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If you were scammed by malware hiding in your Steam games, the FBI wants to hear all about it
The FBI is seeking information from individuals who have been victims of malware distributed through games on the Steam platform. Several specific games, including BlockBlasters and Tokenova, have been identified as sources of malware that operated between May 2024 and January 2026, with some instances leading to significant financial loss through cryptocurrency theft.
Gamescom 2024 Steam Deck News, Reviews Including Bakeru and SCHiM, New Verified Games, Discounts, and More – TouchArcade
This week's Steam Deck Weekly covers Gamescom 2024 news, including impressions and reviews of Bakeru, Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse, SCHiM, Gestalt: Steam and Cinder, and the Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun expansion. It also highlights new Steam Deck Verified and Playable games, along with ongoing sales and discounts.
Visions of Mana and More Reviews, Reynatis Preview, Age of Mythology Retold Steam Deck Impressions, News, and More – TouchArcade
This week's Steam Deck Weekly features impressions and reviews for several games including Visions of Mana, Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash, Gori: Cuddly Carnage, Bloons Card Storm, and Age of Mythology: Retold. The article also covers previews for Reynatis and Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, alongside news on upcoming releases, DLC, and Steam Deck Verified/Playable updates.
NBA 2K25, ARCO, ODDADA, DATE a LIVE Ren Dystopia, Star Trucker, Skull and Bones, & More Reviews With New Verified Games – TouchArcade
This article provides Steam Deck reviews and impressions for several games including NBA 2K25, Gimmick! 2, Arco, Skull and Bones, ODDADA, Star Trucker, DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia, Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES, and Pinball FX. It also lists new Steam Deck Verified and Playable games and current discounts.
Windows 11 Xbox Mode Turns PCs Into Gaming Consoles This April
Microsoft is releasing an "Xbox Mode" for Windows 11 in April 2026, transforming PCs into a console-like interface optimized for controllers and handheld devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. This feature aims to improve performance by reducing background processes and freeing up RAM, while also integrating Xbox Game Pass and the Xbox Store. The move has generated excitement for handheld PC gaming but also concerns from PC purists about increased Xbox integration and potential privacy issues, with some questioning its necessity compared to existing solutions like Steam Big Picture mode.
MMO Week in Review: Pre-seasoning Elder Scrolls Online
This week's MMO news roundup covers updates for Elder Scrolls Online, World of Warcraft's Midnight expansion, and previews for Final Fantasy XIV and Palia. The article also discusses player tendencies to rush MMORPG expansions and features opinions on various titles and industry issues, including comments from Jeff Kaplan regarding Activision Blizzard.
Counter-Strike Got Its Name in an ICQ Chat 27 Years Ago Today
The name "Counter-Strike" was decided upon in an ICQ chat on March 15, 1999, by modders working on a Half-Life project. This simple decision led to the creation of one of the most enduring names in competitive gaming. The name perfectly reflects the game's tactical, skill-based gameplay, a principle that continues to define the franchise, including the current iteration, Counter-Strike 2.
My new favorite retro controller for Game Boy games launches today, but Amazon might show you Mexican taco kits
The GameSir Pocket Taco is a highly recommended mobile gamepad for playing retro games on phones and dedicated handhelds like the Analogue Pocket. Despite a potentially confusing name and Amazon search issues, its D-pad and face buttons closely emulate the Game Boy experience, making it a fantastic accessory for classic gaming on the go.
Sony Fears Valve More Than Microsoft, Says Bluepoint Tech Boss
Bluepoint Games tech director Peter Dalton suggests Sony views Valve and its Steam ecosystem as a greater threat than Microsoft. This perspective may explain Sony's recent pullback from PC game releases, as exclusives on Steam could encourage players to abandon PlayStation consoles, especially with the success of the Steam Deck.
Steam Gamer With 3,000 Games Sparks Debate Over Digital Library Inheritance
A discussion has emerged within the gaming community regarding the inheritance of digital game libraries, particularly on platforms like Steam. Users are questioning what happens to their purchased games upon death, as current terms of service generally treat game purchases as licenses rather than outright ownership, preventing library transfer.
Steam Users Call for Hardware Compatibility at a Glance
PC gamers are calling for Steam to implement a feature that shows hardware compatibility at a glance, leveraging existing system data to inform users if they can run a game. This would streamline the purchasing process, reduce refunds, and improve the overall user experience on the platform. While Valve has the technical capability, the implementation of such a feature is still pending.
The rise of PC gaming is not what’s killing video game consoles - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that the perceived rise of PC gaming is actually a decline in console gaming, driven by mistakes from Sony and Microsoft. The author criticizes console manufacturers for focusing on hardware sales over game development and for inconsistent strategies regarding PC releases, leading players to seek more attractive options on PC or Nintendo Switch.
Total Chaos is a relentlessly bleak and occasionally terrifying remake of one of Doom's greatest mods, though its…
Total Chaos is a remake of a Doom 2 mod, rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 by its original creator Sam Prebble. While it excels in atmosphere and environmental puzzles, its combat and narrative elements are less successful compared to its predecessor and modern survival horror titles.
22 years later, this classic Half-Life zombie survival mod shambles onto Steam with all new features
The classic Half-Life zombie survival mod Zombie Panic! has been released on Steam with new features, 22 years after its initial debut. Developed by the Zombie Panic Team, this updated version includes improved compatibility, Steam Workshop support, new player models, weapons, animations, reworked maps, a fatigue system, and a hardcore mode. The original mod, released in 2004, was a precursor to the more well-known Zombie Panic! Source built on Half-Life 2's engine.
Evening Legal Briefs
Several legal developments are impacting the gaming and tech industries. The FBI is investigating suspicious games on Steam, a fighting game professional detained by ICE has been released on bond, and Adobe has agreed to pay $75 million to settle a lawsuit.
The FBI is looking into Steam games loaded with malware—and one is still up on the store
The FBI's Seattle Division is investigating Steam games found to contain malware, with some titles released as recently as January 2024 still available on the platform. Games like Lampy, BlockBlasters, and PirateFi have been identified, with BlockBlasters reportedly stealing over $150,000 in crypto. While some games have been removed, Lampy remains active on Steam.
NEKOPARA Sekai Connect launches April 14 for iOS and Android, this fall for PC
NEKOPARA Sekai Connect is set to launch on April 14 for iOS and Android, with a PC release planned for this fall. The article also features discussions among users about Microsoft's Xbox strategy, Game Pass pricing, and ongoing antitrust lawsuits involving Sony, Valve, and other digital marketplaces.
Parkour Labs: Conquer Neon Skies and Defy Gravity in a Brutal Vaporwave Gauntlet
Parkour Labs, a first-person precision platformer with a vaporwave aesthetic, has been released on Xbox after two years of solo development. The game emphasizes pure skill, timing, and control across 60 levels, featuring instant respawns and physics-based movement. It aims to recapture raw gameplay mechanics, drawing inspiration from communities like surf maps in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
'Imagine Being Such a Loser': We've Hit Rock Bottom with Website Dedicated to 'Failing' Games
A new website called Flopathon has emerged, dedicated to tracking Steam player counts and labeling games as 'flops' in an antagonistic manner. While it presents data similar to SteamDB, its approach is described as mean-spirited and not neutral. The article argues that Steam player data is only a fraction of a game's overall success and that such a site can skew perceptions.
Developer sues publisher after leaving backers waiting over two years for promised physical editions
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General regarding lootboxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. The company stated it does not believe these lootboxes constitute illegal gambling for minors and expressed disappointment that the lawsuit proceeded despite Valve's efforts to educate the Attorney General's office since early 2023.
