

    Steam Deck 2: Valve Fremont Promises Enhanced Performance

    In recent days, there are signs that SteamOS might officially be coming to Windows gaming handhelds, such as the Asus ROG Ally (curr. $422.95 on Amazon). Moreover, there have been new reports of a Steam Controller 2, along with other controllers that Valve could launch with its much-anticipated Deckard VR headset.

    Speculation on New Hardware

    New information has come to light suggesting that Brad Lynch and others think there is new SteamOS hardware on the way. In particular, a device with the codename ‘Fremont’ has been detected in a recent update to the Steam Deck kernel. Initial analyses indicate that Valve Fremont uses the AMD Lilac platform, which seems to be associated with a version of AMD’s Ryzen 5 8540U APU. Regardless, one can reasonably conclude that Valve is working on something that involves Zen 4 CPU cores and AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture, especially since the Steam Deck’s custom APU employs Zen 2 and RDNA 2.

    Performance Expectations

    Even though AMD has progressed to Zen 5 and RDNA 3.5, the AMD Lilac performs at GPU OpenCL scores comparable to the AMD Radeon RX 6600S. Therefore, it should provide a significant performance enhancement for an upcoming Valve hardware launch. However, there’s no guarantee that Valve will use a standard APU design this time.

    Possibilities for Fremont

    There have been mentions of HDMI CEC support, leading many to believe that Valve Fremont could be a type of desktop machine. This brings to mind the unsuccessful Steam Machine project, and Valve Fremont might still be in the early development phases. Consequently, some, like The Phawx, have suggested that AMD Lilac could be the chipset for the long-discussed Steam Deck 2, which would support a more powerful docked mode similar to the Nintendo Switch, rather than shifting towards a console-like device. More details regarding Fremont’s specifications and how Valve plans to market it are likely still some time away from being disclosed.

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  • Terraria Community Split on Palworld Collaboration Plans

    Terraria Community Split on Palworld Collaboration Plans

    Palworld’s developer, Pocket Pair, has today shared news about teaming up with the indie survival game, Terraria. This collaboration is expected to appear in Palworld’s next significant update, which is set to arrive in early 2025. However, details about this partnership remain quite limited from both Pocket Pair and Re-Logic.

    Community Reactions

    The Terraria community has expressed a variety of concerns regarding this collaboration. On the Terraria forums, opinions have been mixed. Some members are frustrated about a new partnership when Re-Logic still hasn’t delivered the 1.4.5 update, which was supposed to include the promised Dead Cells collaboration from over a year ago.

    Update Delays

    Originally, the 1.4.5 update was meant to be a small improvement, but it has now transformed into a more complex issue due to feature creep. Since it was announced, there have been multiple delays; it was first pushed to 2024, and now it appears that it will only release in 2025.

    Legal Worries

    Others have voiced their worries about Pocket Pair being in a legal dispute with Nintendo over claimed patent infringements. The main issue here is that collaborating with Pocket Pair, who is associated with a potentially infringing game, could lead to Nintendo taking action against Terraria, which might jeopardize the Switch version of the game.

    At the end of the day, Palworld and Terraria do share some gameplay elements, notably in survival-crafting, building, and companion mechanics. However, it’s still unclear how the two games will actually merge in this collaboration. Given Re-Logic’s current priorities and focus on the 1.4.5 update, it seems more plausible that Palworld will incorporate some Terraria elements rather than the other way around.

    Both Palworld and Terraria perform well on handheld devices, such as the Asus ROG Ally, which is currently available at a discounted price of $499.99 for Black Friday.

    Source: Link,Link,Link

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  • Playtron OS Alpha 2: Enhanced Hardware Support Features

    Playtron OS Alpha 2: Enhanced Hardware Support Features

    For those who don’t know, Playtron OS is a gaming-focused operating system based on Fedora Linux. Since the launch of Steam OS, many companies have been trying to produce their own OS to rival Valve’s offering. The Playtron OS development team aims to create a lightweight and secure distribution which works well with popular gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and AYANEO devices, while also ensuring compatibility for games that are not just on Steam. Interestingly, the OS isn’t just for handhelds; the alpha two version includes features that will also assist laptop and desktop users.

