Rock Paper Shotgun Valve Feed

enMon, 06 Jan 2025 15:11:56 +0000GTA copycat Paradise is an alleged crypto scam, yet continues to gain Steam wishlistshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/gta-copycat-paradise-is-an-alleged-crypto-scam-yet-continues-to-gain-steam-wishlistsBrendan CaldwellMon, 06 Jan 2025 15:11:56 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/gta-copycat-paradise-is-an-alleged-crypto-scam-yet-continues-to-gain-steam-wishlistsLife SimulationSandboxParadiseShooter: Third PersonSingle PlayerWhite Birds ProductionsPoint and ClickValveUbisoftPCAction AdventureBird view / IsometricUltra Games

An upcoming life sim which claims to be a competitor to Grand Theft Auto VI is continuing to amass followers and wishlists on Steam, despite the game being unmasked as a vehicle for a dodgy cryptocurrency. Paradise is marketed as a third-person game set in a sunny modern city, where you can speak to any NPC via microphone on the street and get stilted responses powered by artificial intelligence. You will supposedly drive sports cars, shoot guns at people, and accrue in-game cash. But its more outlandish claims attracted immediate scrutiny from video creators who found countless inconsistencies in the marketing material. The game has since been removed from the Epic Games Store, presumably for breaking many of the store's rules. But it's still on Steam, and somehow clambering steadily up the wishlist ladder in defiance of its many red flags.

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Artifact saw a mysterious player count jump over new year, six years after Valve’s trading card game died offhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/artifact-saw-a-mysterious-player-count-jump-over-new-year-six-years-after-valves-trading-card-game-died-offNic ReubenMon, 06 Jan 2025 10:56:03 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/artifact-saw-a-mysterious-player-count-jump-over-new-year-six-years-after-valves-trading-card-game-died-offStrategy: Turn-Based StrategyArtifactCard GamesMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerValve CorporationValveBird view / IsometricStrategy

Last June, Valve’s trading card game Artifact Classic peaked at 78 players. November was a little rosier for the abandoned multiplayer game, with a monthly peak of 1,028. Then, on New Year’s Day, that number jumped to 11,900 players on Steam - its second highest concurrent besides launch. Soon after, they vanished. Who were these mysterious shufflers, flocking to the deserted, echoing halls of Valve’s disastrous flop like your mate who uses the word ‘liminal’ too much to a dead shopping center? Forbes, who first reported on the phenomena, don’t know. No one knows. Somebody might actually know but writing ‘no one knows’ makes it more dramatic. Let’s dig in.

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Here are 5 snowy games you can get for cheap in the Winter Steam salehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-winter-sale-2024-the-cheapest-snowy-gamesBrendan CaldwellFri, 20 Dec 2024 11:54:48 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-winter-sale-2024-the-cheapest-snowy-gamesMultiplayer CompetitiveUbisoft AnnecyXbox OneComedySaber InteractiveStory RichLife is Strange: Double ExposureIndieNintendo SwitchFirst personSportsPCThird personSnowRunnerRacingSurvival & CraftingSingle PlayerUbisoftMultiplayer CooperativeAction AdventurePS5Unknown WorldsFocus EntertainmentSimulationXbox Series X/SValveArctic EggsArcadeSubnautica: Below ZeroPS4Steep

Steam sales aren't the drop-everything-and-grab-yer-wallet events they used to be, according to you lot. The Winter sale that began yesterday is almost identical to the Autumn sale that ended just two weeks ago, for example. But you can still find one or two gifts if you bore deep enough into the ice. Me? I'm only interested in one thing. How many of these games are snowy and chilly enough to induce wonderful hypothermia? I'm on a frostbitten quest to find out. Here are the most winter-iest games you can pick up for cheap.

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A minor tweak to Steam will soon let you change the way you download that monstrous 250GB updatehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/a-minor-tweak-to-steam-will-soon-let-you-change-the-way-you-download-that-monstrous-250gb-updateBrendan CaldwellThu, 12 Dec 2024 10:56:26 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/a-minor-tweak-to-steam-will-soon-let-you-change-the-way-you-download-that-monstrous-250gb-updateValvePC

If your PC has ever started randomly roaring, and you check Steam only to find Space Marine 2 is panic-installing a 9 billion gigabyte update, then perhaps Valve's new upcoming feature is for you. For most of us, Steam simply slurps down fresh gigs of installed games automatically when a new update is released (and sometimes schedules the updates according to its own capricious whims). But the platform is testing a new option in the beta client, which lets you set download behaviour to git new gigs only when you actually launch a game. This would be a terrible curse, for reasons I will explain, but it's only going to be an option - not the new default.

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Valve are now selling refurbished Steam Deck OLEDs at up to £110/$130 off – if you can find them in stockhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-are-now-selling-refurbished-steam-deck-oleds-at-up-to-110130-off-if-you-can-find-them-in-stockJames ArcherWed, 11 Dec 2024 10:30:21 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-are-now-selling-refurbished-steam-deck-oleds-at-up-to-110130-off-if-you-can-find-them-in-stockValveHardwareSteam Deck

The Steam Deck OLED has joined Valve’s Certified Refurbished programme, offering a much cheaper way of getting your hands on the best handheld PC around. Provided you don’t mind it being in someone else’s first, anyway. As with official refurbs of the original Steam Deck, "certified" Steam Deck OLEDs are formerly-broken models that have been returned to Valve, fixed up and tested in-house, then put back on the market at steep discounts. You’re looking at £389/$439 for the 512GB spec and £459/$519 for 1TB, down from £479/$549 and £569/$649 respectively.

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'Stop talking s*** about us' - Half-Life 2 mod blacklists a handful of YouTubers as 'anticitizens' and blocks them from playinghttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stop-talking-s-about-us-half-life-2-mod-blacklists-a-handful-of-youtubers-as-anticitizens-and-blocks-them-from-playingBrendan CaldwellMon, 02 Dec 2024 13:54:18 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stop-talking-s-about-us-half-life-2-mod-blacklists-a-handful-of-youtubers-as-anticitizens-and-blocks-them-from-playingShooterShooter: First PersonElectronic ArtsVivendi GamesSingle PlayerXboxValve CorporationFirst personPS3ValveHalf-Life 2Valve SoftwareXbox 360PC

There is some spiteful drama in the Half-Life modding scene this week. The developers of a heavily criticised mod for Half-Life 2 are intentionally blocking a small number of YouTubers from playing that mod, using Steam IDs to effectively blacklist and ban specific people from running it. Instead of launching the game as expected, these players will see the first-person shooter crash, alongside an error message that reads: "STOP talking SH1T about us". This is an act of revenge for previous criticism of the mod, say the affected videofolks, who are described in the mod's code as "anticitizens".

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RPS Asks: Are Steam sales still as exciting as they used to be?https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/rps-asks-are-steam-sales-still-as-exciting-as-they-used-to-beGraham SmithThu, 28 Nov 2024 23:08:25 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/rps-asks-are-steam-sales-still-as-exciting-as-they-used-to-beBlockbusterRPS asksValvesaleSteam

It's almost the end of November, which means it is technically but not spiritually still autumn. It is spiritually winter, the season of wearing gloves and using my phone's flashlight to look for my dog's poos in the long grass. Yet it's not the Steam winter sale that started yesterday, but the Steam autumn sale.

Discounts are definitely never a bad thing, but Steam sales used to feel like big events on the PC gaming calendar. They don't anymore, to me. Friends, are Steam sales still exciting to you?

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That lawsuit against Steam’s 30% cut of game sales is now a class action, meaning many other developers could benefithttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/that-lawsuit-against-steams-30-cut-of-game-sales-is-now-a-class-action-meaning-many-other-developers-could-benefitEdwin Evans-ThirlwellThu, 28 Nov 2024 16:26:38 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/that-lawsuit-against-steams-30-cut-of-game-sales-is-now-a-class-action-meaning-many-other-developers-could-benefitValveSteamWolfire GamesLawsuit

An on-going lawsuit against Valve about Steam's "anti-competitive" practices and especially, its infamous 30% per-game revenue cut, has taken an interesting twist. According to a report, it's now a class action suit that could benefit any developers or publishers who have sold a game over the Steam store on or after 28th January 2017.

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Valve added an invisible wall to this sewer pipe in Half-Life 2 in their anniversary update - but it only annoyed speedrunnershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-added-an-invisible-wall-to-this-sewer-pipe-in-half-life-2-in-their-anniversary-update-but-it-only-annoyed-speedrunnersBrendan CaldwellWed, 27 Nov 2024 13:23:16 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-added-an-invisible-wall-to-this-sewer-pipe-in-half-life-2-in-their-anniversary-update-but-it-only-annoyed-speedrunnersShooterShooter: First PersonElectronic ArtsVivendi GamesSingle PlayerXboxValve CorporationFirst personPS3Science FictionHalf-Life 2ValveValve SoftwareXbox 360PC

Half-Life 2 just got a small update, mostly to fix a long-running music bug. But hiding in the patch notes is an apology of sorts, a nod to that most tenacious of bunnyhopper: the Half-Life 2 speedrunner. It seems the recent 20th anniversary update for the classic first-person shooter messed with some beginner speedrun strategies by introducing an invisible wall to a big sewer pipe. Valve have now corrected that, removing the offending blocker and restoring order to the universe. Well, almost.

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Steam tighten up rules for games with season pass DLC: "you have to commit to completing that content on time"https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-tighten-up-rules-for-games-with-season-pass-dlc-you-have-to-commit-to-completing-that-content-on-timeEdwin Evans-ThirlwellThu, 21 Nov 2024 10:01:55 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-tighten-up-rules-for-games-with-season-pass-dlc-you-have-to-commit-to-completing-that-content-on-timeValveSteam

Valve have unveiled a new policy about season passes on Steam, which aims to ensure that developers release all the individual DLC involved on time and share adequate details about each DLC pack in advance. It specifies that developers can delay release of a season pass DLC just once, and by no longer than three months. In the event that a developer postpones DLC release by longer than three months, Valve may take such corrective actions as removing the season pass from sale or refunding players.

