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After Valve was criticized, devs back Steam's refund policy by creating a 2-hour game literally called Refund This…
In response to discussions about Valve's Steam refund policy, developers Cactile Games and dofhouse have released "Refund This Game," a first-person platformer designed to be completed within the two-hour refund window. The game actively encourages players to refund it after attempting to beat its challenging levels, with an in-game timer and Steam achievement for doing so.
Epic throws shade at Steam, admits to vibe-coding the new Epic Games Launcher with AI "to be faster than the other guy"
Epic Games has developed a new version of its PC launcher using generative AI, aiming to make it faster than Valve's Steam platform. While acknowledging potential bugs, Epic is encouraging user feedback. This move is part of a broader company push towards an "AI first" development pipeline, which may also influence Unreal Engine.
S&box plans to go free-to-play and embrace human curation saying "Netflix for games doesn't work"
Facepunch Studios is shifting its s&box platform to a free-to-play model and will focus on human curation rather than an AI-driven approach to game discovery. Founder Garry Newman acknowledged the platform's struggles with retention and user reception, stating that a 'Netflix for games' model is not effective. The company is also moving towards the Steam Workshop for content distribution and implementing a stricter approval system for games.
Epic's bulletproof plan to outdo Steam: "We vibe coded the Epic Games Launcher"
Epic Games has significantly improved the performance of the Epic Games Store launcher, claiming it is now 46% faster than Steam. This overhaul, partly achieved through AI-generated code, introduces features like a "recent games" list and an improved download hub. While the improvements are noted, the article also points out the marginal gains in some areas and mentions Epic's recent layoffs.
"We vibe coded a new Epic Games Launcher" because "programming is hard", announce company we're somehow supposed to see as a serious Steam competitor
Epic Games has released a preview of a new version of its launcher, which it claims is faster and more responsive than Steam, using a concept termed "vibe coding" and an "AI-first" approach. The company's CEO, Tim Sweeney, has emphasized a push for "maximum AI acceleration." This new tech stack, rewritten from the ground up, aims to improve load times and system performance, though initial features are light.
Fortnite is coming to Linux once Epic improves Easy Anti-Cheat
Epic Games plans to bring Fortnite to Linux by rebuilding its Easy Anti-Cheat system to support the operating system. This initiative aims to make the game playable on Linux distributions and will also provide improvements to other developers. While Steam Deck compatibility is being discussed with Valve, it is not yet supported by the new EAC Linux v2 solution.
Epic says its new 'vibe coded' Epic Games Store launcher is faster than Steam
Epic Games has released a new preview client for its Epic Games Store launcher, claiming it is significantly faster than Steam. The rebuild, which Epic refers to as 'vibe coded,' features a redesigned library and utilizes AI tools for development. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney is bullish on AI's potential to enhance game development across the company.
'The Library Loads 30x Faster’ – The New, Much Speedier Epic Games Launcher Has Arrived
The newly rebuilt Epic Games Launcher is now available in preview, promising significantly faster load times compared to its previous version and Steam. This update focuses on improving the user experience through enhanced performance.
With the Steam Frame becoming Valve's new favourite VR child, they're selling off their last Index headset stock
Valve has officially discontinued the Valve Index VR kit, offering a 20% discount on remaining stock as they shift focus to the Steam Deck. The Index, launched in 2019, was notable for its introduction of individual finger tracking controllers, a feature that has influenced subsequent VR hardware like the Meta Quest 3, though the Steam Deck's own finger tracking accuracy is not quite as refined.
Garry's Mod successor S&box "got it wrong," will become free to play soon
Facepunch Studios' spiritual successor to Garry's Mod, S&box, is undergoing significant changes due to poor player reception and low retention. Creator Garry Newman admitted the team "got it wrong" and announced plans to make S&box free-to-play by the end of the year, shifting focus from engine development to player-first features and improving performance.
