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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Valve.
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Steam adds handy gifting and wishlist updates
Steam has introduced new features allowing users to gift games without requiring the recipient to have a Steam account. Additionally, players can now organize their wishlists into custom categories, enhancing library management.
Steam wishlists are getting categories, making it even easier to organise all those games you'll definitely buy next sale
Valve is introducing categories to Steam wishlists, allowing users to better organize their desired games. Additionally, the platform is enhancing its gifting features, including a guest checkout option for any game and cross-region gifting, making it easier for users to purchase games for friends and family.
Valve just made two big changes to Steam: Wishlists are smarter, and it's easier to gift games while telling your…
Valve has implemented significant updates to Steam, enhancing its wishlist functionality with custom categories and improved notifications, alongside streamlining the game gifting process. Users can now create and share specific wishlist categories, and gifting is simplified with guest checkout and the removal of the need for friends to be connected on Steam.
Indie game gets last minute Steam delay while Valve reviews its 'dozens of untextured polygons depicting ass and…
The indie political satire game Future? No Thanks! has been delayed on Steam due to an extended review process by Valve concerning its depiction of nudity. Developer Molleindustria, also known as Paolo Pedercini, stated the game's launch was pushed back from July 22nd as Valve assesses the content, which consists of 'dozens of untextured polygons depicting ass and boobs.' This delay highlights ongoing ambiguities in Steam's content moderation policies, particularly regarding adult content.
New estimate suggests Valve's Steam Deck sales have decreased by 82%, and the reason shouldn't be a surprise
Valve's Steam Deck has reportedly seen an 82% decrease in unit sales, attributed to price increases for both LCD and OLED models. Analysis suggests a 72% revenue contraction and a 54% price hike have significantly reduced demand, pushing the device down in Steam's top seller rankings. The discontinuation of the LCD model and ongoing RAM shortages for OLED variants further impact availability and value proposition compared to more powerful alternatives.
Moss The Forgotten Relic is a great example of transferring games from VR, but making it "was no simple task"
Polyarc successfully transitioned the VR titles Moss and Moss: Book Two to flat-screen platforms like PC with Moss: The Forgotten Relic. Technical Art Director Tyler Walters detailed the challenges of adapting input systems, camera perspectives, and interaction design for a non-VR experience. While the lack of VR's immersive scale is noted, the porting process is highlighted as a significant achievement in game development.
Valve puts some elbow grease into Steam Remote Play—maybe one day you won't have to install additional tools to get the best in-home game streaming experience
Valve has released an update for Steam's Remote Play feature, introducing several fixes and improvements for in-home game streaming. Key changes include the addition of a 59.94 FPS limit option, reduced frame drops with automatic framerate settings, and fixes for black screens, offline device visibility, and video decoder overloading. The update also includes patches for Steam Input, the in-game overlay, and the Steam Workshop.
Steam Deck sales are estimated to have plummeted by around 80% since the massive price hikes earlier this year, back of…
Sales estimates suggest Steam Deck unit sales have plummeted by approximately 80% since price hikes were implemented earlier this year. This significant drop in demand is attributed to increased costs, making the handheld a less attractive value proposition for consumers.
Steam Deck sales are seemingly down an estimated 82% - Bear with me while I put on my surprised face
Steam Deck sales have reportedly dropped by an estimated 82%, with weekly unit sales falling between 1,400 and 3,000 following Valve's price increases. While the author acknowledges pricing as a major factor, they also suggest the age of the hardware and competition from devices like the ASUS ROG Ally may be contributing to the decline. Despite the dip, the author believes the Steam Deck remains a strong contender in the handheld market.
Evening Mobilization
Sales of Valve's Steam Deck have reportedly declined following a recent price increase. The article from Ars Technica suggests a correlation between the price hike and the drop in sales for the handheld gaming device.
"Steam’s required AI disclosure is the right move": Devs say gen AI should be called out in games and…
Valve's new policy requiring developers to disclose the use of generative AI in games on Steam has sparked debate, with some, like Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, calling it irresponsible. However, many developers interviewed believe transparency is crucial, arguing that gamers have a right to know how their games are made and what they are supporting. There is a sentiment that consumers are pushing back against AI-generated content, and platforms like Steam are responding to this demand.
Written off for its price, Valve’s Steam Machine is now beating Palworld on Steam
Despite initial skepticism regarding its price, Valve's Steam Deck is reportedly selling strongly, with estimates suggesting weekly sales between 12,000 to 15,000 units. The device currently ranks second on Steam's top-grossing chart, surpassing popular games like Palworld. The recent release of official Windows drivers has further boosted its appeal, allowing access to a wider range of games.
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Valve replaced a stolen Steam Machine for a UK customer after it was taken by porch pirates. The incident saved the redditor approximately £1,000.
The FBI has arrested a 21-year-old alleged to have stolen $220,000 through Steam using malware-ridden games
The FBI has arrested a 21-year-old Florida man accused of stealing approximately $220,000 in cryptocurrency using malware embedded in eight games distributed on Steam. The malware was designed to steal passwords and access cryptocurrency wallets. The games have since been removed from the platform.
Valve has replaced a Steam Machine for free after it was stolen by porch pirates, saving one UK redditor roughly…
A Reddit user received a free Steam Machine replacement from Valve after their original unit was stolen from their doorstep shortly after delivery. Despite the initial theft, Steam Support ultimately resolved the issue, preventing the user from losing the expensive hardware.
The stage seems set for the Steam Frame's arrival as VR headset shipments are sitting in warehouses, but Valve is apparently still working on its "gamepad mode"
Valve's upcoming VR headset, the Steam Frame, appears to be nearing its launch as shipments are reportedly arriving in warehouses. Despite rumors of a delay due to the development of a "gamepad mode," recent updates to SteamVR and the addition of a "great on Frame" tag suggest an imminent release. The article also touches on the competitive VR market and potential pricing strategies for the headset.
Ill-fated Companion Cube case for Steam Machine returns as a 3D-printed effort — and it's not the only…
A 3D-printed version of the ill-fated Dbrand Companion Cube case for the Steam Machine has been created by a user on Printables. This DIY effort allows enthusiasts to build their own case, following the cancellation of the official Dbrand product. The article also highlights other custom Steam Machine projects and small form-factor PC builds.
Former Valve writer says PlayStation killing physical discs is no conspiracy: "You, the consumer, have made your…
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek argues that consumers are responsible for PlayStation's move away from physical discs, citing a strong preference for digital purchases. He points to low physical sales figures and the popularity of digital-only services like Game Pass as evidence that players have driven this industry shift.
Valve suggests memory crisis is "still getting worse," admitting, "we're limited by memory capacity, for sure"
Valve engineers have stated that memory and storage supply issues for the Steam Machine are worsening, with retail availability lagging bulk supply by three to six months due to high demand from the AI industry. Despite these challenges, Valve insists the Steam Machine's roadmap will not be impacted. Separately, Midgar Studio has been ordered to liquidate after failing to secure a buyer, with founder Jérémy Zeler-Maury expressing deep regret over the closure.
FBI accuse Steam user of stealing over $220,000 via malware-infected games like BlockBlasters, Lunara and Dashverse
The FBI has arrested Zyaire Dontaevious Zamarion Wilkins, a student accused of stealing over $220,000 in cryptocurrency using malware-infected games distributed on Steam. Games like BlockBlasters, Lunara, and Dashverse allegedly infected around 8000 PCs over two years. The investigation involved tracking crypto transactions and linking them to Uber gift cards purchased by Wilkins.