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Valve might be moving closer to a Steam Controller 2 and new VR controllers, rumours sayhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-might-be-moving-closer-to-a-steam-controller-2-and-new-vr-controllers-rumours-sayGraham SmithWed, 20 Nov 2024 21:22:10 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-might-be-moving-closer-to-a-steam-controller-2-and-new-vr-controllers-rumours-sayValveVRBlockbusterSteam Controller

Valve said that they want to make a new Steam Controller back in 2022, but such a thing might be getting closer to production, according to dataminer Brad Lynch.

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Classic Counter-Strike map Train returns in CS2 with a total overhaul, making it "60% cloudier"https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/classic-counter-strike-map-train-returns-in-cs2-with-a-total-overhaul-making-it-60-cloudierEd ThornMon, 18 Nov 2024 11:59:04 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/classic-counter-strike-map-train-returns-in-cs2-with-a-total-overhaul-making-it-60-cloudierShooterMilitaryMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerCounter-Strike 2First personeSports relevantValveValve SoftwarePC

Train, one of Counter-Strike's oldest and bestest maps, has received a sweeping update. Valve's given the fairly nondescript trainyard a "full visual overhaul" in Counter-Strike 2, making it "60% cloudier" and changing its layout to encourage more tactical play besides just whipping out the AWP and looking down long, narrow corridors.

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Valve must address swastikas and other hate on Steam, writes US senator in a letter to Gabe Newellhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-must-address-swastikas-and-other-hate-on-steam-writes-us-senator-in-a-letter-to-gabe-newellBrendan CaldwellMon, 18 Nov 2024 11:49:54 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-must-address-swastikas-and-other-hate-on-steam-writes-us-senator-in-a-letter-to-gabe-newellValveSteamPC

A senator for the US government has urged Valve to answer complaints about the amount of racist, sexist and otherwise hateful posts and imagery shared by users on Steam. The digital store was the subject of a report by the Anti-Defamation League last week, which claimed to find millions of examples of "hateful or extremist" language and images hosted on Steam's community. These include things like Nazi symbols in profile pictures, white supremacist slogans in group names, and yet more discriminatory spew in user posts. The senator has noticed this report, and now writes directly to Gabe Newell, demanding that Valve "bring its content moderation practices in line with industry standards" or risk "intense scrutiny" from the government.

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Half-Life 2: Episode 3 could have featured an ice gun and blob monsters, as seen in new documentary footagehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/half-life-2-episode-3-could-have-featured-an-ice-gun-and-blob-monsters-as-seen-in-new-documentary-footageGraham SmithSat, 16 Nov 2024 22:57:26 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/half-life-2-episode-3-could-have-featured-an-ice-gun-and-blob-monsters-as-seen-in-new-documentary-footageShooterElectronic ArtsVivendi GamesSingle PlayerXboxValve CorporationFirst personPS3ValveHalf-Life 2Valve SoftwareXbox 360PC

Half-Life 2 just turned 20-years-old, and to celebrate Valve updated the game with some new features. They also produced a documetary in which several of its development team look back on their work on the game and its episodic expansions - including the never-released Episode 3.

The documentary includes in-progress footage of the episode in action for the first time, and it shows an ice gun and a new liquid enemy type.

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Half-Life 2 is 20 years old and has been updated with Steam Workshop support and developer commentaryhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/half-life-2-is-20-years-old-and-has-been-updated-with-steam-workshop-support-and-developer-commentaryGraham SmithSat, 16 Nov 2024 22:13:32 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/half-life-2-is-20-years-old-and-has-been-updated-with-steam-workshop-support-and-developer-commentaryShooterElectronic ArtsVivendi GamesSingle PlayerXboxValve CorporationFirst personPS3ValveHalf-Life 2Valve SoftwareXbox 360PC

Half-Life 2 just turned 20 years old, and to celebrate Valve have released an update for their classic first-person shooter. In brief: they've recorded developer commentary; they've added Steam Workshop support; Episodes One and Two are now part of the package; and there are some bug fixes and new graphics options.

Grab it before the end of the weekend (November 18th at 6pm GMT) and it's also free to keep on Steam.

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Fiddly parkour is the secret sauce that makes every moment of Deadlock compellinghttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/fiddly-parkour-is-the-secret-sauce-that-makes-every-moment-of-deadlock-compellingMatt CoxThu, 14 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/fiddly-parkour-is-the-secret-sauce-that-makes-every-moment-of-deadlock-compellingShooterMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerValveMOBAPCStrategyVirtual RealityDeadlockThird person

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: running away is the best feeling in videogames. More specifically, being chased is the best feeling in videogames, a sentiment I’d happen to share with my golden retriever if you replaced the word “videogames” with “the universe”. He is a purer being, but he’ll also never know the joy of executing a rail-dismount into a dashing corner-jump escape in Deadlock, and for this he deserves our pity.

It’s easy to miss if you haven’t played for at least a few hours, but Deadlock packs one of the most engaging movement systems this side of Tribes Ascend.

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Inside Snap Tap, the new hotness keyboard feature outlawed by Valvehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/inside-snap-tap-the-new-hotness-keyboard-feature-outlawed-by-valveJames ArcherThu, 14 Nov 2024 11:24:02 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/inside-snap-tap-the-new-hotness-keyboard-feature-outlawed-by-valveShooterWootingMilitaryGaming KeyboardsMultiplayer CompetitiveRazerSingle PlayerCounter-Strike 2First personeSports relevantHardwareValveValve SoftwareEsportsPC

The gaming keyboard market is currently tripping over itself, trying to equip everything with the technology most commonly known as Snap Tap: a feature that promises hyperfast inputs of two alternating keypresses, making you an unkillable side-strafing blur in your FPS of choice. Introduced on Razer’s Huntsman V3 Pro series and quickly followed by Wooting’s (functionally distinct but effectively identical) Rappy Snappy, Snap Tap is now wearing multiple names as it takes over the world of RGB peripherals, from SteelSeries’ Rapid Tap to Corsair’s FlashTap and Keychron’s... Last Keystroke Prioritisation. Which doesn’t sound as sexy, but still.

However, Snap Tap is also drawing a level of ire that exceeds the usual baseline scepticism of hardware marketing. Because it enables a form of input automation – where you can quickly move in two directions by rapidly tapping one key, while holding down another – it’s considered by some as tantamount to cheating, allowing players to cross the line that divides unfair play from the accepted comforts that come with simply using a responsive Hall Effect keyboard or high-refresh-rate monitor. It’s even become a bannable offence in certain games, most notably in Counter-Strike 2.

Neither side is backing down; in an astonishingly worded tweet, Wooting went as far as to concede Snap Tap "should be considered cheating. But if it’s allowed, you need it." But do you?

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The next limited-edition Steam Deck OLED comes in white, and will be available globally this timehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-next-limited-edition-steam-deck-oled-comes-in-white-and-will-be-available-globally-this-timeJames ArcherMon, 11 Nov 2024 23:00:07 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-next-limited-edition-steam-deck-oled-comes-in-white-and-will-be-available-globally-this-timeValveHardwareSteam Deck

The Steam Deck OLED – which is like a Steam Deck but better in almost every way – is getting a new, if potentially more smudge-susceptible Limited Edition. A successor to the translucent version that only went on sale in the US and Canada last year, the Steam Deck OLED: Limited Edition White offers both a snowy look and, for those of us outside North America, the chance to actually buy one. It’ll go on sale November 18th, in all the countries that the Steam Deck currently ships in.

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You can now make video clips using Steam's built-in game recording feature, as an update rolls it out to all usershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/you-can-now-make-video-clips-using-steams-built-in-game-recording-feature-as-an-update-rolls-it-out-to-all-usersBrendan CaldwellWed, 06 Nov 2024 10:23:41 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/you-can-now-make-video-clips-using-steams-built-in-game-recording-feature-as-an-update-rolls-it-out-to-all-usersValveSteamPC

Steam's built-in game recording feature has been usable in beta since the summer, but it has now been properly launched for every user, following a client update to Steam yesterday. It's basically another method of capturing funny ragdoll glitches and posting them on the "lol-games-are-dumb" channel of your friend's Discord. Or for posting that flukey knife throw in Call Of Duty to Twitter, as if you really meant to kill the man from across the map all along. Or saving a clip for your personal records, like the footage of that time you yeeted an innocent citizen off the 50-foot wall of a castle town in Dragon's Dogma 2. We all do that, right? Right?

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We’ve learned the hard way that ganging up on Deadlock doesn’t make it more digestiblehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/weve-learned-the-hard-way-that-ganging-up-on-deadlock-doesnt-make-it-more-digestibleRPSMon, 04 Nov 2024 14:14:34 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/weve-learned-the-hard-way-that-ganging-up-on-deadlock-doesnt-make-it-more-digestibleShooterMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerValveMOBAPCStrategyVirtual RealityDeadlockThird person

The mystery surrounding Deadlock, Valve’s work-in-progress MOBA shooter, has largely evaporated. Its freely extendable invite system is about as effective at controlling player headcount as a disinterested football steward, meaning pretty much anyone with a clued-in Steam friend can get in and start poking around its secrets. And yet, being a lane-pushing wizard fighter in the Dota 2 vein, it’s already a vast tangle of interplaying abilities, items, strats, and often unspoken rules, of the kind that even experienced gankists will take hundreds of hours to learn. It’s been too much for poor Brendy, at any rate.

Still, Brendy is but one man. What if we had but four men, working in tandem to crush lanes and flatten Patrons just as Gabe intended? To find out if Deadlock is indeed more comprehensible as a team sport, Graham, Ed, Ollie, and James joined forces, promptly getting fucked up yet emerging from the warlock hospital with a deeper understanding of its workings. Or, at least, if anyone would keep playing.

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The new Steam Deck OS update improves a little bit of everythinghttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-new-steam-deck-os-update-improves-a-little-bit-of-everythingJames ArcherThu, 24 Oct 2024 09:18:44 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-new-steam-deck-os-update-improves-a-little-bit-of-everythingValveHardwareSteam Deck

It’s hard to pick out the highlights from the Steam Deck’s latest SteamOS update, 3.6.19, just because its collection of tweaks and fixes seems to span the entire gamut of handheld PC hardware as a concept. Graphics driver improvements! Third-party SSDs working better! More balanced display colours! No more "spurious power LED blinking"! Brilliant, I hate spurious power LED blinking. The original LCD Deck also now gets the Steam Deck OLED’s overclocking controls in the BIOS, which you’re welcome to try if you’re braver than I am about cranking up the temperatures of a already squished-in handheld chip.

