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Full body tracking could come to Steam Frame courtesy of this supercharged Base Station-like device that doesn't…
Soulart has developed a new device called Station that aims to bring full body tracking to VR gaming without external base stations. The standalone motion tracker uses inside-out tracking and machine learning, with a planned Kickstarter campaign and a price point under $400. The company is also working on standalone support for Steam Frame.
Why the publisher of Nintendo Life is launching a new PC gaming site
Hookshot Media, the publisher behind Nintendo Life and Push Square, has launched Steam Hype, a new website dedicated to PC gaming on Valve's platform. The site aims to provide human-led curation and recommendations for both AAA and indie titles, differentiating itself from established PC gaming outlets. Despite a downturn in the games media industry, Hookshot CEO Anthony Dickens expressed confidence in the company's independent ownership model to adapt and succeed.
Games Inbox: Is there an internet conspiracy against Wolverine?
Readers express concerns about perceived internet hate towards Marvel's Wolverine, questioning the backlash against a game with a generally positive reception. Other topics include praise for Onimusha: Way Of The Sword, speculation on future console prices, disappointment with Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, and discussions on the timing of new DC Comics fighters and Nintendo's franchise celebrations.
Steam reverses porn game rating it mistakenly gave to an indie vampire RPG, and despite the stress it was a 'net positive' overall as wishlists on Steam 'basically doubled overnight'
Valve has reversed its decision to give the upcoming RPG Nighthawks an adults-only rating, allowing it to be more visible on Steam. Publisher Wadjet Eye Games and developer Richard Cobbett expressed relief, noting the initial rating caused significant stress but ultimately led to a doubling of wishlists, which they consider a net positive despite the marketing boost being unintentional.
As VR gamers celebrate the launch of Steam Frame, Meta's next headset leaks ahead of Connect 2026, but I don't…
Ahead of Meta Connect 2026, imagery has leaked for Meta's unannounced 'Project Phoenix' device, which appears to be more akin to smart glasses than a traditional VR headset. This comes amid Meta's recent studio closures and layoffs in its Reality Labs division, and a price increase for Quest headsets, suggesting a potential shift away from the mainstream gaming market. The article questions whether this new device will pose a competitive threat to Valve's Steam Frame, especially given its potential focus on controller-free interaction and a smaller lens.
Valve finally backs down after age-restricting a Steam vampire RPG without any sex or nudity for having too much sex and…
Valve has removed the 'adults only' age restriction from the upcoming Steam RPG Nighthawks after the developer Wadjet Eye Games protested the classification. The game, which features mild adult situations and non-explicit nudity, was mistakenly flagged by Valve, severely impacting its visibility. While the situation caused significant stress for the developers, it ultimately led to increased awareness of the game.
Tim Willits doesn't think Rideshare's generative AI is damaging Saber's reputation
Saber Interactive's Tim Willits addressed the controversy surrounding the use of generative AI in their upcoming game, Rideshare Simulator. Despite backlash and a lack of initial disclosure on Steam, Willits believes the AI's use in the game's Free Ride mode is a contained experiment that won't damage the company's reputation, citing past industry shifts like Quake 3's hardware requirements and Steam's launch as examples of initial player apprehension towards new technology.
Steam Frame price blamed on memory crisis but Steam Deck 2 plans unaffected
Valve's new VR headset, the Steam Frame, is launching at a high price point of £889 for the 256GB model and £1,089 for the 1TB model, significantly higher than originally intended due to global memory shortages. Hardware engineer Joy Lyons stated the RAM crisis impacted their pricing targets. Despite these issues, Valve's plans for a Steam Deck successor remain unaffected, according to software developer Pierre-Loup Griffais.
Steam Deck 2 plans aren't affected by ongoing component crisis, Valve maintains, as Steam Frame arrives later and more expensive than expected
Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the ongoing component crisis is not affecting plans for a future Steam Deck 2, which will require a significant performance leap. However, the company's new Steam Frame VR headset is launching later and at a higher price than expected, facing criticism for not offering a dramatically different experience compared to cheaper alternatives like the Meta Quest 3.
