Google officially announced the Steam for Chrome OS alpha, but it seems like it isn’t quite available yet.
As reported by Android Police, a presenter at Google’s Games Developer Summit offhandedly announced the program, saying it “just launched.” However, it doesn’t appear to be available on the web yet, with Ars Technica’s Ron Amadeo tweeting that Google said people can learn more on the Chromebook community forum, but that there doesn’t appear to be anything on the forum about Steam yet.
“You can check that out on the Chromebook community forum to learn more”
That information should arrive eventually (hopefully). You can check for that here.
Until more official info becomes available, all we have to go on is what we’ve learned before. That includes an initial list of Chromebooks that will support Steam (you can check that out here), and general requirements of an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 and at least 8GB of RAM.
Although the requirements will likely rule out many lower-end Chromebooks, they could change going forward. Aside from the requirements, Steam for Chrome OS will likely be available for Chrome OS Dev or Canary builds to start before it moves into a beta and eventually stable release down the road.
Microsoft is finally bringing its DirectStorage API to Windows 10 and 11, which should (eventually) boost loading speeds for PC gamers.
The Redmond, Washington-based company first announced DirectStorage would make the leap from its Xbox Series X and S consoles to PC in September 2020, and later reiterated that DirectStorage would come to Windows 11 when it unveiled the new OS in 2021. In a new blog post published March 14th, Microsoft says Windows games can ship with DirectStorage “starting today.”
Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean you’ll actually be able to play them today.
All right, let’s break this thing down starting with what DirectStorage is and how it works, followed by availability, and finally why you won’t be able to try it right away.
What is DirectStorage and how does it work?
How DirectStorage works | Image credit: Microsoft
The DirectStorage API is a public software development kit (SDK) that allows graphics processing units (GPUs) to communicate directly with fast NVMe solid-state drives (SSDs) rather than relying on the CPU to decompress data coming out of storage.
Typically, when games load content — such as the world or level you’re playing in — that data needs to be pulled off of a drive, decompressed by the CPU and fed into memory where the GPU can then use it to render what players see on screen.
DirectStorage works around this by feeding the compressed data straight to the GPU, benefitting from several speed boosts. First, it delivers the smaller compressed data to the GPU, benefitting from the faster transfer speeds of the SSD and smaller file size. Then it benefits from the GPU’s higher decompression bandwidths for better load time scenarios.
In short, it should mean much faster load times for players, which is great news. One of the main benefits of the Xbox Series X/S consoles was their faster load times, which is partially thanks to DirectStorage (the consoles make use of custom NVMe SSDs, hardware-accelerated decompression blocks, and Sampler Feedback Streaming to boost load times as well). It’ll be interesting to see how PC load times compare once DirectStorage is widely available.
DirectStorage availability
The good news about DirectStorage is it will be available to both Windows 10 and 11 PCs, although Microsoft recommends Windows 11 because it “has the latest storage optimizations built in and is [Microsoft’s] recommended path for gaming.”
Moreover, Microsoft suggests in the blog post that DirectStorage may benefit storage types other than NVMe SSDs, but Microsoft recommends using them to get the most out of DirectStorage.
As for the bad news, well, not many games support DirectStorage at the moment. Upcoming game Forspoken will be one of the first to showcase the tech, but it just got delayed and won’t arrive until October 11th, 2022.
And, as The Vergepoints out, PC gamers still use a variety of storage tech for games. Many haven’t upgraded to faster NVMe SSD storage, while with new devices like Valve’s Steam Deck, developers may need to target potentially much slower storage mediums like UHS-I microSD cards.
Most people I know — including myself — have a hodgepodge of storage including SSDs and hard drives. I went this route with my PC due to the higher costs of SSD storage — I started with a small SSD for Windows and apps, plus a cheap 1TB hard drive for large storage needs like games and media. Over the years, I’ve added another hard drive and an SSD that I use specifically for multiplayer games I play regularly so I can get faster load times — I still use my hard drives to store single-player games where I’m more willing to wait.
If DirectStorage brings a significant boost to load times, it may spur more PC gamers to upgrade to NVMe SSD storage to maximize the benefit. However, with ongoing supply shortages and skyrocketing prices, I imagine many more users will end up priced out of faster load times.
Playing video games could improve reading skills, according to a new Canadian study.
