Valve
Valve business and news from across the web.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney suggests AI could've saved Destiny 2 and will "enable games like Destiny to thrive!"Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney suggested that a lack of generative AI adoption may have contributed to Destiny 2's struggles, stating that the technology could enable games like it to thrive. He also criticized Valve's policies regarding AI disclosures in games, arguing they hinder developers. The article explores the potential role of AI in accelerating game development and content creation.- Former PlayStation Exec Is Less Than Impressed With Steam MachineFormer Sony Interactive Entertainment president Shuhei Yoshida shared his unimpressed "meh" early impressions of Valve's Steam Machine, citing its high price tag and slow performance as major drawbacks. While he acknowledged its small form factor and quiet operation, Yoshida found it hard to recommend, especially compared to the PlayStation 4.
How a South Korean intern saved Valve from a Vivendi lawsuitA South Korean intern named Andrew played a crucial role in resolving Valve's 2002 lawsuit against Vivendi, which threatened the company's existence and the release of Half-Life 2. The intern discovered evidence of Vivendi destroying documents related to their deal, leading the court to side with Valve and secure ownership of Half-Life and Counter-Strike, paving the way for Steam's creation.
The first wave of Steam Machines has arrived at long last, but those without are left watching the waitlistThe first wave of Steam Machines has begun shipping to early adopters worldwide, with unboxing celebrations and initial impressions being shared on the Steam Machine Subreddit. While many users are receiving their devices, a significant number are still on waitlists, experiencing frustration due to the rapid sell-out and limited supply. The article also notes a humorous Lego replica of the Steam Machine and mentions Shuhei Yoshida's thoughts on the new hardware.
"Am I going back to PS4 days?" - Former PlayStation leader Shuhei Yoshida has tried the Steam Machine, and he doesn't sound very impressedFormer PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida shared his mixed impressions of the Steam Machine, comparing its performance unfavorably to the PlayStation 4 era. While he found the system UI and controller features like the changeable face plate and boot-up videos appealing, he criticized the 3D performance, long game boot times, and the controller's touchpad and stick looseness. Despite these drawbacks and a high price point, Yoshida indicated he would keep the device for research and to play PC games on his living room TV.
'Meh': Ex-PlayStation president Shuhei Yoshida weighs in on Valve's Steam Machine after a few hours with…Former PlayStation president Shuhei Yoshida shared his initial thoughts on Valve's Steam Machine, describing its 3D performance as "meh" and questioning the default 1080p recommendation. He also noted long game boot times and found the Steam Controller's touchpads and sticks to be problematic, though he praised the SteamOS UI and the device's small form factor and quiet operation.
"Am I going back to the PS4 days?" - Former PlayStation president Shuhei Yoshida shares a very mixed Steam…Former PlayStation president Shuhei Yoshida shared his mixed thoughts on the Steam Deck after a few hours of use, noting that its 3D performance is 'meh' and that some games take a long time to boot. While he praised the system's UI and the ability to launch games with a controller, he questioned if it was a step back to PlayStation 4-era performance. Yoshida ultimately found the Steam Deck to be a viable alternative to consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X for playing Steam games on a TV, but the high $1,049 price tag makes it difficult to recommend.- Evening MobilizationAssassin's Creed Black Flag has been verified for the Steam Deck, indicating it runs well on the handheld PC. This news was shared alongside unrelated reports about Kia's car tracking features and issues with Google Pixel phones.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Is Officially Steam Deck VerifiedUbisoft has announced that Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is now Steam Deck Verified, confirming its compatibility with Valve's handheld. The game features new additions like ray-tracing and dynamic weather, and is also set to release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
A $1,000 PS6 or Xbox Would Repeat Gaming’s Biggest Pricing MistakeThe high price of the Steam Machine, exceeding even the PS5 Pro, raises concerns about the pricing of future consoles like the PlayStation 6 and upcoming Xbox hardware. The article discusses how traditional console manufacturers subsidize hardware costs through game sales and services, a model that may be unsustainable with rising component prices. It suggests that Sony and Microsoft should consider delaying their next-gen consoles to ensure a justifiable value proposition for consumers, otherwise, they risk alienating a significant portion of their market.
Consoles continue their trend of just becoming worst PCsThe 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 workValve 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 FiascoDbrand'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 SteamEpic 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 disclosuresThe 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 usedRokky 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 ConcernsWallpaper 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 LoaderThis 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 layoffsThis 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.