[Kyle1022]

For the size, price point, and its age, the Switch is still an impressive piece of tech. Don't sweat the manchildren online who just count pixels and don't actually play games

[psunami]

One last Steam Deck post.  I was able to upgrade my 64GB unit to a 256GB drive last weekend.  I used the free version of Macrium reflect to make an image of the 64GB drive and applied that to the new 256GB drive (using an NVMe/USB enclosure that I already had.) 

 

Once I put the drive back into the Steam Deck, it expanded the extra free space on the drive and all was good.  I'm kind of kicking myself that I didn't get a 512GB drive, but since I already had a 512GB SD card I figured that I could wait on that next upgrade. 

 

Nice to know that I can upgrade it again later without much of any issues though.    

[walletandgromice]

One last Steam Deck post. I was able to upgrade my 64GB unit to a 256GB drive last weekend. I used the free version of Macrium reflect to make an image of the 64GB drive and applied that to the new 256GB drive (using an NVMe/USB enclosure that I already had.)

Once I put the drive back into the Steam Deck, it expanded the extra free space on the drive and all was good. I'm kind of kicking myself that I didn't get a 512GB drive, but since I already had a 512GB SD card I figured that I could wait on that next upgrade.

Nice to know that I can upgrade it again later without much of any issues though.

I also did 64->256 and immediately regretted the small increase and had a 1tb in there within a few weeks. I went with the microcenter 2230 drive for my 1TB. As a warning, make sure you back out your screws when you go to reassemble the second time so you catch the threads correctly. I forgot the second time and I think I stripped two of them. I could use blue loctite, but I also think it's fine.

When I did the 64->1gb I used Linux mint to clone the drive in my desktop. You should have seen the hack to get my 2230 drives to stay down in the 2242 slots --I cut small plastic flaps to screw down into the 2242 screw holes that extended long enough to put pressure on the screw clip surface of the ssds.

[Insomniac_34]

The Chinese retro handheld space is doing great stuff, too.

My Miyoo Mini has become a fantastic "Picross and Tetris on the toilet" device.

[thadoggfather]

I also did 64->256 and immediately regretted the small increase and had a 1tb in there within a few weeks. I went with the microcenter 2230 drive for my 1TB. As a warning, make sure you back out your screws when you go to reassemble the second time so you catch the threads correctly. I forgot the second time and I think I stripped two of them. I could use blue loctite, but I also think it's fine.

When I did the 64->1gb I used Linux mint to clone the drive in my desktop. You should have seen the hack to get my 2230 drives to stay down in the 2242 slots --I cut small plastic flaps to screw down into the 2242 screw holes that extended long enough to put pressure on the screw clip surface of the ssds.

are you sure you arent gonna be itching for a 2tb 2230 soon? :P

 

what size microSD ya got to pair with that?

 

I'm at a 1tb ssd internal and 1tb microsd as well. should be enough and if it aint, im gonna manage! 

[walletandgromice]

are you sure you arent gonna be itching for a 2tb 2230 soon? :P

what size microSD ya got to pair with that?

I'm at a 1tb ssd internal and 1tb microsd as well. should be enough and if it aint, im gonna manage!

You find me a deal on the 2TB and I'll probably buy it! I'm dual booting windows with a 300gb partition, so the more space the merrier.

Only a 256gb microsd here. I was originally using it only for emulation until I realized that I prefer my actual GBA and 3ds over emulating them.

Sounds like with a combined 2tb you're probably set for a while

[TheKbob]

My Miyoo Mini has become a fantastic "Picross and Tetris on the toilet" device.

For a great discussion on the standouts of 2022, to include the Mypoo Mini (Insomniac_34 endorsed!), I recommend this video.  Plus, this content creator is pretty cool.

Spoiler

[BMXJouster]

Speaking of Steam Decks, looks like Valve is planning to give away one 512GB Steam Deck every minute during the Game Awards live show next week:

 

https://store.steamp...eamdeckdrop2022

[Insomniac_34]

Plus, this content creator is pretty cool.

Spoiler

Yeah, Russ is the reason I bought a Miyoo in the first place. Great channel.

[shadowysea07]

The vita is the one that amazes me today still

poor vita sony did everything they could to screw you over. Then no one talks about the vitatv.  So glad I got one when they were on clearance for 20.  I still regret not grabbing the 40$ ones with the controller bundle. 

[Souffrir]

Speaking of Steam Decks, looks like Valve is planning to give away one 512GB Steam Deck every minute during the Game Awards live show next week:

https://store.steamp...eamdeckdrop2022

Good thing that Divinity double pack back in September was so good, I almost never buy anything directly from Steam and the contest requires that you bought something in the past year.

[Z-Saber]

I haven't bought anything in years, but it let me register. Maybe free giveaway key redemptions count.

[DD83]

Anyone know how giveaways during streams like that work?  Do you just have to be "watching" or is there a thing you have to respond to within a set amount of time?

[nny]

Anyone know how giveaways during streams like that work?  Do you just have to be "watching" or is there a thing you have to respond to within a set amount of time?

