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Deadlock's latest update brings some huge movement buffs like jumping mid slide and 30% increased air control—it's a lot cooler than it sounds
Deadlock's latest update introduces significant movement buffs, including the ability to jump mid-slide and increased air control after a dash jump. While these changes make characters like Rem more mobile and harder to catch, the patch also includes some nerfs to Rem's abilities, such as reduced healing frequency and decreased movement speed for his Naptime ability.
Mesa driver developers discuss expanding profiles and driver tuning for specific apps and games
Valve developer Natalie Vock has proposed improvements to Mesa's app profiles and driver tuning system, currently used by the RADV AMD Vulkan driver. The plan aims to make tuning options more dynamic and easier to manage, potentially expanding to other drivers and incorporating user customization features.
SteamOS 3.7.20 released with NTSync driver, plus big new Steam Client update for all
Valve has released stable updates for SteamOS and the Steam Client. SteamOS 3.7.20 introduces the NTSync driver, which aims to improve synchronization primitives for Windows games on Linux. The Steam Client update adds features like hardware spec attachment to user reviews, anonymized framerate data collection, and various fixes for library management, chat, remote play, and accessibility.
New lawsuit wants Valve to repay "billions" earned from "illegal gambling" lootboxes in Counter-Strike, Dota 2 and Team Fortress 2
A new class action lawsuit has been filed against Valve, accusing the company of operating an illegal gambling operation through lootbox mechanics in Counter-Strike 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. The lawsuit seeks billions in restitution for alleged illicit profits made from these gambling features, which plaintiffs argue use psychological techniques similar to casino games and are particularly dangerous for younger players.
Valve’s Legacy DRM Locks Players Out of 150 Classic Games
Valve's legacy DRM system, Steam CEG, is preventing players from accessing approximately 150 older games, including major franchises like XCOM and Call of Duty. This issue is impacting speedrunners and modders who rely on older game builds, and raises concerns about game preservation and historical access.
Steam Tower Defense Festival Kicks Off and Runs Through March 16! - GameHaunt
The Steam Tower Defense Fest 2026 is currently running on PC until March 16, offering discounts on strategy titles and playable demos. The event features deals on popular series like Kingdom Rush and Sanctum, alongside new demos for experimental titles such as Tower Petroleum and Groove Defense. This week-long celebration provides deeper discounts on tower defense games than general sales events.
Engagement Ring
Valve reported that Steam users downloaded 100 exabytes of games in 2025. The platform is currently averaging 274 petabytes of installs and updates daily.
Evening Legal Briefs
Valve is facing a second class-action lawsuit concerning loot boxes. The legal action follows previous scrutiny over the monetization practice in video games.
Steam Machine Pricing Psychology: Console Players Weigh Their PC Gaming Jump
Console players are evaluating the potential pricing of the upcoming Steam Machine, with many considering a jump to PC gaming due to perceived disadvantages in the current console market. The Steam Deck's success has highlighted Valve's ecosystem, but the Steam Machine's value proposition hinges on competitive pricing that balances convenience with component costs.
Wireworks Joins Steam Tower Defense Fest with Sweet 20% Launch Sale
The indie game Wireworks is participating in Steam's Tower Defense Fest with a 20% launch discount, running from March 9-16. The game combines tower defense mechanics with power grid management, offering a unique strategic experience. The festival aims to highlight overlooked genres and provide a focused discovery platform for players.
Valve facing second, class-action lawsuit over loot boxes
Valve is facing a second class-action lawsuit alleging that loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2, and Dota 2 constitute illegal gambling, particularly targeting children. The lawsuit claims Valve engineered these systems using casino-style tactics to extract money from consumers, and that the virtual items obtained are valuable as they can be sold for real money.
Valve sued by The Performing Right Society for allegedly using its members musical works "without permission"
The Performing Right Society (PRS) has sued Valve, alleging the unauthorized use of copyrighted music on the Steam platform. PRS claims Valve has never obtained a license for music from its members, which includes songs featured in titles like Forza Horizon, EA FC, and Grand Theft Auto. Separately, Roblox has launched two new developer programs, Incubator and Jumpstart, to support creators in building and scaling games on its platform, while also highlighting growth opportunities within its older user demographic.
Project Helix Insider: New Game Will Be ‘Pretty Expensive’ for Niche Market
Insider information suggests that the upcoming 'Project Helix' will be a premium-priced game targeted at a very niche audience, rather than a mass-market release. This strategy could involve high-end hardware, specialized VR experiences, or hardcore simulation titles. The success of this approach will depend on delivering clear value that justifies the cost, similar to how Valve positioned the Steam Deck.
Valve says Steam users downloaded 100 exabytes of games in 2025, and are averaging 274 petabytes of installs and updates…
Valve's Steam Year in Review for 2025 highlights significant platform growth, with users downloading 100 exabytes of data and averaging 274 petabytes of installs and updates daily. The platform also saw a consistent increase in concurrent users, reaching 42 million at its peak, and paid out more revenue than ever to developers.
Modder helps Sony unwittingly beat Valve to the punch: 'I ported Linux to the PS5 and turned it into a Steam…
Software engineer Andy Nguyen has successfully ported Linux to the PlayStation 5, enabling it to run games like Grand Theft Auto 5 with ray tracing. This achievement, while complex and requiring a specific exploit, effectively turns the console into a functional PC. Nguyen's work highlights the potential for custom operating systems on the console, even as Sony utilizes Linux for its own system software.
Counter-Strike's 'X-ray scanner' for loot containers is coming to Germany later this month
Counter-Strike 2 players in Germany will receive an 'X-ray scanner' feature starting March 16th, allowing them to view the contents of loot containers before opening them. However, once scanned, players must purchase the revealed item before they can scan another container. This implementation comes amidst ongoing global scrutiny and legal challenges surrounding loot boxes and their potential classification as gambling.
Morning Legal Briefs
A legal specialist commented on New York's lawsuit against Valve concerning Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. The article also touches upon Epic Games' efforts to clarify Google's alleged silencing of Tim Sweeney.
"That would be a really big problem" - a specialist lawyer weighs in on New York suing Valve over Counter Strike 2 and Dota 2 loot boxes
New York's attorney general is suing Valve over loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2, alleging they constitute illegal gambling. Lawyer Justin Jacobson explains that New York's legal framework may differ from other states, potentially allowing the suit to proceed by focusing on the actual practice and value of digital items rather than terms of service. The case's outcome could significantly impact Valve's operations in New York, especially if an injunction is issued.
What does New York's legal case against Valve mean for the company and its players? To find out, we asked a lawyer
New York's attorney general is suing Valve, alleging that loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 constitute illegal gambling. Lawyer Justin Jacobson explains that the case hinges on whether digital goods are considered a "thing of value" under New York law, which has different statutes than other states. The lawsuit could have significant financial implications for Valve, particularly if an injunction is issued in New York.
Xbox Project Helix price could be up to £1,100 claims insider
An insider suggests Microsoft's next-generation Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, could cost between $900 and $1,500 (£700-£1,100) due to its high-end components and current RAM shortages. This potential price point aims to surpass Sony's PlayStation 6 in power, though it raises concerns about market competitiveness compared to existing consoles and upcoming PC gaming hardware like the Steam Machine.
