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Steam Machine compatibility checks are here, though not every game on the store enjoys a rating
Valve has introduced Steam Machine compatibility checks to game store pages, allowing users to see how titles perform on the SteamOS platform. While many games are rated, some, like Black Myth: Wukong, are still listed as unknown due to ongoing evaluation or performance concerns. Users can also run SteamOS on alternative hardware like the Lenovo Legion Go S.
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The 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.
Palworld barges Dota 2 aside as PC player counts skyrocket following the game's 1.0 release
Palworld has seen a significant surge in player counts following its 1.0 release on PC and consoles, reaching over 489,000 concurrent players on Steam. This impressive relaunch figure places it above Dota 2 and highlights the success of the survival-crafting game, despite not reaching its early access peak. The game is available on PC and consoles, with sales boosted by a limited-time discount.
Valve is switching up its Steam Machine error codes to be more helpful, starting with its scary red overheating light
Valve is updating the Steam Machine's BIOS to address inaccurate red LED error codes, particularly those related to overheating. The fix will adjust temperature thresholds to 100°C for both CPU and GPU, preventing false alarms that previously triggered at lower temperatures. This change aims to provide more accurate warnings and prevent unnecessary performance throttling or shutdowns.
Steam Is Breaking Revenue Records, But New Games Account For Just 21% Of Sales
Steam reportedly generated $11.6 billion in revenue in 2026, breaking previous records. This surge is attributed to a significant increase in players from Asia and the sustained popularity of older, classic games, which account for the majority of sales.
Dutch consumer group suing PlayStation argues the end of physical discs just proves its point: 'Sony alone decides what a game costs and even how long you are allowed to use it'
A Dutch consumer group, Stichting Massaschade & Consument, is suing Sony for €400 million over its 30% PlayStation Store tax, arguing that the upcoming discontinuation of physical discs by 2028 will give Sony complete control over game pricing and usage. The group compares Sony's practices to those of Apple and Steam, highlighting concerns about consumer ownership and lack of alternatives.
Steam's "no questions asked" refund policy makes it "super easy for players to abuse this rule", says indie developer
An indie developer, Mateo Covic, has voiced concerns that Steam's "no questions asked" refund policy is being abused by players, leading to a significant number of refunds for his game, Paddle Paddle Paddle. Despite positive reviews, Covic argues that players can complete games within the two-hour window and still receive a refund, which he believes is unfair to developers. While Covic is not advocating for the removal of refunds entirely, he suggests that the current system makes it too easy for players to exploit the policy.
Valve has rewired Counter-Strike 2's bomb to make it more spectacular, but potentially less deadly
Valve has updated Counter-Strike 2's bomb detonation mechanic, introducing a shockwave that dissipates around corners, offering players a better chance of survival if they position themselves strategically. The update also includes new weapon and sticker collections, the Cache map replacing Overpass in the active-duty pool, and five community maps. Separately, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has seen a resurgence in player count after being de-absorbed from CS2.
Steam has raked in an estimated $11.1 billion gross revenue so far this year, says market analyst—its…
A report from Alinea Analytics indicates that Steam generated an estimated $11.1 billion in gross revenue in the first half of 2026, marking its highest-ever six-month period. This growth is attributed to factors like increased game prices, successful new releases, and the return of third-party publishers like Ubisoft to the platform.
Handheld gaming PCs are cooked
The market for handheld gaming PCs is facing significant challenges due to rising component prices, particularly memory. Devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck are becoming less affordable, with even budget options like the Steam Deck OLED seeing substantial price increases. This trend, coupled with the strong performance of consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2, suggests a potentially shrinking market for high-performance handheld gaming PCs, possibly relegating them to a niche for enthusiasts with deep pockets.
After 17 years, a developer has finally revived the dream of Hannah Montana Linux, an open source operating system…
Developer Noah Cagle has revived Hannah Montana Linux, an open-source operating system based on Debian and KDE Plasma. The updated OS features a pink and purple theme, custom icons, and a remastered wallpaper, aiming to be a fully functional daily driver. While capable of running games through compatibility layers like Proton, gaming on Linux is noted to be better with AMD GPUs due to Nvidia's driver support.