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Valve won't sacrifice battery life to deliver a more powerful Steam Deck 2https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-wont-sacrifice-battery-life-to-deliver-a-more-powerful-steam-deck-2Edwin Evans-ThirlwellMon, 21 Oct 2024 15:19:05 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-wont-sacrifice-battery-life-to-deliver-a-more-powerful-steam-deck-2ValveSteam Deck

If you're fondly dreaming of an actual Steam Deck 2, not some half-and-half OLED travesty, you should also be fondly dreaming of a better class of battery. Valve designers Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehayyat have shared a little of the company's thinking regarding "generational leaps" in hardware, commenting that they don't want to release a Steam Deck sequel that is "only incrementally better", and in particular, that they don't want to release a new Steam Deck that is drastically more powerful at the expense of battery life.

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Deadlock is an adrenaline soaked successor to the brawls of Dota 2 - get it away from mehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/deadlock-is-an-adrenaline-soaked-successor-to-the-brawls-of-dota-2-get-it-away-from-meBrendan CaldwellFri, 18 Oct 2024 12:46:12 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/deadlock-is-an-adrenaline-soaked-successor-to-the-brawls-of-dota-2-get-it-away-from-meShooterMultiplayer CompetitiveShooter: Third PersonSingle PlayerValveFree-to-playMOBAPCStrategyVirtual RealityDeadlockThird person

Deadlock gives me the shakes. Valve's not-so-secret third-person MOBA shooter is a fiercely competitive game of push and pull through monster-peppered city streets. You'll get into hectic scrapes with a giant blob man and come out of it sweating and swearing, and possibly alive. It is tactical, deep, instinctive, and an interesting work-in-progress. It elicits adrenaline almost as much as it forces murder economics down your piehole. This is the kind of game that puts you into a blistering, exciting (and confusing) battle for survival, then displays a graph when you lose. I need to get as far away from it as possible.

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Steam will now warn customers at checkout that they're only buying a digital license to a gamehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-will-now-warn-customers-at-checkout-that-theyre-only-buying-a-digital-license-to-a-gameGraham SmithFri, 11 Oct 2024 21:30:19 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-will-now-warn-customers-at-checkout-that-theyre-only-buying-a-digital-license-to-a-gameValveSteamBlockbuster

Steam now shows customers a message to let them know that they're buying a license when making a purchase through the storefront, rather than any outright ownership. The change has been implemented internationally in response to new California legislation due to take effect next year.

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Corsair MP600 2TB Mini SSD just hit its lowest price ever on Amazon—it’s perfect for Steam Deckhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/corsair-mp600-2tb-mini-ssd-lowest-price-ever-on-amazon-perfect-steam-deckRobert AndersonFri, 11 Oct 2024 14:53:33 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/corsair-mp600-2tb-mini-ssd-lowest-price-ever-on-amazon-perfect-steam-deckCorsairValveBlack Friday 2024PC

If you care about my opinion, I generally still think sticking with a micro SD is the safer and simpler option for Steam Deck storage, but if you’re set on upgrading the internal SSD of your handheld, the Corsair MP600 CORE Mini 2TB SSD is your best bet, now down to $129.99 on Amazon.

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Need more storage for your Steam Deck? This ideal TeamGroup 1TB micro SD is now heavily discounted at Amazonhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-deck-micro-sd-best-deal-amazon-new-1tb-cheapRobert AndersonFri, 11 Oct 2024 11:15:10 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-deck-micro-sd-best-deal-amazon-new-1tb-cheapValveBlack Friday 2024PC

Maximizing storage for your Steam Deck or ROG Ally is, frankly, essential. While the built-in SSD handles most games well, few will truly push it to its limits, meaning a good micro SD card is often your best bet. Enter one of the year's standout deals for Steam Deck owners.

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Steam's Turn-Based RPG Fest has discounts and demos you can download then play, in that orderhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-turn-based-rpg-fest-has-discounts-and-demos-you-can-download-then-play-in-that-orderGraham SmithThu, 03 Oct 2024 17:59:22 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-turn-based-rpg-fest-has-discounts-and-demos-you-can-download-then-play-in-that-orderValveSteamStrategy

"Turn-based" games are, as we know, all derived from Turn, the strategy game about a dog digging for coins released for the BBC Micro in 1987. Prior to this, all actions in games simply took place simultaenously, as fast as the player or players could make them.

Fast forward to today and many games are now "turn-based", from Tactics Ogre Reborn to Age Of Wonders 4 to chess. In celebration of their orderliness, Steam is currently running a turn-based RPG fest featuring discounts and demos for "turn-based games where you grow stronger with every battle".

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The latest Steam client beta tunes up Game Recording with ultrawide support and unlimited capture lengthhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-latest-steam-client-beta-tunes-up-game-recording-with-ultrawide-support-and-unlimited-capture-lengthJames ArcherThu, 03 Oct 2024 16:16:59 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-latest-steam-client-beta-tunes-up-game-recording-with-ultrawide-support-and-unlimited-capture-lengthValveSteam

Yesterday, Valve dropped a Steam client beta update focused largely on Game Recording – the beta version’s recently added clip-capturing utility. It’s a pretty wide-spanning array of improvements, adding support for ultrawide monitor resolutions up to 32:9, the high-quality H.265 (HEVC) video codec – on Windows only for now, apologies to the Steam Deck – and the option to "record a specified game indefinitely with no specified time limit."

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Ugreen 6-in-1 Steam Deck dock gets a significant discount at Amazon todayhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/ugreen-6-in-1-steam-deck-dock-gets-a-significant-discount-at-amazon-todayRobert AndersonMon, 30 Sep 2024 15:07:45 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/ugreen-6-in-1-steam-deck-dock-gets-a-significant-discount-at-amazon-todayValvePC

Finding the best Steam Deck dock will be high on the priority list for any of us portable PC gaming enthusiasts. Even Amazon’s October Prime Day right around the corner, this deal is looking pretty unbeatable at the moment.

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Deadlock cheaters are being turned into frogs as players get chance to vote on their fatehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/deadlock-cheaters-are-being-turned-into-frogs-as-players-get-chance-to-vote-on-their-fateBrendan CaldwellFri, 27 Sep 2024 10:13:33 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/deadlock-cheaters-are-being-turned-into-frogs-as-players-get-chance-to-vote-on-their-fateShooterMultiplayer CompetitiveShooter: Third PersonSingle PlayerValveFree-to-playMOBAPCStrategyVirtual RealityDeadlockThird person

Valve instituted a fairytale punishment for cheaters in its unreleased laney shooter Deadlock yesterday. Cheaters will now be turned into frogs, provided the other players in the match vote for it. A Counter-Strike 2 modder proved the effect in a post on Xitter after the change was mentioned in some out-of-the-way patch notes by a Valve developer.

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Valve’s ARM64 game testing points towards new Steam hardware, if vaguelyhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valves-arm64-game-testing-points-towards-new-steam-hardware-if-vaguelyJames ArcherMon, 23 Sep 2024 11:35:44 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valves-arm64-game-testing-points-towards-new-steam-hardware-if-vaguelyValveHardwareSteam Deck

Valve are likely up to something hardware-related again, report NotebookCheck. Their next chunk of plastic and wires – following the Valve Index, Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED – could swap PC gaming’s favoured x86 architecture for ARM, the type of processor favoured by the Nintendo Switch, Macs, and mobile phones.

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The Steam Families logo is clearly a Rorschach test, so what do you see?https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-families-logo-is-clearly-a-rorschach-test-so-what-do-you-seeGraham SmithThu, 12 Sep 2024 17:58:44 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-families-logo-is-clearly-a-rorschach-test-so-what-do-you-seeValveSteamBlockbuster

Earlier today, Nic covered the full release of Steam Families, a feature which makes it easier for families to share a game library and for parents to manage kids' purchases and playtime on the digital storefront. It's a neat improvement over the old system.

Unfortunately I can't think about anything other than the Steam Families logo, which is pictured above and is clearly a shocked, possibly aghast face. Or so I thought at first. The more I stare at it, the more it seems to reveal.

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Steam Families is out of beta, letting you share games with up to five othershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-families-is-out-of-beta-letting-you-share-games-with-up-to-five-othersNic ReubenThu, 12 Sep 2024 08:09:09 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-families-is-out-of-beta-letting-you-share-games-with-up-to-five-othersPortal 2Multiplayer CompetitivePuzzleValve SoftwareShooterElectronic ArtsNintendo SwitchFirst personXbox 360PCEA PartnersSteamSingle PlayerMultiplayer CooperativeAction AdventurePlatformerPS3ValveValve Corporation

Steam’s family sharing feature Steam Families is now available to everyone on the platform, letting up to six total people share games from a single library, with each individual having access to their own saved games, achievements, and workshop files.

This means that, yes, when you all sit down together in the evening, you can enjoy a hearty family meal in the knowledge that between you, you technically own six copies of the Cities Skylines Big Butt Skinner Balloon.

Each person on the account will have one of two roles: adult or child. Adults can manage parental controls, set hourly or daily playtime limits, approve purchase requests, and control store access. Valve appear very proud of making it easier for parents to spend money, streamlining the “time-consuming” task of buying games for their kids.

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The Ukrainian armed forces are reportedly using Steam Decks to remote-control gun turretshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-ukrainian-armed-forces-are-reportedly-using-steam-decks-to-remote-control-gun-turretsEdwin Evans-ThirlwellTue, 10 Sep 2024 15:14:35 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-ukrainian-armed-forces-are-reportedly-using-steam-decks-to-remote-control-gun-turretsValveSteam Deck

According to Ukrainian government-run website United24 Media, Ukraine's armed forces are using Steam Decks to remote-control gun turrets in the course of the on-going war with Russia. The site has shared a video of a new turret system, ShaBlya, which was apparently developed by Ukrainian engineers and approved for mass production earlier this year.

