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'Great job, scammers': Valve is officially done with Steam physical gift cards thanks to fraudsters — and it could be the start of a frustrating trend
Valve is discontinuing its physical Steam gift cards due to widespread fraud and scams. Scammers have adapted to exploit the system, leading Valve to make the difficult decision to cease restocking physical cards once current inventory runs out. This move has frustrated users who will now primarily rely on digital gift cards.
The Number Of Steam Next Fest Demos This Month Is Too Damn High
The June 2026 Steam Next Fest features an overwhelming 4,931 game demos, raising concerns about the sheer volume and potential choice paralysis for players. While the event aims to showcase upcoming titles, the excessive number of demos may detract from the experience, especially as many demos remain available long after the festival concludes.
25 years ago today, the GBA arrived in the US, but you don't need the real thing to play the handheld's hits
The Game Boy Advance celebrates its 25th anniversary in the US, and despite its age, there are numerous ways to play its classic games. Options range from budget emulation handhelds by Anbernic, Miyoo, and Powkiddy, to modernizing original hardware with screen and battery mods, and premium devices like the Analogue Pocket and Ayaneo Pocket Micro.
Xbox says hardware pricing boom represents "great" opportunity for games streaming
Xbox's Chief Strategy Officer, Matthew Ball, stated that the current increase in hardware prices presents a significant opportunity for game streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming. He noted a rise in users trying the platform due to factors like high hardware costs, console supply shortages, and the availability of exclusive titles. Ball emphasized that streaming is a key component of Microsoft's multi-faceted gaming strategy, alongside console and PC play.
Proton-CachyOS update brings automatic HDR, Wayland improvements and more bug fixes
The community-developed compatibility layer Proton-CachyOS has released version 11.0-20260601, bringing automatic HDR detection and enablement, Wayland improvements, and various bug fixes for Windows games on Linux and SteamOS. This update is based on Valve's Proton Experimental and includes additional patches and features, such as automatic HDR detection and support for DLSS inputs for FSR4.
Proton Experimental gets fixes for Path of Exile 1 & 2, Guild Wars 2, Call of Duty (2003), Exanima and more
Valve has released an update for Proton Experimental, bringing numerous bug fixes for games like Path of Exile, Path of Exile 2, Guild Wars 2, Call of Duty (2003), and Exanima on Linux and SteamOS. The update addresses issues such as game crashes, graphical errors, and performance regressions, enhancing compatibility for Windows games on Valve's platforms.
Steam Beta gets improved Pipewire session logic on Linux
A new Steam Beta update for Linux introduces improved Pipewire session logic, enhancing streaming and recording capabilities. This update also includes a new 100 Mbit/s bandwidth option for Remote Play and fixes a beta regression that caused some games to crash on startup.
Steam announces its discontinuing gift cards
Steam, operated by Valve, has announced the discontinuation of its physical Steam Gift Cards, which were introduced in 2012. Retailers will stop stocking them by the end of the year due to an increase in scams that exploit gift card users. While physical cards are being phased out, digital gift cards will remain available.
Valve will stop producing physical Steam gift cards because of scammers
Valve will cease production of physical Steam gift cards due to ongoing issues with scammers. The company has decided to discontinue the physical format to combat fraudulent activities associated with them.
Valve confirms it won't restock Steam Gift Cards
Valve has confirmed it will no longer restock physical Steam Gift Cards at retail locations, with current stock expected to run out by the end of 2026. The decision comes as scammers have increasingly exploited gift cards as a method for fraudulent activities, a problem Valve has been unable to fully mitigate despite various countermeasures.
With Steam Frame arriving this summer, Meta is running out of time to entice gamers - will Prime Day do anything to…
With the upcoming launch of Valve's SteamVR headset, Meta faces pressure to entice gamers to adopt its Quest 3 hardware, especially with Prime Day approaching. Despite recent price increases and internal challenges, Meta may offer discounts on Quest 3 accessories or even the headset itself to remain competitive against Valve's new offering.
Steam Frame's tutorial video appears to leak on Reddit, demonstrating a very brief explainer of its software
A tutorial video for Valve's upcoming VR headset, the Steam Frame, has allegedly leaked on Reddit. The brief clip showcases the headset's 'Welcome Tour' software, demonstrating controller functions and UI navigation. The leak suggests the Steam Frame is nearing its summer release, though specific details on units and pricing remain unannounced.
Valve Discontinuing Physical Steam Gift Cards Because of Scammers
Valve is discontinuing the sale of physical Steam gift cards after 14 years due to persistent issues with scammers. Despite efforts to combat fraud, the company found it impossible to keep up with fraudulent schemes. Physical gift cards will cease production, and existing stock will be depleted by the end of 2026, with Valve exclusively offering digital gift cards through its storefront moving forward.
Danger Zone
Valve is discontinuing physical Steam gift cards due to their misuse by scammers. The company cited instances where scammers used these cards to defraud individuals, such as tricking them into believing they needed to purchase gift cards to bail out relatives.
Physical Steam Gift Cards Are Being Killed Off Due To Rampant Scammers
Valve is discontinuing the distribution of physical Steam gift cards due to rampant scams, with retailers expected to run out of stock by 2026. The company has attempted various anti-scam measures but found them ineffective. Digital gift cards will continue to be available, and existing physical cards will remain valid.
Valve will stop selling Steam gift cards at retailers over scam concerns
Valve is phasing out physical Steam gift cards sold at retailers due to concerns over scams, with the last cards expected to go out of stock by the end of 2026. While physical cards will no longer be restocked, existing ones will continue to be honored. Digital gift cards purchased directly through the Steam storefront will remain available.
Physical Steam gift cards are being ended by Valve because scammers keep using them to trick people
Valve is discontinuing physical Steam gift cards due to their frequent use by scammers to defraud individuals. Despite various implemented restrictions and warnings, scammers have continued to adapt, leading Valve to make the decision to end the retail gift card program. Physical gift cards currently in stock are expected to sell out by the end of 2026, after which digital gift cards will be the only option.
Valve phasing out physical Steam gift cards to combat scammers
Valve is phasing out physical Steam Gift Cards due to widespread abuse by scammers targeting vulnerable individuals. The company will cease producing new retail stock, shifting focus to digital gift cards which are considered a safer alternative. While existing physical cards will remain functional, retailers will not receive replacements once current inventories are depleted.
Steam's tired of gift card scams, so it's killing them off for good
Valve is discontinuing the sale of Steam gift cards at retail stores due to ongoing scams. Despite implementing various preventative measures since 2012, scammers continue to exploit the untraceable nature of gift cards to defraud customers. The company expects gift cards to exit circulation by the end of 2026, though unredeemed cards will remain usable.
Valve won't let retailers stock physical Steam gift cards anymore because "scammers have adapted" to whatever security measures they've tried
Valve has decided to discontinue the sale of physical Steam gift cards in retail stores due to ongoing issues with scammers adapting to security measures. While digital gift cards will remain available, the cessation of physical cards means an end to using trade-in credit for gift cards and limits options for purchasing Steam currency. Valve expects existing stock to be depleted by the end of 2026.
