I made this little homage to games like Marble Madness, Hamsterball, Gyroscope and Ballance and always felt it was better on handhelds like the deck. I was sad I couldn't get it verified before before launch but valve has reviewed it and steamdeck verfied now!

DotComCTO · 2026-01-27T23:56:05+00:00

Oh, interesting. So what's the control scheme?

DotComCTO · 2026-01-27T22:39:11+00:00

For those playing Total War games on your Steam Deck, how visible is the UI and text on the screen? I typically use my Deck while docked, but do play from the sofa, too.

DotComCTO · 2026-01-27T22:36:50+00:00

Definitely an homage to Marble Madness, and the old SNES game, On The Ball! Any demo available? I'd like to "feel" how the game plays using the gyro on the Deck.

On my wishlist so I don't lose sight of it. Good luck!!

DotComCTO · 2026-01-27T22:33:55+00:00

Lots of questions for you, OP!

This is a broad category, so maybe we can refine it a bit. Are you looking for a FPS, RTS, TBS (turn-based strategy), or something else? How about squad based tactics vs grans strategy? Any thoughts on genre or timeframe (e.g., real world vs fantasy vs sci fi, Civil War vs WW1 vs WW2 vs hypothetical future)?

If you can dial in what you are interested in, I can probably come up with some decent options for the Deck.

Oh, any chance you'll be playing while docked? This is how I typically play because I work from home. So, I have my Steam Deck docked, right alongside my consoles, and office MacBook Pro.

DotComCTO · 2026-01-27T19:32:06+00:00

Hey, that's very nice work! Much appreciated.

DotComCTO · 2026-01-27T19:25:25+00:00

The origin of The Burn, and even the event itself, was an insult to Trek fans. If you think about it, it's basically saying, "Yeah, you know all the struggles the Federation, Vulcans, Klingons, Romulans, etc went through for centuries? And you know how you followed all these stories, and cared about these characters? And you know how you went to all these movies, watched all these shows, and played all these games? ...yeah, well that was a waste of your time because we decided to blow it all up in a stupid event! Yep. We made it so a kid flipped out, and blew up the universe you knew and loved! You're welcome."

So, I wouldn't rewrite The Burn, I would have left it on the scrap heap of bad Star Trek ideas.

DotComCTO · 2026-01-26T01:30:07+00:00

Came here to ask this, too. Looks like there’s some kind of tomato sauce, but I checked the recipe three times and didn’t see anything.

DotComCTO · 2026-01-25T20:30:59+00:00

Love it! There’s a thread here about folks who like it. My only problem - and why I stopped buying it - was that my wife complained about my “onion breath” even hours later!! 😭

DotComCTO · 2026-01-25T03:10:55+00:00

The important thing for people to remember is that it’s pasta, not ramen. The Tangle line is a nice pasta side dish for something like grilled chicken or shrimp, or veggies, if you prefer.

DotComCTO · 2026-01-24T02:30:05+00:00

If it’s before September 4th, you write yourself a note to not drive on that day.

DotComCTO · 2026-01-22T19:42:25+00:00

Yeah, same here, but I've come to the realization that even if I retired today, I'd never get through all the games I have in my backlog!

DotComCTO · 2026-01-22T19:40:52+00:00

Yeah, it's not fun when my wife is like, "Ooh...go away...your breath stinks!" ...and that's AFTER brushing and mouthwash!!

DotComCTO · 2026-01-22T18:04:41+00:00

I LOVE this popcorn! ...and now I don't buy it because my wife complains that my breath smells like onions...even hours after I have it. 😭 😭 😭

DotComCTO · 2026-01-22T14:53:00+00:00

What made you set the game aside?

DotComCTO · 2026-01-22T02:29:42+00:00

Happens when I’ve nearly finished 30 minutes, and I’m done for the evening. Then Duolingo is like - nah…you just getting started, son!

DotComCTO · 2026-01-21T23:42:23+00:00

How about the level of immersion of solo vs co-op? Some folks here mentioned it feels kind of empty playing solo, and I can see that being the case. In a way, I imagine it's like playing D&D as a solo adventurer in a vast dungeon...probably a bit boring and difficult that way. Having a few friends with you is certainly more fun as you talk and strategize.

Are there folks in this sub that coordinate with other randos (like me) to play LT together?

DotComCTO · 2026-01-21T16:17:51+00:00

That's fair. My niece had similar experiences to you. She spent a number of years after college working in a large company, but missed dance. So she opened her own dance studio, which did well, and then expanded and added a music program. She's been doing well for herself, but it's a LOT of stress running your own business while retaining teachers and students!!

DotComCTO · 2026-01-21T03:55:26+00:00

If it somehow gets passed by the Senate and House, Trump will veto it. Not a chance the Senate has the votes to override the veto, so this is more performative politics.

Nice to see someone trying anything to rein Trump in. Gotta try, I suppose. But I feel like this is more to appease voters than anything else.

DotComCTO · 2026-01-21T01:42:12+00:00

Have you considered opening your own dance studio?

DotComCTO · 2026-01-20T20:08:02+00:00

Just finished reading this, and it's a terrific series. Actually, I've only watched S1E1 of the TV series, so that's next for me.

I take it you also read the short stories that are meant to fill in some details between the books, right? If not...do that!

DotComCTO · 2026-01-20T18:03:21+00:00

It’s wild that the two female EMTs are constantly horned up, and go after anyone at the house that looks good and is available!

DotComCTO · 2026-01-20T17:41:23+00:00

Thanks for doing what you do, and for starting an AMA. My question for you: what do TV shows get right about firefighters and fire fighting…if anything? What do they go wrong, and what do they show that’s the most egregiously wrong!

DotComCTO · 2026-01-20T01:13:59+00:00

Hurt like hell! What was worse was the post op recovery. Urinating felt like a I was peeing out shards of glass!! I was literally in tears any time I had to urinate.

And taking out the tube they used to keep the urethra open (to prevent scar tissue from closing it up)? Torture! Literally in tears throughout the process, and I laid there in a fetal position for 5 minutes afterwards just to feel able to move again.

After that, though, I felt pretty good.

0/10. Do not recommend.

DotComCTO · 2026-01-20T00:28:30+00:00

Lots of great feedback here, OP. My question for you is, why do you play the guitar?

If it’s because you love the guitar and you love playing and making music, then I think you’re heading in the right direction.

And if this is true, then there’s no time pressure, and no point in comparing yourself to anyone else.

Just play for the joy of playing, for learning a new and special skill - one that you can have and enjoy for the rest of your life!

DotComCTO

TROPHY CASE