Valve considered making a new VR game for the Steam Frame, before tackling the "ludicrous" task of getting Half-Life: Alyx running standalone
Valve considered developing a new VR game for the Steam Frame headset but ultimately decided to focus on making Half-Life: Alyx run in standalone VR. This decision was driven by the desire to showcase existing VR titles and the invaluable development knowledge gained from optimizing Alyx for the new hardware. The process revealed significant performance improvements applicable to other Steam Frame games.
How to purchase the Steam Frame, or at least try to
Valve has released details on how to purchase the new Steam Frame VR headset, with two models available: 256 GB for $1,609 and 1 TB for $1,969. A lottery system will be used for initial purchases to prevent scalping, requiring registration between September 15 and September 17. An optional accessories kit is also available for $99.
Steam may have quietly improved its discoverability, and indie devs are feeling the benefit
Steam may have improved its discoverability features, benefiting indie developers who have struggled to gain visibility on the platform. Recent changes to the Discounts & Events banner, which now prioritizes personalized offers based on player interests, have led to significant increases in traffic, wishlists, and sales for smaller titles.
Valve says RAM crisis hasn't really changed its Steam Deck 2 plans, but hints that it could affect launch timing — and I'm all for a long delay if it's necessary
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the ongoing RAM crisis has not significantly altered plans for the Steam Deck 2, but it could affect the launch timing. Valve remains committed to delivering a substantial generational performance leap for the sequel, prioritizing value and performance over an earlier release date, even if it means a longer wait.
At long last, Valve launches the Steam Frame VR headset which comes with Half Life Alyx bundled in for $1,059 /…
Valve has officially launched the Steam VR headset, after years of rumors and delays. The headset is available for reservation with a 256GB model priced at $1,049 and a 1TB version at $1,299, both including Half-Life: Alyx. Accessory bundles are also available for purchase.
The Steam Deck 2 has 'not really' been impacted by the memory supply crisis, with Valve still focused on a 'very delineated performance improvement' for its next handheld
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the memory supply crisis has had minimal impact on the development of the Steam Deck 2. Valve remains focused on delivering a significant performance improvement for its next handheld gaming PC, though the exact release timeline is uncertain due to ongoing supply chain conditions.
Yes, the Steam Frame price is (just) over $1k
The Steam Frame VR headset has been priced at $1,059 USD for the base 256GB model, with a 1TB version costing $1,299 USD. This high price point, coupled with the recent increase in gaming hardware costs, positions it as an expensive entry into the VR market. The headset includes Half-Life: Alyx and features advanced technology like foveated rendering, but notably does not ship with a power supply.
Valve says making the Steam Deck 2 is "just a matter of looking at the current conditions", so I doubt it will…
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the development of a potential Steam Deck 2 is ongoing but dependent on current market conditions, particularly regarding component prices and availability. While not delayed, a release is not imminent, with Valve prioritizing a significant performance improvement at an accessible price point.
Steam Frame VR Headset Details - Price, Specs & More
Valve has officially unveiled the Steam Frame VR headset, set for release later this year with 256 GB and 1 TB models priced at $1,059 and $1,299 respectively. The headset features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, capable of natively running Half-Life: Alyx, which is included with purchase. It boasts 16 GB RAM, a 2160x2160 LCD panel with a 72-144 Hz refresh rate, and Wi-Fi 7 support, positioning it as a significant upgrade from the Valve Index.
Evening Reading - September 14, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including reviews for Marvel's Wolverine and Final Fantasy 7, details on Diablo 5's release window, and the shelving of The Last of Us Part 2 multiplayer mod at Sony's request. It also touches on the Steam Deck pre-order availability and mentions the use of AI in content creation.
Level-5 CEO admits using generative AI in recent showcase
Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino has apologized after confirming that generative AI was used in the studio's recent digital showcase for Professor Layton and Yo-Kai Watch titles. Hino stated the AI was used as an experiment to make the presentation more spectacular and apologized for making fans uncomfortable, while emphasizing that the games themselves are still made by human hands. He also mentioned the studio's goal to reduce development time by using AI for efficiency tasks like converting artwork into polygons.
