Valve
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Valve.
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Consoles continue their trend of just becoming worst PCs
The article argues that modern consoles like PlayStation and Xbox are becoming inferior versions of PCs, losing their unique advantages. Factors like the shift to digital-only, rising prices, and the diminishing value of exclusives are making PCs a more compelling and flexible gaming platform.
Valve made it roughly 15 times harder for indie games to reach a coveted Steam ranking, but one expert says an understated new Steam feature is doing god's work
Valve has significantly increased the wishlist requirements for games to appear on Steam's 'Popular Upcoming' feed, making it approximately 15 times harder for indie titles to gain visibility. However, indie expert Chris Zukowski highlights that a new personalized calendar feature on Steam is now providing a substantial boost to indie developers, driving wishlists and offering more targeted exposure than the previous system.
Existing Unauthorized Steam Machine Companion Cubes Are Being Destroyed After Release Fiasco
Dbrand's unauthorized Steam Machine companion cube will not be sold, and pre-ordered units are being refunded. The manufacturer is requesting that existing samples, including one sent to The Verge, be returned for destruction. Dbrand admitted to making a mistake by selling the accessory without Valve's permission, which is a violation of intellectual property.
Epic Games CEO says "Steam charges such high fees" that companies like Genshin Impact maker MiHoYo "find it more profitable to go it alone," fans remind him MiHoYo has multiple games on Steam
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney stated that Steam's high fees make it more profitable for major companies like MiHoYo to distribute their games independently. This claim was met with a community note clarifying that MiHoYo has a growing presence on Steam, recently releasing Zenless Zone Zero and potentially planning a Steam launch for Genshin Impact.
"Low-effort slop": The creators of the Godot engine behind Slay the Spire 2 are cracking down on "vibe-coding" and now require genAI disclosures
The Godot Foundation, the developers behind the open-source game engine used in titles like Slay the Spire 2 and Buckshot Roulette, are implementing stricter policies regarding generative AI usage. Citing a rise in "low-effort slop" and a strain on maintainers, the foundation will now require contributors to disclose any AI assistance and prohibits the use of AI for generating substantial code. This move contrasts with Epic Games' approach to Unreal Engine 6, which embraces AI integration.
Rokky launches unofficial Steam tool for checking if bundle and press keys have been used
Rokky has launched a free, unofficial browser plugin called Steam Key Checker for publishers and developers to verify if distributed Steam keys have been used. The tool, which requires a Steam partner account, aims to assist with partner reconciliation and sales forecasting by checking keys against a user-uploaded CSV. Rokky CEO Vadim Andreev stated that while the tool is not approved by Valve and carries a risk of becoming obsolete due to Steam updates, it serves as a temporary solution for publishers managing large volumes of keys for bundles or press distribution.
Popular Steam Wallpaper Program Removes App Over Malware Concerns
Wallpaper Engine, a popular Steam application, is being removed due to malware concerns after its wallpaper feature was exploited to infect users' computers. Developers stated the app will be permanently removed on July 6, urging users to back up their wallpapers. The malware could hijack Steam accounts, encrypt data, or install crypto miners.
Based on Meccha Chameleon's incredibly short 2-month dev cycle, its creators have already earned $1 million per day…
Meccha Chameleon, an indie game developed in just two months, has achieved remarkable financial success, selling over 10 million copies and earning an estimated $1 million per day during its development cycle. The game's rapid development and viral success on PC platforms like Steam are highlighted, with developers Lemorion and Haganeiro reportedly reinvesting minimal funds into promotion.
Unlock The Potential Of Your Steam Deck/Machine With Decky Loader
This guide explains how to use Decky Loader, a third-party tool, to customize the SteamOS experience on devices like the Steam Deck and Steam Machine. It details the installation process and highlights useful plugins such as SteamGridDB for artwork, Tab Master for library organization, ProtonDB Badges for compatibility information, Deck Settings for performance tweaks, and Junk Store for accessing third-party game launchers.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
Dbrand skrotar Companion Cube-skalet till Steam Machine
Accessory manufacturer Dbrand has discontinued its Companion Cube case for the Steam Machine less than a week after its launch. The decision came after Valve's legal department stated that the design is protected intellectual property and Dbrand lacked the necessary license. Dbrand admitted to developing the product without seeking Valve's permission first, a move that led to the cancellation of sales and a refund for all customers.
