Digital Distribution
Ongoing coverage on Digital Distribution.
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The new Epic Games Launcher might not suck so much thanks to 'ground-up' rebuild with 5–6.5x improved performance—still a long way to catch up with Steam
Epic Games is rebuilding its PC launcher from the ground up, promising significant performance improvements including a 5-6.5x faster startup time. The redesign aims to enhance user experience with features like personalized recommendations, improved browsing, and detailed product pages, drawing comparisons to Valve's Steam platform.
Nintendo Download – June 18, 2026 (Europe)
Nintendo has released its European download list for the week of June 18, 2026. The update includes new retail and digital titles for the Nintendo Switch, as well as some PC releases. Notable titles include The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales and R-Type Tactics 1-2.
Everything you need to know from State of Unreal 2026: Unreal Engine 6, Unreal Engine 5.8, and $1bn paid to Fortnite devs
Epic Games has unveiled Unreal Engine 6, which aims to expand AAA game development capabilities with a next-generation pipeline built within Fortnite. Unreal Engine 5.8 is now available with new features like MegaLights and improved Lumen for 60 fps on Nintendo Switch and PCs. The company also announced a new open-source version control system called Lore and revealed that over $1 billion has been paid to Fortnite developers since the launch of Unreal Editor for Fortnite.
Sony pulling back from PC also means it's pulling back from China
Sony appears to be scaling back its strategy of releasing single-player PlayStation titles on PC, a move that has drawn scrutiny. Analysis suggests this shift may be driven by concerns over Valve's dominance rather than competition from Xbox. Data indicates that China represents a significant market for PlayStation games on Steam, with titles like Death Stranding 2 and Stellar Blade seeing substantial sales from the region, suggesting that PC releases can boost PlayStation sales and overall game visibility.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Is Another PS5 Disc That Requires a Download to Actually Play
The physical PlayStation 5 version of Halo: Campaign Evolved requires a mandatory download to be playable, a common trend that raises concerns for game preservation. This means the disc itself is insufficient to play the game, making physical copies potentially useless if online support is ever removed.
Steam's tired of gift card scams, so it's killing them off for good
Valve is discontinuing the sale of Steam gift cards at retail stores due to ongoing scams. Despite implementing various preventative measures since 2012, scammers continue to exploit the untraceable nature of gift cards to defraud customers. The company expects gift cards to exit circulation by the end of 2026, though unredeemed cards will remain usable.
Valve won't let retailers stock physical Steam gift cards anymore because "scammers have adapted" to whatever security measures they've tried
Valve has decided to discontinue the sale of physical Steam gift cards in retail stores due to ongoing issues with scammers adapting to security measures. While digital gift cards will remain available, the cessation of physical cards means an end to using trade-in credit for gift cards and limits options for purchasing Steam currency. Valve expects existing stock to be depleted by the end of 2026.
Valve to no longer offer physical gift cards due to scammers
Valve is discontinuing physical Steam gift cards due to ongoing issues with scammers who exploit them. While current stock will be sold off, Valve will not be restocking retailers and expects them to be out of stock by the end of 2026. Digital Steam gift cards will remain available.
Kingdom Hearts Cloud Versions Shut Down Today, And You’ll Have To Buy New Versions To Keep Playing
Square Enix is delisting the cloud versions of Kingdom Hearts games on Nintendo Switch today, June 9, requiring players to purchase new digital versions to continue playing. Owners of cloud versions are eligible for a 50% discount on the new Switch and Switch 2 digital releases, with save data transferable to the Switch 2 versions. Kingdom Hearts 4 was also teased for a simultaneous release on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Kingdom Hearts Collection requires 131GB of storage on Nintendo Switch 2
The Kingdom Hearts Collection will require a substantial 131GB of storage space on the Nintendo Switch. The collection, which includes all the games, is priced at $75 and will be available for digital download.