I won Battletech a few years ago during the Game Awards. I had the video on in Steam and think I had it muted and the game just went to my library. Not sure if the Steam Deck will be different though.

 

Chances to win this are pretty slim, but thankfully my $3 Vampire Survivors purchase qualifies me at least.

[thadoggfather]

Anyone know how giveaways during streams like that work?  Do you just have to be "watching" or is there a thing you have to respond to within a set amount of time?

 

yeah im curious of this too - watching in Steam app itself or where specifically? lol

 

I registered yesterday and went through without issue 

[fullmetal]

The rules state watching it while signed into steam - they list the Game Awards page or Steam TV. 

https://help.steampo...287C-7548-299D 

 

The Giveaway Broadcast will be accessible on the Steam website (https://store.steampowered.com/sale/thegameawards2022) and on SteamTV (https://steam.tv/).

[mogamer]

I haven't bought anything in years, but it let me register. Maybe free giveaway key redemptions count.

Key redemptions must count. I didn't purchase anything directly from Steam in that time period. I recently bought the Valve Package (to complete my collection) during the Black Friday sale though.

[MysterD]

Epic Store - Freebies.

 

This Week:

- Fort Triumph

- RPG In a Box

 

Next Week:

- Saints Row IV: Re-Elected

- WildCat Gun Machine

[DD83]

Thanks for the input.  I'll just have it on and if I happen to win and miss it because it requires input, oh well.

[DD83]

Yogcast Jingle Jam started...

 

Donate £35 (about $42) and get keys for 86 Steam items!

Limited to 100,000 bundles.

 

https://jinglejam.tiltify.com/

[pun123]

Great deal on Fanatical bundle this week....also got

STAR WARS Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords

from mystery bundle but already have it, anyone want to trade?

[Neuro5i5]

Finally, finished Dragon Age: Inquisition. I had completed the base game back in 2015, and just finished all the DLC this past week. I totally forgot how much I enjoyed this game. I also totally forgot most of the plot and all my plot decisions. Kinda feel like this is what dementia will be like. 

[ToddManG]

For those that switched out the steam deck SSD - didn't valve warn against this? I know they said it was physically possible but I remember the main designer saying pretty clearly "don't do this"

[walletandgromice]

For those that switched out the steam deck SSD - didn't valve warn against this? I know they said it was physically possible but I remember the main designer saying pretty clearly "don't do this"

No. They said don't upgrade to a larger *physical* size (2242, 2280) ssd that draws more power or generates more heat. The stock drives are 2230 in size. The last two digits are the length in mm, fyi.

They also separately warned that you might compromise structural integrity if you open it for any reason, because the screws holes are plastic and it's possible to cross thread and mess up their grip. So, be careful when reassembling.

[MysterD]

The Callisto Protocol.

 

NOTES:

- Reviews from publications & Youtubers are all over the place.

- Steam User Reviews for The Callisto Protocol are at "Mostly Negative" right now.

- Looks like it's got a lot of stuttering issues on PC, given the Steam-reviews.

- VG247 already picked up on the PC stutters - https://www.vg247.co...ews-true-horror

- You can add Rock Paper Shotgun picked up on the PC stuttering issue too - https://www.rockpape...protocol-review

- DSOG has mentioned they believe the PC stutters are from Shader Compilation like other UE4 games: https://www.dsogamin...n-issues-on-pc/

- This game's Season Pass will have New Game Plus Mode, Hardcore Mode, New Story Content & more: https://www.gameinfo...and-more-as-dlc

[DD83]

They also separately warned that you might compromise structural integrity if you open it for any reason, because the screws holes are plastic and it's possible to cross thread and mess up their grip. So, be careful when reassembling.

A common tip about self-tapping screws into plastic... When reassembling, turn the screw CCW until you feel it drop down.  That'll be the screw seating itself in the existing threads.  Then you can tighten it down without (or maybe just with less) risk of cross threading.

[BreadNiblets]

Despite having the worst title of any game I can think of in the history of gaming I have been cautiously optimistic about "The Callisto Protocol".

 

I will never feel optimistic about anything ever again.

[MysterD]

Probably the best bet for Callisto is like any other game we CAG'ers buy:

Buy cheap way later for base-game or buy Complete Edition way later; and/or wait for patches to fix the issues or for better hardware to be out to run the game on.

[Insomniac_34]

Despite having the worst title of any game I can think of in the history of gaming...

"The Callisto Protocol" does sound like the name of a taut political courtroom drama.

[walletandgromice]

A common tip about self-tapping screws into plastic... When reassembling, turn the screw CCW until you feel it drop down. That'll be the screw seating itself in the existing threads. Then you can tighten it down without (or maybe just with less) risk of cross threading.

Yep, exactly! I remembered to do this when I went from 64->256 but on reassembly the second time with 256->1tb, I forgot and by the time I remembered I had already helpfully had all the screws partially in and had only tightened one. Whoops.

At least I finally found a good use for the goofy JSAux grip case. It keeps my deck halves nice and tight :/

Oh, and don't over tighten.