Shaylyn Kress, a University of Saskatchewan (U of S) psychology graduate student, led a research team to investigate how gaming might affect reading. As part of this study, the team analyzed the most popular types of games and looked at each one to determine the number of objects that players had to react to. These were judged based on their placement: peripherally (the side, bottom or top of the screen) versus the middle of the screen.
From there, participants of varying levels of experience playing games were instructed to read flashing words in one of eight possible places on the screen. These were a mix of well-known, simple words and fake words that needed to be sounded out to read.
Ultimately, the study found that the more successful participants were those who played more games. The reasoning, per the research team, is that exposure to peripheral demands seems to exercise visual attention systems in the brain that are needed for reading skills.
Speaking to Saskatoon’s StarPhoenix, Kress added that, per the findings, participants with more gaming experience may be able to read known words and sound out new words more quickly than those who don’t often play.
Of course, one research team’s findings don’t immediately prove that gaming can benefit reading, but it’s an interesting case study nonetheless. Given that the overwhelming majority of kids play games (89 percent of those aged 6-17, per the Entertainment Software Association of Canada), it would certainly be good if the medium improved reading skills.
Warner Bros. Interactive and PlayStation are teaming up for a special State of Play presentation dedicated to Hogwarts Legacy.
The Harry Potter game stream will air on March 17th at 2pm PT/5pm ET on PlayStation’s Twitch and YouTube channels. Warner Bros. says the presentation will run for 20 minutes, 14 of which will be actual PS5 gameplay footage.
A few members of the Avalanche Software development team will also provide some insight into the making of the game.
Hogwarts Legacy is an action-RPG set in the Wizarding World in the 1800s, telling an original story many years before Harry Potter was even born. The game will allow players to create their own witch or wizard and explore a vast Hogwarts setting and its surrounding areas.
Originally unveiled during the big September 2020 PS5 showcase for a 2021 release, Hogwarts Legacy was later delayed until 2022 and we’ve had no update ever since. Therefore, this is a long-awaited update on the game, especially considering the reveal trailer has topped 28 million views on PlayStation’s YouTube channel alone.
Hogwarts Legacy is set to release sometime this year on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox consoles and PC.
After a few hours with Ghostwire: Tokyo‘s first two chapters, I’m happy to say the game is off to a pretty good start.
For those unfamiliar, the latest game from Tokyo-based Tango Gameworks (The Evil Within) tells the story of a modern-day Tokyo that sees most of its inhabitants mysteriously disappear as deadly spirits called “Visitors” take over. Amid the chaos, a young man named Akito is bonding with a spirit detective, KK, and together, the two set out to investigate.
So far, the plot itself is unfolding somewhat slowly, with many questions still remaining. All I really know so far is that Akito is looking for his ailing sister, who was kidnapped by the Visitors, while KK himself has a shady past he largely keeps to himself. What this means is that neither character is particularly interesting at the moment, and I don’t find myself yet invested in their personal goals. That said, there’s an admittedly amusing rapport between the two, especially as you explore the city. In one moment, Akito might scold KK for leaving his base messy, leading KK to dryly ask if he’d prefer to clean it instead. In another, KK expresses impatient frustration should Akito enthusiastically stop to pet a dog or shop. (And yes, there’s both English and Japanese audio, the latter of which I’d recommend for the most immersive experience.)
On a broader level, though, Ghostwire‘s setting feels like a character of its own, and its most deeply compelling one, at that. The bright lights of buildings, convenience stores and cars suggesting a lived-in city are brilliantly juxtaposed with the dreary, almost noir-esque rainy aesthetic, creating an engrossing atmosphere, especially in first-person. It’s often creepy, but it’s never outright horror, if you’re someone who gets spooked easily. While the actual graphical fidelity is underwhelming, especially for a PS5- and PC-only title, the universally strong art direction makes up for that. You’ll especially appreciate the views from rooftops, which you’ll eventually be able to access using winged spirits for a nice added layer of verticality.
That said, Tango’s Tokyo manages to be sizeable enough to encourage exploration but not so bloated as to feel overwhelming. Instead, Ghostwire is more so about creating an overall eerie vibe that’s bolstered by a detailed city and delightful collectibles to teach you about Japanese culture. As someone who was fortunate enough to travel to Tokyo for the first time right before the pandemic, I adore how true-to-life Ghostwire‘s rendition feels.
