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The best Elgato Stream Deck alternatives

Gabe Gurwin
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The Elgato Stream Deck gives Twitch and YouTube video game streamers an easy-to-use and intuitive system for sending out alerts, messages, images, and more while you stay focused on playing the latest games. With integration for not just Elgato Game Capture software but also programs like OBS and XSplit, you have plenty of options for how you present your content.

The Elgato Stream Deck isn’t for everyone, however. Its high price tag, bulkier size, and lack of usefulness outside of game streaming can turn off some prospective buyers. Luckily, we’ve put together a list of the best Elgato Stream Deck alternatives to help you get the most out of your streaming.

Elgato Stream Deck Mini

Elgato Stream Deck Mini
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pros: Has the same functions as Stream Deck, substantially cheaper, customizable buttons and functions.

Cons: Only six buttons available at once.

Compatible with: MacOS and Windows. Works with Elgato Game Capture as well as YouTube, OBS, XSplit, TipeeeStream, Twitch, and Twitter.

The full-size Elgato Stream Deck can serve streamers well if they have a ton of different preset commands to use, but for those who only need to alert their followers of a stream or change a few different settings, the Elgato Stream Deck Mini is a great alternative. The Stream Deck Mini features six buttons instead of the original’s 15, and is easier to store if you are streaming on the go.

Just like with the Stream Deck, the Elgato Stream Deck Mini also supports folders and custom icons at a substantially lower price than its big sibling. It’s seriously worth looking into. You can even bookend your streams with intro and outro clips, and a Key Creator tool lets you make your own icons easily.

Max Falcon-20 RGB Custom Programmable Mini Macropad

MAX Falcon-20 RGB Custom Programmable Mini Macropad
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pros: Inexpensive, can swap layers with a push of a key, RGB makes it easy to find keys.

Cons: Not as intuitive as Elgato’s own devices.

Compatible with: Windows (7, 8, and 10)

The Elgato Stream Deck gives you plenty of visual information on its keys, making it easy to hit them at a glance, but if you mostly stick with just a few set key commands, it can be unnecessary. Even worse is the exorbitant price, especially if what you really need is a mini keyboard.

The Max Falcon-20 is a small keyboard that contains 20 keys, including a “layer switch” button that allows you to swap between sets of programmed commands on the fly. In total, you can have up to five programming layers, and it includes onboard memory and a dual Micro USB port, so you can take it with you on the go with ease. It comes with a programming app that you can use without knowing anything about coding, and its RGB feature will make it easy to know which keys do what.

Touch Portal

Touch Portal
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pros: Supports OBS and XSplit, full version has unlimited pages.

Cons: Limited usefulness in free version,

Compatible with: iOS, Android, Mac, and PC.

You don’t necessarily need to purchase a separate device to have an Elgato Stream Deck alternative. With the Touch Portal applications on iOS, Android, Mac, and PC, you can have access to a similar suite of features that you’d get on the Stream Deck, and the full version of the program gives you unlimited pages and all the commands you need to manage your stream from your phone.

If you have friends who also use Touch Portal, you can use the import and export features to share your creations with them and easily integrate them into your own work. You can even enable vibration on certain devices, which can help when you’re trying to multitask and lose track of your phone during a gaming session.

Even better, the Touch Portal program supports OBS and XSplit integration, so you should be able to quickly get your current streaming setup working in sync with your phone. An icon pack is even included, so you can customize the look of your buttons and make them easier to distinguish.

Up Deck

UP Deck
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pros: Tons of customization options.

Cons: Free app’s recording capped at 20 minutes, only works with OBS.

Compatible with: iOS and Android alongside OBS

OBS is one of the most popular streaming programs around, and it gives PC users the opportunity to stream without having to fork over extra cash. If you’re using the program and need a Stream Deck but don’t want to spend the money, the iOS and Android app Up Deck just might serve your needs.

Up Deck gives you a blank set of buttons that can be fitted with different actions and icons, letting you control volume, switch scenes, draw on your screen, and record game replays from your phone or tablet. It doesn’t feature all the community interactivity you can find on Elgato’s device, but for the price of free, it’s worth it.

Other features of Up Deck include starting and stopping external processes like playing songs or apps, displaying a countdown timer, queuing multiple animations, changing the opacity of objects, and a drag pad for manipulating objects from your phone.

