0xSim's recent activity
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Comment on Games: Your personal year in review for 2025 in ~games
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Comment on The lossless scaling plugin is officially on the Decky Store in ~games
0xSim (edited )LinkI posted the link to the SteamDeckHQ article that will do a better job at explaining what it is and what it does, but the official release video is here:...Frame Generation is a tool that can artificially double the framerate of your game by creating fake frames to make it appear smoother.
I posted the link to the SteamDeckHQ article that will do a better job at explaining what it is and what it does, but the official release video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmnEOZg7bKE
You need to purchase the Lossless Scaling tool on Steam, and install Decky Loader* on your Steam Deck. The announcement video explains the process pretty well.
In practice, this is a great way to go from e.g. 45fps to 60, or 60 to 90 if you own an OLED model. And since some games allow you to cap the framerate, it also has the nice side-effects of reducing fan noise and battery use. If you really don't care about input latency (e.g. turn-based games), you can multiply the framerate up to 4x.
I've tested it on these games, from a base 40-45fps:
- The Division 2: runs great, input latency can be noticeable when using a sniper. Some visual artifacts on the edge of the screen when running.
- Diablo IV (through battle.net): visual artifacts around the character and small UI elements.
- Deep Rock Galactic Survivor: allowed me to disable image scaling, no noticeable visual artifacts. Overall excellent.
- ARC Raiders: adds a terrible input latency, even the menus are barely usable.
- Path of Exile 2 (from capped 30 to 60): works with DirectX12, seems buggy with Vulkan. Long input latency.
It's not a miracle solution, but technically impressive with the right games.
*: Decky Loader is only usable with Steam Deck stable updates, not beta.
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The lossless scaling plugin is officially on the Decky Store
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
0xSim Link ParentFree loadout is good if your stash is empty and you don't have seeds to buy yourself basic crafting mats. Otherwise it's better to craft yourself a minimal kit so that you have at least one safe...I mostly play free loadout, which allows me to play risk and worry-free.
Free loadout is good if your stash is empty and you don't have seeds to buy yourself basic crafting mats. Otherwise it's better to craft yourself a minimal kit so that you have at least one safe pocket and never come back home empty handed.
If I'm running a free loadout and I loot a purple item (or a blueprint!) that "worry-free" run is instantly turning into a survival horror.
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Comment on Some people can't see mental images. The consequences are profound. in ~health.mental
0xSim Link ParentThere are probably a lot of people that don't know they are aphantasics. Internet people are more aware of it since it's kind of a recurrent subject? There is also certainly a whole spectrum...Damn, how many aphantasics do we have on Tildes?! I'm one too.
There are probably a lot of people that don't know they are aphantasics. Internet people are more aware of it since it's kind of a recurrent subject?
There is also certainly a whole spectrum between aphantasic and hyperphantasic, but it's hard to position yourself because you'll never see another point of reference than yourself. I don't consider myself aphantasic, I can imagine things, but they're abstract, fleeting images. If I imagine an apple I see it red, because the "default" apple is red, but if I imagine a person, it's just the concept of a person, a sort of mannequin without any defining trait. I can recall things I've seen, but the scenes are also fleeting. And I certainly cannot play a whole movie in my head.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
0xSim LinkAfter shortly trying and refunding ARC Raiders, I had a change of heart, convinced a friend to buy it (honestly, I think he was looking for the same excuse), and also bought the game back. I'm...After shortly trying and refunding ARC Raiders, I had a change of heart, convinced a friend to buy it (honestly, I think he was looking for the same excuse), and also bought the game back.
I'm glad I did, because even though it's a PvPvE extraction shooter, this one actually works for casual players. You can easily read/watch about the game now, but here are some notable points for me:
- It's a beautiful game, and it's well optimized. The maps are gorgeous and a joy to explore.
- PvE enemies (the titular ARCs) are actually dangerous, and not just filler between PvP fights
- The long time to kill (TTK) favors strategic thinking and intelligent use of your gear over fast reflexes
- Most maps are so large that you can usually avoid PvP encounters
- Solo lobbies are mostly chill, while duos and trios are more "shoot on sight"
- You can have freeloader equipment (1 gun, ammo, a few healing items and a random grenade) and keep it after your run
- You always get some crafting mats even when you die, most basic weapons are viable even for PvP
I'm absolutely terrible at PvP, and yet I can extract safely most of the time. That doesn't mean I don't get camped or shot in the back, but in solo play, PvP is just a component of the game, and not the focus.
When playing in duo (or trio), we gear to fight and don't take chances. If you start a game with the mindset that you're going to die, it's still all fun, and most encounters are fair play with non-toxic proximity chat.
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Comment on Best recommendations for PC couch multiplayer games? in ~games
0xSim Link ParentI feel Towerfall is often overlooked because it's kind of older, but it's an excellent game. There are many modifiers to help younger or less handy players (regen shields, flight, more arrows,...I feel Towerfall is often overlooked because it's kind of older, but it's an excellent game. There are many modifiers to help younger or less handy players (regen shields, flight, more arrows, ghosts, ...). We sometimes play together with the wife and kids, and it's not unusual for my 6 years old daughter to win games.