But even removing that, I’m enjoying the game’s approach to sidequests. Periodically, you’ll come across friendly spirits that require assistance, such as cleansing a haunted home or finding out what happened to someone’s sibling. What’s great about these is they’re effectively short stories — 30-minutes-or-less escapades which flesh out both the folklore-inspired supernatural world and Atiko and KK’s personalities. They also net you decent amounts of rewards put towards upgrading your abilities and buying items, which make them fulfilling from a progression standpoint, as well. Chief among these is your collection of displaced innocent souls, which can be converted into XP and money.
Now, if you’re wondering why I’ve spent this long talking about everything but the combat, that’s because it’s Ghostwire‘s weakest element so far. To be clear: it’s by no means bad. In fact, it’s even cool to a degree. Through KK, Akito can use different forms of elemental magic — known here as “Weavings” — to fight off the Visitors. The mix of hand animations and particle effects makes magic look wonderfully flashy, while the DualSense adds a layer of punchiness through satisfying vibrations. From a presentational level, at least, it’s pretty unique.
The problem, though, is that it’s otherwise just serviceable and lacking in depth at present. Sure, it’s neat how each spell so far has its own use case. Wind Weavings are your basic rapid-fire blasts, while Fire Weavings cause powerful concentrated explosions and Water Weavings cover a wider range. Deal enough damage and you’ll expose an enemy’s core, which you can target for instant execution. But as a whole, there hasn’t been much variety in how I actually approach encounters. The enemy types up until this point, while certainly effectively creepy in their demonic, Slender Man-esque appearances, don’t really require any kind of strategy beyond getting blasted with your Weavings. And while there’s a stealth system for quick takedowns when behind an enemy or from afar with a bow, it feels very rudimentary. Hopefully, something expands with the combat soon to give it some substance to go with its ample style.
Because otherwise, Ghostwire is proving quite enjoyable. The core dynamic between the leads is fun, the Tokyo setting is beautifully realized and the sidequests offer gratifying glimpses into a rich culture. Those are the reasons to play for now, rather than the supernatural battles.
I’ll have more on Ghostwire: Tokyo in the coming days ahead of its March 25th on PlayStation 5 and PC on March 25th. In the meantime, there’s a free KK-focused visual novel prequel available on the PlayStation Store.
The original Final Fantasy Tactics is one of my all-time favourite games for its mix of deep strategic gameplay and clever, politics and religion-focused storytelling.
Therefore, you can see why I was ecstatic when Square Enix unveiled Triangle Strategy, developer Artdink’s spiritual successor to Tactics with a gorgeous coat of “HD-2D” paint in the vein of producer Tomoya Asano’s other game, Octopath Traveler.
Now that I’ve had two weeks with the surprisingly dense Triangle Strategy, I can say that it’s an overall worthy addition to the strategy genre that scratches the Tactics itch quite nicely.
One of the main issues holding Triangle Strategy back, however, is apparent right from the start: the pacing. As soon as you boot up the game, you’re greeted with narration setting up the premise. The game takes place in the continent of Norzelia, in which three kingdoms — Glenbrook, Aesfrost, and Hyzante — once fought over resources but have since formed an uneasy alliance. To further unite the people, Glenbrook noble Serenoa is set to marry Aesfrost princess Frederica, before a new conflict threatens the lands and drags them all into its centre.
Now, that’s the CliffsNotes version; it’ll take quite a while for that to all unfold in-game. That’s because Triangle Strategy has an incredibly plodding opening stretch that makes it difficult to get into, replete with lengthy cutscenes and woefully stilted voice acting. It doesn’t help that many side events just consist of more people talking. For context, in the span of the first nearly two-and-a-half hours, I encountered just a single battle: the tutorial. As someone who grew up on original PlayStation JRPGs like the Final Fantasy series, or even modern games like Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Persona 5, I’m no stranger to dialogue-heavy games, but those, at least, feature a better mix of cutscenes and gameplay.
While Triangle Strategy never quite manages to strike that balance, your patience with the game will nonetheless be rewarded as you slowly unravel its rich narrative. Nowadays, anything that features a fantasy-based setting with warring classes will inevitably be compared to Game of Thrones, but that’s actually appropriate here, and not just in a surface-level way. While the main cast is somewhat bland, there’s a surprising amount of nuance to the supporting cast, creating a complex central conflict that actually challenges you with tough, morally grey quandaries.
