thingsiplay

Video description:

In this video, we'll talk about NVIDIA's last several months of pressure to talk about DLSS more frequently in reviews, plus MFG 4X pressure from the company. NVIDIA has repeatedly made comments to GN that interviews, technical discussion, and access to engineers unrelated to MFG 4X and DLSS are made possible by talking about MFG 4X and DLSS. NVIDIA has explicitly stated that this type of content is made "possible" by benchmarking MFG 4X in reviews specifically, despite us separately and independently covering it in other videos, and has made repeated attempts to get multiplied framerate numbers into its benchmark charts. We will not play those games. In the time since, NVIDIA has offered certain unqualified media outlets access to drivers which actual qualified reviewers do not have access to, but allegedly only under the premise of publishing "previews" of the RTX 5060 in advance of its launch. Some outlets were given access to drivers specifically to publish what we believe are puff pieces and marketing while reviewers were blocked.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Giving Access, Then Threatening It
04:29 - Quid Pro Quo
08:28 - Social Manipulation
09:44 - It's Never Good Enough for NVIDIA
12:08 - NVIDIA is Vindictive
14:28 - Stevescrimination
17:38 - Not The First Time
19:00 - Gamers Are Entitled

https://github.com/thingsiplay/crc32sum

# usage: crc32sum [-h] [-r] [-i] [-u] [--version] [path ...]

crc32sum *.sfc
2d206bf7  Chrono Trigger (USA).sfc

Previously I used a Bash script to filter out the checksum from 7z output. That felt always a bit hacky and the output was not very flexible. Plus the Python script does not rely on any external module or program too. Also the underlying 7z program call would automatically search for all files in sub directories recursively when a directory was given as input. This would require some additional rework, but I decided it is a better idea to start from scratch in a programming language. So I finally wrote this, to have a bit better control. My previous Bash script can be found here, in case you are curious: https://gist.github.com/thingsiplay/5f07e82ec4138581c6802907c74d4759

BTW, believe it or not, the Bash script running multiple commands starts and executes faster than the Python instance. But the difference is negligible, and the programmable control in Python is much more important to me.

What is this program for?

Calculates the CRC hash for each given file, using Python's integrated zlib module. It has a similar use like MD5 or SHA, but is way, way weaker and simpler. It's a quick and easy method to verify the integrity of files, in example after downloading from the web, to check data corruption from your external drives or when creating expected files.

It is important to know and understand that CRC-32 is not secure and should never be used cryptographically. It's use is limited for very simple use cases.

Linux does not have a standard program to calculate the CRC. This is a very simple program to have a similar output like md5sum offers by default. Why use CRC at all? Usually and most of the time CRC is not required to be used. In fact, I favor MD5 or SHA when possible. But sometimes, only a CRC is provided (often used by the retro emulation gaming scene). Theoretically CRC should also be faster than the other methods, but no performance comparison has been made (frankly the difference doesn't matter to me).

Marathon looks like an Ai agent would create. Art style, gameplay and story wise.

This is the next game from the Destiny creator Bungie. A multiplayer extraction shooter. It has nothing to do with the original Marathon game its based on, an old single player game. Those who could hands on the game describe it as a Destiny like controls and animation, but as an extraction shooter mode.

As for me, I would probably even check the game out, if it was free to play (its full price game, like Concord) and if it would be playable on Linux. Bungie is anti Linux, so not for me anyway.

Today I've reported a player in Marvel Rivals for being a cheater (it was obvious to me, even autoaim through wall playing hawkeye). And I just got a confirmation message that the player is banned until 2125... basically a 100 year ban. :D Do report them. Report toxicity as well (I get ton of confirmation). But do not report because you are angry or maybe the other player played well. It's the first time I reported someone in Marvel Rivals for cheating.

I do my part.

Finally the new Rust 1.85.0 update is here, with a new Rust Edition 2024.

Someone remaked Super Mario World in 3D in Unreal Engine 5 (no realistic graphics). The video explains what he did and its super interesting and entertaining to watch. However, there is nothing playable right now. And even if there was one, Nintendo would be fast to remove it. I hope he will publish a finished work as Open Source project, so it will live on forever.

Video description:

Full gameplay video here: youtube.com/watch?v=xy3X_txfYWI&t=0s

Made in Unreal Engine 5.

It's not a big message, so I copied it here over. To me it is notable that they specifically address a Linux Gaming distribution called Bazzite, to correct a bug/mistake on it caused by the game. This note is also under the "General" headline, so they take it serious. I am really really happy about this.

Greetings, Rivals!

We're thrilled to announce that the upcoming patch drops on February 13, 2025, at 09: 00: 00 (UTC+0)! This update will also be applied without server downtime—so you can dive right back into your epic battles as soon as the update is live!

Here's a look at what's coming in this patch:

All-New Costumes

Mister Fantastic & Invisible Woman - 60th Wedding Anniversary Combo Bundle (Store release: 2025/02/14 02: 00: 00 UTC+0)

Mister Fantastic - The Life Fantastic (Store release: 2025/02/14 02: 00: 00 UTC+0)

Invisible Woman - The Life Fantastic (Store release: 2025/02/14 02: 00: 00 UTC+0)

Bug Fixes

All Platforms

General

1. High-end computers running the Bazzite (Linux) system were mistakenly tapping into low-quality UI resources. Fear not—this issue has been rm'd!

Maps and Gameplay

1. Resolved an issue where if you scored KOs during overtime and the battle concluded at that moment, the KDA tab might not have shown its true colors. Now every victory is honored!
2. Corrected an issue where the Yggdrasill Path cart icon in the Convoy tutorial was a bit off-target. Your heroic journey can now continue with clarity!
3. A heroic sweep has been performed to fix various map collisions that could trap players or allow them to slip through walls unexpectedly. Your path to glory is now cleared!