Streamlabs Remote Control

Streamlabs Remote Control
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pros: Free, very easy to set up and use.

Cons: Only compatible with Streamlabs OBS, limited functionality.

Compatible with: IOS and Android alongside Streamlabs OBS

For basic streamers that only require a couple of base functions, and don’t see a need for any extras, the Streamlabs Remote Control is a simple and free way to get the basics of your stream going. It’s equally as limited as Up Deck given it only works with the Streamlabs version of OBS, which comes with a ton of limitations that more seasoned and professional streamers will miss. If you are just beginning to learn about streaming, and are looking for a user-friendly and affordable streaming service, then Streamlabs is the perfect choice for you.

The interface is large, friendly, and will start your stream right away. You will have access to all the necessary functions like go live, switch scenes, switch audio sources, in addition to a few others. However, if you want more innovative and complex capabilities then the Streamlabs Remote Control will fall short of your expectations. 

While you may move on to bigger and better streaming programs, this Stream Deck option doesn’t pretend to be any more than a stepping stone that will show you the ropes. It will help you get started in the world of streaming, and when you feel ready to advance, you spend nothing to get started.

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Gabe Gurwin
Gabe Gurwin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
The best Wishstones in Lies of P
lies of p preview gamescom 2022 statue

Whether it is a FromSoftware game or a title from another developer, like Lies of P, each entry in the Soulslike genre adds a few new mechanics to stand out and bring a new flavor to the formula. On the surface, you might expect the whole Pinocchio thing to be enough for this game to stand out, but the team took things a few steps further. Aside from a unique take on the weapons system and lore, Lies of P has special items called Wishstones that can grant you powerful buffs. These stones can only be obtained by trading Golden Coin Fruits with a specific NPC, and are consumed upon use. To make sure you're able to maximize the benefits, here are the best Wishstones you should be using in Lies of P.
The best Wishstones in Lies of P

There are a total of 13 possible Wishstones to get, but not all are immediately available. If you see some you can't get quite yet, keep playing until you beat the Black Rabbit Brotherhood. Once that's done, all Wishstones will be available for sale.Here are thebest ones:
Recovery Wishstone
This is the first Wishstone you can get and is one you will probably want to keep at all times. The function here is simple: to passively restore your health for a short amount of time. Since Pulse Charges are so valuable, and you will run out very fast while exploring new areas or fighting bosses, this is a fantastic backup healing option. You do still need to play carefully, and time it right to make the most of it, but more healing is always needed in Lies of P.
Friendship Wishstone
While Lies of P doesn't allow for co-op like some other soulslike games, it does still have a summoning system where you can bring in NPCs to help you take down the cast of challenging bosses. These summons are called Specters, who will do their best to help, but they typically don't last all that long in a fight. If you're willing to use a Wishstone slot, the Friendship Wishstone can keep your loyal companion in the fight longer by giving them a bit of healing.
Courage Wishstone
Fable Arts are your more powerful, weapon-specific moves that consume a part of your Fable Bar to use. This makes it so you can't simply spam your most powerful attacks all the time, but sometimes you need that extra damage output to ekeout a victory. The Courage Wishstone makes that Fable Bar recharge much faster, allowing you to unleash those powerful moves more often.
Frenzy Wishstone
Back on the Specter side of things, these helpers are lacking when it comes to survivability, so you might as well make them pack a stronger punch to pull their weight before getting crushed. This Frenzy Wishstone fires them up to deal more damage. They won't be able to solo a boss for you or anything, but in a game like this, every single point of damage can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Provocation Wishstone
What if you're feeling a little more ... cruel toward your Specter? There's no shame in it since they're only there to serve you, after all. With the Provocation Wishstone, you can put all the aggro onto your Specter, giving you some breathing room to heal, restore some Fable Arts, or just catch your breath. It also gives them a little defense buff so you don't have to feel too bad about it.
Explosive Wishstone
You might feel a little worse about using the Explosive Wishstone, however. Once activated, any time your unsuspecting Specter gets hit, they will explode and deal a nice chunk of damage to anything caught in the blast. If you're unsatisfied with what Specters can do for you normally, why not just turn them into a bomb?
Advance Wishstone
This Wishstone is the equivalent to the Courage Wishstone, only instead of boosting to your Fable bar, this one will help restore your Legion meter. Your various Legion arms are perhaps your greatest tool in Lies of P outside of your standard weaponry, but there's also a material cost. Unlike Fable, Legion does not replenish itself over time naturally and only comes back when you reach a Stargazer or use another consumable. You can bypass this limitation to get a few extra uses out of it with the Advance Wishstone, which gives you a little chunk back free of charge. This is best for builds that utilize Legion Arms more often, so it won't be a top pick for everyone.

