Steam
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Valve's Gabe Newell always understood what Steam does better than every other PC and console store: "The thing that we've been successful with are the Steam sales"
Valve boss Gabe Newell has long understood that Steam's success stems from its effective sales strategy, making game purchases an entertaining experience rather than just a transaction. This approach, which encourages impulse buys and treats the digital library as a collection of potential experiences, remains a key differentiator for the platform, even as the gaming landscape shifts towards live service titles.
May's big Rust update adds new, rare workbench upgrades, if you can find them
The May update for the survival game Rust, titled 'Upgrade Hard, Raid Harder,' introduces nine rare workbench upgrades, new mortars, and an overhauled vending machine UI. Facepunch Studios also launched a Discord shop with a sale on DLC and is upgrading to Unity 6, which will end support for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2016.
There's a game coming out this year where you fight your Steam backlog, and it's more dangerous the more…
Game Quest: The Backlog Battler is a new PC game from developer Nic Taylor where players fight their digital game backlogs. The game uses stats like playtime and Metacritic scores to determine enemy behavior, with more expensive or highly-rated games posing greater threats. It's described as a goofy horde battler that humorously confronts players with their unplayed titles.
Indie Game Refund Abuse Sparks Debate Over Platform Policies | HappyGamer
Players are reportedly abusing refund policies on platforms like Steam, playing indie games for over 20 hours before requesting refunds and leaving negative reviews. This practice is causing significant financial and algorithmic damage to small developers who rely on every sale. The debate centers on balancing consumer rights with the need to protect developers from intentional exploitation.
On Sale
Several games are currently on sale on Steam, with discounts of up to 80%. Valheim is available for 50% off, Trailmakers for 80% off, KLETKA for 40% off, and The Slormancer for 35% off.
Elementallis Released
The action RPG Elementallis has been released and is now available for PC, including Windows, macOS, and Linux versions on GOG.com and Steam. An official launch trailer showcases the game's features.
FINJI’s 868-BACK launches on May 28th
FINJI and Michael Brough announced that the computer-hacking strategy roguelike game 868-BACK will launch for PC on May 28th. The game challenges players to hack servers and steal data from corporations, with a soundtrack by Tara Macalister. FINJI, founded by Adam and Rebekah Saltsman, is also known for publishing games like Tunic and Chicory.
Time-Melting Indie Game Skopje '83 Gets Global Love From Japanese Gamers | HappyGamer
The indie game Skopje '83 has gained significant attention from Japanese gamers, highlighted by content creator @hobbidwa for its time-melting qualities. This cross-cultural discovery showcases how indie titles can bridge gaming cultures and emphasizes the importance of human curation in game discovery amidst the vastness of platforms like Steam.
Lunchbreak Tactics Turns Retail Hell Into Strategic Card Battle Paradise | HappyGamer
Lunchbreak Tactics, an indie card battler inspired by retail work, has launched on Steam. The game features everyday store products as weapons and asynchronous matches to accommodate busy schedules. It offers over 200 cards across 16 heroes and 6 clans, with daily challenges and monthly ranked seasons.
Thai Developer Fixes Critical Bug Hours Before Bangkok Story Launch | HappyGamer
A Thai indie developer successfully fixed a critical bug in their game, Bangkok Story: A Stray Dog, just hours before its scheduled launch on Steam. The solo developer, who has spent five years on the project with a "masterpiece or nothing" philosophy, addressed the "unforgivable bug" to ensure a polished release. The game, which focuses on street life and urban survival, is set to launch tomorrow, with the developer hoping their dedication to quality will resonate with players.
Suspected Trump shooter's game pulled from sale on Steam after flood of meme reviews
The game Bohrdom, developed by Cole Allen Thomas, has been removed from sale on Steam following a surge of purchases and politically charged meme reviews. Valve's decision to pull the game aligns with increased scrutiny of content on its platform, and many reviewers may have utilized the refund system.
Mom Life Simulator is OUT NOW on Steam!
Mom Life Simulator is now available on Steam with a 20% launch discount. The game challenges players to manage the daily life of a busy mom, balancing family care, household management, and personal time. Developers also hosted a live gameplay stream on the Steam page.
Steam Game Allegedly Developed by Suspected Gunman at Trump White House Press Dinner Is Being Review-Bombed
A game allegedly developed by the suspect who attempted to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner is reportedly being review-bombed on Steam. The individual reportedly identified himself as an indie game developer.
Titanium Court Launches With Indie Developer’s Charmingly Chaotic Announcement
Indie game Titanium Court launched on Steam with a charmingly chaotic announcement from its developer, Nathan. Nathan turned a missed message about early access into an offer for all players to purchase the game a day early, highlighting the value of authentic developer-player communication in the gaming industry. This approach contrasts with the more corporate and layered communication typical of larger studios, emphasizing personality and human connection.
45+ PS5, PS4 Games to Buy in PS Store's Big Games Big Deals Sale
The PlayStation Store is currently hosting its Big Games Big Deals sale, featuring thousands of discounted PS5 and PS4 titles until May 6, 2026. The article highlights a curated selection of recommended games, many of which are at their lowest-ever prices.
Solo Developer Kamil Releases The Lone Sword After Years of Work
Solo developer Kamil has released his passion project, The Lone Sword, on Steam after years of dedicated work. The game was built from a single core mechanic, with Kamil teaching himself level design, art, and music production to bring his vision to life. The article highlights the challenges and triumphs of solo development and encourages support for indie creators.
Faithfall Goes Free After Student Dev Team Splits Up
The student-developed game Faithfall will be released for free on Steam after the development team decided to disband due to differing visions. One of the developers, Kruko, announced the decision transparently, stating that while the game is incomplete, they wanted to share it in its current state. The team was surprised by the community's interest and wishlisting, and Kruko plans to continue working on future projects.
Indie Duo Breaks the Fourth Wall With Craftia Elements’ Brutally Honest Soft Launch
Indie game Craftia Elements has launched in soft launch with a transparent announcement from its two-person development team, acknowledging existing quirks and inconsistencies. This approach aims to foster a collaborative relationship with players, treating them as partners rather than just consumers. The developers are offering a 20% discount to early adopters, framing it as mutual respect for the unfinished state of the game.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Apr. 17: WWE 2K26 for WrestleMania weekend
2K and Steam are offering a discount on WWE 2K24 for WrestleMania weekend. This marks the first major sale for the wrestling game.
Op Ed
This opinion piece argues that the Epic Games Store will never achieve the same level of quality or user satisfaction as Steam. The author discusses various aspects of digital storefronts and user experience to support this claim.