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Valve Opens Steam Controller Reservations To Counter Scalpers
Valve has implemented a reservation system for the Steam Controller to combat scalping and limit reseller activity. Reservations are limited to one per account, requiring accounts to be in good standing and have made a prior purchase on Steam. The company is also working to replenish controller stock across various regions.
"We tried something different": Looking back on SiN Episodes: Emergence, the Valve-backed shooter that tried and failed to kick off an age of episodic gaming
Ritual Entertainment's 2006 sci-fi shooter SiN Episodes: Emergence, backed by Valve, aimed to pioneer episodic gaming but ultimately failed to launch a new era due to financial and development challenges. Despite its ambition and innovative features like adaptive difficulty, the game's short runtime and the studio's financial struggles led to the cancellation of future episodes and the eventual sale of Ritual Entertainment. The article reflects on the game's legacy and the difficulties faced by developers attempting new distribution models in the mid-2000s.
Absent a Left 4 Dead 3, modders are turning Team Fortress 2 into COD Zombies instead
A total-conversion mod for Team Fortress 2, named Mann Versus Zombies, is transforming the game into a Call of Duty Zombies-like experience. Developed by Breadworks, this mod features escalating horde survival with upgradable weapons and character perks, supporting up to eight players. It is set to launch soon on Steam with full Steam Workshop support.
Steam Machine release window, specs, and price estimate
The Steam Machine is slated for an early 2026 release, aiming to bring PC gaming to the living room with a compact, console-like design. It will feature semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPUs and RDNA 3 GPUs, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 512GB or 2TB NVMe SSD storage, with pricing estimated between $799 and $999. Valve anticipates the system will rely on AMD's FSR upscaling technology to achieve 4K gaming performance.
Valve's Gabe Newell always understood what Steam does better than every other PC and console store: "The thing that we've been successful with are the Steam sales"
Valve boss Gabe Newell has long understood that Steam's success stems from its effective sales strategy, making game purchases an entertaining experience rather than just a transaction. This approach, which encourages impulse buys and treats the digital library as a collection of potential experiences, remains a key differentiator for the platform, even as the gaming landscape shifts towards live service titles.
Which Handheld Gaming Console Should You Buy in 2026? | TAG
This guide helps consumers choose the right handheld gaming console in 2026 based on their gaming habits rather than specs. It compares the Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck OLED, ASUS ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go S, and budget retro handhelds, outlining the ideal user for each device. The article emphasizes simplicity for the Switch 2, Steam library access for the Steam Deck OLED, and performance for Windows handhelds, while recommending retro devices for nostalgia.
This very normal Half-Life mod lets you play as 'queen of spacetime' Max Caulfield, and it's convinced me that the next Life is Strange should be a full-on boomer shooter
A new Half-Life mod, Half-Life is Strange, allows players to control Max Caulfield from the Life is Strange series. The mod integrates Max's powers and dialogue into the Half-Life universe, with the author suggesting the next Life is Strange game could be a full boomer shooter. The mod is still in development.
What Is Counter Strike 2 Boosting and How Boost Work?
Counter Strike 2 boosting refers to services where higher-skilled players help accelerate rank progression through methods like playing together or taking over an account. Services like Eloboss offer boosts for Premier Rating, Competitive Ranks, and Wingman, with options for solo or duo queue play. While boosting can be seen as a time-management tool and an educational experience, account-sharing aspects may conflict with Valve's policies.
'We must think carefully about what we will do': Sony shows hesitance to announce PS6 release date or price due to RAM crisis, and finds itself in the same situation Valve is in with the Steam Machine
Sony is hesitant to announce the PlayStation 6's price or release date due to ongoing RAM shortages, a situation mirroring Valve's uncertainty with the Steam Machine. CEO Hiroki Totoki stated that forecasts for FY 2027 indicate high memory prices, necessitating careful consideration of future console launches and pricing strategies.