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Amazon tried to buy part of Valve in the days before Steam, according to former exec who says she's been "erased" from Valve's historyhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/amazon-tried-to-buy-part-of-valve-in-the-days-before-steam-according-to-former-exec-who-says-shes-been-erased-from-valves-historyEdwin Evans-ThirlwellMon, 09 Sep 2024 13:38:42 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/amazon-tried-to-buy-part-of-valve-in-the-days-before-steam-according-to-former-exec-who-says-shes-been-erased-from-valves-historyShooterMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerPuzzleValve CorporationFirst personSierra EntertainmentValveValve SoftwareSteamPCAction AdventurePS2Half-Life

Monica Harrington isn't one of Valve's official co-founders, but she was heavily involved in its formation and initial success - working by day as a marketing manager at Microsoft with responsibility for the games division, while helping her partner, Mike Harrington, and Gabe Newell get the Half-Life studio off the ground. In a lengthy post on Medium - which Nic has already covered in the most recent Sunday Papers, but which I think deserves a piece of its own - Harrington takes us through those heady early days.

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Risk Of Rain creators wind down work on unannounced project and take jobs at Valvehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/risk-of-rain-creators-wind-down-work-on-unannounced-project-and-take-jobs-at-valveBrendan CaldwellTue, 03 Sep 2024 11:20:41 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/risk-of-rain-creators-wind-down-work-on-unannounced-project-and-take-jobs-at-valveShooterMultiplayer CompetitiveShooter: Third PersonIndieNintendo SwitchSingle PlayerXbox OneGearbox PublishingHopoo GamesRisk of Rain 2RoguelikePCValveMultiplayer CooperativeAction AdventurePS4Third person

Hopoo Games, the studio who made chewy roguelike Risk Of Rain and its moreish 3D sequel Risk Of Rain 2, are shutting up shop and taking jobs at Valve. They're no longer working on a previously unannounced game called "Snail", say the developers on Xitter. Instead, the studio co-founders Paul Morse and Duncan Drummond (plus "many other talented members") are taking up game development roles with the Steam owners.

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1TB Lexar Play Micro SD Card Gets a Significant Price Drop at Amazonhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/amazon-steam-deck-micro-sd-card-lexar-play-deal-newRobert AndersonMon, 02 Sep 2024 13:46:31 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/amazon-steam-deck-micro-sd-card-lexar-play-deal-newValvePC

Amazon is currently offering a significant discount on one of the best microSD cards for the Steam Deck. The Lexar 1TB Play microSDXC Memory Card, an ideal storage solution for portable gaming devices like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally X, and others, is now priced at just $66.49, or £61.74 in the UK. This is a substantial drop from its original $129.99/ £129.99 list price, making it a great deal while the sale lasts.

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Steam's Space Exploration Fest kicks off deals and demos on September 2ndhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-space-exploration-fest-kicks-off-deals-and-demos-on-september-2ndGraham SmithSat, 31 Aug 2024 22:33:43 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-space-exploration-fest-kicks-off-deals-and-demos-on-september-2ndValvesaleBlockbusterSteam

Another week, another Steam Fest looms. From September 2st until the 9rd you'll be able to find intergalactic discounts and demos in the Steam Space Exploration Fest.

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You can now filter Steam reviews to show those who "played mostly on Steam Deck"https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/you-can-now-filter-steam-reviews-to-show-those-who-played-mostly-on-steam-deckGraham SmithSat, 24 Aug 2024 20:57:19 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/you-can-now-filter-steam-reviews-to-show-those-who-played-mostly-on-steam-deckValveBlockbusterSteam Deck

Valve have their own rating system for measuring how games run on Steam Deck, but even following the guidance of whether something is "Playable" or "Verified", I've still run into games that simply do not work on the handheld device.

Enter Steam reviews. Reviews from players who primarily played on Steam Deck will now have a little Deck icon, which when moused over tells you the exact amount of time spent on the Deck.

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Steam Rhythm Fest is underway with discounts and demos for games with a good beathttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-rhythm-fest-is-underway-with-discounts-and-demos-for-games-with-a-good-beatGraham SmithThu, 22 Aug 2024 20:21:22 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-rhythm-fest-is-underway-with-discounts-and-demos-for-games-with-a-good-beatValveSteamDemosRhythm

We've been distracted by Gamescom, several game releases, the rapid dwindling of the British summer. Or I assume we have, for why else would we not have yet posted about the Steam Rhythm Fest, which began on Monday and runs until August 26th at 10am PT/6pm BRDST*.

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Steam’s latest update to user reviews doesn’t find your “jokes, memes, ascii art and other content” as funny as you dohttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-latest-update-to-user-reviews-doesnt-find-your-jokes-memes-ascii-art-and-other-content-as-funny-as-you-doNic ReubenThu, 15 Aug 2024 08:10:16 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-latest-update-to-user-reviews-doesnt-find-your-jokes-memes-ascii-art-and-other-content-as-funny-as-you-doValveSteamBlockbuster

Steam’s seeing a good few sweeping changes of late. They’ve recently added a ‘Trending Free’ tab to separate the no money down and no, money down playables. And, as of September, they’re cracking down on links to other websites in store pages. Now, horror of horrors, they’re coming for your ascii gigachads and “nobody is going to read this review so I’ll just say I’m gay” bangers. The changes are part of their ‘New Helpfulness System’, outlined here.

The new system, which will be enabled by default but can be toggled off, aims to “help potential players make informed decisions about the games they are considering purchasing by understanding the attributes of the game that other players like or don't like.” Ah, so a sort of ‘review’, if you will. I like it!

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Valve are still taking SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck, though dual booting is a ways offhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-are-still-taking-steamos-beyond-the-steam-deck-though-dual-booting-is-a-ways-offJames ArcherWed, 14 Aug 2024 10:32:57 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-are-still-taking-steamos-beyond-the-steam-deck-though-dual-booting-is-a-ways-offSteamOSAsus ROG AllySteam DeckValve

Valve have made no secret of their plans to make SteamOS – the Linux-based operating system that powers the Steam Deck – available to other games-playing devices, including rival handhelds. After a recent beta update mentioned adding support for the Asus ROG Ally’s inputs, The Verge confirmed with Valve that SteamOS support for non-Steam Deck portables is still very much in the works. The Deck’s long-promised dual booting capability, on the other hand, sounds further down the to-do list.

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Steam now has a Trending Free tab for demos, full free games and free-to-playhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-now-has-a-trending-free-tab-for-demos-full-free-games-and-free-to-playEdwin Evans-ThirlwellWed, 14 Aug 2024 09:14:55 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-now-has-a-trending-free-tab-for-demos-full-free-games-and-free-to-playFree gamesValveSteam

Finding and sharing Free Stuff is one of the time-honoured duties of the video game journalist or SEO-monger. Back when I was OXM's online editor, "free Xbox games" was one of our golden Google pillars, the other two being "Minecraft Xbox 360 update" and "Skyrim something something". Well, uncle Valve has just rudely torpedoed that ancient investigative initiative by adding a Trending Free tab to the Steam frontpage, encompassing prologues, demos, free-to-play games and that most treasured of jewels, a full free game with no monetisation elements, such as Grimhook.

Do not cry for us pitiful electronic scribblers, crowded on our melting internet icebergs. Play free games instead! Thanks to that new tab, I've just discovered a demo for neato wide-format tower defender Frontline Crisis. Hah, that'll keep the awareness of steady livelihood erosion at bay.

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Asus ROG Ally X vs Steam Deck OLED: battle of the beefed-up handheldshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/asus-rog-ally-x-vs-steam-deck-oledJames ArcherTue, 06 Aug 2024 11:56:19 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/asus-rog-ally-x-vs-steam-deck-oledAsusSteam DeckAsus ROG Ally XValveHardware

Is early adoption a chump’s game? I dunno about that, though between the Asus ROG Ally X and the Steam Deck OLED, those who stayed their hand on their earlier handheld gaming PC counterparts do have a couple of quality second-genners to choose from. Valve’s effort manages to wring multiple performance, design, and battery life improvements out of its new display, while the ROG Ally X makes similar upgrades with a bigger-yet-better take on the original ROG Ally.

The only thing to do, clearly, is make them fight. It’s probably in the Irish Code Duello or something: "Should one portable games box impugn another’s honour by releasing shortly after it, satisfaction must be claimed through a comparison article." My hands are bound here, folks, though if you yourself have been playing the waiting game on a handheld purchase, perhaps this little head-to-head can help you pick the right one.

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Valve "White Sands" project spotted on Starfield voice actor portfolio, prompting Half-Life speculationhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-white-sands-project-spotted-on-starfield-voice-actor-portfolio-prompting-half-life-speculationEdwin Evans-ThirlwellMon, 05 Aug 2024 10:54:41 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-white-sands-project-spotted-on-starfield-voice-actor-portfolio-prompting-half-life-speculationMultiplayer CompetitivePuzzleXboxValve SoftwareHalf-LifeShooterElectronic ArtsFirst personXbox 360PCSingle PlayerSierra EntertainmentAction AdventurePS2Vivendi GamesHalf-Life 3Valve CorporationPS3ValveHalf-Life 2Half-Life 2: Episode 3

As Hamlet requested of Horatio, it is time to absent myself from felicity awhile, and in this harsh world draw my breath in pain to tell you that the Half-Life 3 speculators are at it again. Over the weekend, the discovery of a mystery Valve project called "White Sands" on a voice actor's portfolio has set tongues and fingers wagging about potential Half-Life news in the offing.

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Michael Bay's Skibidi Toilet movie production company has apparently sent DMCA takedowns to Garry's Modhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/michael-bays-skibidi-toilet-movie-production-company-has-apparently-sent-dmca-takedowns-to-garrys-modGraham SmithTue, 30 Jul 2024 20:57:46 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/michael-bays-skibidi-toilet-movie-production-company-has-apparently-sent-dmca-takedowns-to-garrys-modMultiplayer CompetitiveSimulationIndieSingle PlayerFirst personValvePCMultiplayer CooperativeGarry's Mod

Update: Garry Newman has confirmed that the DMCA notice was sent last year, and has since been "all resolved", in an email to IGN.

Original story:

Earlier this month it was reported that Skibidi Toilet, the YouTube phenomenon, may be heading to film and television via director Michael Bay. Now Invisible Narratives, a production company co-owned by Bay, has apparently sent a DMCA takedown notice to Garry Newman, citing the large number of Skibidi Toilet games and assets advertised within Garry's Mod.

