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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Valve.
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Virtual Reality Check
Valve may be preparing updates for its Steam software, as indicated by the recent appearance of Lepton and FEX on the platform. This suggests potential advancements in Valve's virtual reality initiatives.
Valve may be putting the finishing touches to the Steam Frame software stack, because Lepton and FEX are now on Steam
Valve has released Lepton and FEX software on Steam, key components for its upcoming Steam Frame wireless VR headset. Lepton enables Android games to run on Linux, while FEX translates x86 games for Arm-based systems like the Snapdragon SoC powering the Steam Frame. This suggests the headset's release may be imminent, with these tools now available for developers.
'Deck de France' is a new free software that can turn your bike trainer into a controller for your Steam Deck
A new free software called Deck de France allows users to turn compatible smart bike trainers into controllers for PC games, including titles like Rocket League, Forza Horizon, and Grand Theft Auto. The application translates pedaling power into in-game actions, such as acceleration or boost, and is compatible with any Linux PC, though it has been demonstrated working with the Steam Deck.
PlayStation 5 sales have topped 95 million units worldwide
Sony's PlayStation 5 has surpassed 95 million units sold globally, though sales are beginning to slow as the console enters its sixth year. The company's Games & Network Services segment saw flat year-over-year sales due to decreased console hardware and third-party software sales, despite a rise in operating income attributed partly to tariff refunds.
OEM Steam Deck LCD batteries are back in stock on iFixIt, but now cost $130 for just the part
Replacement batteries for the original LCD Steam Deck are now available on iFixIt, but the price has increased to $130, a $50 jump from the previous $80 cost. While Valve's OEM batteries are more expensive, iFixIt also offers a non-OEM aftermarket version for $80. Replacement batteries for the newer Steam Deck OLED model are also available for $80.
Half-Life Alyx gets new Steam branch, and the rumors are already swirling
Valve has added a new 'previous_release' branch for Half-Life Alyx on Steam, sparking rumors of upcoming major changes or updates. This move could be related to engine improvements, the new Steam Frame VR headset, or potentially even hints towards future Half-Life titles.
Steam Week in Review: Once positioned as mainstream-friendly PC gaming solutions, can Valve's hardware survive the…
Valve's Steam Deck and Steam Machine hardware are facing challenges due to rising component costs, exacerbated by AI data center demand, leading to significant price increases. Despite these issues and a muted reception for the Steam Machine, the Steam Deck continues to appear on Steam's top sellers list, indicating ongoing consumer interest.
Games Inbox: When will Spider-Man 3 be released on PS5?
Readers speculate on the release date of Spider-Man 3 for PlayStation 5, with some suggesting it might be a PlayStation 6 launch title. Other topics discussed include the pricing of a potential The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, the possibility of an Assassin's Creed set in Ancient Rome, and comparisons between the gameplay mechanics of Returnal and Saros.
Game Crossovers and Collaborations
Xbox may be reconsidering its presence on Steam as it reportedly prepares a significant shift in its PC strategy, potentially around a 2026 reset. This move could indicate a move away from relying solely on Valve's digital storefront for PC game distribution.
Developer of 'Spanking Exorcist' game held up by Steam content moderation releases free 'apology game' where you spank him as punishment: 'We would be delighted if you enjoy it'
The developer of the game 'Spanking Exorcist', known as Actor, has released a free 'apology game' where players can simulate spanking the developer. This was done after the original game's release was delayed due to Steam's content moderation policies. 'Spanking Exorcist' has since been released on Steam.
I was excited for this Quake port of Half-Life until I discovered the creator's wild AI conspiracy theories
A new total conversion mod called Libre-life aims to port Half-Life's assets into Quake sourceports, allowing players to experience the classic game within a different engine. The modder, KleskBY, has also expressed controversial views on artificial intelligence, stating that critics are hypocritical and influenced by foreign governments.