    Key Updates in the Alpha Two Release

    The main focus of the Playtron OS alpha two release is on hardware support. Here are some key highlights from the latest update:

    The Playtron OS Alpha Two introduces several new features and significant updates to various components.

    Known Issues in Alpha Two

    However, as this is still an alpha version, there are several bugs that need to be fixed. Many of the problems from alpha one persist, and users may encounter some entirely new issues in alpha two. Those interested in trying out the OS should take note of some critical problems, such as:

    As expected with an alpha release, the list of bugs is ongoing. For further information on the update or to download the OS, please check out the official announcement linked below.

    Source: Link

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  • Steam Enforces New Season Pass Rules for Clearer Promises

    Steam Enforces New Season Pass Rules for Clearer Promises

    There have been many strong feelings about season passes and microtransactions since they started showing up in modern gaming, with lots of gamers seeing the slow content release as just another way for developers and publishers to make money. Now, Valve is taking steps to change how game companies can offer season passes on Steam.

    Promising Future Content

    When you buy a Season Pass, you are making a promise for upcoming content. During the launch of a Season Pass, you will need to set a schedule for when each piece of content will be released. This schedule is a promise to both Steam and the players.

    Valve’s Concerns

    Valve has two main issues with season passes: timing and clear communication. Under the new rules, any season pass sold on Steam must reveal what players can expect when the new content is released. Furthermore, if publishers don’t deliver the season pass on schedule — or within three months after Valve’s deadline — Valve will refund players through Steam.

    When a Season Pass is available for sale on Steam, it needs to have the following details:

    Game publishers and developers can postpone promised season pass content, but they must inform Valve in advance and notify their customers about the delay. This three-month buffer is meant to help with common development issues that happen in gaming these days.

    Additional Guidelines

    Another important point in the new season pass rules is that any season pass offered on Steam must come with at least one DLC that is already available at the time of buying, although pre-purchase season passes are excluded from this requirement for obvious reasons.

    It’s hard to say how these new regulations will change the gaming world, but they aim to create a fairer environment for gamers and consumers, even though the allowances for pre-purchase season passes might lead to more of those being offered.

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  • Xbox App Receives UI Overhaul for Windows Gaming Handhelds

    Xbox App Receives UI Overhaul for Windows Gaming Handhelds

    Microsoft appears to have finally acknowledged the competition in the gaming arena. They recently confirmed they are developing a handheld gaming device and are now working to enhance the Xbox app experience across multiple gaming platforms. An update is being rolled out for the Xbox App on Windows, introducing a new Home experience and a Compact mode designed for handheld devices, which seems to be heavily influenced by Valve’s Steam Deck.

    Home Layout and Compact Mode

    The most significant changes come from the redesigned Home layout and the introduction of Compact mode, which features a new function called “Jump Back In.” This new ribbon showcases recent games, much like the Recent Games section found in Steam Deck’s SteamOS and Steam Big Picture. When Compact mode is activated, this section appears in the upper half of the Xbox App for Windows. This update aims to simplify returning to your most recently played games on devices like the Asus ROG Ally (currently priced at $499 at Best Buy).

    Enhanced Navigation and Features

    The revamped Home UI for the Xbox app on Windows now includes a clean column of icons and shortcuts on the left side of the screen, enhancing navigation on smaller displays. Additionally, the update brings news and suggested content from Game Pass and the Xbox Store directly into the Home UI, again borrowing ideas from the SteamOS framework.

    The new Home experience combines the latest and most exciting content from Game Pass and the Store into one easy-to-access location. Users will also find access to the latest games, news, tailored recommendations, free-to-play offerings, and special deals.

    Competition with Valve

    Valve has also stirred things up with recent SteamOS updates that improved compatibility with the Asus ROG Ally’s display and button setups. The company has declared that SteamOS will eventually be downloadable as an ISO for other AMD-based gaming systems and handheld PCs, which predominantly operate on Windows—an operating system often criticized for its inadequate handheld optimizations. With Microsoft’s handheld-oriented updates, it seems that both Valve and Microsoft are in a direct competition, aiming to create a widely available handheld operating system.

    For comprehensive details on the November Xbox App update, including a new friend request feature and AI-powered search, you can check the full notes here.

    Source: Link

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