Valve just brought back the TF2 glory days with its new Deadlock hero
Valve has released a new hero, Deadman Danny, for its game Deadlock, which has seen a surge in player count. Danny, described as a blend of characters from Team Fortress 2 and Overwatch, introduces mechanics like rocket jumping and a jetpack, enhancing mobility and combat options. This update is seen as a thematic victory for Valve, bringing back the glory days of Team Fortress 2.
Steam's new Big Art Mode is a lovely visual upgrade for my living room setup
Steam has released a significant visual overhaul for its Big Picture Mode, now called Big Art Mode. This update emphasizes game art with larger visuals and a cleaner interface, enhancing the experience for living room setups connected to TVs. The mode is now out of beta and available in the latest Steam client release.
Steam now has a maddening bouncing logo screensaver, and I'm pretty sure it doesn't perfectly hit the corners
Valve has released a new update for the Steam client, notably adding a "retro inspired bouncing logo screensaver" to Big Picture Mode. The author expresses strong negative sentiment towards this screensaver, comparing it to the psychologically damaging DVD logo screensavers of the past and warning users against activating it. The update also includes improvements to startup performance and a new experimental video codec for Remote Play.
Valve is clearing out its discontinued Index VR headsets if you want a cheap piece of history
Valve is heavily discounting remaining stock of its discontinued Valve Index VR headset, selling it for $399.20 while supplies last. The company has officially stated that the Index is no longer being produced, with a newer headset, Steam Frame, having recently launched. While the headset itself is discounted, controllers and base stations are sold separately and are not part of the sale.
Ex-Fortnite producer says AI controversy "is mostly for show" as Epic Games faces backlash for its new…
A former Fortnite producer, Aakash Gupta, suggests that Epic Games' recent pivot towards AI acceleration is largely performative, stating that the company has always moved quickly when its CEO, Tim Sweeney, decides on a new direction. Gupta argues that Epic's integration of AI tools into Unreal Engine bypasses industry backlash and that most developers will adopt these features regardless of public debate. He believes the industry's current AI controversy is 'mostly for show,' as many developers are already using AI in their workflows.
Dota 2 Can Now Boot on Android Using DroidDeck, but It’s Not Fully Playable Yet
Dota 2 can now boot on Android devices using the open-source DroidDeck project, which utilizes Valve's ARM64 Steam client and Proton. While the game successfully launched and reached the hero selection screen on a POCO F9 Pro, it is not yet fully playable due to errors encountered before match sequences.
"No more hand-written code": Epic reportedly impose "AI-first" model on creators of new Disney shooter with Marvel and Star Wars characters
Epic Games is reportedly mandating an "AI-first" production model for an unannounced Disney shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters, leading to its indefinite delay. Developers are instructed to use AI for art and code generation, a move that has caused internal dissent and reflects Epic's broader push into generative AI, despite recent layoffs and a downturn in Fortnite engagement.
Valve have released the Steam Frame's CAD files, but there’s already a cottage industry of DIY wrist straps and lifesize skull stands
Valve has released the CAD files for the Steam Deck VR headset, enabling users to create custom accessories. This has spurred a cottage industry of DIY creations, ranging from practical power bank holders and ergonomic straps to more eccentric items like a life-size skull stand for the headset.
Why No Two Copies of the Same CS2 Skin Look Alike - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
Counter-Strike 2's weapon skins exhibit unique visual differences due to a deliberate system involving wear values and pattern seeds, rather than bugs. This procedural generation creates genuine rarity and influences the item economy, with collectors valuing specific combinations of these hidden numbers.
Deadlock Appears to Be a Big Hit from Valve
Valve's in-development MOBA, Deadlock, has achieved a new concurrent player record of 262,145 during its invite-only playtest, surpassing Team Fortress 2's peak. This surge coincided with the addition of a new character, Solomon, who features chess-based abilities. Despite its early access and invite-only status, Deadlock is demonstrating significant player engagement.
