Valve
Valve business and news from across the web.
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Valve make steps to improve Steam Deck Verification, giving developers more performance data
Valve is enhancing its Steam Deck verification system by providing developers with more performance data, including average framerate and user survey results. This update aims to build trust in the verification process and help developers understand player experiences on the handheld device. The system currently applies to Steam Deck Verified games and will expand to Playable titles in the future.
The best Dota 2 options and settings
This guide details essential settings and launch options for Dota 2 to optimize gameplay performance and user experience. It covers adjustments to hotkeys, unit orders, camera controls, interface elements, and network settings, along with recommended launch commands for Steam.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
American McGee, creator of Alice, revealed inspiration from a Valve demo seen during Quake 2 development. The article also notes the 16th anniversary of Square Enix's Nier, highlighting its impact on video game storytelling.
How a Valve Demo Birthed Alice During the Quake 2 Era
American McGee revealed that a Valve tech demo seen during the Quake 2 development era inspired him to create the Alice series. While working at id Software in the mid-to-late 90s, McGee was influenced by early Valve technology, which ultimately led to the creation of the dark fairy tale world of Alice. This story highlights the interconnected nature of game development and how inspiration can spark unique creative directions.
CS2's redesigned Cache map is finally coming, and I can't wait
Valve has provided a first look at the redesigned Cache map for Counter-Strike 2, showcasing improvements to textures and lighting. The iconic map, absent from the active pool since 2019, is set to return, joining Inferno, Train, and Overpass as remade classics. This update follows recent patches that enhanced character animations and weapon firing feel.
Indie Jam Marks Fourth Edition With Malaysia’s Largest Indie Game Showcase
The fourth annual Indie Jam, held at Management and Science University, showcased over 60 games from 8 countries, marking Malaysia's largest indie game showcase. The event facilitated networking, mentorship, and career opportunities for emerging developers, alongside student competitions and a pitch competition for business development.
Steam Link Update Servers Still Active Years After Discontinuation
Valve continues to maintain active update servers for the discontinued Steam Link hardware, years after its 2018 discontinuation. This unexpected long-term support for the 2015 streaming device builds consumer trust and highlights Valve's commitment to its ecosystem, even for older products.
PS6 release date rumors are spiralling, but it looks like things could kick off in 2028
Rumors surrounding the PlayStation 6 release date suggest a potential launch in late 2028, influenced by the ongoing memory crisis and rising component costs. While some leakers point to a holiday 2027 window, reports from sources like Bloomberg and Microsoft's own filings indicate a later debut. Sony may absorb increased costs or delay the launch to 2028 or 2029 to ensure market position.
Heroic Games Launcher gets a slick full-screen console-like mode
Heroic Games Launcher version 2.21 introduces a new full-screen, console-like mode designed for gamepad navigation, enhancing its usability on TV PCs. This update also adds a Deals page for GOG promotions, achievement support for GOG games, and the ability to pick game covers from SteamGridDB. A native Windows Arm64 build is also now available.
Australian Government Demands to Know What Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam are Doing to Prevent Grooming, Radicalisation
The Australian government has formally requested information from major gaming platforms including Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam regarding their strategies to combat grooming and radicalization. These companies are now required to provide mandatory responses detailing their safety measures.
Valve’s New Hardware Finance Job Hints at Steam Deck Empire Expansion
Valve has posted a job opening for a Hardware Finance & Accounting Professional, suggesting a significant expansion of its hardware ambitions beyond the successful Steam Deck. This move indicates a long-term strategy for scaling hardware production, potentially leading to new product lines like a successor to the Steam Deck or other devices. The hire signals Valve's intent to solidify its position as a major hardware player in the evolving gaming market.
Alice creator American McGee says he was inspired by a Valve demo he saw while working on Quake 2
American McGee revealed that a Valve tech demo he saw while working on id Software's Quake 2 inspired his game Alice. He described the demo as a cinematic scene with characters and multiple cameras, which he believes signaled the end of his tenure at id Software. Following his departure from id, McGee went on to develop Alice and its sequel, Alice: Madness Returns.
15 years ago, anyone could send PC Gamer magazine text messages. We got some weird ones
This article looks back at the early 2010s when PC Gamer magazine allowed readers to send text messages for a fee. It highlights humorous and unusual messages received, contrasting them with modern communication methods. The piece also includes reader reviews submitted via text.
Hideo Kojima went to Valve and like a master troll took a photo of himself with 3 Half-Life gravity guns
Hideo Kojima visited Valve's headquarters in Seattle, sharing photos of himself with iconic items like gravity guns and portal guns from the Half-Life series. The visit also brought to light Kojima's past admiration for Half-Life's design and attention to detail, which influenced his work on Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.
Steam OS Controller Update Wins Hearts With Personal ‘Have Fun!’ Touch
Valve's Steam OS controller update process has garnered positive attention for its personal touch, featuring a simple "Have fun!" message. This small detail in the software update process is highlighted as smart user experience design, differentiating Valve from other hardware manufacturers by acknowledging the user's primary goal: gaming. This approach extends to their broader hardware ecosystem, including the Steam Deck, and contributes to positive community perception and brand sentiment.
Gaming Legend Kojima Spotted at Valve HQ Sparking Wild Sci-Fi Collaboration Dreams
Hideo Kojima's recent visit to Valve headquarters has ignited speculation about a potential collaboration, with fans dreaming of a groundbreaking science fiction game. The article explores the possibilities, ranging from Death Stranding 2 on Steam Deck to VR experiences with the Valve Index, highlighting the synergy between Kojima's visionary approach and Valve's technological advancements.
Valve designer says "you should make a good game" if you want attention on Steam, there's no "secret…
Valve designer Alden Kroll stated that the key to success on Steam is to create a good game, emphasizing that discoverability tools like Steam Next Fest are helpful but not a substitute for quality. He advised developers to actively engage with fans online using trailers and screenshots to build awareness and excitement before and during a game's release.
Leak suggests solid pricing for Steam Machine, but even that might be too high to save it
A leak suggests Valve is targeting a $650 to $750 price range for the Steam Machine, influenced by fluctuating RAM prices and the AI market. This pricing places it competitively against the PlayStation 5 Slim but potentially above other consoles and custom PCs, raising concerns about its market viability. The article speculates that Valve should instead focus on iterating the Steam Deck.
Hideo Kojima said Half-Life had a "kind of soul" which Japanese games lacked, and Metal Gear Solid 2 was directly inspired by Valve's classic FPS
Hideo Kojima reflected on the original Half-Life, stating it possessed a "soul" that Japanese games lacked and directly inspired features in Metal Gear Solid 2. He praised Valve's attention to detail and atmosphere, noting how the game's interactivity and environmental destruction influenced his own work.
The Xbox Ally has finally stepped up as an affordable Steam Deck stand-in, albeit with frame rate caveats
The ASUS ROG Ally is now a more compelling alternative to the Steam Deck OLED due to significant discounts, making it a more affordable handheld gaming PC. However, the base model's Z2 chipset offers a noticeable performance gap compared to the more powerful Z1 Extreme found in its sibling and competitors, impacting frame rates in demanding titles. Despite these caveats, the ROG Ally remains the most affordable new portable PC option currently available.
