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The latest PC gaming news and reviews of gaming PC hardware, software and accessories.

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Valve gives its Knuckles finger tracker better battery life
Valve has debuted the latest Knuckles EV3 VR finger tracking controller with subtle improvements that show it's nearly ready for a consumer release. The biggest update to the latest developer kit is in the area of battery life; improved sensor efficiency means it'll go for up to eight hours, up over two hours from the EV2 kit released earlier this year.
Valve will start moderating comments on Steam
Starting on September 25, Valve will "review" community comments across Stream's game hubs. Reported discussion threads and individual posts will fall on the desk of the platform's content moderation team, who will remove anything that violates Steam's community guidelines. Developers that already take a DIY approach to moderation can opt-out of the new system.
'PUBG' could be en route to PlayStation 4 this year
Since 2017, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds has been exclusive to PC and Xbox. That could be changing. The battle royale game may appear on PlayStation 4 soon if a Korean ratings board slip-up (spotted by Eurogamer) is to be believed. Each time I've spoken with PUBG Corp over the past year, whoever I've talked to said that a PlayStation 4 version wasn't in the cards because the team wanted to get the Xbox version up to par with the PC first. It looks like that time may have come.
Firefox brings the thrills of web browsing to VR
Mozilla's headset-focused web browser is finally ready for your cranium: Firefox Reality is available for HTC Vive, Oculus and Daydream devices through their respective stores. The software is designed from the start for AR and VR hardware, with an interface that revolves around pointer control and voice search. There's a virtual keyboard if you need it, but let's face it -- you'd probably go back to a regular screen if you wanted to type more than once in a blue Moon. And yes, Mozilla knows the flat web isn't so exciting in a headset. The home screen provides fast access to 3D content like Sketchfab models, so you won't be hurting for something to take advantage of AR and VR technology.
Valve approves first uncensored porn game on Steam
Valve's Steam store is getting its first "100% uncensored" porn game with the approval of Dharker Studios' Negligee: Love Stories. Its developer tweeted that the title featuring "sexual interactions and nudity" got the "thumbs up" and will be available to download this Friday.
'Kingdom Hearts 3' trailer shows off 'Big Hero 6' world
Back in 2015, Square Enix confirmed that Big Hero 6 would be a playable world in Kingdom Hearts 3. Since then, though, we've heard zilch about Hiro, the lovable Baymax and the rest of San Fransokyo's residents. Well, the wait is finally over. During a "Lineup Tour" event ahead of Tokyo Game Show, Sony revealed a new Kingdom Hearts 3 trailer that shows cutscenes and gameplay from the superhero-inspired locale. As expected, Sora, Donald and Goofy team up with Baymax and eventually acquire a transformational Big Hero 6 keyblade called Nano Arms. Combat sequences take place on a bridge, atop a skyscraper, and on the city streets.
Valve explains 'progress' toward a new Steam Store content policy
It's been a few months since Valve announced an "allow everything onto the Steam Store, except for things that we decide are illegal, or straight up trolling" content policy and it's still working out the details. A new blog post provides some insight on how it plans to handle the store once sexual content is again admitted, and what kind of content will be banned.
PlayStation’s latest VR bundles include ‘Creed’ and ‘Superhot VR’
PlayStation has announced that two new VR bundles are on the way. The first includes Creed: Rise to Glory and Superhot VR and will be released in the US and Canada on September 25th, the same day Creed: Rise to Glory is set to launch. With the bundle, you'll get a Creed: Rise to Glory Blu-ray disc and a Superhot VR digital game voucher as well as a PlayStation VR system, a PlayStation camera and two Move controllers. It's confirmed for the US and Canada and is priced at $350 ($450 CAD).
Watch Acer's IFA 2018 event in 9 minutes
Acer often has a lot to show at its events, and its IFA 2018 presentation was no exception. The tech giant unveiled a bevy of laptops, including the world's lightest 15-inch laptop and a metal-clad budget Chromebook. However, that was really just the start. It also launched a uniquely detachable mixed reality headset, and even a gaming cockpit that's practically a throne. It's a lot to take in, but don't worry -- we've condensed Acer's announcements into a nine-minute video that covers all the bases.
Oculus offers another classroom VR option with new pilot program
Immersive virtual reality experiences can make learning a lot more fun for students and for anyone visiting places like museums. It'll take work to get to a point where they're widely used as a teaching tool, though, and Oculus is taking a leaf out of Google's book and planting the seeds for that future by launching educational pilot programs in Taiwan, Japan and Seattle. The company is working with local organizations, schools and educators to distribute Rift and Go headsets to libraries, museums and schools.
