Valve
Valve business and news from across the web.- New Counter-Strike 2 Map Has Players Rescuing Dogs Instead Of Hostages, And That’s Very NiceA new fan-made map for Counter-Strike 2, titled 'Shelter,' replaces the traditional hostage rescue objective with saving dogs from a fictional animal shelter. The map features detailed environments and a narrative involving 'Phoenix Biotechnical' and their animal testing practices. This unique map has gained attention amidst real-world news of dog rescues from a research facility.
Valve just changed how CS2's bomb works, and it's terrifyingValve has updated Counter-Strike 2 with significant changes to bomb detonations in Season 5, introducing a more realistic explosive wave that dissipates around corners and does not penetrate walls. This update also includes a new console command to manually detonate thrown grenades by shooting them, potentially for future testing. The update also sees the Cache map added to the active duty pool, replacing Overpass.
‘Lies about driver support’: Valve now lets you install Windows 11 on a Steam Machine, but many people…Valve has released official Windows 11 drivers for the Steam Machine, allowing users to install Microsoft's operating system on the console-like PC. However, the article argues against this, citing potential performance degradation due to Windows 11's heavier nature compared to SteamOS, and Valve's historically poor track record with Windows driver updates for its devices.
id Tech is Still Part of Xbox’s Future Despite Layoffs – RumorDespite recent layoffs at id Software, the id Tech game engine remains a part of Xbox's future plans, according to a report. Many employees working on the engine's development were affected by the cuts. The engine is expected to be used in future projects at id Software and by MachineGames for their Wolfenstein titles.- Valve Steam Machine review: This would've been perfect five years agoThe Valve Steam Machine is not recommended due to its high price point, making it a poor value proposition. The article suggests that the hardware would have been more competitive if released several years prior.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced can run smoothly aboard both Steam Deck and Steam Machine - with the right settingsThis article analyzes the performance of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced on the Steam Deck and Steam Machine, detailing optimal settings for smooth gameplay. While the Steam Deck requires careful adjustment of graphics options and upscaling for playable framerates, the Steam Machine demonstrates surprisingly strong performance at 1080p, even rivaling higher-end desktop GPUs in some scenarios.
A current Valve designer recreated Half-Life 2's Ravenholm in the Source 2 engine, and says he was "blown away…Valve level designer Chuck Wilson recreated the iconic Half-Life 2 level Ravenholm using the Source 2 engine, showcasing impressive improvements in textures and lighting while retaining the original's eerie atmosphere. Wilson expressed his admiration for the power of Source 2's level design tools, calling them his favorite to date. This fan-made recreation has sparked discussions about the possibility of an official Half-Life 2 remake.
No, you can't build your own Steam Machine, but you can cry tryingThis article clarifies that users cannot build their own Steam Machine due to custom components and size constraints, contrasting it with traditional DIY PCs and modern consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. It highlights Valve's unique engineering approach for the compact Steam Machine, which uses semi-custom AMD chips for performance comparable to current-gen consoles.
Valve has released Windows drivers for the Steam machine, y'know for the three people who managed to buy one and…Valve has released official Windows drivers for the Steam Machine, allowing users to switch from SteamOS to Microsoft's operating system. This move aims to increase game compatibility, particularly for online shooters, though dual-booting is not yet supported. Users will need an Ethernet connection for initial Windows product key entry as Wi-Fi drivers are installed later.- 404 Page not foundThe article indicates a '404 Page Not Found' error, humorously comparing the situation to the non-existence of Half-Life 3. It prompts users who followed a link to report the issue to Eurogamer.net for correction.
- etc., etc.Valve co-founder Gabe Newell is reportedly expanding his personal investments in undersea vessels, with plans for an $800 million deep-sea ship in addition to a previously planned one. The article notes his continued wealth and ventures outside of the gaming industry.
Steam Machine users are reporting 'red line of death' issues, but there's now an official fix - and…Valve has provided an official fix for the 'red line of death' issue affecting some Steam Machine users, which prevents the device from booting. The troubleshooting steps involve unplugging the unit, discharging residual power, and initiating a CMOS reset via specific power button sequences.
Steam Machine with the dreaded "Red Line of Death" has healed itself after a good night's restA Steam Machine experiencing the 'Red Line of Death' error, typically indicating GPU failure, has reportedly resolved itself after being left unplugged overnight. The owner, who initially tried various power cycling methods without success, found the issue cleared after a 24-hour period. This suggests a potential firmware glitch rather than a hardware fault, with Valve expected to address similar issues in future SteamOS updates.- Issues and ActivismA game developer has urged Valve to address exploitable loopholes in Steam's 2-hour refund policy, citing over 55,000 players who refunded his short game and openly admitted to abusing the system. This highlights ongoing issues with the platform's refund mechanisms.
- How To Use Discord On Your Steam Machine And Steam DeckThis guide explains how to install and configure Discord on Valve's Steam Deck and Steam Machine devices. The process involves switching to desktop mode, installing Discord via Discover, and adding it as a non-Steam game. It also provides instructions for adjusting controller settings for a better user experience.
The Steam Machine’s Red Line Of Death Is Less Scary, And More Useful, Than You Might ThinkThe Steam Machine's 'Red Line of Death' error, reminiscent of the Xbox 360's Red Ring of Death, is discussed as a useful diagnostic tool rather than a catastrophic failure. Valve has implemented a system where different LED bar colors and animations indicate specific hardware issues, aiding users in troubleshooting and communicating problems to support.
Dev tells Valve to fix Steam's exploitable 2-hour refund policy as "over 55,000" players refund his short game and even brag about it in reviewsAn indie developer has called out Valve's Steam refund policy, stating that over 55,000 players have refunded their short game, Paddle Paddle Paddle, despite overwhelmingly positive reviews. The developer highlights that the game's completion time is under the two-hour threshold for refunds, allowing players to finish the game and then request their money back, which they argue is exploitative.
Valve shows you how to build your own e-paper display for the Steam Machine – and it’s a case mod I never…Valve has released open-source files for users to build their own e-paper display, dubbed 'inkterface', for the Steam Machine. This modification allows the device to show component temperatures and performance information, embracing PC gaming's customizability.
Valve's Gabe Newell continues spending his billions on an undersea armada, adding an $800 million deep sea vessel to the one he already had in the worksValve co-founder Gabe Newell is significantly expanding his investment in ocean exploration by commissioning a second, larger deep-sea vessel, the RV11000, for nearly $800 million. This follows his initial investment in the 100-meter RV6000, which is currently under construction. Both vessels are being built by Vard and Oceanco, with the RV6000 expected in 2028 and the RV11000 in 2030.
If physical games are dying, we need better laws for our digital rightsSony's decision to end disc production for PlayStation games and the impending removal of Studio Canal films from PlayStation Video highlight the precariousness of digital ownership. The article argues for stronger consumer rights and new laws to protect digital purchases, contrasting them with the freedoms offered by physical media. It notes ongoing efforts in the EU and France to address these issues, while also pointing to PC storefronts like GOG.com as alternatives offering true ownership.