Skibidi Toilet uses assets derived from Half-Life 2, however, and owes a lot to the Garry's Mod machinima scene. And the animation's original creator, best known as DaFuqBoom, is claiming innocence over the DMCA.

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Steam has made it easier to find, download and even review game demoshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-has-made-it-easier-to-find-download-and-even-review-game-demosGraham SmithFri, 26 Jul 2024 19:03:02 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-has-made-it-easier-to-find-download-and-even-review-game-demosValveSteamBlockbusterDemos

Demos were once a cornerstone of PC gaming and they arguably will be again thanks to events like Steam Next Fest. The latest update to Steam seeks to make those free slices of potential delight easier to find for players, and easier to promote for developers.

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Counter-Strike 2 update plonks new crates on Dust 2, which could be game-changinghttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/counter-strike-2-update-plonks-new-crates-on-dust-2-which-could-be-game-changingEd ThornTue, 23 Jul 2024 10:41:02 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/counter-strike-2-update-plonks-new-crates-on-dust-2-which-could-be-game-changingShooterShooter: First PersonMilitaryMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerCounter-Strike 2First personeSports relevantValveValve SoftwarePC

I've not played Counter- Strike 2 in yonks, but I know a big update when I see one. That's right: Valve have added some new crates just outside of counter-terrorist spawn, near bombsite A. This means that players can now use these boxes to hop from CT up to catwalk with little fuss, where previously you'd need to use your teammates' heads as a springboard. What does this mean as a layperson who sort of plays the game sometimes? More than you might think!

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Counter-Strike creator correctly holds the opinion that cs_siege is one of its best mapshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/counter-strike-creator-correctly-holds-the-opinion-that-cs_siege-is-one-of-its-best-mapsGraham SmithThu, 18 Jul 2024 21:32:46 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/counter-strike-creator-correctly-holds-the-opinion-that-cs_siege-is-one-of-its-best-mapsCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveMultiplayer CompetitiveXboxeSports relevantValve SoftwareShooterShooter: First PersonMilitaryCounter-StrikeCounter-Strike 2First personXbox 360PCMicrosoftSingle PlayerMicrosoft StudiosHidden Path EntertainmentValve CorporationPS3ValveMac

Everybody knows that Counter-Strike's asymmetric levels are its best. If only someone had told its millions of players. Counter-Strike creator Minh Le seems to agree with me at least, naming cs_siege as one of his favourites in a recent interview.

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Team Fortress 2 players report that Valve have carried out a ban-wave against aimbotshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/team-fortress-2-players-report-that-valve-have-carried-out-a-ban-wave-against-aimbotsGraham SmithFri, 28 Jun 2024 20:58:38 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/team-fortress-2-players-report-that-valve-have-carried-out-a-ban-wave-against-aimbotsShooterElectronic ArtsMultiplayer CompetitiveTeam Fortress 2First personPS3ValveValve CorporationValve SoftwarePCXbox 360Multiplayer CooperativeMac

Team Fortress 2's received its first major update in yonks last year, and then the nearly 17-year-old game promptly broke its concurrent player record. Still, talk to one of those players and you'll find all is not well with Valve's shooter, which is apparently regularly overrun by bots and cheaters.

Some players are now reporting "a large ban wave" targeting users of aimbots, however.

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Here's how we’re all spending our last tenner on the best deals in the Steam Summer Salehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/heres-how-were-all-spending-our-last-tenner-on-the-best-deals-in-the-steam-summer-saleNic ReubenFri, 28 Jun 2024 11:51:51 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/heres-how-were-all-spending-our-last-tenner-on-the-best-deals-in-the-steam-summer-saleValveBlockbuster

It’s that time of the year again. You know the one. Numbers you’d previously shunned for being too high have suddenly gotten smaller, and purchases have shifted categories from impractical to impulsively justifiable. It’s the Steam Summer Sale 2024! There’s no rush, of course. It runs until the 11th of July. Still, to help you navigate the meatily chummed waters of Sales Lagoon, Horace has decided to reward our combined years of service with a crisp ten bob note each to spend on games. We’ve been bringing up the whole “getting paid” thing for ages, so this is a real win for us. Here’s how we’re all spending that tenner in the sale.

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Steam's 2024 summer sale is now livehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-2024-summer-sale-is-now-liveGraham SmithThu, 27 Jun 2024 18:08:25 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-2024-summer-sale-is-now-liveValvesaleBlockbusterSteam

You can tell when a major Steam sale goes live, because the Steam store stop loading. If you can make it past the "something went wrong" message you'll find that the Steam summer sale is now underway.

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Steam’s new Game Recording beta lets you instant-replay all those Elden Ring deathshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-new-game-recording-beta-lets-you-instant-replay-all-those-elden-ring-deathsJames ArcherThu, 27 Jun 2024 10:05:22 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-new-game-recording-beta-lets-you-instant-replay-all-those-elden-ring-deathsValveSteamSteam Deck

From ShadowPlay to OBS, there’s no shortage of tools and apps that can record and share your finest gaming moments and/or hilarious failures. No matter to Valve, who’ve updated the Steam beta client with a replay system of their own.

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The Steam Summer Sale is due this week and promises "deep discounts", whatever that meanshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-summer-sale-is-due-this-week-and-promises-deep-discounts-whatever-that-meansBrendan CaldwellTue, 25 Jun 2024 09:51:20 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-summer-sale-is-due-this-week-and-promises-deep-discounts-whatever-that-meansPocketpairHack & SlashBird view / IsometricMMORPGShooterIndiePalworldDisney Dreamlight ValleyGameLoftPCStrategyThird personLife SimulationRPGExplorationSingle PlayerStrategy: Real-Time StrategyMultiplayer CooperativeAction AdventureManor LordsSandboxManagementSimulationXbox Series X/SValveSlavic Magic

The Steam Summer Sale is kicking off this week, say Valve, purveyors of fine games and thousands of crap ones too (don't worry, we help you tell the difference). The sale begins on Thursday June 27th and runs until July 11th. That's a full two weeks of sun and soulslikes, beach balls and beat 'em ups, paddling pools and puzzle games. I don't know any other objects associated with this mythological "summer" people talk about, I'm from Ireland. But I can tell you at least some of the games that'll be in the sale, according to some bargain-teasing by Valve.

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Steam Next Fext 2024's most popular demos include goblin maid sims, horror shooters and a Chinese game about an unmarried no-liferhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-next-fext-2024s-most-popular-demos-include-goblin-maid-sims-horror-shooters-and-a-chinese-game-about-an-unmarried-no-liferEdwin Evans-ThirlwellTue, 18 Jun 2024 11:29:50 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-next-fext-2024s-most-popular-demos-include-goblin-maid-sims-horror-shooters-and-a-chinese-game-about-an-unmarried-no-liferSteam Next Fest 2024IndieValveWishlisted June 2024Steam Next FestSteamWishlisted

Steam Next Fest 2024 has formally ended, we've spent a couple of weeks gorging upon demos of all stripes, from oil spill clean-up to dancefloor kendo, and now comes the all-important process of deciding which of those demos Won. Valve have helpfully shared a list of the most played Steam demos during this latest, gravest round of next festivity, and it covers a reasonable range. I mean, I wasn't that surprised to see an open world survival shooter with monsters at the top of the ladder - why else would we dedicate a bunch of Best Of features to such things? - but I am surprised that number three is a leering parody of neglect. Also, there's a game about mopping dungeons that appeals strongly to my Dungeon Meshi-watching sensibilities.

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Valve owe you 44 quid, according to a £656m lawsuit against the company for allegedly overcharging UK customershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-owe-you-44-quid-according-to-a-656-lawsuit-against-the-company-for-allegedly-overcharging-uk-customersNic ReubenThu, 13 Jun 2024 09:41:47 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-owe-you-44-quid-according-to-a-656-lawsuit-against-the-company-for-allegedly-overcharging-uk-customersValveBlockbuster

In what is possibly the biggest scandal the UK has seen since the last time the price of Freddos went up, a digital rights campaigner is suing Valve for £656m in compensation, accusing the company of overcharging and anti-competitive behaviour. The accompanying website describes the collective action claim as a “ground-breaking legal action,” which is very gamer of them. 16 times the litigation, etc.

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You can’t leave your Steam backlog to someone else in your willhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/you-cant-leave-your-steam-backlog-to-someone-else-in-your-willMatt JarvisMon, 27 May 2024 16:42:52 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/you-cant-leave-your-steam-backlog-to-someone-else-in-your-willValveSteamPC

The sheer number and scale of video games released nowadays means that the infamous Steam backlog is better-fed than ever, gorging on half-played hundred-hour RPGs, never-touched indies amassed during summer sales and “I’ll get to it one day” PC pipe dreams. If you were hoping to task your descendants with continuing your quest to get all 1,700-plus achievements in Tales of Maj'Eyal or maintain your ranked leaderboard position in Dota 2, bad news: it turns out that you can’t pass on your Steam library after you die.

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The Sunday Papershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-sunday-papers-718Nic ReubenSun, 19 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-sunday-papers-718ShooterElectronic ArtsSingle PlayerPuzzlePlatformerFirst personPS3The Sunday PapersValveValve CorporationValve SoftwareXbox 360PCPortal

Sundays are for wheeling my old gamer chair to the curb, before flopping back in my new ergonomic office chair with the same awful posture and whining, "Why doesn't it work?! Who knew that furniture named things like Titan, Pro and Conquer aren't the most conducive to lumbar support?" Before I go, "Aaaaaaahhhhhhh" so loudly I give the local cats tiny heart attacks, let's read this week’s best writing about games (and game related things!)

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Steam's latest Fest offers discounts on games you can play over and over foreverhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-latest-fest-offers-discounts-on-games-you-can-play-over-and-over-foreverGraham SmithTue, 14 May 2024 21:19:28 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-latest-fest-offers-discounts-on-games-you-can-play-over-and-over-foreverValvesaleBlockbusterSteam

Video games must be three hours-long or infinite and nothing in between. The latest Steam event is designed to celebnrate the latter. The Endless Replayability Fest runs from now until May 20th, "celebrating games and demos you can play over and over again."

