Valve
Valve business and news from across the web.
A second OG Steam Controller prototype has been found at GoodwillA second prototype of Valve's original Steam Controller has been discovered at a Goodwill store in Seattle, seven years after a similar find. The 'Chell' prototype, believed to be from 2013-2014, features a different button layout and lacks thumbsticks compared to the final retail version. The controller was found by the father of a 14-year-old Valve fan and reportedly functions as a generic controller.
Seven years later, another Steam Controller prototype just popped up at Goodwill, and I feel a Valve employee hates…Another prototype of Valve's original Steam Controller has been discovered at a Goodwill store, seven years after the initial release. This particular prototype, a 'Chell' development unit, features only touchpads instead of a thumbstick, reflecting an earlier design direction for PC gaming controllers.
Valve updates SteamOS to improve your WiFi download speeds, and it's available on Steam Deck with a couple of caveatsValve has released SteamOS version 3.8.14, which addresses an issue that limited WiFi download speeds on devices connected to routers that incorrectly advertise their MCS requirements. A beta version, 3.8.22, is available for Steam Deck owners through the Beta and Preview channels.
Steam Week in Review: Steam just got its first 'dopamine site', so you can fatten a fake backlog without…The article discusses the phenomenon of 'dopamine sites' that simulate the pleasure of online purchases without spending money, drawing parallels to the Steam backlog and the addictive nature of accumulating games. It highlights a website called Steam Sale Simulator that replicates the Steam storefront experience, allowing users to 'buy' games endlessly. The piece also touches on the rise of idle games and the psychological aspects of consumerism in gaming.
One of our favorite Half-Life 2 mods is getting a stealth game prequel where you're a Combine assassin preying on…Entropy: Zero 2 - Progenitors, a new entry in the cult classic Half-Life 2 mod series, is in development and shifts focus to a stealth-focused Combine assassin. Set after the Seven Hour War, the game tasks the protagonist with eliminating a rogue Progenitor. Developer Blixibon is sharing gameplay clips showcasing ambitious mechanics, drawing comparisons to immersive sims like Dishonored, though a release date is currently unannounced due to development difficulties.
Will Gabe Newell bring a Steam Machine onboard his $800 million deep-sea vessel? I hope soValve co-founder Gabe Newell is investing $800 million in a deep-sea research vessel named RV11000 through his marine research organization Inkfish. The vessel is designed to explore extreme ocean depths and will house scientists and crew. While Newell's interests extend beyond gaming, the article also touches on speculation about future Valve hardware like the Steam Deck 2 and the current market for Steam Machines.- A game Valve sacrificed for the sake of progress is now one of Steam’s most popular titlesA game developed by Valve, which was seemingly sacrificed for the sake of industry progress, has become one of the most popular titles on the PC platform. The article suggests that some creations defy conventional progress and that this is often for the best.
- Engagement RingValve's Counter-Strike 2 is the most popular game on Steam, while Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has achieved a significant sales milestone, selling over 300,000 copies. This indicates continued strong player engagement and commercial success for the franchise on PC.
Counter-Strike 2 might be the biggest game on Steam, but Global Offensive is breaking player count records since it went…Despite Counter-Strike 2 being Steam's dominant title with over a million concurrent players, its predecessor, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, has achieved a new all-time peak of over 68,000 simultaneous players. This resurgence for the 14-year-old game positions it as more popular than titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Rainbow Six Siege on Steam, indicating that the tactical FPS landscape can indeed support multiple successful entries.
Now is the winter of your discontent, console blaggards: the RPS team reflect on PlayStation going digital-onlySony's decision to cease physical game sales on PlayStation in 2028 has sparked discussion about the implications for game preservation and digital distribution. While PC gamers have long adapted to digital-only, concerns are rising about the long-term accessibility of purchased digital titles and the control companies have over them.
Somehow, the $1,000 Asus ROG Ally Xbox X is the best value gaming handheld I can think of right nowDespite its initial high price, the ASUS ROG Ally Xbox X is now considered the best value handheld gaming PC due to current market conditions and rising prices of competitors like the Steam Deck OLED, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. The article highlights the ROG Ally's strong performance with its AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU and Windows operating system as key factors in its current appeal.
Red Line of Death Steam Machine OverreactionsA reported 'Red Line of Death' hardware failure on the Steam Machine, initially feared to be a widespread GPU issue, has been resolved. The problem, which caused a red light indicating GPU failure after a firmware update, was fixed by simply unplugging the machine overnight. Valve has confirmed this does not indicate a systemic hardware defect.
The first wave of Steam Machines are dropping. Here's what people think.The initial reception for Valve's Steam Machine has been mixed, with early adopters noting its high price point compared to traditional consoles due to recent hardware inflation. While some users praise its ability to run PC games and quiet operation, others, including Shuhei Yoshida, have expressed concerns about long game boot times and overall performance. Reports of hardware failures, such as GPU issues leading to bricked units, have also surfaced, drawing parallels to the Xbox 360's 'Red-Ring of Death'.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continuesThe Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
Steam Machine hits 'Red Line of Death' issues — but there's no need to panic about bricked PCs yetSome Steam Machine units are experiencing a 'Red Line of Death' indicating a GPU failure, similar to the Xbox 360's 'Red Ring of Death'. While early reports suggest this is not widespread, Valve is investigating the issue, with affected users advised to contact support for potential returns or repairs.- Independence Weekend Tech BitsThe game Cinder City has reportedly lowered its RAM requirement to 64GB while increasing its GPU requirement, according to a report from Eurogamer.net. This change comes amidst ongoing hardware-related player complaints.
What kind of PS6 could justify a $1,000 price tag? | OpinionThe article speculates on how Sony could justify a potential $1,000 price tag for the PlayStation 6, suggesting a significant departure from current-gen hardware is necessary. It explores the challenges posed by rising component costs and the potential shift towards a digital-only, possibly more portable, console design, referencing the discontinuation of physical game sales and the success of the PlayStation Portal.
Valve's aim for a console-like experience with its Steam Machine lands a little too close for comfort as one of the first cases of 'Red Line of Death' comes to lightA user has reported the first instance of a 'Red Line of Death' hardware failure on Valve's Steam Machine, similar to the Xbox 360's issue. The failure, indicated by red LEDs, occurred after a software update while playing No Man's Sky. While the user has contacted Valve for support, the incident highlights potential hardware reliability concerns for the console-like PC.- Engadget Podcast: Who needs Valve's Steam Machine?The Engadget Podcast discusses initial impressions of Valve's Steam Machine, questioning its necessity. The hosts also touch upon Sony's plans to discontinue physical PlayStation discs by 2028.
Does anyone actually want new consoles?The article questions the demand for new console generations, citing current high prices, component shortages exacerbated by AI, and a general apathy towards incremental hardware upgrades. It suggests that the high cost of living and the availability of existing consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which still feel largely untapped, make a new generation financially unappealing for consumers. Furthermore, the lack of compelling exclusive software and the industry's focus on live service games and layoffs further diminish the perceived value of new hardware.