Console modder Hairo Satoh’s new (emulated) PlayStation is one of the cleanest portables I’ve seen — as Dexterto points out, that’s partly ‘cuz it’s built into an actual licensed PlayStation controller that exclusively shipped in Japan. The Takara Roulette Controller originally had a Game of Life wheel on top, which Satoh has now replaced with a screen.
Remember the PS One’s optional flip-up LCD screen attachment? This reminds me of that!
If that sounds delightful, iFixit has the guide for you — it even sells the 88Wh battery and has the free 3D-printable backplate you’ll need. You do have to replace the battery connector with the one from the ROG Ally’s pack, so it’s not quite plug n’ play. iFixit currently has 14 of the batteries in stock, tho teardown tech Shahram Mokhtari tells me they’ll order more if there’s demand.
The Valve boss has quietly been building brain-computer interface startup Starfish Neuroscience for years — state records show it was incorporated August 2019, long before Gaben talked up those BCI use cases for gaming.
Now, the company’s website has been updated to show who Starfish is and what it’s building: “Minimally invasive wireless sensors & actuators.” Gaben’s lost some weight, and Valve VR hardware engineer Alan Yates is there! Conspicuously missing: Neuralink co-founder Philip Sabes, who apparently dipped in 2022.
There’s a huge list of changes coming in 1.0.1, which you can already experimentally try on Steam (Select game > Gear icon > Properties > Betas > Beta Participation).
Most appear designed to make the early game a little less punishing — more free Jokers and free effects, more money left in your wallet, easier ramp. Generally, fewer ways to paint yourself into a corner before you understand the game. Also: you can turn off swirly effects.
Lenovo’s Clifford Chong says “of course” there’ll be a next generation of the Legion Go handheld, in this roundtable interview recorded by Chris Stead. Here’s hoping it keeps kickstand and joy-cons, but not the ergonomics.
Separately, Aokzoe will announce a new Intel Core Ultra handheld on April 14th, the third to try Meteor Lake after the MSI Claw and OneXPlayer X1.
Where can you battle a toaster with a waffle iron? Wield a barcode scanner for fun? Navigate a digital character through a real-life paper pop-up book?
The Game Developers Conference Alt.Ctrl showcase, that’s where. It’s my happy place at GDC, and this year I wanted to share some of the zany magic with ya’ll.
Matt Novak has a banger of a new entry for the Internet of Shit. Over at Gizmodo, he’s discovered a YouTube scam that doesn’t just drain your crypto wallet — it also scams the actors hired to read bullshit testimonials about how they make money while they sleep.
Who needs AI when you can get a real, live human to legitimize your scheme on camera?