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Counter-Strike 2 finally gets left-handed view models, seven months after launchhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/counter-strike-2-finally-gets-left-handed-view-models-seven-months-after-launchEd ThornFri, 26 Apr 2024 10:58:23 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/counter-strike-2-finally-gets-left-handed-view-models-seven-months-after-launchShooterShooter: First PersonMilitaryMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerCounter-Strike 2First personeSports relevantValveValve SoftwarePC

Left-handed Counter-Strike 2 players, time to raise that left hand in what could be interpreted as a celebration. In the game's latest update, Valve have added the ability to swap from the default right-handed viewmodel to a left-handed one. There's also an update to the buy menu, making it easier to track your bank account and grab weapons your mates have dropped. Alongside further UI improvements for grenade line-ups, and a tweak to the Active Duty map pool.

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Garry’s mod is removing “Nintendo Stuff” after takedown notices, but users suspect foul play from fraudstershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/garrys-mod-is-removing-nintendo-stuff-after-takedown-notices-but-users-suspect-foul-play-from-fraudstersNic ReubenThu, 25 Apr 2024 09:39:11 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/garrys-mod-is-removing-nintendo-stuff-after-takedown-notices-but-users-suspect-foul-play-from-fraudstersNintendoMultiplayer CompetitiveSimulationIndieSingle PlayerFirst personValveEducationalPCMultiplayer CooperativeGarry's Mod

In a rare case of a wild Nintendo being spotted having somewhat of a point, actually, in regards to being protective over their IP, Facepunch announced yesterday that they’re removing all “Nintendo stuff” from Garry’s Mod’s Steam workshop, following takedown orders sent straight from ninty themselves.

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Steam says those hours you time criminals put in during advanced access now count toward the refund allowancehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-says-those-hours-you-time-criminals-put-in-during-advanced-access-now-count-toward-the-refund-allowanceNic ReubenWed, 24 Apr 2024 09:18:30 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-says-those-hours-you-time-criminals-put-in-during-advanced-access-now-count-toward-the-refund-allowanceValveSteamBlockbusterIndie

Players that put more than two hours into pre-purchased or advanced access games will now be exempt from Steam's refund policy, says Steam, the maker of said policy and thus the final word on how it is implemented. As spotted by the Verge, this change is intended to combat a loophole where filthy time criminals could fill their stolen boots with ill-gotten fun pre-release, then get their money back.

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What's better: a 'put back' action, or standing atop another player's head in an FPS?https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/whats-better-a-put-back-action-or-standing-atop-another-players-heads-in-an-fpsAlice O'ConnorWed, 17 Apr 2024 15:57:24 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/whats-better-a-put-back-action-or-standing-atop-another-players-heads-in-an-fpsMultiplayer CompetitiveWhat's the best thing in video games?XboxXbox OneShooterCounter-StrikeIndieNintendo SwitchPoint and ClickFirst personPCMicrosoftBlockbusterSingle PlayerGone HomeMidnight CityAction AdventureNintendo Wii UThe Fullbright CompanyMicrosoft StudiosValve CorporationValveMacPS4

Last time, you decided that gliding powers are better than Dragon's Dogma 2's Unmaking Arrow. Honestly I'm surprised it was that close (66% vs 33%—don't sweat the rounding), and I'm proud of your ability to weigh a whole concept against a single-game implementation. We are so good at this. Onwards! This week, I ask you to choose between placing things in two very different ways. What's better: a 'put back' action, or standing atop another player's head in an FPS?

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The voice behind Half-Life 2’s Vortigaunts has passed awayhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-voice-behind-half-life-2s-vortigaunts-has-passed-awayMatt JarvisMon, 01 Apr 2024 16:28:47 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-voice-behind-half-life-2s-vortigaunts-has-passed-awayShooterElectronic ArtsVivendi GamesEA GamesSingle PlayerXboxValve CorporationFirst personPS3ValveHalf-Life 2Valve SoftwareXbox 360PCCyberfrontHalf-Life 2: Episode One

Louis Gossett Jr., who made history as the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and had a prolific, successful career across film, television and stage - as well as voicing the friendly Vortigaunt aliens in Half-Life 2 and its follow-up Episode One - has died.

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Steam Families launches into beta, making it easier to buy and share games with your kidshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-families-launches-into-beta-making-it-easier-to-buy-and-share-games-with-your-kidsKatharine CastleTue, 19 Mar 2024 10:16:11 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-families-launches-into-beta-making-it-easier-to-buy-and-share-games-with-your-kidsValveSteamBlockbuster

Valve have launched Steam Families on the Steam Beta Client, a suite of new and refreshed family sharing options that replace Steam's existing Family Sharing and Family View features. The idea is that you'll now have a single location where you can manage your family's games from, as well as have more control over what and when other family members can play.

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Steam's spring sale is livehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-spring-sale-is-liveGraham SmithThu, 14 Mar 2024 21:41:47 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-spring-sale-is-liveValvesaleBlockbusterSteam

It's hard for me to get a read on Steam sales, because my relationship and access to games is defined by my work. So I ask you, as the Steam spring sale starts: are Steam sales as big a deal as they used to be?

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Steam now lets you hide individual games from people's prying eyeshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-now-lets-you-hide-individual-games-from-peoples-prying-eyesAlice O'ConnorTue, 05 Mar 2024 11:47:26 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-now-lets-you-hide-individual-games-from-peoples-prying-eyesValveSteamBlockbusterIndie

After several months on the Steam beta build, Valve last night officially launched an update which revamps the shopping experience and lets you hide your shame. Two universal conveniences: your shopping basket is now shared across devices, so no losing track of things you meant to buy later; and buying gift copies is now less faffy. More conditional: you can now choose to make individual games private, meaning no one will ever see if you own them or are playing them. I won't ask why you might want to hide any particular games.

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The 512GB Steam Deck (LCD) is down to £375 at Ebay thanks to a 20% off codehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-512gb-steam-deck-lcd-is-down-to-375-at-ebay-thanks-to-a-20-off-codeWill JuddMon, 26 Feb 2024 16:46:33 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-512gb-steam-deck-lcd-is-down-to-375-at-ebay-thanks-to-a-20-off-codeValveSteam DeckPC

If you're after a Steam Deck at a bargain price, The Game Collection is selling 512GB LCD models for £375 with the code LEAP20 at Ebay, which takes 20% off the previous £450 price for these new models.

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More than 500 games on Steam earned over $3 million in 2023https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/more-than-500-games-on-steam-earned-over-3-million-in-2023Graham SmithTue, 20 Feb 2024 21:55:03 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/more-than-500-games-on-steam-earned-over-3-million-in-2023ValveSteamBlockbuster

In 2023, more than 500 games earned more than $3 million (around £2.3 million) in gross revenue via Steam, according to Valve. The stat was shared as part of their annual summary, a breakdown of the platform's past year in terms of new features and performance.

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Steam's Remote Play Together Fest kicks off on Mondayhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-remote-play-together-fest-kicks-off-on-mondayGraham SmithSat, 10 Feb 2024 15:34:08 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-remote-play-together-fest-kicks-off-on-mondayValveSteamBlockbuster

The best games are co-op games, and one of the best features of Steam is Remote Play, which turns local co-op games into online co-op games through the power of internet magic.

This week brings Steam Remote Play Together 2024 Fest, a mouthful that means there will be discounts and demos for co-op games on the digital storefront.

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Counter-Strike 2 update brings back Arms Race, the bestest best FPS modehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/counter-strike-2-update-brings-back-arms-race-the-bestest-best-fps-modeEdwin Evans-ThirlwellWed, 07 Feb 2024 11:58:27 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/counter-strike-2-update-brings-back-arms-race-the-bestest-best-fps-modeShooterShooter: First PersonMilitaryMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerCounter-Strike 2First personeSports relevantValveValve SoftwarePC

The latest Counter-Strike 2 update re-introduces Arms Race, a beloved multiplayer mode from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive in which players level up and are handed new guns as they moider each other, with victory going to the player who levels all the way up and performs a final knifekill.

I've played many variations of this mode - which was originally a mod, Gun Game - over the years in other games, and it's always a laugh, for the simple reason that it can be tuned to allow less proficient FPS players to catch up with their brethren, by introducing less powerful or harder-to-master weapons at certain levels as "speed bumps".

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Steam Deck beta client update explains what its performance settings actually dohttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-deck-beta-client-update-explains-what-its-performance-settings-actually-doJames ArcherMon, 22 Jan 2024 11:02:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-deck-beta-client-update-explains-what-its-performance-settings-actually-doSteamOSHardwareSteam DeckValve

The latest Steam Deck beta client update is out, and it’s made a pretty neat addition to the quick-access performance menu. A tap of the Y button now brings up a brief explainer for whichever individual setting is currently highlighted, a handy lil’ reference for anyone who wants to customise how their Deck (or Steam Deck OLED) runs without knowing exactly how things like TDP limits and half-rate shading affect performance. Clearly it’s also a brutal attack on the livelihoods of honest hardware editors who write guides to this sort of thing, but whatever, Valve.

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Team Fortress 2 remake in Source 2 engine fully cancelled after Valve issues a takedownhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/team-fortress-2-remake-in-source-2-engine-fully-cancelled-after-valve-issues-a-takedownMatt JarvisFri, 12 Jan 2024 18:53:38 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/team-fortress-2-remake-in-source-2-engine-fully-cancelled-after-valve-issues-a-takedownShooterElectronic ArtsMultiplayer CompetitiveTeam Fortress 2First personPS3ValveValve CorporationValve SoftwarePCXbox 360Multiplayer CooperativeMac

A fan-made remake of Team Fortress 2 in the Source 2 engine has been cancelled after the ambitious project, three years in the making, ran into a double-whammy of recent development issues and a legal takedown from Valve.

