Valve
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Valve.
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Dev tells Valve to fix Steam's exploitable 2-hour refund policy as "over 55,000" players refund his short game and even brag about it in reviews
An indie developer has called out Valve's Steam refund policy, stating that over 55,000 players have refunded their short game, Paddle Paddle Paddle, despite overwhelmingly positive reviews. The developer highlights that the game's completion time is under the two-hour threshold for refunds, allowing players to finish the game and then request their money back, which they argue is exploitative.
Valve shows you how to build your own e-paper display for the Steam Machine – and it’s a case mod I never…
Valve has released open-source files for users to build their own e-paper display, dubbed 'inkterface', for the Steam Machine. This modification allows the device to show component temperatures and performance information, embracing PC gaming's customizability.
Valve's Gabe Newell continues spending his billions on an undersea armada, adding an $800 million deep sea vessel to the one he already had in the works
Valve co-founder Gabe Newell is significantly expanding his investment in ocean exploration by commissioning a second, larger deep-sea vessel, the RV11000, for nearly $800 million. This follows his initial investment in the 100-meter RV6000, which is currently under construction. Both vessels are being built by Vard and Oceanco, with the RV6000 expected in 2028 and the RV11000 in 2030.
If physical games are dying, we need better laws for our digital rights
Sony's decision to end disc production for PlayStation games and the impending removal of Studio Canal films from PlayStation Video highlight the precariousness of digital ownership. The article argues for stronger consumer rights and new laws to protect digital purchases, contrasting them with the freedoms offered by physical media. It notes ongoing efforts in the EU and France to address these issues, while also pointing to PC storefronts like GOG.com as alternatives offering true ownership.
A second OG Steam Controller prototype has been found at Goodwill
A 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 caveats
Valve 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 so
Valve 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 titles
A 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 Ring
Valve'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-only
Sony'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 now
Despite 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 Overreactions
A 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 continues
The 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 yet
Some 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 Bits
The 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.