State of Windows gaming

[maflynn]

This video by Dave2D highlights (or low-lights from a windows perspective) how SteamOS is so much better then Windows when it comes to gaming.

With identical hardware, we see how SteamOS is beating Windows on most games, and providing a superior user experience and battery life.

I think in many respects windows has some serious issues in front of them, and instead of improving the product these past few years they added things that really haven't helped the consumer. I think they're finally seeing the light in some respects with the article linked below, they're finally looking to make windows run faster for gaming.

At the end of the day, windows 11 is getting worse in general usage and in particular gaming, and at the same exact time, SteamOS is gaining steam (pun intended).

EXCLUSIVE: Xbox's first-party handheld has been sidelined (for now), as Microsoft doubles down on 'Kennan' and Windows 11 PC gaming optimization

Xbox handheld in the future, but Microsoft has decided to prioritize its teams to improve Windows 11 gaming performance, specifically for devices like the ASUS partner device "Project Kennan." It's possible that the existential threat from SteamOS, which on paper delivers better gaming performance than Windows 11 itself, has informed these decisions. Our sources have indicated to us that Microsoft is still deeply investing in developing its own Xbox gaming handheld technology in the future, but it was announced internally today that the priorities are moving more deeply towards third-party OEM handhelds in the interim.

 

[Huntn]

My impression is is that SteamOS is only available on their handheld? Give it a keyboard mouse and a large screen and I’ll think about it. Yes, I may have just revealed my ignorance on the Steam deck. 😛

 

[throAU]

Windows has been going backwards performance wise since Vista. Windows 10 and up has been increasingly user hostile and aimed more at microsoft figuring out ways to monetize the end user.

Seems like Wine/Proton is better than the real windows DirectX stack at this point. Literally the only thing keeping my home PC on windows at this point is a couple of niche games and VR support. And as it happens i have a PS5 with PSVR2, a quest 2 and haven't played DCS World (the main game keeping me on windows) in like 6 months so...

 

[diamond.g]

My impression is is that SteamOS is only available on their handheld? Give it a keyboard mouse and a large screen and I’ll think about it. Yes, I may have just revealed my ignorance on the Steam deck. 😛

It can be installed on all AMD rigs more easily than ones that have nvidia GPU's.

Windows has been going backwards performance wise since Vista. Windows 10 and up has been increasingly user hostile and aimed more at microsoft figuring out ways to monetize the end user.

Seems like Wine/Proton is better than the real windows DirectX stack at this point. Literally the only thing keeping my home PC on windows at this point is a couple of niche games and VR support. And as it happens i have a PS5 with PSVR2, a quest 2 and haven't played DCS World (the main game keeping me on windows) in like 6 months so...

Anti-cheat still seems like a sticking point.

 

[Huntn]

It can be installed on all AMD rigs more easily than ones that have nvidia GPU's.

Anti-cheat still seems like a sticking point.

If I could get another other OS via AMC or Intel who can run my stable of games, devoid of the corporate master, I’d seriously be thinking about it

 

[throAU]

Anti-cheat still seems like a sticking point.

For some, sure.

I don't do online competitive multiplayer, partially because the anti-cheat measures required

1. don't work anyway
2. require invasive root-kit level software install
3. I have a life and would rather play co-op with a close group of friends.

 

[maflynn]

My impression is is that SteamOS is only available on their handheld?

Yes and no, its basically a version of Linux, and there are people who have put it on their computers, I think it takes a bit more work then your typical Linux install and as mentioned by @diamond.g you need to be using AMD chips.

I thought I read/heard that with more up and coming changes to SteamOS, it will actually be easier to install on a desktop, though again the AMD requirement may still be in place for the time being.

increasingly user hostile and aimed more at microsoft figuring out ways to monetize the end user.

This is why I'm leaning back towards Macs. There's other reasons but I've been largely dissatisfied with the direction of Windows, the need for more and more telemetry, and more and more ways to monetize an operating system. I'll never leave Windows but my daily driver may be a Mac Mini in the near future.

What's funny, is we see announcements about up and coming updates to windows, they seem to generate mostly negative responses and concerns, i.e,. Recall, but this past WWDC keynote, there's a level of excitement coming out of Apple and its products. Night and day difference. Macs are still inferior when it comes to playing games but I really like what I'm seeing with macOS.

I don't do online competitive multiplayer, partially because the anti-cheat measures required

Same, and if there was a game I was interested in, that had rootkit anti-cheats, I'd not buy it. I'm a casual gamer that prefers some laid back titles.

 

[boswald]

I only play older games like Fallout 76, WoW Classic, DayZ, 7 Days to Die, etc., and I don't need Windows for those. I got tired of spending hours of time "de-crapping" and tweaking it. Then there's the drivers, configuring the display driver, etc... No thanks. I just installed Linux. Everything I need works out of the box and all my games run fine with Steam or Lutris. Even anti-cheat works fine. I tried Windows again last week but I hated it and went back to Linux after 2 hours.