Dev ports Half-Life to the PS1, asks Valve if it's cool with that, and says he'll "make it public"…
A developer named Manny has successfully ported the original Half-Life to the PlayStation 1 hardware, creating a custom renderer and game runtime in Rust. The port runs at an average of 17 frames per second and includes all seven maps of the Hazard Course. Manny has reached out to Valve for permission to release the source code, stating he will make it public if he doesn't hear back within a month.
8-year-old indie game on Steam goes from "like 10 reviews" to over 500 as players use it to play an Undertale multiplayer mod, and the dev behind it just thinks it's "really cool"
The eight-year-old indie game Crashphalt has seen a surge in players and reviews on Steam, not for its own merits, but as a workaround for a multiplayer mod of Undertale. Players are using Crashphalt's free availability and Steam Remote Play compatibility to enable online play for Undertale, a feature not natively supported by the mod. The developer, RetroSpecter, finds this unexpected 'second life' for his first project to be 'really cool'.
The first Deadlock ranked season starts now, but you'll need to prove yourself in its "lower-stakes" mode first
The first ranked season for the hero-shooter MOBA Deadlock has begun, requiring players to achieve 60 wins in standard mode and unlock at least three heroes before they can compete. Valve has implemented a matchmaking overhaul that includes a calibration phase, rank loss protection, and the ability to swap heroes and lanes in the pre-game lobby. The developer anticipates initial queue time and quality issues due to players needing to meet unlock requirements.
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The article indicates a '404 Page Not Found' error, humorously comparing the situation to the non-existence of Half-Life 3. It prompts users who followed a link to report the issue to Eurogamer.net for correction.
No pressure Steam Frame: Meta's mixed reality division is still haemorrhaging money, losing $4.6 billion in its…
Meta's Reality Labs division reported a loss of $4.6 billion in the second quarter of 2026, continuing a trend of significant financial losses. Despite revenue increases, spending heavily outweighs income, potentially due to R&D and hardware manufacturing costs. This financial situation is highlighted as Valve prepares to enter the VR market with its Steam Frame.
Sony Isn’t Backing Down From Ending PlayStation Disc Production Despite Backlash
Sony plans to end PlayStation disc production in January 2028, despite backlash from the community. CFO Lin Tao stated the decision is driven by the ongoing digitalization of content across all media, not just gaming. While acknowledging consumer concerns, Sony aims to explore future engagement within the digital ecosystem.
Valve finally gives Deadlock a proper ranked mode, warns that matches will be 'very rocky' to start
Valve has introduced a new ranked mode for their game Deadlock, featuring a significant overhaul to matchmaking and a new ranking system with 11 tiers. Players must win 15 matches on three different heroes to qualify for ranked play. Valve warns that the initial rollout may be 'very rocky' due to a thin player pool and potential bugs.
"A couple of companies have managed to ignite a culture war and bring the economy to the brink of collapse": Games AI veteran says it can be useful, but we've made mountains out of ChatGPT's molehills
AI researcher Luke Dicken argues that while AI has useful applications in game development, the current hype around Large Language Models and generative AI is disproportionate. He distinguishes between AI as a decision-making tool and the overblown promises of magic buttons, emphasizing that AI's true value lies in enabling capabilities beyond human scale, not just faster or cheaper execution of existing tasks. Dicken also warns of the unsustainable economic model behind current AI tools and suggests publishers should focus on addressing wasted labor in AAA development rather than relying on AI to cut corners.
Dbrand unveils Steam Machine customization 'backup plan' after its Companion Cube got confined to the test…
Accessory brand Dbrand has launched a new line of customizable skins for the Steam Machine, with prices ranging from $35 to $60. While their initial 'Companion Cube' inspired design was scrapped due to not obtaining permission from Valve, the new offerings include options like 'Touch Grass' fuzzy skins and 'Real Black Leather' wraps. Dbrand also offers similar skins for the Steam Controller.
