Ars Technica Gaming

1. Slay the Spire 2 is a bit too familiar for its own good

   Early Access impressions: New characters shine, but it feels like we've done this before.

2. Microsoft is working to eliminate PC gaming's "compiling shaders" wait times

   Advanced Shader Delivery uses precompiled shaders for "console-like load times" across PC hardware.

3. Valve compares its loot boxes to Labubus in lawsuit defense

   Steam maker says settling the case would be easier but would set a bad precedent.

4. Remembering the 30-year-old computer game that introduced me to Star Wars

   Looking back at Dash Rendar, 3DFX cards, and a pivotal moment for Star Wars.

5. Google Play Games for PC is getting more premium titles and cross-buy with Android

   Google is more focused on desktop gaming than ever before.

6. Windows 11's Steam Deck-ish, streamlined Xbox gaming UI comes to all PCs in April

   Running Windows on gaming handhelds is currently a blessing and a curse.

7. Don't worry, Valve still plans to launch the Steam Machine "this year"

   What part of "this year," exactly, is still anyone's guess.

8. “It doesn't feel safe”—Many international game developers plan to skip GDC in US

   Stories of border issues lead to pervasive travel fears across the worldwide industry.

9. Which of these two arcades is the "world largest"—and does it matter?

   While semantics count for some, gamers win either way.

10. MS exec: Microsoft's next console will play "Xbox and PC games"

    Project Helix is set to open the closed-console ecosystem, but the details will matter.

11. After a rocky six years, Sony cancels future single-player PC game releases

    Titles like Ghost of Yotei will remain exclusive to Sony's hardware.

12. How strong is New York's "illegal gambling" case against Valve's loot boxes?

    Lawyers tell Ars the state has a tough road ahead, even as Valve is uniquely vulnerable.

13. New York sues Valve for enabling "illegal gambling" with loot boxes

    The ability to resell Steam items for real value is key to the state's case.

14. Inside the quixotic team trying to build an entire world in a 20-year-old game

    Stories and lessons learned from an impossibly large community modding project.

15. New Microsoft gaming chief has "no tolerance for bad AI"

    But Asha Sharma faces scrutiny for lack of gaming experience.

16. Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer steps down after 38 years with company

    Microsoft CoreAI exec Asha Sharma will take over in surprise executive shake-up.

17. Meta's flagship metaverse service leaves VR behind

    The company asserts it will continue to make VR headsets, though.

18. Why Final Fantasy is now targeting PC as its "lead platform"

    Director says PC is the "foundation" when targeting "high-end environments first."

19. Nintendo brings GBA-era Pokémon to the Switch, but not Switch Online subscribers

    Games appear to be mostly unmodified ports of the well-regarded remakes.

20. Diablo II’s new Warlock is a great excuse to revisit a classic game

    New skill tree paths offer a fun twist on some generally familiar mechanics.