Disassembling the Steam Machine suggests Valve are protecting its precious RAM by burying it under a dozen other parts
A teardown of the Steam Machine reveals its complex internal structure, making RAM upgrades and repairs significantly more difficult than on standard PCs. While components like the SSD are accessible, the CPU and GPU are integrated, and accessing the RAM requires extensive disassembly. Despite these challenges, the modular design offers good repairability for individual parts, though replacement parts are not yet widely available.
Valve says it is 'definitely' investigating an Arm-based gaming future on top of its work on FEX
Valve is investigating the potential for an Arm-based gaming future, in addition to its work on the FEX translation layer. Engineers confirmed that Arm is definitely under consideration for future Steam Machine hardware, alongside an Arm-specific version of SteamOS and a VR headset. This exploration aims to provide users with more affordable and powerful gaming options.
The latest SteamOS beta update includes a performance boost for GPUs with limited VRAM, though devices with iGPUs…
The latest SteamOS beta update introduces a performance enhancement for GPUs with limited VRAM, benefiting devices like the Steam Machine. This optimization, developed by independent contractor Natalie Vock in collaboration with Valve, addresses issues with Linux's handling of VRAM allocation and usage, particularly impacting discrete GPUs. The changes aim to reduce stutters and performance stalls by improving how data is managed between dedicated VRAM and the Graphics Translation Table (GTT).
Valve doesn't currently have 'any specific plans' for more Steam Machine faceplates, so you'll have…
Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that there are no current plans for official custom faceplates for the Steam Machine beyond the two included with the 2TB model. However, Valve intends to release CAD files and dimensions to allow third parties and individuals to create their own custom faceplates, provided they are not sold commercially.
New Steam Machine clone shows copycats are missing the point — the $1,299 'Steamroller' may run SteamOS,…
The new 'Steamroller' PC from Meta PCs is a powerful alternative to Valve's Steam Machine, featuring an AMD Ryzen 9600X, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a Radeon RX 7600 GPU for $1,299. However, it misses the core point of the Steam Machine by not being as compact, quiet, or seamlessly integrated into a living room environment as Valve's original hardware.
Portal 2 just got a Steam Frame compatibility rating, hinting at the VR headset's imminent launch
Valve has assigned Portal 2 a 'Playable' rating for its upcoming Steam Deck VR headset, indicating the game will function but not at the headset's full native resolution. The rating suggests the game supports the headset's controller configuration and interface text, but the resolution limitation is noted as a drawback. The Steam Deck VR headset is slated for a summer launch and will feature standalone capabilities similar to the Meta Quest 3.
'99% of the work was already done in a sense': Valve says it has less to fix with the Steam Machine because…
Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais suggest that the development of the Steam Deck has significantly streamlined the process for future Steam Machine hardware. They explain that much of the foundational work, such as input handling and general PC gaming optimization, was already completed with the Steam Deck, reducing the need for extensive rework on the Steam Machine. Despite facing challenges like supply chain issues and the desire for lower costs, Valve views hardware development as an iterative process with new models dependent on market viability.
Valve says the memory and storage crisis is so bad, it's not just a problem of pricing, they had to 'negotiate really hard' just to secure supply for the Steam Machine
Valve has revealed that securing memory and storage for the Steam Machine was not just a pricing issue, but a significant supply challenge. The company had to negotiate extensively to obtain the necessary components, facing a crisis that has been impacting them for up to a year, ahead of broader retail awareness. This difficulty contributed to the Steam Machine's high launch price of $1,049.
Say what you will about Valve's $1,049 Steam Machine price tag, it's already getting SteamOS updates that…
Valve has released a SteamOS Beta update that significantly improves VRAM management, aiming to enhance performance and stability, particularly for systems with limited memory like the Steam Machine. This update, potentially incorporating a previously proposed Linux Kernel patch, should allow games to utilize their allocated VRAM more effectively, leading to a more stable experience even with demanding titles. The update also includes improvements to the Mesa graphics driver, benefiting ray tracing performance and overall functionality across various PC hardware and handhelds.