Hero Bug Fixes

1. Doctor Strange's Portal Power: Fixed an issue where Doctor Strange's portal could be interrupted during the placement phase if an allied Loki transformed into him. The Sorcerer Supreme's magic now flows uninterrupted!
2. Jeff the Land Shark's Bubble Trouble: Resolved a quirky situation where Jeff's bubbles could, in rare instances, sneak past enemy healing gates into the spawn room. No more bubble bath break-ins!
3. Iron Man's "Armless" Attack: Addressed a tech malfunction where Iron Man's arm models could go missing after activating Armor Overdrive in certain rare scenarios. The suit's back in action—fully equipped to blast into battle!
4. Hulk & Wolverine's Team-Up Trouble: Fixed a little mischief where because of their Team-Up Ability, Wolverine's Berserk Claw Strike could, under certain situations, be activated during Feral Leap. Now, there will be no more mix-ups!
5. Hulk's Charge Hiccup: Resolved a Team-Up Ability bug where if Hulk was hit by Namor's ultimate when charging to throw Wolverine, he wouldn't be thrown afterward. Now, the power duo can deliver a one-two punch without any interruptions—Hulk smash, Wolverine slash!

Edit: Oh I forgot the Direct X and drivers links. Added it in the below link list. There is a website that hosts old versions. With Windows 98 SE I use "voodoo_graphics_driver_kit_version_3.01.00" and "directx9.0c_april2006".

I just escaped the madness of today gaming and enjoy some retro games. The original Sim City from 1989 got a re-release in 1995 as version 2 for Windows 95. This screenshots shows DOSBox-pure in RetroArch with a Windows 98 Second Edition installation to play SimCity Classic V2.0 for Windows 95 (it works with 98). BTW this is on my Linux host. It's hilarious.

The hierarchy is as follows: Linux > RetroArch > DOSBox-pure > Windows 98 > SimCity Classic V2.0 for Windows 95

It's actually the first time I played this old version for Windows. I only knew and played the SNES version before, which is dramatically overhauled (and with gamepad support off course), my favorite version to date. In case you want too, there is a lot of stuff to do and understand to get this up and running. First you have to get RetroArch installed and how the emulator core DOSBox-pure works. Then you have to manually install Windows 98 (or maybe 95) and get its drivers sorted out too. Then off course you need the game and install it too. I leave you a few links here, so in case you are interested can start doing it too.

• RetroArch: https://www.retroarch.com/
• DOSBox-pure: https://docs.libretro.com/library/dosbox_pure/
• How to install Windows in DOSBox-pure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xynDgexf5Y
• Windows ISO: I can't provide you a download link. My recommendation is to look for Windows 98 Second Edition. You will also need a key you type in during installation.
• Drivers, Direct X and other old software for Windows: https://www.philscomputerlab.com/
• SimCity Classic V2.0 for Windows 95 (32-bit) (1995): https://archive.org/details/scclassic

LGR is a YouTuber who talks and shows lot of oldschool games and computers. And he is a fan of the Sims games. The Windows re-release has still problems, but works perfectly fine out of the box on the Steam Deck. I thought this is notable and want to share his experience: Though oddly enough, the one that I've had the most success with is the Steam Deck

• Website: https://freetubeapp.io/
• Download: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.23.0-beta
• Discussions: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/discussions/6676

Features

• Add autoplay toggle to the video player by @kommunarr in #5866

• Add Shift+? shortcut to view all keyboard shortcuts in-app by @kommunarr in #6306

• Right-click or hold-click on page ←/→ arrows to access navigation history by @kommunarr in #5227

• [MacOS] Make ⌘←/⌘→ go back/forward by @PikachuEXE in #6466

• Sort user playlist videos by published date by @GLEBR1K in #6280

• Add volume and playback rate change notifications to videos by @ikizey in #6473

• Added Button to Show Original Title and Thumbnail for DeArrow by @JL0000 in #6164

• Add setting for opening URLs passed to FreeTube in a new window by @OothecaPickle in #6242

• Update 'Only Show Latest Video for Each Channel' setting to handle a custom number of videos per channel by @c-ciobanu in #5901

• Add setting blocking autoplay after long periods of inactivity by @kommunarr in #5871

• Add Gruvbox color schemes & accent colors by @DontBlameMe99 in #5887

• Add Catppuccin Frappe color theme by @DontBlameMe99 in #6445

• Add Unlisted badge on watch page for unlisted videos by @OothecaPickle in #5856

• Add --help and --new-window flags and fix --version flag by @Zander671 in #6455

• Added buttons to hide hidden channels/text by @JL0000 in #6156

• Undo feature for Remove From Playlist by @Soham456 in #5885

• Add support for hms timestamp in query string by @ChunkyProgrammer in #6012

• Show corresponding keyboard shortcuts in button labels by @kommunarr in #5857

• Local API: Display more video tags in search results by @absidue in #5926

• Invidious API: Add support for auto-dubbed audio tracks by @absidue in #5943

• Invidious API: Extract streaming data expiry date from URL by @absidue in #5997

• Show previous search queries as search suggestions by @kommunarr in #6414

• Only refresh current trending tab by @ChunkyProgrammer in #6667

• ... plus lot of bug fixes changes to existing functionalities.

https://github.com/settings/copilot

You either love or hate them; RPG Maker games. To me the oldschool Rm2k is history like a videogame console. Nowadays I play those on the Free and Open Source EasyRPG Player. This post has some game suggestions and sources compatible with EasyRPG.

1. Where to get Games
   1. rpgmaker .net
2. Game Suggestions
3. Enough is enough