There is also a cheat code to unlock all maps and characters, instead of spending hours slowly unlocking everything.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
0xSim Link ParentHah, if only. I'm truly annoyed at ARC Raiders because I want to play this game without PvP. I want to explore the maps, the buildings, I want to shoot at robots, I want to hide from mechanical...Hah, if only. I'm truly annoyed at ARC Raiders because I want to play this game without PvP. I want to explore the maps, the buildings, I want to shoot at robots, I want to hide from mechanical spiders while waiting for the extraction elevator... I think I'll follow the game from afar and see in which direction it's going. Then it might be worth trying it again at a discount in a few months, if the developers lean into the coop aspect to offer something different.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
0xSim (edited )Link ParentI praised Escape from Duckov in my last week's post, and I'm craving for more of the same, so even though I know that I don't have the patience anymore with PvP games, I had to try ARC Raiders. My...I praised Escape from Duckov in my last week's post, and I'm craving for more of the same, so even though I know that I don't have the patience anymore with PvP games, I had to try ARC Raiders.
My interactions with other players over 2 hours were the following:
- See someone, who certainly also saw me and promptly fled
- "Don't shoot" with another player who asked me to team up, we extracted together
- Shot at from behind 2 minutes after spawning. I retaliated, they fled, and I killed them (I think it was the same player) a few moments later.
- Got shot in the head while I was healing after an ARC encounter
- Shot at from behind in a scrapyard
So, more frustrated than anything, because I like the game, the presentation, the gameplay (PvE encounters are fun and challenging). It's certainly better when you play with friends, but my gaming pals don't seem interested in the genre, and I read that PvP is even more prevalent in groups... I'd love to play a similar game that heavily discourages PvP while still allowing it. Something that makes you think "is it worth the risk" to shoot at someone else, and rewards more organic cooperation.
I refunded the game, back to Duckov.
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Comment on Unfuck Google Drive (It's Gemini garbage, of course) in ~comp
0xSim Link ParentNot an out-of-the-box solution, but I use Syncthing to sync folders between my devices. They're also synced on my VPS, and I'm using FileBrowser on top to navigate the files from my browser.Not an out-of-the-box solution, but I use Syncthing to sync folders between my devices. They're also synced on my VPS, and I'm using FileBrowser on top to navigate the files from my browser.
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Comment on Is there a postman alternative without the bloat? in ~tech
0xSim LinkWhen Postman began its enshittification path, Insomnia became popular. Then its creator sold it, it became enshittified, and now the same guy is making https://yaak.app Personally I also like...When Postman began its enshittification path, Insomnia became popular. Then its creator sold it, it became enshittified, and now the same guy is making https://yaak.app
Personally I also like Bruno. At work we're "forced" to use Postman, but we're often using .http files in the projects.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
0xSim (edited )LinkEscape from Duckov, a solo extraction shooter. For the uninitiated, an extraction shooter is an evolution of the battle royale (PUBG, Fortnite): you're dropped as a 1-3 players team on a large...Escape from Duckov, a solo extraction shooter.
For the uninitiated, an extraction shooter is an evolution of the battle royale (PUBG, Fortnite): you're dropped as a 1-3 players team on a large PvPvE map, and you're competing with other players to complete objectives and loot tiered gear. The trick is that your gear is persistent between games, but you lose it if you don't make it out alive at an extraction point. I like the concept and the thrill of risking your gear, but it's not really a genre I can enjoy as a casual player (and also, I'm not interested in PvP games anymore).
So, Escape from Duckov works like that, but exclusively as a solo PvE game. You have many quests to complete, tons of materials to upgrade your character and your base, tiered gear to loot and craft, and 4 large maps to explore. This is a genre that is largely based on repetition: you always revisit the same maps, and become more and more efficient and confident. What was once an area to avoid is now a great farming zone, so there is a real, satisfying sense of progression. Honestly a great game at such a small price.
I recommend installing 2 QoL mods though: one that adds tier colors for your loot, and another that displays the resale value. There are hundreds of different items, and after a few hours, you need to quickly know what to keep and what to sell. Even with that, you'll still spend a lot of time managing your inventory in your safehouse.
Edit: also, no official controller support, so playing on the Steam Deck is not optimal. Losing your gear because you're fumbling with the pad is particularly frustrating.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
0xSim Link ParentI totally agree with you about No Man's Sky: the game is the epitome of "wide as an ocean (or a universe), deep as a puddle"; it is just a list of farming/exploring activities with no real goal....I totally agree with you about No Man's Sky: the game is the epitome of "wide as an ocean (or a universe), deep as a puddle"; it is just a list of farming/exploring activities with no real goal. And yet, I somehow have 126h of playtime, just following the story (aka grindy quests) and being regularly distracted. It's an okay game if you know what to expect and if you enjoy doing things for the sake of doing things, but the fans are constantly over-selling it.