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The best weapons in Lies of P
Lies of P boss fight

This interpretation of the classic Pinocchio is nothing like the friendly (if a little creepy) original. Your puppet brought to life is sent out into a world of dangers around every corner, and only your weapons and reflexes will see you through. Lies of P is a Soulslike, after all, so finding and testing out new weapons is all part of the experience. That and dying, of course. Still, if you want to avoid doing the latter as much as possible, a strong weapon will come in handy. This game uses a system where you can customize your arsenal by swapping out the blades and handles, giving you tons of possibilities, but we'll focus on which weapons are the best out of the box in Lies of P and let you do the tweaking from there.
The best weapons in Lies of P

Puppet Saber
Because you can get the Puppet Saber right at the start of Lies of P, you might write it off as something that's only viable in the early game and should be dumped ASAP. That's not the case, as this fast-hitting sword can stay competitive at least until the midgame. It has a good range, is fast, and has a great charge attack you can use to zone enemies with. It scales at rank C in both Motivity and Technique, and comes with the fable art of Storm Slash, which unleashes a flurry of strikes on a target ahead of you. The other art it packs is Concentrate, which gives you a temporary attack buff.
Salamander Dagger
If you are going for a build focused on doing a lot of quick hits rather than long, heavy strikes, daggers like the Salamander Dagger are your best friend. This dagger's real advantage is that it deals fire damage, which many enemies are weak against. It scales at a B in Advance, C in Technique, and D in Motivity. It also has the Ignite ability to give it even more firepower (literally), and the guard ability of doing a fast stab before automatically retreating.
Booster Glaive
There aren't a ton of area-control weapons in Lies of P, which makes the Booster Glaive stand out as a unique pick. You get good range, and the arc on each swing is perfect for crowd control. In tighter, more linear spaces, you can use the charge attack for a forward thrust. This is a Technique weapon, scaling at B, but it also has D scaling in Motivity. It shares the Storm Slash skill with the Puppet Saber, but also has the Patient Slash, which lets you charge up one large, powerful strikes.
Acidic Crystal Spear
Despite the word "Spear" being in the weapon's name, the Acidic Crystal Spear technically falls under the Dagger category of weapons. Regardless, this has the looks, range, and feel of a spear. It can do fast, poking attacks, and will deal acid damage on each strike as well. You get great A-level scaling with Advance, as well as D level in Technique and Motivity. The Radiate art is just like the Salamander Dagger's Ignite, only for acid, and Single Stab is a more powerful forward lunge attack.
Two Dragons Sword
With a name like the Two Dragons Sword, who could resist at least trying this katana out? This boss weapon gives you all the flair and speed of a katana, but it unfortunately cannot be disassembled or modified. Still, with A scaling in Technique and D in Motivity, you won't be wanting for much with this blade. Your two skills are Link Emergency Dodge, which has you dodge forward and gives you the option to use a Fable slot to do two follow-up attacks, and Wind of Swords, which unleashes a torrent of swords in an area of effect.

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The best RPGs for Xbox Series X
best-single-player-nintendo-switch-games

If there's one genre the Xbox series of consoles has struggled to really break into in the past, it's RPGs. Yes, each system had a standout title or two, like the original Xbox having Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the 360 having Lost Odyssey, but this particular family of consoles was always seen as secondary to RPG fans compared to Sony, or even Nintendo, machines. With the release of the Xbox Series X, Microsoft has made a strong effort to fill that gap in their library and has already done a great job of publishing, or at least supporting via Game Pass, some of the best RPGs in recent memory.

What counts as an RPG today covers a wide range of games. They can be turn-based, real-time, action-focused, narrative-focused, first-person, and more. So many games incorporate RPG elements now that it can be a little tough to find one that doesn't anymore. However, for this list, we're picking only games that are RPGs at their core, or at least have it as the main component rather than a game that just throws in progression bars and nothing else. Still, that leaves a lot of ground to cover. If you're feeling the itch for a new RPG to play on your Xbox Series X, we've picked out the best from a range of titles that should fill the exact experience you're looking for.

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