Valve forming an orderly queue for the Steam Controller makes it clear we need the same for the Steam Machine, Frame, and perhaps a lot more in-demand tech too
Valve's implementation of a reservation queue for the Steam Controller highlights the need for similar systems for other in-demand tech like the Steam Machine. The article contrasts this with the frustrating purchasing experiences for the Steam Deck and PlayStation 5, advocating for reservation systems to combat resellers and improve customer satisfaction.
Steam Controller – köa för köp kl. 19 i kväll
Valve has announced a new reservation queue for the Steam Controller, which sold out within 30 minutes of its initial release. To combat scalpers, only one controller can be reserved per Steam account. Availability for regions outside of North America is expected in the coming weeks.
Valve commits to a reservation system for today's new batch of Steam Controller stock, which gives me a lot more…
Valve is implementing a reservation system for the Steam Controller to combat resellers and ensure fairer access for consumers. This system, similar to those used by Sony and Nintendo for their hardware launches, will limit purchases to one per customer and aims to prevent scalpers from profiting excessively. Valve is also applying lessons learned from past Steam Deck supply management to upcoming Steam Frame and Steam Machine hardware.
Valve opens Steam Controller reservations, but it's "limited to one" per person, so you better act fast
Valve has opened reservations for the Steam Controller, limiting purchases to one per person to combat scalping. Buyers must log in with a Steam account that has made a prior purchase before April 27, 2026, and will have 72 hours to complete their order once notified. The company will begin fulfilling reservations next week in North America and the following weeks in other regions.
Proton Experimental gets fixes for Rocket League, Crimson Desert, Helldivers 2 and more
Valve has released a new update for Proton Experimental, bringing fixes for several games including Rocket League, Crimson Desert, and Helldivers 2, improving their performance and stability on Linux and SteamOS. The update also addresses regressions found in Proton 11 beta and ensures continued compatibility with Easy Anti-Cheat for games like Rocket League.
Valve tackles "incredibly frustrating" sold-out Steam Controller shortage with new reservation system
Valve has introduced a reservation system for the Steam Controller to address stock shortages and combat reseller activity. The system allows users to reserve a place in line for when the controller is back in stock, with limitations to prevent scalping. This move comes after significant customer frustration over the initial sell-out of the newly released controller.
PS5 sales expected to decline due to generative AI memory drought and rising prices
Sony predicts a decrease in PlayStation 5 hardware sales for the next fiscal year, citing memory procurement challenges due to the rise of generative AI. This shortage is also impacting other platforms like the Steam Deck and has led to price increases for gaming hardware. Despite hardware sales concerns, Sony anticipates an increase in first-party game sales.
SteamOS 3.8.4 Beta brings further Steam Machine support and fixes for experimental nested desktop mode
SteamOS 3.8.4 Beta has been released, introducing further support for upcoming Steam Machine hardware and fixing issues with nested desktop mode and VRR-capable TVs. A stable update, SteamOS 3.7.23, also rolled out with essential security and stability patches. The beta version includes numerous general improvements, enhanced controller support for various handheld devices like the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally, and updates to the KDE Plasma desktop environment.
How to reserve a Steam Controller
Valve has opened reservations for the Steam Controller, allowing Steam users to secure one of the upcoming input devices. Further details on pricing and availability are expected soon.
'90s virtual reality, Battlefield 2142, and Total War: This month in PC Gamer 10, 20, and 30 years ago
This article looks back at PC Gamer magazine issues from May 1996, May 2006, and May 2016, highlighting cover stories and notable news from those periods. It revisits predictions about virtual reality and online gaming, discusses sequels like Battlefield 2142, and covers the launch of Total War: Warhammer and the early days of VR technology.
Steam Controller Reservations Begin on May 8th, as Valve Looks to “Limit Reseller Activity”
Valve has implemented a reservation system for the Steam Controller, beginning May 8th, to manage high demand and limit reseller activity. Customers must be in good standing on Steam and have made a prior purchase to reserve a spot in the queue. Order fulfillment will begin next week in North America, with other regions to follow.