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Comment on Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton will be an "AI-first" company, with AI HR, AI R&D, in-game AI services in ~games
0xSim Link ParentKrafton bought Eleventh Hour Games a few months ago. Last Epoch was on the death row and needed cash (as seasonal ARPGs cost a lot of money to develop), but I wish they had a deal with another...Krafton bought Eleventh Hour Games a few months ago. Last Epoch was on the death row and needed cash (as seasonal ARPGs cost a lot of money to develop), but I wish they had a deal with another publisher...
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
0xSim Link ParentEven though it's not RPG or roguelike at all, that's basically it. This is a relatively grindy and slow game, with a light coat of weird encounters and NPCs. Most likely a scripted event to end...Even though it's not RPG or roguelike at all, that's basically it. This is a relatively grindy and slow game, with a light coat of weird encounters and NPCs.
Then I went out at night and got killed by a scary giant fish almost without warning, and I think that was the end of the demo.
Most likely a scripted event to end the demo I'd say. When you're getting really tired you'll get attacked by dangerous creatures, but nothing that should one-hit kill you.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
0xSim LinkI've been playing Dredge on the Steam Deck, in my bed before sleep. I actually bought it at release, but I was pretty disappointed. I was expecting a Lovecraftian game in a fishing setting, but...I've been playing Dredge on the Steam Deck, in my bed before sleep.
I actually bought it at release, but I was pretty disappointed. I was expecting a Lovecraftian game in a fishing setting, but it's actually a fishing game with a Lovecraftian-ish mood. It's not a bad, but just not what I wanted to play at the time.
Anyway, I gave it another go a few weeks ago, and I've been enjoying it so far. It's fairly chill: there is a main quest and side quests, many upgrades to unlock for your ship, a ton of different species to fish, and mysteries to unravel (or not). You can almost do anything you want, nothing is pressing you. Except selling fish that is still fresh, and some quests that reward you with upgrade materials and unlock a few areas.
The only minor complaint I have is that so far (and from what I've played), sailing at night during the game's first half is a "high risk, low reward" activity. It's fun by itself, and it's required to collect a few species, but damaging your ship can quickly become costly. And when you finally unlock some pretty powerful upgrades, it makes things much more trivial, and thus less thrilling. But again, it's mainly a relaxing fishing game, so that's not an issue.
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Comment on What's your video game comfort food? in ~games
0xSim Link ParentTBoI is also one my "forever" games. I'm not even really good at it, but I've been playing since the og flash release, and there's just so much to unlock... That, and dropping just the right items...TBoI is also one my "forever" games. I'm not even really good at it, but I've been playing since the og flash release, and there's just so much to unlock... That, and dropping just the right items to become overpowered (and die of overconfidence).
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Comment on What's your video game comfort food? in ~games
0xSim Link ParentI recommend the first Red Dead Redemption, if you want a game that plays like a game.I recommend the first Red Dead Redemption, if you want a game that plays like a game.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
0xSim LinkI've played through Mouthwashing yesterday evening. It's a fairly short game (~2h30) that tells the story of a stranded space cargo crew, in a non-linear fashion. The game starts with you as the...I've played through Mouthwashing yesterday evening.
It's a fairly short game (~2h30) that tells the story of a stranded space cargo crew, in a non-linear fashion. The game starts with you as the captain, voluntarily crashing the ship into an asteroid. You then take control of the second-in-command for most of the game, trying to keep the crew's morale high, and slowly getting clues to what drove the captain to do this.
It's not a scary or stressful game (there are just 3 really short sequences that can get you killed), but I'm still thinking about it. For its price and duration, it was more enjoyable than a movie like Alien Romulus.
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Comment on Hot take: 4:3 > 16:9 in ~tv
Favorites
Overall, I'd say Escape from Duckov is my GOTY. I find it perfectly balanced, with an excellent sense of progression, and enough quests for 40+ hours of enjoyment. I'm hoping for more content, and maybe even maps and quests from the community if the devs open their tools.
The Slormancer is a neat distilled "numbers go brr" ARPG, but it got too repetitive after 50 hours. Still, for that price I'm more than satisfied.
ARC Raiders strikes the right balance between exploration/looting (definitely my favorite genre at this time) and PvP. I'm surprised I'm enjoying it, though I need to be less trusty of other players.
R.E.P.O. is a joy to play if you manage to gather 3+ people. It's even funnier when you fumble and get stupidly killed.
Disappointments
Surprises
Memorable moments
Discovering new maps on ARC Raiders and Duckov. It always brings me joy and takes me back to my teenage years when I was exploring maps on Half-Life mods and finding new nooks and crannies. I love feeling lost in a new game.
Self-reflections
The only games with a story that I've played this year are Lies of P and Mouthwashing, and I found them both forgettable. Actually I only remembered them when looking at my purchase history. So for the last 2 years, most of my games have been loot-based with short gameplay loops for quick dopamine hits.
I also managed to get a group of semi-regular gaming friends, which is neat, after nearly 20 years of only playing with randoms. It's been nice for my mental health.