From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action



As I've frequently mentioned, I personally don't care much for the
handheld gaming PC form-factor. Still, I'm happy to see that it's a
flourishing market. And according to a new report* it is flourishing.
It's estimated that 2.3 million PC gaming handhelds will be sold this
year, an increase of 30% over 2024. It doesn't look like Valve's
SteamDeck (and its clones) aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

Of course, 2.3 million may not sound like much compared to total PC
sales (256 million sold in 2024, so just 1% of the market) or even to
the 20 million Nintendo Switch 2's expected to be sold in 2025. Still,
it's a fairly new form factor and, as importantly, PC gaming handhelds
are mainly used as complementary devices to existing gaming hardware
rather than as singular devices. Which is to say, for a lot of people
their Nintendo Switch or PS5 is their main gaming hardware, while most
handheld gaming PC owners use it as a secondary device for while they
are on the go. So it's understandably going to have a lower growth
rate.

Still, it's cool to see that the new form factor is taking off.









* read it here https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250818591008/en/2.3-Million-PC-Gaming-Handhelds-Will-Be-Sold-in-2025-According-to-Omdia


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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Am 19.08.25 um 18:53 schrieb Spalls Hurgenson:

As I've frequently mentioned, I personally don't care much for the
handheld gaming PC form-factor. Still, I'm happy to see that it's a flourishing market. And according to a new report* it is flourishing.
It's estimated that 2.3 million PC gaming handhelds will be sold this
year, an increase of 30% over 2024. It doesn't look like Valve's
SteamDeck (and its clones) aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

Literally the only interesting handheld gaming device for me is the
steam deck, the reason is, no one has nailed the controller for pc
gaming like Valve. I wished they would bring out a second gen steam
controller with a similar form factor!

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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Tue, 19 Aug 2025 20:38:51 +0200, "Werner P." <werpu@gmx.at> wrote:

Literally the only interesting handheld gaming device for me is the
steam deck, the reason is, no one has nailed the controller for pc
gaming like Valve. I wished they would bring out a second gen steam >controller with a similar form factor!

I wish I could find where I stashed my /first gen/ Steam Controller. I
know I bought one. I just don't remember where I put it.

Not that I really want to use it. I'm not a fan of controllers to
begin with, and my primary usage of the thing is for playing my PS2
games (through emulation). For that, my ancient USB controller --with Playstation-correct glyphs on the buttons-- is all I really need. I'm
pretty sure the Steam Controller wouldn't work any better and
--lacking the glyphs-- would probably be worse.

But I still wish I knew where it was.


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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Werner P. wrote:

Am 19.08.25 um 18:53 schrieb Spalls Hurgenson:

As I've frequently mentioned, I personally don't care much for the
handheld gaming PC form-factor. Still, I'm happy to see that it's a
flourishing market. And according to a new report* it is flourishing.
It's estimated that 2.3 million PC gaming handhelds will be sold this
year, an increase of 30% over 2024. It doesn't look like Valve's
SteamDeck (and its clones) aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

Literally the only interesting handheld gaming device for me is the
steam deck, the reason is, no one has nailed the controller for pc
gaming like Valve. I wished they would bring out a second gen steam controller with a similar form factor!

I got to try out the Switch for awhile and found it somewhat
interesting. If I didn't have other options I'd consider it more, but I
gave mine away. Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was "breathtaking"
for such a small handheld.
--
n
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

I don't care for it too. I am fine with my tiny iPhone 12 mini.

Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:

As I've frequently mentioned, I personally don't care much for the
handheld gaming PC form-factor. Still, I'm happy to see that it's a flourishing market. And according to a new report* it is flourishing.
It's estimated that 2.3 million PC gaming handhelds will be sold this
year, an increase of 30% over 2024. It doesn't look like Valve's
SteamDeck (and its clones) aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

Of course, 2.3 million may not sound like much compared to total PC
sales (256 million sold in 2024, so just 1% of the market) or even to
the 20 million Nintendo Switch 2's expected to be sold in 2025. Still,
it's a fairly new form factor and, as importantly, PC gaming handhelds
are mainly used as complementary devices to existing gaming hardware
rather than as singular devices. Which is to say, for a lot of people
their Nintendo Switch or PS5 is their main gaming hardware, while most handheld gaming PC owners use it as a secondary device for while they
are on the go. So it's understandably going to have a lower growth
rate.

Still, it's cool to see that the new form factor is taking off.

* read it here https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250818591008/en/2.3-Million-PC-Gaming-Handhelds-Will-Be-Sold-in-2025-According-to-Omdia

--
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Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org.
/ /\ /\ \ Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail.
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Am 19.08.25 um 22:09 schrieb Spalls Hurgenson:

I wish I could find where I stashed my/first gen/ Steam Controller. I
know I bought one. I just don't remember where I put it.

Not that I really want to use it. I'm not a fan of controllers to
begin with, and my primary usage of the thing is for playing my PS2
games (through emulation). For that, my ancient USB controller --with Playstation-correct glyphs on the buttons-- is all I really need. I'm
pretty sure the Steam Controller wouldn't work any better and
--lacking the glyphs-- would probably be worse.

But I still wish I knew where it was.

The not putting in a second analog stick and not putting it a dpad
really limited the original steam controller, the new layout on the SD
fixed both issues it would be great to see that in a controller!
Admittably they have to improved the touchpads somewhat for shooters,
the reduced size definitely did not help it was a downgrade somewhat for
those kind of games, but there is always room for improvement!

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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:33:24 +0200, "Werner P." <werpu@gmx.at> wrote:

Am 19.08.25 um 22:09 schrieb Spalls Hurgenson:

I wish I could find where I stashed my/first gen/ Steam Controller. I
know I bought one. I just don't remember where I put it.

The not putting in a second analog stick and not putting it a dpad
really limited the original steam controller, the new layout on the SD
fixed both issues it would be great to see that in a controller!
Admittably they have to improved the touchpads somewhat for shooters,
the reduced size definitely did not help it was a downgrade somewhat for >those kind of games, but there is always room for improvement!

Meh. I just liked the packaging. I'm a sucker for a well-packed box.
;-)

Whatver else you want to say about Valve's hardware, they've got some
TERRIFIC packaging. It's right up there with Apple's boxes.

Admittedly, that's the least important part, but it makes a great
first impression.


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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

On Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:33:24 +0200, "Werner P." <werpu@gmx.at> wrote:

Am 19.08.25 um 22:09 schrieb Spalls Hurgenson:

I wish I could find where I stashed my/first gen/ Steam Controller. I
know I bought one. I just don't remember where I put it.

The not putting in a second analog stick and not putting it a dpad
really limited the original steam controller, the new layout on the SD
fixed both issues it would be great to see that in a controller!
Admittably they have to improved the touchpads somewhat for shooters,
the reduced size definitely did not help it was a downgrade somewhat for
those kind of games, but there is always room for improvement!

Meh. I just liked the packaging. I'm a sucker for a well-packed box.
;-)

Whatver else you want to say about Valve's hardware, they've got some TERRIFIC packaging. It's right up there with Apple's boxes.

Admittedly, that's the least important part, but it makes a great
first impression.

It's not the least important part, at least not to the consumer who is
easily impressed.
--
n
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