Quoting: GuestReading the notes it seems to have improved mostly in visuals. Should i upgrade my headless pi-hole then, based on security concerns?

I wouldn't have thought there would be any need, unless the security updates run out. Older releases usually keep getting patches for a number of years after a new version comes out.

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Quoting: fagnerlnI'm curious to see how efficient those AC will be, I mean, as it's not as lower level in comparison to the Windows. It will be really bad if with this move, a lot of new cheaters start using it.

Right now Linux users are excluded from EAC/BattlEye games, and those games are rife with cheater Windows users who are using cheat tools built for their platform.

Someone who is using Windows successfully for cheating right now, is not going to switch to Linux, because they gain nothing for doing so. If anything, they have more work to do - Using a new platform, using new cheater tools, and their performance is likely to drop playing the game through Proton rather than native Windows.

The cheats already work fine on Windows (if the cheater uses them properly). Meanwhile, lots of non-cheater Linux users are being unfairly excluded from being able to play.

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I much prefer it when game developers release a game, and continue to add to the base game, rather than follow up with paid DLC.

Buying a base game and knowing that I won't get as much out of it, without also getting the DLC packs, makes the initial purchase unappealing and even playing the game unappealing.

Alternatively, if I haven't bought a game yet, and I see the developers extending the base game, it makes my purchase of that title more appealing. This seems to be the case with Barotrauma.

At the same time, continuing to work on the game, making small quality of life improvements, optimising performance and eliminating bugs, is a good sign for buyers too.

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Also there's a couple of new bundles on Fanatical's Halloween Sale with a decent proportion of Linux games in them:

https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/guardian-bundle-4

https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/cryptic-bundle-11

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This one piques my interest. I've always liked Tower Defence games, and this is a interesting variation implementing new ideas into that genre.

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I gave the demo a try (with Proton) - The main game is native Linux (but the demo isn't). It reminds me of regular tabletop Role Playing Games with a (human) dungeon master leading you through the story, letting you know the various options and then you choose what you want to do and roll dice based on your decisions and your character's skill-set.

The art style is decent. The narrative is decent. I did like the game but wasn't blown away by it. I think the thing that tended to irk me (compared with human vs human RPGs): Your choices are relatively limited, there is more complexity involved (lots of things to keep a tab on), and the game seems to be checkpoint-based so when you "die" it isn't permanent, you just load up to the most recent checkpoint and try that same bunch of interactions again. Now I realise the majority of modern games do this, but it isn't something particularly endearing to me. (For me, I should be able to get the whole way through the game without dying, as long as I apply sufficient skill while playing - Think Slay The Spire or FTL.)

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Looks quite appealing, I'll keep tabs on this.

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I played loads of the original Pixel Dungeon back when it was first released on Android. It went through numerous revisions and when it finally changed to breakable weapons and armour (i.e. They degrade with usage) then my enthusiasm to play finally diminished.

I did move on to playing Shattered Pixel Dungeon (on Android), and continued to play for a while, but got to the point where I moved on and rarely returned to it. Certainly, Shattered Pixel Dungeon added new and interesting content to the formula.

As I understand, the creator of the original (Pixel Dungeon) released all the source code and there were numerous developers who jumped on it and made their own versions of the game. Shattered Pixel Dungeon was one of the better "knock-offs". There are plenty more though. Pixel Dungeon really did work well with a mobile touch interface and plays really nicely in that format.

For the record, Pixel Dungeon is a multi-level rogue-like game, where each dungeon floor adds harder and harder monsters, and you need to manage your resources well and succeed in putting together a good character build as you traverse the floors, in order to get deeper. Over the 500-700 individual playthroughs I made, I only defeated the end-game boss about 5 times. I personally found it very hard, not least because you are very reliant on RNG to progress. (Similar to FTL, your skill can sustain you in spite of unfavourable RNG.) Determining unknown potions, scrolls, weapons, armour - Healing or Poison, Magical or Cursed - made every play different.

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I was thinking to write a convoluted essay about reasons why people are shifting to Linux. But instead of that, I think I'll just put forward some bullet points which I think are relevant:

- Many households own more than one computer, typically a newer model, and an older one. Also, a Desktop and a Laptop.

- Having multiple computers means you can use one for all your regular activity (Banking, office software, etc) and *mess around* with the other one. Think I'll have a go at installing a different OS on here.

- People are curious about Linux. In what ways is it different to Windows. Maybe I'd prefer it. Maybe trying it out will be fun.

- People are *slowly* becoming more aware of Surveillance Capitalism, and that Big Corporations are spying on them and manipulating them. People who want to *take back control* look at the options and realise that Linux is the way forward.

- Tech channels like Linus Tech Tips, various gamer channels are creating hype about Linux and the Steam Deck. Hype gets people thinking about things and wanting to know more.

- Valve's work on supporting Linux and developing Proton has made it that the typical gamer is more aware that proper gaming on Linux is now possible. Our group of GamingOnLinux enthusiasts has known it for years, but the realisation is finally dawning on more regular 'Windows' and 'Console' gamers.

- The chicken and egg thing. As marketshare on Linux grows, so will developer interest in supporting Linux. More developer interest means more native games. More native games/working on Proton games means greater appeal of the Linux OS to more general computer users.

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Played it for 30 hours so far (bought it soon after it was released). It kept me decently entertained during that time, and it is the sort of game you can easily get back into after a hiatus.

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