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The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth hits a new concurrent player record on Steam 12 years after it was released
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth has achieved a new concurrent player record on Steam, with nearly 131,000 players, surpassing its previous peak from 2021. This surge is attributed to a significant 90% discount during the Steam Summer Sale. The game, along with its expansions like Repentance and Repentance+, continues to be a popular roguelike, currently ranking as the 10th biggest game on Steam.
The Steam Machine is overpriced yet it's sold out already in Japan — but be careful about buying a cheap…
Valve's Steam Machine has reportedly sold out in Japan, with reservations being resold for up to $3,000 on eBay in the US. The article warns consumers against purchasing cheap clones from Asia due to potential component discrepancies and security risks, advising local purchases or DIY builds instead.
People are putting their Steam Machine reservations on eBay, and one has already been sold with a $235 markup
Players are listing their Steam Machine reservation spots on eBay for markups, with some already sold at a profit. Despite Valve's efforts to prevent scalping through a queue system, individuals are selling email confirmations as proof of their place in line. One 512GB model with a controller sold for a $235 markup, while others are listed with significantly higher price increases.
SK Hynix, Samsung and Micron sued over allegations of "concerted anticompetitive behaviour" in DRAM market
Chip manufacturers SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron are facing a class action lawsuit alleging concerted anticompetitive behavior in the DRAM market. Lawyers claim the companies coordinated to cut consumer DRAM supply and pivot to high-bandwidth memory for data centers, leading to significant price increases. This alleged behavior follows a history of DRAM price-fixing conspiracies between the same companies.
Amid Steam Machine performance scrutiny, Valve removes '4K at 60FPS' claim
Valve has quietly removed claims that the Steam Machine is capable of 4K gaming at 60 frames per second from its product page. The company updated the specification to "Up to 4K gaming with FSR 4.1" from the previous "4K gaming at 60 FPS with FSR." This change comes as the hardware's performance capabilities are under scrutiny following its launch.
Steam Machine reservations are already being resold on Ebay for up to $2900
Valve's Steam Machine is experiencing scalping, with reservations being resold on eBay for up to $2900, significantly higher than the device's official price. This follows a similar trend seen with the Steam Controller, though the higher cost of the Steam Machine makes these resold prices less accessible to consumers. Valve's upcoming VR headset, the Steam Frame, faces uncertainty regarding demand due to existing competition.
Steam Week in Review: Steam sales are the best time to hoard dozens of forgotten '90s PC gaming oddities
The Steam Summer Sale offers deep discounts on major titles, but also presents an opportunity to explore forgotten '90s PC gaming oddities. The article highlights obscure FMV racers, cyberpunk adventures, and rail shooters, suggesting that even browsing trailers and screenshots can be a fascinating dive into video game history. It also notes the ongoing popularity of games like Cyberpunk 2077 and PUBG: Battlegrounds during the sale period.
PS6 will cost Sony £750 just for the raw materials says insider
An insider estimates the raw materials for the PlayStation 6 could cost around $960 (£730), significantly increasing the potential retail price. This surge is attributed to rising memory and hard drive costs, driven by demand for AI data centers, impacting all hardware manufacturers. Sony and Microsoft may face difficult decisions regarding console pricing and profitability.
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Web port wizards have successfully created browser-playable versions of Valve's classic games Half-Life 2 and Portal. These versions leverage the Source engine and are accessible directly through web browsers, bringing these iconic titles to a new platform.
12 years on, roguelike royalty The Binding of Isaac is suddenly bigger than ever
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth has reached new player count highs on Steam, surpassing 100,000 concurrent users for the first time. This surge in popularity is attributed to a significant 90% discount during the Steam Summer Sale, making the game and its complete package exceptionally good value.
Oh no, that's Lenovo saying they think these RAM prices will be the new normal and may never go back to how they were
Lenovo suggests that current high DRAM and NAND prices may become the new normal, potentially extending beyond 2030. Despite increased production capacity, the company believes prices will not return to previous levels. This trend has already impacted the industry, leading to the shutdown of the game preservation site Myrient and contributing to the high cost of Valve's Steam Machines.
Valve Engineers Keen on Steam Machine Price Drop But Warn Not to Expect It “Anytime Soon”
Valve engineers Pierre-Loup Griffais and Yazan Aldehayyat have expressed a desire to lower the price of the Steam Machine, but caution that it is unlikely to happen soon due to current hardware and storage costs. They acknowledge that the high price point is counterproductive to the device's goal of reaching a wider audience. Reservations for the first batch have ended, with shipments beginning on June 29th.
On Steam Machine, Valve engineers say "the cheaper the better," but a price drop is unlikely "any time…
Valve engineers acknowledge that while they prefer lower prices for the Steam Machine, a price drop is unlikely in the near future due to ongoing high hardware component costs, particularly memory. Despite the entry-level model costing $1049, Valve believes it offers value as an enabler for gaming experiences.
Weekend PC Download Deals for June 26: Steam Summer Sale and friends
Multiple PC gaming storefronts, including Steam, GOG.com, and Epic Games Store, are hosting major summer sales with thousands of deals. Notable discounts are available on titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition. Some platforms also offer free titles or additional discounts for subscribers.
Steam Machine preorder emails are in the wild, and it finally feels real: Valve is actually gonna release this thing in…
Valve has begun sending out preorder reservation emails for the Steam Machine, notifying customers who were selected through a randomized lottery system. Those selected have three days to complete their purchase, with cancellations potentially opening spots for others in the queue. The company implemented the lottery to limit resellers, though inflated preorder access listings have already appeared on sites like eBay.
Steam Machine Preorders Are About To Begin, So Of Course They’re Already On eBay
Despite the Steam Machine not yet being released, preorders and reservations are already appearing for sale on eBay at significantly marked-up prices, some doubling the original cost. This practice mirrors similar situations with other in-demand hardware like the PlayStation 5 and Steam Deck, with listings fetching prices between $1050 and $3200.
Steam Machine Preorder Emails Are Super Confusing
Valve has begun sending out confusing preorder emails for the Steam Machine, which launches on June 29. These emails notify customers whether they are in the 'queue' to purchase within three days or on a 'waitlist' for future supply. The Steam Machine is described as a living room PC with prices ranging from $1050 to $1430.
Dota 2's Dark Carnival has begun, with a huge story chapter and five automaton hero personas
Valve has launched the Dota 2 Dark Carnival event, featuring a new story campaign titled 'Midnight Run' with Legion Commander and Hoodwink. The event introduces new hero personas, cosmetic items, and a progression system tied to in-game actions. The Dark Carnival is rolling out in stages, with new content becoming available over the next four weeks.
Business and Finance
A retailer has warned of potential stock shortages for Grand Theft Auto consoles. The article also questions the continued presence of Russian propaganda on the Steam platform, highlighting business and industry concerns.
Switch 2 is the second fastest-selling console in US history, as PlayStation records its worst May in decades - and Xbox its worst May ever
The Nintendo Switch has become the second fastest-selling console in US history, while the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S recorded their worst May sales figures ever. This downturn is attributed to significant price increases across all platforms, driven by ongoing component shortages exacerbated by AI data center demand. The upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6 may offer a temporary boost, but concerns remain about console affordability and stock availability.
