It depends on the game. Some games may build up a world before putting you in, others lets you discover over time. Take Final Fantasy 7 in example (I'm actually talking about the original Playstation release in 1997). Game is heavily story and character based. You start a mission without knowing characters or the story. You are right in the action and details are explained along the way or afterwards. I really really like this. Having a slow start is not wrong either, its just different. Fallout 3 on the other hand has a much slower start. One start the game as baby even, learn the world you are in and so on. And both styles are appealing, as long as not all games have one style only. If not executed well, both styles can be boring or uninteresting.
That's not the only difference. The non C version has TMR over Hall Effect, which is better (although I doubt it is noticeable in daily life). It also has gyro, which was one of the main selling points to me at that time and it can be configured with their newest iteration of software (although I had to do this in a virtual machine as it does not support Linux). And the non C version comes with a Dock too. Just wanted say that, because someone might want to buy in order save money (huge difference!), but it should be an informed decision.
I think the main advancement and attraction of the TMR technology over Hall Effect is the better battery power usage. I wasn't aware that it is even more sensitive to movements and changes than Hall Effect, according to the linked article. But don't know how much the differences in battery usage and sensitivity are.
As for the "expiration date", Valve made some changes a while ago. And there were misinformation, but also because Valve changed this and did not explain it well to the public. I think the 14 days limit was treated as a bug later, but can't find the source. And I know for a fact that its not 14 days, as last year in summer I had no internet for longer than a month if I am not mistaken. And some games were still functional, after 30 days. That is the Steam DRM only, so if a game has its own DRM and other checks, then that is a separate issue.
At the very latest with Steam Deck they had to do all of these changes, because using it offline for longer period of time is a totally normal thing to do on a handheld. Sadly its not very clear documented and communicated by Valve as far as I know, at least to the public for non developers.
I already researched it last year and did not come to a definitive conclusion. I only know that there were changes in recent years, that's why I cannot trust old sources. Actually someone has to do a ticket and ask Valve employee directly. Someday I do this if there is still no answer.
There are controllers that offer almost all off this such as hall effects, back buttons, gyro, full remappability, even including a dock and a builtin memory to save settings, just without the touchpads. In example the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller and it costs only $55.99. I am not saying it is fully equivalent (clearly it isn't, as touchpads are missing and a few little features off course).
They will still have more fun than someone who cannot download (or reactivate the already downloaded) game without a functioning server. Plus they could even sell it, if they wanted to. I'm digital only PC Gamer and even I understand the benefits of physical media (provided its all on disk / cart).
I thought such a check was standard already. It's for digital purchases only, which you need internet to download anyway. Only 30 days might be too short in some cases. Steam on PC has a similar check, but I think its longer than 30 days.
I assume they are hardening the digital purchases, as they move more and more to digital (only). Because otherwise there was no need to do this after 6 years into the lifecycle of the console.
The leaked review also lists several controller features. These include dual trackpads, magnetic TMR or Hall effect thumbsticks, HD rumble and four back buttons. The controller is also said to use a wireless dongle that doubles as a magnetic charging puck.
We don't need the "leaked" video for that. These are officially confirmed features of the controller, with a video and web page dedicated to the controller by Valve.
Oh no, I can't believe that. 100 Dollars is a lot of money for a gamepad, even though it is exactly what I was waiting (and hoping) for years. I thought it would cost 70, and was ready for 80 if neccessary. I said 90 would be the maximum limits... Oh no, do I have to break my word? Man 100 is tough. Maybe it will cost 90 Euros... maybe I don't have to break my word...
My concern is, that the proprietary drivers wouldn't work, because they are for older hardware. I am curious how this work out. Maybe the developers from ReactOS could work together to adapt some of their drivers into GPL W95? I have no idea. Just open sourcing the code is not enough to use Windows 95 on modern hardware.
Oh it just hit me that ReactOS would heavily benefit from an Open Source Windows 95. They are reimplementing a Windows binary compatible operating system from scratch. And it covers up to Windows 10 right now I think, but its not usable in real world. And the devs are joking about their own OS, its so funny and lighthearted. I digress...
It would be nice to have a Windows distribution dedicated for old games, without emulating or without relying on Virtual Machines. Installing a true Open Source Windows 95 on modern hardware to play old games would be kind of cool. I guess the drivers (and other software on top of it) would be still closed source though. There are probably lot of proprietary code and art involved, that it could be difficult to change the license of it? I don't know what contracts they had back then (nor do I know what contracts they have now to be honest :D), that could affect such decisions.
Do you think WINE would benefit from an Open Source Windows 95? I mean in practical terms, is there a "need" for?
One could install Windows 95 in DOSBox to host a Linux subsystem. I wouldn't call this Galaxy Brain Move, but it is possible (just assuming, didn't actually try).
I do use Firefox for browser and for YouTube, I use an external client that manages a local account without Google (for favorites, and watched history in example). But... I can't resist and want to comment on videos or reply to other comments. Therefore I log into my Google account in Firefox just to comment... The YouTube account has history disabled and some other stuff that Google would collect, and therefore cripple my options and features to use YouTube in the browser.
I am fully aware of the irony to log into Google, while trying to be privacy aware. But the comments... man the comments get me all the time. It's part of the fun watching YouTube videos to me.
It depends on the game. Some games may build up a world before putting you in, others lets you discover over time. Take Final Fantasy 7 in example (I'm actually talking about the original Playstation release in 1997). Game is heavily story and character based. You start a mission without knowing characters or the story. You are right in the action and details are explained along the way or afterwards. I really really like this. Having a slow start is not wrong either, its just different. Fallout 3 on the other hand has a much slower start. One start the game as baby even, learn the world you are in and so on. And both styles are appealing, as long as not all games have one style only. If not executed well, both styles can be boring or uninteresting.