Kingdom Hearts Cloud Version Switch Games Delisted
Square Enix has delisted the cloud versions of four Kingdom Hearts titles from the Nintendo Switch, following announcements of their upcoming release on the Switch 2 in 2026. While existing owners can still play the games until June 9, 2027, new purchases are no longer possible. The company is offering discounts on the full versions for those who previously bought the cloud-based compilations.
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 HD Remix coming to the original Nintendo Switch, cloud versions being delisted
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 HD Remix is coming to the Nintendo Switch, with cloud versions of prior Kingdom Hearts titles being delisted. Square Enix will also offer an upgrade path for the native Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 versions of the games.
"Product visibility needs a more cohesive and structural approach" – How VaultN aims to unify the digital distribution ecosystem
VaultN, a digital distribution platform, aims to unify the gaming ecosystem by centralizing transactions for publishers, distributors, and retailers. Co-founder Julian Migura explains the platform's goal to streamline processes, improve product visibility, and enable better cooperation between various industry players, including a desire to integrate with Steam. VaultN currently partners with platforms like Epic Games Store and GOG, and takes a small percentage of publisher royalties.
Steam's store home page gets a fresh coat of paint and new tiles, but indie discoverability could take a hit
Valve has updated the Steam Store's home page with a focus on visual consistency and larger tiles, including features like trailer autoplay and a personalized calendar. However, changes to the 'Popular Upcoming' section may reduce discoverability for niche and indie PC games, potentially impacting their visibility.
Sony’s PS5 Follow-Up to Beloved PS2 Game Suddenly Delisted
Fantavision 202X, the PlayStation 5 and PC follow-up to the PlayStation 2 puzzle game Fantavision, has been delisted from digital storefronts. Developer Cosmo Machia cited the end of a licensing agreement with Sony Interactive Entertainment as the reason for the removal. Players who already own the game will retain access.
Steam just got a huge new "refresh" as Valve updates its storefront from top to bottom, pulling it into the…
Valve has implemented a significant "refresh" of the Steam storefront, updating its design from top to bottom to be cleaner, more detailed, and easier to use. The changes include a more cohesive overall design, bigger images, detailed descriptions, personalized recommendations, and new sections for wishlists and DLC, aiming to improve game discovery and user experience on PC.
Valve Reportedly Threatened to Delist Rainbow Six Siege on Steam After Ubisoft Offered Cheaper Alternative
Valve allegedly threatened to delist Ubisoft's Rainbow Six Siege from Steam if the publisher offered a cheaper alternative to its PC marketplace. This incident highlights Valve's efforts to maintain Steam's dominance in digital game distribution.
Gabe Newell hits back at claims that Steam has a monopoly on the PC marketplace
Valve President Gabe Newell has testified that Steam does not hold a monopoly in the PC gaming market, despite facing antitrust lawsuits from Wolfire Games and others. Newell claims consumers have numerous purchasing options and denies Valve enforces price parity obligations on other platforms. While Steam holds a dominant market share, Valve attributes its success to continuous innovation rather than a monopoly.
Valve Boss Testifies “Consumers Have Enormous Choice” on PC During Antitrust Lawsuit
Valve president Gabe Newell testified in a 2023 antitrust lawsuit filed by Wolfire Games, asserting that PC consumers have extensive choices for purchasing games. Newell denied claims of an unwritten rule preventing developers from offering lower prices on competing platforms, despite evidence presented to the contrary. Wolfire Games' lawsuit alleges that Valve's practices harm developers and gamers by leveraging Steam's dominant market position.
Valve's Gabe Newell argued gamers "have enormous choice" when grilled over Steam's alleged monopoly…
Valve boss Gabe Newell testified in a lawsuit alleging the company holds an illegal monopoly on PC gaming, denying claims that Valve dictates pricing on other platforms or punishes developers for offering discounts elsewhere. Newell argued that gamers have "enormous choice" in where they purchase games, citing Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox, and direct developer sales as examples.