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What's better: Half-Life's Snarks or Planescape: Torment's Litany Of Curses?https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/whats-better-half-lifes-snarks-or-planescape-torments-litany-of-cursesAlice O'ConnorWed, 10 Jan 2024 14:30:02 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/whats-better-half-lifes-snarks-or-planescape-torments-litany-of-cursesMultiplayer CompetitiveWhat's the best thing in video games?PuzzleValve SoftwareBird view / IsometricHalf-LifeShooterFirst personPCStrategyRPGSingle PlayerInterplaySierra EntertainmentAction AdventurePS2Black Isle StudiosPlanescape: TormentValveValve Corporation

Last time, you decided that Viscera Cleanup Detail's Sniffer tool is better than a fresh new MMO server. This was a close win, 54% vs 46%, but know we now how we're entering the new year: equipped to track down the sources of our problems, rather than running away from them. With that resolved, it's time to get snarky. A real snark-off. So much snark, and so many snarks, and so much potential to be undone by the hubris of miscalculating snark. What's better: Half-Life's Snarks or Planescape: Torment's Litany Of Curses?

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Steam will now accept "the vast majority" of games using "AI" generation, but only with disclosureshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-will-now-accept-the-vast-majority-of-games-using-ai-generation-but-only-with-disclosuresEdwin Evans-ThirlwellWed, 10 Jan 2024 10:53:23 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-will-now-accept-the-vast-majority-of-games-using-ai-generation-but-only-with-disclosuresValveSteamAI

Little-known indie platform holder Valve have announced a new policy for Steam releases that make use of "AI" technology. To boil it down, developers will now have to disclose how they're using AI tools on Steam pages, including what "guardrails" they're putting in place for live-generated stuff that might be illegal or infringe on copyright. Valve are also introducing a new player reporting system for breaches. The company say these adjustments "will enable us to release the vast majority of games that use AI", with the exception of Adult Only Sexual content that is generated live.

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Portal: Revolution is a huge, eight-hour mod that bridges the gap between Portal 1 and 2https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/portal-revolution-is-a-huge-eight-hour-mod-that-bridges-the-gap-between-portal-1-and-2Graham SmithSat, 06 Jan 2024 22:06:07 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/portal-revolution-is-a-huge-eight-hour-mod-that-bridges-the-gap-between-portal-1-and-2ShooterPortal 2Electronic ArtsMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerPuzzleModFirst personPlatformerPS3ValveValve CorporationPCValve SoftwareMultiplayer CooperativeAction AdventureEA PartnersXbox 360

Portal: Revolution is an eight hour fan-made Portal 2 prequel, with 40 new test chambers, voiced characters and new puzzle mechanics. It looks seriously impressive and it's out now, with a trailer below.

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Over 14,000 games were released on Steam in 2023https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/over-14000-games-were-released-on-steam-in-2023Graham SmithThu, 04 Jan 2024 19:17:50 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/over-14000-games-were-released-on-steam-in-2023ValveSteamBlockbusterIndie

Over 14,000 games were released on Steam in 2023, according to according to data tracked by SteamDB. The number is nearly 2000 games more than in 2022, and continues a steady trend of growth on the digital storefront.

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Players voted for some of the worst choices possible in the Steam Awardshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/players-voted-for-some-of-the-worst-choices-possible-in-the-steam-awardsGraham SmithTue, 02 Jan 2024 21:01:21 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/players-voted-for-some-of-the-worst-choices-possible-in-the-steam-awardsValveSteamBlockbusterThe Steam Awards

The player-voted Steam Awards have reached their conclusion, and the results are about as weird as the nominees. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the weirdest game possible won in several categories, such as Red Dead Redemption 2 for the Labor Of Love award and Starfield for "Most Innovative Gameplay".

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Steam's Best Of 2023 charts the year's best sellers and most playedhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-best-of-2023-charts-the-years-best-sellers-and-most-playedGraham SmithThu, 28 Dec 2023 20:03:44 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-best-of-2023-charts-the-years-best-sellers-and-most-playedValveSteamBlockbuster

Valve have put together their "Best Of 2023" lists on Steam. This is different from the Steam Awards, voting for which is ongoing, and instead is built from Steam data like revenue, peak concurrent players, and so on. It's interesting every year as older games or indie obscurities do better than you expect.

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Steam now lets you mark games as privatehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-now-lets-you-mark-games-as-privateGraham SmithThu, 21 Dec 2023 20:12:41 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-now-lets-you-mark-games-as-privateValveSteamBlockbuster

If you've opted in to the Steam client beta, you can now mark games in your Steam library as private so that they're invisible to other users. That means that if you're - as a hypothetical - a games journalist who once had to buy and install some games with questionable names and subject matter for an article you were writing, you can now hide that so it's no longer visible to your friends or - hypothetically - your child.

Hypothetically!

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Steam's 2023 winter sale is now underwayhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-2023-winter-sale-is-now-underwayGraham SmithThu, 21 Dec 2023 19:46:42 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steams-2023-winter-sale-is-now-underwayValvesaleBlockbuster

The Steam winter sale is now underway, with discounts across the digital storefront's catalogue of games from now until January 4th. This also means that voting is now open in the 2023 Steam Awards, with the slightly earlier closing date of January 2nd.

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The Steam Awards 2023 nominees sure seem weird to mehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-awards-2023-nominees-sure-seem-weird-to-meGraham SmithSat, 16 Dec 2023 23:02:02 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-awards-2023-nominees-sure-seem-weird-to-meBlockbusterThe Steam AwardsValvesaleSteam

The nominees for the public-voted Steam Awards have been announced and they are, perhaps more than ever before, baffling to me. If I was being uncharitable, I'd say that's because the list is overrun by games with large multiplayer communities that can be encouraged to vote for them - but who would want to be uncharitable? Let's instead say that the list is certainly not boring, even if Starfield gets a nod for "most innovative gameplay".

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Please stop huffing your Steam Deck vent fumes, Valve plead, as players obsess over “new Deck smell”https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/please-stop-huffing-your-steam-deck-vent-fumes-valve-plead-as-players-obsess-over-new-deck-smellMatt JarvisWed, 13 Dec 2023 17:47:22 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/please-stop-huffing-your-steam-deck-vent-fumes-valve-plead-as-players-obsess-over-new-deck-smellValveValve CorporationSteam DeckPC

Valve have asked Steam Deck owners to stop inhaling the fumes from the Steam Deck’s air vent, after the portable PC’s uniquely moreish smell became an obsession among the community.

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Steam VR Fest is underway with discounts and demos for headset fanciershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-vr-fest-is-underway-with-discounts-and-demos-for-headset-fanciersGraham SmithTue, 05 Dec 2023 23:27:01 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-vr-fest-is-underway-with-discounts-and-demos-for-headset-fanciersValveVRBlockbuster

Hitman 3 at 60% off. No Man's Sky at 50% off. Tetris Effect: Connected at 50% off. These are great games whether you play them in VR or not, so even if you don't own a headset you might want to check out Steam's VR Fest, which is live now until December 11th.

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A Half-Life bug introduced by Windows 2000 just got fixed at lasthttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/a-half-life-bug-introduced-by-windows-2010-just-got-fixed-at-lastGraham SmithSat, 25 Nov 2023 22:40:29 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/a-half-life-bug-introduced-by-windows-2010-just-got-fixed-at-lastShooterMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerPuzzleValve CorporationFirst personSierra EntertainmentValveValve SoftwarePCAction AdventurePS2Half-Life

Half-Life recently received a big update to celebrate its 25th birthday, but a significant bug remained. In a famous scripted sequence during which a long, green tentacle busts through a window and drags away a scientist, the scientist and the tentacle would be mis-aligned, making it look like the scientist floated out of the window of his own volition.

Not anymore. After over twenty years, Valve programmer Ben Burbank has fixed the bug - and explained how he did it.

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It's now much easier to find games on Steam that support PlayStation controllershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/its-now-much-easier-to-find-games-on-steam-that-support-playstation-controllersMatt JarvisWed, 22 Nov 2023 18:55:36 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/its-now-much-easier-to-find-games-on-steam-that-support-playstation-controllersSonyValveControllersPCSteam

Steam has introduced a new way to spot which PC games support PlayStation’s DualShock and DualSense controllers, as well as being able to search by specific controllers.

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All of Half-Life's textures were created by a single person, new making-of documentary explainshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/all-of-half-lifes-textures-were-created-by-a-single-person-new-making-of-documentary-explainsGraham SmithSat, 18 Nov 2023 23:40:09 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/all-of-half-lifes-textures-were-created-by-a-single-person-new-making-of-documentary-explainsShooterMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerPuzzleValve CorporationFirst personSierra EntertainmentValveValve SoftwarePCAction AdventurePS2Half-Life

Half-Life turns 25 years old tomorrow, with new maps and updates to celebrate. Valve also reunited the game's original developers for an hour-long making-of documentary in which its original programmers and artists reminisce about creating the first-person classic at a time when many of them had never shipped a game before.

Chief among the revelations within is that all of Half-Life's textures were created by a single person, Karen Laur.

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Half-Life is Steam Deck verified with new multiplayer maps for its 25th anniversaryhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/half-life-is-steam-deck-verified-with-new-multiplayer-maps-for-its-25th-anniversaryGraham SmithSat, 18 Nov 2023 21:45:12 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/half-life-is-steam-deck-verified-with-new-multiplayer-maps-for-its-25th-anniversaryShooterMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerPuzzleValve CorporationFirst personSierra EntertainmentValveValve SoftwarePCAction AdventurePS2Half-Life

Half-Life came out 25 years ago tomorrow and to celebrate Valve ahve released an anniversary update. It includes four new multiplayer maps, updated graphics settings, and fully verified Steam Deck support. It also includes some new multiplayer models and skins, including proto-Barney and the original design for Gordon Freeman, pictured above.

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The Steam Deck OLED is out now and ready to ship immediatelyhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-deck-oled-is-out-now-and-ready-to-ship-immediatelyJames ArcherThu, 16 Nov 2023 18:00:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-deck-oled-is-out-now-and-ready-to-ship-immediatelyValveSteam Deck

Don’t mind me, just pressing my face through the bars of my Black Friday cell to bark a reminder that the Steam Deck OLED is on sale now via the Steam Store. Unlike with the original Steam Deck’s launch, Valve say the much-upgraded OLED version arrives with ample stock, so buyers can hopefully get theirs posted out without delay. The familiar reservation system is "ready to switch on", though, should demand overwhelm supply.