Steam refunds are "not for people to play games for free," says dev of short game who criticized Valve's…
Mateo Covic, developer of the short game Paddle Paddle Paddle, has criticized Steam's refund policy, stating it's exploitable and allows players to play games for free. While supporting the refund system overall, Covic argues that the current 'no questions asked' policy within two weeks and under two hours of playtime is too easily abused. He clarified his intention was not to remove refunds but to address players who enjoyed the game and left positive reviews before refunding it.
Doom dev Id is now "about the same size we were when making Doom 2016" after layoffs
Id Software has addressed recent layoffs, stating that the studio remains adequately staffed to continue developing games and technology. Despite significant job cuts impacting over half the team, the developer confirmed its current size is comparable to when it was developing Doom 2016. The studio emphasized its commitment to its core philosophy and supporting affected employees, while looking forward to future projects and QuakeCon.
"Sony waited for Rockstar to make the first move": Founding Xbox member warns against PlayStation's all-digital future, says "I trust" Steam games won't just disappear
Industry veteran Laura Fryer, a founding member of the original Xbox, warns about the risks of an all-digital future for gaming, citing PlayStation's move away from physical discs. She shares a personal anecdote about losing hundreds of dollars in Rock Band songs due to delisting, highlighting the impermanence of digital ownership and the potential loss of the second-hand market. Fryer suggests Sony is waiting for major releases like Grand Theft Auto 6 to normalize digital-only sales before fully committing.
Indie dev defends criticism of Steam refund abuse amid review bombing of his game: 'It's wrong to refund a…
Indie developer Mateo Covic has spoken out against players who refund games on Steam after completing them, despite his own game, Paddle Paddle Paddle, experiencing a high refund rate. Covic clarified that his frustration stems from players bragging about finishing and refunding games, not the refund policy itself. The controversy has led to some review bombing of his game, though he maintains his stance that completing a game and then refunding it is unethical.
Steam has reportedly made Valve more money in the first half of 2026 than it did in all of 2020 – $11.1 billion…
Steam reportedly generated $11.1 billion in revenue in the first half of 2026, surpassing its total revenue for 2020. This growth is attributed to a surge in Asian players, higher game prices, viral co-op titles, and publishers returning to the platform. Despite strong sales of new releases, revenue from games launched in 2026 constitutes a smaller percentage of overall sales compared to previous years.
"Just too gay" - Robert Yang is battling censorship to launch a collection of his award-winning games on Steam and Itch, and it's completely free
Developer Robert Yang is facing censorship issues with his collection of experimental games, Radiator Forever, which is available for free on Steam and Itch.io. Yang criticizes platforms like Steam for stricter content rules, particularly regarding adult and LGBTQ+ themes, which he argues are unfairly applied compared to mainstream titles. The collection, initially featuring four remastered games, will be expanded over time with more of Yang's acclaimed and politically charged works.
'Valve isn't interested in a nuanced conversation' says indie dev suffering from Steam censorship
Indie developer Robert Yang has detailed his struggles with Steam's content moderation policies, which have led to his games being hidden from most users due to their 'gay' nature and sexual content. Yang criticizes Valve for not engaging in nuanced conversations about content, contrasting it with the more permissive approach to sexual content in mainstream titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur's Gate 3. This situation highlights the ongoing impact of censorship on indie creators, even after broader crackdowns on adult content have subsided.
As Xbox and PlayStation flounder, Steam is reportedly having another record year
Valve's PC storefront Steam has achieved record-breaking revenue in the first half of 2026, generating an estimated $11.1 billion. This growth is attributed to the strong performance of the Chinese market, higher new release prices, and the return of third-party publishers. Meanwhile, Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation divisions are facing challenges due to declining sales, increased hardware costs, and negative consumer sentiment.
Virtual Reality Check
Valve's Steam Frame appears to be nearing its launch, as indicated by the appearance of a new 'Great on Frame' category on the platform. This suggests an imminent release for the virtual reality hardware.