Windows 11 wins the Steam Machine benchmarks but loses the experience, and you shouldn’t install it

windowslatest.com Jul 16, 2026

Windows 11 wins the Steam Machine benchmarks but loses the experience, and you shouldn’t install it

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 16, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Windows 11 outperformed SteamOS in 4K gaming benchmarks and showed a significant multi-core lead in Geekbench tests on a Steam Machine. However, installing Windows on the device lacks dual-boot support, requires wiping SteamOS, and depends on an Ethernet connection for setup. Valve explicitly states limited support for Windows on Steam hardware, offering only four drivers and no full installation tools.

💡 Why It Matters

· The lack of dual-boot support and limited driver support make Windows a less practical choice for Steam Machine users, despite its performance edge.
· This highlights a gap between hardware capability and user flexibility, forcing gamers to weigh performance gains against the hassle of switching operating systems.

Read full article on windowslatest.com

PlayStation Store Drops Free Koei Tecmo PS5 Action Game

The PlayStation Store has made a free version of the 2026 PS5 action game Dead or Alive 6: Last Round Core Fighters available worldwide. The game includes playable characters like Kasumi, Marie Rose, Honoka, and NiCO. Progress from this free version can be carried over to the full game, though story and character unlock keys from earlier editions are not compatible with the new version.

💡 This move by Koei Tecmo lowers the barrier to entry for a complex 3D fighting game, potentially expanding its player base. By offering core gameplay for free, the company encourages new players to try the game before committing to the full purchase.

playstationlifestyle.net · Jul 16

PlayStation Portal Gets Highly Demanded Streaming Library Update

Sony has updated the PlayStation Portal’s cloud streaming library to include Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced, allowing users to play the game directly on the handheld without a PS5. The title had previously been unavailable for direct streaming and was a major point of frustration for Portal users. The update requires a PS Plus Premium subscription and the game costs $59.99, with no current discounts available.

💡 The inclusion of a top-performing title like Black Flag Resynced expands the Portal’s appeal as a standalone device for cloud gaming. It addresses a key limitation and shows Sony is actively improving its cloud streaming ecosystem to meet user demand.

playstationlifestyle.net · Jul 16

2016 PS4 Port of Hit PS2 Game Will Be Delisted From PlayStation…

Sony announced that the 2016 PlayStation 4 port of Quantic Dream’s Indigo Prophecy will be removed from the PlayStation Store as a new emulated PS2 version is added to PS Plus Premium on July 21. The upcoming release will serve both PS5 and PS4, replacing the older port, which is currently priced at $14.99. Existing owners of the 2016 edition are expected to receive a free upgrade to the native PS5 build, following Sony’s precedent with similar classic‑game updates. The new version will also be available for individual purchase on the same day, and while trophy data has not been confirmed, the upgrade promises technical improvements over the current iteration. Sony’s pattern of swapping legacy ports for refined re‑releases continues with this move.

💡 It gives current owners a free, next‑gen upgrade while streamlining Sony’s catalog with a single, modernized version of the title.

ign.com · Jul 16

Everything New in Hell Clock 2.0 and the Cursed War DLC

Hell Clock released its free 2.0 update on July 9, alongside console versions and the Cursed War DLC. Maxroll issued a guide package adding a database of new skills, relics and unique blessings, plus quality‑of‑life tweaks such as instant build sharing via save‑file upload. The update introduces three end‑game systems. Journey of Nightmares provides portals that spawn random foes, bosses and unique relic rewards with cosmetic tasks. Ascension, the roguelike mode, leaves beta with a Penance tree, a “Blessing of Beginnings” and gear access, letting players climb to Hell 100. Endless Nightmares replaces the older Abyss/Oblivion/Void with randomized zones, 16 difficulty tiers and shard‑based modifiers for progression. Changes rework ailments and endurance and add new relics and unlimited unique blessings per skill.

💡 The overhaul gives players a deeper, more customizable end‑game loop, turning Hell Clock from a niche ARPG into a platform for endless, skill‑driven experimentation.

ign.com · Jul 16

Pokémon Go Fans React in Disgust as Players Hand-Picked to Attend Exclusive…

Pokémon Go marked its 10th anniversary with an invitation‑only event in Times Square that gathered about 2,000 participants, including Community Ambassadors, media, and influencers. Attendees received a uniquely‑styled Mewtwo with perfect “hundo” stats and a special Times Square background—an unprecedented in‑game gift. Shortly after, several of these players listed the Pokémon on eBay, with prices ranging from $5,000 to bids near $10,000, violating Niantic’s terms of service and the game’s anti‑cheating rules that forbid selling or “flying” (location spoofing) to trade. Community members expressed outrage, questioning the fairness of gifting a guaranteed perfect Pokémon ahead of a global Mewtwo raid weekend and calling for Scopely Explore to investigate the sales and the involvement of Community Ambassadors.

💡 The resale exposes a loophole that lets a privileged few monetize exclusive in‑game items, undermining the game’s integrity and the trust placed in its ambassador program.

jaxdailyrecord.com · Jul 16

City permits Activate live-action game center at St. Johns Town Center

The City of Jacksonville issued a permit on July 15 for Activate, a Canadian immersive live-action game center, to open at St. Johns Town Center. Located at 10275 Buckhead Branch Drive, Suite 101, the facility occupies the former Ballard Designs space. The $1.6 million project involves an 8,700-square-foot build-out by ARCO/Murray National Construction Co. Inc., featuring 12 interactive game rooms. Activate, which operates over 75 locations globally, will run this Jacksonville site as a company-owned location rather than a franchise. The center, situated between Nordstrom and Dillard’s, offers physical challenges like laser mazes and interactive rock walls. A spokesperson confirmed the venue will open this year. Enovative Technologies Inc. served as the agent, with GMA Architecture designing the space. Activate currently has two Florida locations in Altamonte Springs and Orlando, with another planned for Miami. The facility aims to provide adrenaline-filled adventures through real-time reactive technology, requiring participants to jump, climb, and solve problems across various themed rooms.

💡 This expansion signals a strategic shift toward high-engagement physical entertainment in traditional retail spaces. By replacing a standard clothing retailer with an immersive activity center, St. Johns Town Center adapts to evolving consumer demands for experiential leisure over passive shopping.