 

[maflynn]

I only play older games like Fallout 76

If you don't use windows for 76 what do you use? Asking for a friend

 

[Queen6]

Next primary if a desktop I'll seriously consider Linux and play games via Proton. Or a Linux install for personal & work then a stripped down W10/W11 install solely for gaming, literally the bare bones necessary.

Microsoft solely serves itself and is far too intrusive. I block all the telemetry and ditched MS Office well over a decade ago with no negatives. Further I can distance the better as I see little to no benefits for me as a customer as the whole system is rigged for you to be a mindless consumer .

Q-6

 

[Queen6]

I only play older games like Fallout 76, WoW Classic, DayZ, 7 Days to Die, etc., and I don't need Windows for those. I got tired of spending hours of time "de-crapping" and tweaking it. Then there's the drivers, configuring the display driver, etc... No thanks. I just installed Linux. Everything I need works out of the box and all my games run fine with Steam or Lutris. Even anti-cheat works fine. I tried Windows again last week but I hated it and went back to Linux after 2 hours.

What Linux distro?

Q-6

 

[diamond.g]

I only play older games like Fallout 76, WoW Classic, DayZ, 7 Days to Die, etc., and I don't need Windows for those. I got tired of spending hours of time "de-crapping" and tweaking it. Then there's the drivers, configuring the display driver, etc... No thanks. I just installed Linux. Everything I need works out of the box and all my games run fine with Steam or Lutris. Even anti-cheat works fine. I tried Windows again last week but I hated it and went back to Linux after 2 hours.

I don't begrudge your choice of OS, but I don't get why folks think they need to tweak Windows to get games running. I built a new computer last month and haven't tweaked a thing in Windows and get great performance.

 

[Huntn]

Yes and no, its basically a version of Linux, and there are people who have put it on their computers, I think it takes a bit more work then your typical Linux install and as mentioned by @diamond.g you need to be using AMD chips.

I thought I read/heard that with more up and coming changes to SteamOS, it will actually be easier to install on a desktop, though again the AMD requirement may still be in place for the time being.


This is why I'm leaning back towards Macs. There's other reasons but I've been largely dissatisfied with the direction of Windows, the need for more and more telemetry, and more and more ways to monetize an operating system. I'll never leave Windows but my daily driver may be a Mac Mini in the near future.

What's funny, is we see announcements about up and coming updates to windows, they seem to generate mostly negative responses and concerns, i.e,. Recall, but this past WWDC keynote, there's a level of excitement coming out of Apple and its products. Night and day difference. Macs are still inferior when it comes to playing games but I really like what I'm seeing with macOS.


Same, and if there was a game I was interested in, that had rootkit anti-cheats, I'd not buy it. I'm a casual gamer that prefers some laid back titles.

Sometime back, a utility was mentioned that strips Windows of bloat. I might give this a try. Anyone familiar?
If so:

• Is there a downside?
• I assume it might interfer with furture Windows updates, if Windows is trying to update its bloat? Or it’s not an issue for updating core Windows functioning via Windows update?

Looking for a pep talk! 😁 I would make a backup of Windows before trying this.

The Ultimate Windows Utility

Having Fun with Technology

christitus.com

 

[maflynn]

Is there a downside?

Chris Titus' tool uses O&O Shut10 which is very useful on turning off telemetry, the debloating aspect of his tool can be useful, is very powerful. As they say with great power comes great responsibility. I had used that tool, but ran into issues and the only way to fix it was to reformat and reinstall windows

He disables a lot, including the gaming stuff, and windows update, the latter can be risky and the former can impact gaming.

I've followed his tool, and he's turned it into a huge somewhat bloated tool, ironically. Instead of doing one thing really well, it does a lot of things and that's where my concerns stem from

 

[boswald]

What Linux distro?

Q-6

Fedora

 

[Huntn]

Chris Titus' tool uses O&O Shut10 which is very useful on turning off telemetry, the debloating aspect of his tool can be useful, is very powerful. As they say with great power comes great responsibility. I had used that tool, but ran into issues and the only way to fix it was to reformat and reinstall windows

He disables a lot, including the gaming stuff, and windows update, the latter can be risky and the former can impact gaming.

I've followed his tool, and he's turned it into a huge somewhat bloated tool, ironically. Instead of doing one thing really well, it does a lot of things and that's where my concerns stem from

Yeah, that's the thing, there is stuff that should be updated via Windows Update, and I'd be worried about turning that off. Maybe a good guide for this utility should be something to find, telling you how to removes bloat, but leaves Windows intact and allowed to update/remove bugs and such.

 

[Queen6]

Yeah, that's the thing, there is stuff that should be updated via Windows Update, and I'd be worried about turning that off. Maybe a good guide for this utility should be something to find, telling you how to removes bloat, but leaves Windows intact and allowed to update/remove bugs and such.