Nowhere is that more apparent than the ‘Scales of Conviction’ system, Triangle Strategy‘s approach to story-altering player choices. Rather brilliantly, key decisions that Serenoa has to make must be agreed upon by the majority of the party. What this means is that coming to a decision yourself is only half the battle: you have to actually try to convince your allies through dialogue. It’s a remarkably smart way to involve the entire party while rewarding you for understanding their points of view and trying to appeal to them accordingly. When compared to Triangle Strategy, which made the baffling choice to makes each character’s story disconnected from one another, the Scales of Conviction system is all the more engrossing. These all have a tangible impact not just on the inevitable endings you get, but the various level and combat beats that you hit on the path to them.
Where Triangle Strategy isn’t quite as innovative is in its core strategy combat, but that’s also not a bad thing at all. On the contrary: it’s tried-and-true Tactics-style turn-based combat in all of its glory. In other words, you’ll be using various class-based units, ranging from heavy-hitting sword users to more nimble mounted knights and spellcasters. They’re pretty standard, admittedly, as is their progression systems, but it’s through that simplicity that Ardink creates rock-solid, engaging battles. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
And that’s not to say that Triangle Strategy doesn’t offer a few fun wrinkles of its own. Firstly, the game’s grid-based terrains grow increasingly intricate and varied over the campaign, featuring different altitudes and hazards that shake up the flow of battle quite nicely. For example, striking an enemy standing on a puddle with a lightning-based spell will deal extra damage. You’ll also want to consider positioning; placing units on either side of an enemy means that attacking with one with have the other perform a follow-up strike. Both you and the enemy can do this, so you have to keep this in mind lest you send a weaker unit off to get ambushed.
At the same time, Triangle Strategy feels more approachable than other strategy games for a number of reasons. Chief among these: no Permadeath, so units who are defeated will only remain unavailable for that battle. This serves to simultaneously remove some of the stress while allowing the developers to control when characters die to fit the narrative. Further, Triangle Strategy allows you to retreat from battles to restart them while retaining all accrued XP. While some might think that makes things easy, I appreciate how this cuts back on grinding and doesn’t make you feel like you’ve hit a complete wall, since you’re still progressing through trial-and-error. Concurrently, battles are exceptionally well-balanced, with battles feeling sufficiently — but never overly — difficult.
Ultimately, then, Triangle Strategy‘s real challenge lies in its difficult moral choices. There’s no “easy” or “right” path to take, and you’ll often feel conflicted regardless of what you decide on. Rarely do games with “branching narratives” achieve such a feeling, and Triangle Strategy is all the better for it. It might take some time to get there, and you’ll suffer through sometimes rote dialogue and often-wooden voice acting along the way, but the journey is definitely worth it.
Triangle Strategy is now available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch. The game can be purchased on Amazon for $79.99. It’s worth noting that a meaty free demo, which allows you to carry over your progress to the full game, is also up on the eShop.
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The Ontario Government has announced plans to launch a post-secondary scholarship program tied to the burgeoning esports industry.
In a press release, the government outlined that it has set aside $1 million over two years for the scholarship that aims to offer financial assistance to students attending programs related to game development, design, marketing and more.
“As the first province in Canada to recognize the educational value of esports design and development in this way, we will support students who are building skills that can lead to discoveries, innovation, training opportunities and economic benefits for Ontario,” said Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop.
“This investment will help students pursue their passion and prepare for careers in the highly lucrative video game and esports sector, and to develop transferable skills valued by employers across countless industries.”
The government of Ontario says that the program will be available to publically supported colleges and universities.
According to the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), the Canadian gaming industry has grown 23 percent since 2019 to contribute $5.5 billion to the country’s total GDP. There are also now 937 active game studios in Canada, a 35 percent increase over 2019.
PlayStation 4 owners can now receive a free three-month subscription to Apple TV+.
The offer is eligible to new subscribers and requires you to have a free PSN and Apple ID. If you meet those criteria, follow these steps to claim the subscription:
Download the Apple TV app onto your PS4 from the ‘TV and Video’ section
Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions
Sign in with your Apple ID (or create one, if needed)
An Apple TV+ subscription costs $5.99 CAD/month on its own, giving this offer a $17.97 value. Note that this is a separate promotion from the six-month Apple TV+ offer on PS5. That said, both offers can be redeemed until July 22nd, 2022.
Notable Apple TV+ originals include the Oscar-nominated drama films, Coda and The Tragedy of Macbeth, the drama series The Morning Show and the comedy series Ted Lasso and The Afterparty.