Microsoft reportedly shelved an Xbox VR headset
Back in June, Microsoft's chief marketing officer for gaming, Mike Nichols, told Gameindustry.biz that the company had no plans to create a VR headset for the Xbox console. Now, CNET has learned that there was indeed a VR headset for Xbox under development, but the project has been shelved until better tech is available.
AI isn't good enough to beat the best 'Dota 2' players just yet
AI may have beaten the world's best Go player, but Dota 2 pros have shown that in their game, humans are still top of the food chain -- for now, at least. Last week, Dota 2 players from around the world clashed at the biggest tournament of the year, The International, with team OG taking the title and over $11 million in prize money. Arguably more important, though, was the contest of man versus machine(-learning) in a best-of-three exhibition series.
Samsung is offering free Gear VR adapters to Note 9 owners
When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note 9, there was no sign of an accompanying Gear VR headset, but virtual reality fans need not fear. You'll be able to use the last model designed for the Galaxy Note 8 via a free adapter. "The Note9 is compatible with your existing Gear VR, but a new Type-C adapter is required," Samsung states in its troubleshooting guide. "Current owners of the Gear VR with Controller (model SM-R325) can obtain the new adapter at no cost by contacting 1-800-Samsung."
Google's Daydream science labs bring STEM experiments to VR
It's not always easy for STEM students to find enough lab time to get their work done, which is often essential for their degrees. Whether it's down to student demand, school budgets or students living far away from their university's labs, there are a range of obstacles. To that end, Google has teamed up with Labster to open more than 30 virtual reality labs in Daydream to help students get more lab time no matter where they are.
NASA apps take you to space with VR and selfies
NASA's apps tend to be all-business, but it's livening things up this time around -- the administration has released two apps that go beyond dry scientific explanations. The most intriguing is likely Exoplanet Excursions, a VR app for Oculus and HTC Vive headsets. The 3D experience lets you fly through the TRAPPIST-1 system and see artists' renditions of its numerous Earth-sized planets, complete with comparisons to planets around our home star.
Steam Play for Linux now lets you play Windows games
This week, Valve announced a new beta version of Steam Play that includes a Windows emulator for Linux. This project is part of Steam's effort to bring more compatible games to Linux, allowing those users to play a larger subset of the service's back catalog. The team also hopes that this new feature will make it easier for developers to create Linux-compatible versions of their games.
The newest 'Dota 2' shoutcaster is Valve boss Gabe Newell
Gabe Newell is a lot of things to a lot of people: PC gaming's greatest gift; the man who knows how Half-life 3 ends; reclusive sous-vide aficionado. And now he's an in-game announcer in Dota 2. If you pick up the new Mega-Kills Announcer Pack as part of this year's Battle Pass for The International tournament, you'll hear Newell's dulcet tones every kill.
'Devil May Cry 5' hits Xbox One, PS4 and PC on March 8th, 2019
Devil May Cry 5 is due to land on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on March 8th, 2019, Capcom announced today during the special Gamescom edition of the Inside Xbox livestream. Devil May Cry 5 is the sequel to Devil May Cry 4, which came out in 2008, and it marks the return of series shepherd Hideaki Itsuno as director. Ninja Theory briefly took over the franchise with DmC: Devil May Cry in 2013, and while Devil May Cry 5 takes some styling tips from that game, it doesn't follow its storyline directly.
Insta360 Pro 2 captures 8K VR video with stabilization
Back in December, Insta360 managed to prolong the life of its professional VR camera, the aptly-named Insta360 Pro, with a significant firmware upgrade. But of course, since there is only so much that software can do, the company is now bringing us the Insta360 Pro 2 to offer a bigger performance bump, while also aiming to simplify one's VR production workflow. Most notably, this 3.42-pound camera can capture 360 video at up to 8K 3D at 30 fps, and thanks to its new 9-axis gyroscope, it's backed by the company's impressive FlowState stabilization technology, thus offering more creative freedom to users. Another major addition to the kit is the dedicated "Farsight" 5.18GHz video transmission system, which is plugged into the camera via the LAN port, has a 300m range and is said to be a more reliable alternative to the old WiFi for live monitoring on a mobile device; hence the higher price tag -- $5,000 instead of $3,499.
HTC's Vive Wireless Adapter will cost $300
14 months after HTC and Intel first showed off their wireless VR prototype, the two are finally ready to ship the product. According to HTC's announcement today, the Intel WiGig-based Vive Wireless Adapter is priced at $300 and works with both Vive and Vive Pro, though the latter requires an additional $60 for a "compatibility pack" -- it includes a connection cable, foam padding and an attachment device. For those who have been longing for this upgrade, they can pre-order it at Amazon, Best Buy, Microsoft, NewEgg and HTC's very own Vive.com starting from September 5th. This will be followed by the official launch on the 24th.

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