Solved years back...

The Ultimate Windows Utility

Having Fun with Technology

christitus.com

GitHub - ChrisTitusTech/winutil: Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates

Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates - ChrisTitusTech/winutil

github.com

Go to GitHub for latest news/updates. No 3rd party tools is solely Windows commands in an automated package. Or look at O&O Shutup++

Q-6

 

[Huntn]

Solved years back...

The Ultimate Windows Utility

Having Fun with Technology

christitus.com

GitHub - ChrisTitusTech/winutil: Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates

Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility - Install Programs, Tweaks, Fixes, and Updates - ChrisTitusTech/winutil

github.com

Go to GitHub for latest news/updates. No 3rd party tools is solely Windows commands in an automated package. Or look at O&O Shutup++

Q-6

I would want something with this utility, simply that says to remove bloat but allow windows update to function use these settings. Granted I’ve not even looked at it, but sounds like a pretty serious endeavor and I would want to screw it up. I’ll go take a look but am cautious.

Here’s a question, if you use the debloat section of this utility, will it require attention in the furture to keep your windows install going?

Excerpts: Ok, don’t turn off everything, you’ll break the MSStore or your install. 🤔🙂
What’s safe? Some I don’t know what it does, or what the ramifications are… 🤔

 

[Queen6]

I would want something with this utility, simply that says to remove bloat but allow windows update to function use these settings. Granted I’ve not even looked at it, but sounds like a pretty serious endeavor and I would want to screw it up. I’ll go take a look but am cautious.

Here’s a question, if you use the debloat section of this utility, will it require attention in the furture to keep your windows install going?

Excerpts: Ok, don’t turn off everything, you’ll break the MSStore or your install. 🤔🙂
What’s safe? Some I don’t know what it does, or what the ramifications are… 🤔

View attachment 2519078

View attachment 2519077

Look at the GitHub page is more detailed and illustrates the newer version. If you remove the bloat and set the updates for security only it will be OK.

If it screws things up, you can roll back as the first thing the script does is take a system restore point. You may loose some features you want, just turn them back on. I use Task View & Precise Location so I turn then on. Also check your AV is active after as the script may need to shutdown to effect system changes.

Is very simple follow the recommendations and turn off anything else you dont want Recall, Copilot etc. Have used for a good while with no known negatives. I like Chris's approach more as he's only using Microsoft's own tools with no 3rd party installs.

n.b It's on W11 Pro 23H2

Q-6

 

[Huntn]

Look at the GitHub page is more detailed and illustrates the newer version. If you remove the bloat and set the updates for security only it will be OK.

If it screws things up, you can roll back as the first thing the script does is take a system restore point. You may loose some features you want, just turn them back on. I use Task View & Precise Location so I turn then on. Also check your AV is active after as the script may need to shutdown to effect system changes.

Is very simple follow the recommendations and turn off anything else you dont want Recall, Copilot etc. Have used for a good while with no known negatives. I like Chris's approach more as he's only using Microsoft's own tools with no 3rd party installs.

n.b It's on W11 Pro 23H2

Q-6

Do you remember what you turned off?

 

[dmccloud]

Valve has already ported Steam OS to both the Lenovo Legion Go and the ASUS ROG Ally. Additionally the new Lenovo Legion Go S ships with Steam OS instead of Windows.

 

[maflynn]

the ASUS ROG Ally.

Take a look at the video I linked in my OP, its eye opening in comparing the performance of gaming on the ROG Ally with steam running it and windows. Its rare occurrence where you can test identical hardware on different operating systems. Even with the proton layer, SteamOS was out performing windows, with a superior user experience.

 

[dmccloud]

Take a look at the video I linked in my OP, its eye opening in comparing the performance of gaming on the ROG Ally with steam running it and windows. Its rare occurrence where you can test identical hardware on different operating systems. Even with the proton layer, SteamOS was out performing windows, with a superior user experience.

This is why I plan to install SteamOS on my Ally later today.

 

[salamanderjuice]

My impression is is that SteamOS is only available on their handheld? Give it a keyboard mouse and a large screen and I’ll think about it. Yes, I may have just revealed my ignorance on the Steam deck. 😛

You can use a Keyboard and Mouse on a Steam Deck along with a large screen. You don't even need their dock, just a random USB C hub with video out will work fine.

SteamOS is now also possible to install on other devices with AMD hardware. There's other projects like Bazzite offering similar things on non-AMD hardware too.

 

[uacd]

Windows and all the studios making games for it is the reason I stopped playing any new games or games I cannot run with my current hardware. They need to find out that more of us are voting with their wallets, and many more are switching to handhelds like Switch or Steam Deck.

What Windows still can do nowadays that the Mac can’t? Probably run viruses and built-in spyware. Oh and also ask you to update at the moment you don’t expect