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Ask RPS: what is your favorite co-op gaming memory?https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/ask-rps-what-is-your-favorite-co-op-gaming-memoryKatharine CastleFri, 10 Nov 2023 17:10:07 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/ask-rps-what-is-your-favorite-co-op-gaming-memoryMultiplayer CompetitivePlayStation VitaXboxTurtle Rock StudiosViscera Cleanup DetailXbox OneDayZValve SoftwareCertain AffinityBird view / IsometricHack & SlashAsk RPSMMORPGVirtual RealityShooterUbisoft MontrealElectronic ArtsLeft 4 DeadGang BeastsIndieRunestormFirst personAndroidXbox 360PCStrategyKonamiThird personCrash BandicootOvercookedRPGBohemia InteractiveSingle PlayerTom Clancy's Rainbow Six SiegeNaughty DogDouble Fine ProductionsUbisoftBlizzard EntertainmentMultiplayer CooperativeAction AdventureTeam17PS1World of WarcraftVivendi GamesSimulationBoneloafPlatformerValve CorporationValveSony Computer EntertainmentArcadeMacFightingPS4

It's time for another edition of Ask RPS, where we answer reader questions put forward by RPS supporters. Today's question is a nice, warm, fuzzy one, as it's all about the good times we've had playing games in co-op with friends and family.

It comes courtesy of Aerothorn, who asks: What is your favorite co-op gaming memory? (along with the additional clarification that these memories don't need to be confined to designed-for-co-op games, but could also stem from playing a single-player game with a friend. "I used to play Descent with me piloting and my friend gunning!" they said).

So which games make us think of happy times with pals and good company? Come and find out below.

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Is the Steam Deck OLED worth the upgrade? A Switch OLED coveter decideshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/is-the-steam-deck-oled-worth-the-upgrade-a-switch-oled-coveter-decidesJames ArcherFri, 10 Nov 2023 09:24:30 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/is-the-steam-deck-oled-worth-the-upgrade-a-switch-oled-coveter-decidesSteamOSHardwareSteam DeckValve

I like to think my Steam Deck OLED review was a sufficiently broad piece of opinioning, but in the spirit of plurality – and because we already did it with that Steam Deck Second Opinion video – I wanted our head honcho Katharine to give her take. She’s also been getting to grips with the Steam Deck OLED behind the scenes, and happens to be an expert on portable gaming devices with organic light-emitting diode screens. An expert on yearning for them, anyway.

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With the Steam Deck OLED and its "awesome" rivals, Valve see a bright future for handheld PCshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/with-the-steam-deck-oled-and-its-awesome-rivals-valve-see-a-bright-future-for-handheld-pcsJames ArcherThu, 09 Nov 2023 18:17:21 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/with-the-steam-deck-oled-and-its-awesome-rivals-valve-see-a-bright-future-for-handheld-pcsAsus ROG AllyLenovo Legion GoSteam DeckSteamOSHardwareValveInterview

To quickly recap my Steam Deck OLED review, Valve’s refreshed handheld is brilliant, serving up major improvements to screen quality and battery life while making loads of little quality-of-life tweaks. Its reveal was a surprise, mind – haven’t Valve repeatedly said that there wouldn’t be another new Steam Deck for ages?

Not quite. That warning was always qualified in that a more powerful Deck was still a ways off, and the Steam Deck OLED’s performance improvements are both tiny and a likely incidental result of its efficiency savings. This very point was repeated to me in an interview with Valve designer Jay Shaw and software engineer Jeremy Selan, which also covered the Steam Deck family’s future, its current struggles with intensive big-budget games, and why they want "more, more, more" rivals like the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go.

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The Steam Deck OLED is here, but Valve say not to expect a true next-gen Steam Deck "for a long time"https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-deck-oled-is-here-but-valve-say-not-to-expect-a-true-next-gen-steam-deck-for-a-long-timeJames ArcherThu, 09 Nov 2023 18:00:13 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-deck-oled-is-here-but-valve-say-not-to-expect-a-true-next-gen-steam-deck-for-a-long-timeSteam DeckSteamOSHardwareValveInterview

While the Steam Deck OLED is awash with upgrades over the original handheld PC, it’s not a full replacement, and Valve still reckon that anyone wanting a proper Steam Deck 2 will be waiting a while.

I was told as much on the Steam Deck’s first anniversary earlier this year, and according to Valve designer Jay Shaw and software engineer Jeremy Selan, that stance won't change once the Steam Deck OLED releases on November 16th. In an RPS interview, the full version of which is coming soon, the two developers explained why the real next generation of Steam Deck will take a few years – and why they decided against making the Steam Deck OLED’s new processor more powerful as well.

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Steam Deck OLED review: not the Steam Deck 2, but the next best thinghttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-deck-oled-reviewJames ArcherThu, 09 Nov 2023 18:00:09 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-deck-oled-reviewBlockbusterSteam DeckValveHardwareWot I Think

I didn’t know the Steam Deck OLED existed until last week, and yet it’s essentially something I’ve wanted for nearly two years. As great a handheld gaming PC as the original Steam Deck is, its slightly bland IPS display and short battery life are some definite weak points – points to which newer, shinier rivals, such as the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, have been happy to apply pressure.

Valve are keen to stress that this OLED-equipped model represents an update, not a whole generational switcheroo. Yet there’s much, much more behind that screen that just some different diodes. This is a lighter, brighter, longer-lasting, sometimes even faster-running take on the SteamOS handheld, and one that sneaks in some surprise upgrades as often as it addresses issues with the original Steam Deck. I love it.

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Valve announce the Steam Deck OLED with an upgraded screen and longer battery lifehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-announce-the-steam-deck-oled-with-an-upgraded-screen-and-longer-battery-lifeJames ArcherThu, 09 Nov 2023 18:00:04 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-announce-the-steam-deck-oled-with-an-upgraded-screen-and-longer-battery-lifeSteamOSHardwareSteam DeckValve

Valve love their surprise hardware announcements, and there’s just been a doozy in the Steam Deck OLED. It’s a "definitive" refresh of the existing Steam Deck handheld PC that swaps the underwhelming IPS display for a brighter, more vibrant OLED panel, while making numerous battery life improvements – up to and including a new, more efficient AMD APU – that promise significantly more time away from the mains. It’s not far off either: the Steam Deck OLED’s release date is November 16th, just one week away.

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Devolver hire Portal's GLaDOS to Let's Play their Portal-esque puzzler The Talos Principle 2https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/devolver-hire-portals-glados-to-lets-play-their-portal-esque-puzzler-the-talos-principle-2Edwin Evans-ThirlwellMon, 06 Nov 2023 11:45:11 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/devolver-hire-portals-glados-to-lets-play-their-portal-esque-puzzler-the-talos-principle-2ShooterPortal 2Electronic ArtsMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerPuzzleThe Talos Principle 2PlatformerFirst personPS3ValveValve CorporationValve SoftwarePCXbox 360Multiplayer CooperativeAction AdventureEA Partners

Devolver have released a Let's Play for robo-philosophical puzzler The Talos Principle 2 in which the Let's Player is GLaDOS, nemesis of Valve's Portal games, with which The Talos Principle has a few things in common. They've brought on original Portal voice actress Ellen McClain to narrate the footage, and the result is genuinely quite funny. As you'd expect, GlaDOS isn't that impressed by Croteam's work. I score this a 7/10 on the Hoot And/Or Holler scale.

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Valve says beloved game modes - including Arms Race and surfing - and new weapons will come to CS2, eventuallyhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-says-beloved-game-modes-including-arms-race-and-surfing-and-new-weapons-will-come-to-cs2-eventuallyMatt JarvisMon, 30 Oct 2023 18:55:23 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-says-beloved-game-modes-including-arms-race-and-surfing-and-new-weapons-will-come-to-cs2-eventuallyShooterCounter-Strike: Global OffensiveShooter: First PersonMilitaryMultiplayer CompetitiveSingle PlayerHidden Path EntertainmentCounter-Strike 2Valve CorporationFirst personeSports relevantPS3ValveValve SoftwareXbox 360PCMac

Fans of Counter-Strike: GO’s Gun Game successor Arms Race rejoice: you will be able to play the popular mode in Counter-Strike 2. Eventually, that is. Valve have promised that more modes, weapons and features are headed to Global Offensive’s full-bore sequel, but they might take a little while to arrive as they respond to what players are asking for.

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SteamVR 2.0 is out and improves the storefront's UI for headsetshttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steamvr-20-is-out-and-improves-the-storefronts-ui-for-headsetsGraham SmithThu, 26 Oct 2023 17:32:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steamvr-20-is-out-and-improves-the-storefronts-ui-for-headsetsValveSteamBlockbusterVR

Valve have spent the past year or so gradually updating the Steam interface, partly to bring parity across its various forms such as the handheld Steam Deck and on-the-telly Big Picture mode. Now it's virtual reality's turn, with the launch of SteamVR 2.0.

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Valve upgrades Steam's security after several games are hacked and filled with malwarehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-upgrades-steams-security-after-several-games-are-hacked-and-filled-with-malwareEdwin Evans-ThirlwellThu, 12 Oct 2023 16:08:53 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-upgrades-steams-security-after-several-games-are-hacked-and-filled-with-malwareValveSteamValve SoftwareValve Corporation

Valve are introducing text message verification for game developers using Steamworks, following what the platform-holders describe as a limited incident which saw hackers taking over several Steamworks accounts and adding malware to their games. Reportedly, fewer than 100 Steam players have been affected by the malware – I hope you’re not among them.

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The Electronic Wireless Show S2 Episode 34: the best demos in Steam's October Next Festhttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-electronic-wireless-show-s2-episode-34-the-best-demos-in-steams-october-next-festAlice BellThu, 12 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-electronic-wireless-show-s2-episode-34-the-best-demos-in-steams-october-next-festPodcastBlockbuster#FatBloodIndieValveSteam Next FestThe RPS Electronic Wireless show#ShergarsHeartSquad#BigOats

Despite the extremely upsetting news about what nate has been having for breakfast this year, we maintain our composure to deliver an episode of The Electronic Wireless Show podcast all about the Steam Next Fest, currently running until next Monday the 16th. You've got a whole weekend of free demos to try, and we've knocked back a few to regurgitate into your open mouths as suggestions for what to try first. Plus, we've been playing a few current games, and have some juicy recommendations of non-game things.

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