Digital Distribution
Ongoing coverage on Digital Distribution.
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Epic Games chief Tim Sweeney claims 'Valve has held gaming back for years'
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has stated that Valve's Steam platform has hindered the gaming industry for years by enforcing its Steamworks framework. He argues that Valve's 30% revenue cut is excessive and that developers should have more freedom to distribute their games across different platforms and storefronts.
GOG's getting into publishing in its new, post-CD-Projekt life, and it already has games on the way
GOG, now independent from CD Projekt and under original co-founder Michał Kiciński, is entering the game publishing business. In partnership with Retrovibe, which Kiciński also co-founded, GOG will support independent developers in bringing their games to PC and consoles. The initiative has already announced two titles: Cop Bastard and Project Warlock: Lost Chapters.
Tim Sweeney argues Steam has held gaming back, but Valve's tools tell a different story
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney claims Valve's Steamworks locks developers into a closed ecosystem, hindering cross-platform communication. While Valve's documentation indicates their Steam Datagram Relay service can be used across platforms if a game also launches on Steam, Sweeney and former Epic employee Kiaran Ritchie argue developers should pay for individual services rather than a 30% revenue cut. The discussion highlights ongoing rivalry and debate over digital distribution models.
Nintendo policy reportedly prevents Switch 2 game-key card to be reprinted as full cartridge version
A retailer named VGP claims Nintendo has a policy preventing game-key card titles for the Nintendo Switch 2 from being re-released as full cartridge versions. Game-key cards require a full download from the internet to play, unlike traditional cartridges. VGP intends to continue pushing Nintendo for changes.
"Valve has held gaming back for years," Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney proclaims in his latest jab against Steam
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has again criticized Valve and its Steam platform, claiming that Steamworks has hindered the gaming industry for years by creating a 'social walled garden.' Sweeney argues that this system prevents cross-platform communication and limits player interaction. The article notes that Valve's Steam Datagram Relay does offer cross-platform capabilities for games launched on Steam, and points out Valve's contributions to Linux gaming via the Steam Deck and Proton.
Steam "loading user data" error causing major issues – Valve's store is down for the second time in…
Steam is experiencing widespread outages due to a "loading user data" error, preventing many users from accessing games and the store. This is the second outage in a week, with the previous one occurring on October 21. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticized Valve's recent AI disclosures.
Delisted PS5 Sequel to Beloved PS2 Game Makes Surprise Return
Fantavision 202X, the PlayStation 5 sequel to the PS2 puzzle game Fantavision, has returned to the PlayStation Store and Steam after a period of being delisted. Sony Interactive Entertainment extended its licensing agreement with developer Cosmo Machia, allowing the game to be sold again for $9.99. The game supports 4K resolution and PlayStation VR2.
Nintendo announces Halloween 2026 sale for Switch 2 and Switch
Nintendo has launched its annual Halloween sale for the 2026 season, featuring discounts on a wide variety of third-party titles for both the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The "Screaming Deals" promotion includes games like Inscryption, Little Kitty Big City, and System Shock, with many titles hitting new low prices. The sale is available on the Nintendo eShop and will run until October 31, 2026.
PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi says discs became "metaphor for 'owning' games", and that upset at their discontinuation is a "mentality issue"
PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi believes that consumer upset over the discontinuation of game discs is a "mentality issue," arguing that physical media is no longer economically reasonable for networked devices. He suggests that AI and cloud computing could eventually eliminate the need for consoles altogether, though he also expressed concern over the high cost of current hardware.
Killing PS5 Discs Just Makes Sense, Even If It Angers People, Former PlayStation Exec Says
Former PlayStation executive Ken Kutaragi believes Sony's decision to end support for PlayStation 5 game discs in 2028 is economically sensible, despite acknowledging consumer attachment to physical media. He suggests that for a networked device, physical discs are no longer necessary, aligning with a trend towards digital distribution and content terminals.
US lawmaker calls videogame purchases rentals disguised as sales: 'When you pay for a game, you should own it'
US Representative Ritchie Torres is introducing the "Power To The Players Act" to protect consumers' ability to own purchased video games. The bill aims to have the Federal Trade Commission create regulations ensuring that players truly own games, not just licenses that can be revoked. This initiative addresses concerns about digital distribution, game decommissioning, and the shift away from physical media, exemplified by issues with titles like The Crew.
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.
Like GTA 6, God of War Laufey's 'Collector's Box' doesn't come with a copy of the game, and fans are outraged — 'I see Rockstar is an inspiration for everyone'
Santa Monica Studio's God of War Laufey Collector's Box, priced at $149.99, has drawn criticism for not including a copy of the game, a trend also seen with Grand Theft Auto 6's collector's edition. Fans express outrage, calling the practice 'greedy' and 'overpriced cash grabs,' contrasting it with collector's editions that still include game codes or physical copies.
Sony announces new Midnight Black PS5 for GTA 6 launch but there's a problem
Sony Interactive Entertainment is releasing a new Midnight Black PlayStation 5 Digital Edition console exclusively in Japan on November 19, 2026, coinciding with the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6. This region-locked console will be significantly cheaper than current models available elsewhere. Sony also reiterated its plan to cease production of physical game discs after 2027.
Nintendo's Latin America VP says there are no plans to ditch physical games
Nintendo of America's Vice President, Bill van Zyll, stated that the company has no plans to discontinue physical game releases. He emphasized that Nintendo's strategy is guided by consumer preference, acknowledging the continued demand for physical media. This comes as Sony prepares to end physical disc production for new PlayStation games in 2028.
Nintendo Says It Has No Plans To Ditch Physical Games Yet
Nintendo has stated it has no plans to abandon physical game releases for its upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console, maintaining an agnostic approach to cater to consumer demand. Unlike Sony's move towards digital-only, Nintendo will continue to offer both physical and digital game options, acknowledging the strong preference fans have for physical media.
‘I hope Sony takes notice’: Nintendo says it has ‘no plans’ to ditch physical media as GTA 6…
Nintendo has stated it has no current plans to abandon physical game media, with Vice President & General Manager of Nintendo Latin America, Bill van Zyll, emphasizing that the company follows consumer preference. This contrasts with Sony's stated goal to move away from physical releases entirely by 2028. While Nintendo remains committed to physical for now, the article notes the industry's overall shift towards digital distribution, citing Take-Two Interactive's CEO on the prevalence of digital sales.
Popular PS4 Adventure Games Being Delisted, Last Chance to Buy
Assemble Entertainment has announced that Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don't Dry and Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Dry Twice will be delisted from digital storefronts, including Steam and likely the PlayStation Store, on October 23. This delisting means the entire Leisure Suit Larry series will no longer be available for digital purchase, speculated to be due to expiring publishing agreements. Codemasters, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts, owns the intellectual property.
For the second time this year, Steam has set a major new concurrent user record
Steam has once again broken its own record for concurrent users, reaching over 43.5 million players on Sunday. This marks the second time this year Valve's PC platform has set a new high, with the number of players in-game also reaching a record of over 14 million. Recent popular game launches, including Aion 2 and an update for Deadlock, contributed to the surge.
Nintendo has "no plans to ditch physical games," exec says amid PlayStation disc backlash: "We go off of…
Nintendo's vice president Bill van Zyll stated the company has no plans to abandon physical media, contrasting with Sony's decision to end disc support for new PlayStation games in 2028. Van Zyll emphasized Nintendo's agnostic approach, considering consumer preference and the continued support for physical games on the Nintendo Switch.
