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Valve

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Steam hints at a Framerate Estimator for performance charts
gaming3 days ago

Steam hints at a Framerate Estimator for performance charts

Ars Technica reports that a Steam client update hints at a forthcoming Framerate Estimator, which would show per‑game estimated framerates based on anonymized performance data from other users; it builds on Valve’s February data-sharing for compatibility and could let users compare per‑title framerates across hardware configurations, potentially aligning with Steam Deck/SteamOS initiatives, though how in‑game settings will be accounted for remains unclear.

Ex-Valve Writer Questions Epic's Layoffs and the Agency Gap
technology14 days ago

Ex-Valve Writer Questions Epic's Layoffs and the Agency Gap

Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek criticized Epic Games after it laid off more than 1,000 staff, arguing that with no stock-market pressure the company should still respect workers and preserve their sense of agency. He contrasted Epic's culture under Tim Sweeney with Valve, where developers historically had ownership over their work, and pointed to the shuttering of Fortnite projects like Fortnite Rocket Racing, Ballistic, and Festival Battle Stage as signs of a deteriorating environment. Faliszek suggested that Epic’s single‑game, profit-focused approach has eroded employee motivation and retention, and he said he wouldn’t work at a company that doesn’t reward hard work.

CS2 reshapes reloads, forcing smarter ammo math in quick firefights
gaming23 days ago

CS2 reshapes reloads, forcing smarter ammo math in quick firefights

Valve's Counter-Strike 2 update adds a high-stakes reload mechanic: when you reload, the current magazine and its remaining bullets are dropped, not returned to reserve, and ammo pools on many weapons are shortened. Players must constantly track reserves and rethink reload timing during fast engagements, a change with mixed reactions that could alter how extended firefights unfold.

Valve Defends Mystery Boxes as Non-Gambling in New York Loot Box Case
technology1 month ago

Valve Defends Mystery Boxes as Non-Gambling in New York Loot Box Case

Valve published a public response to New York Attorney General Letitia James’s lawsuit alleging that loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 promote illegal gambling. In a steampowered.com post, Valve argues mystery boxes are not gambling, compares them to trading cards, notes it has shut down more than a million Steam accounts involved in gambling activities, and says it will comply with laws but rejected a deal with the NYAG that would hurt users and innovation. The post also disputes links between video games and real-world violence and maintains that the court will decide who is correct.

Valve pushes back on NYAG suit over mystery boxes, defense hinges on transferable cosmetic items
technology1 month ago

Valve pushes back on NYAG suit over mystery boxes, defense hinges on transferable cosmetic items

Valve defends its mystery boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 against a New York Attorney General lawsuit, arguing the items are cosmetic, transferable, and not illegal gambling. It rejects NYAG’s proposed restrictions—such as removing transferability and mandating invasive extra user data—while citing anti-fraud efforts (locking over a million accounts, trade protections) and noting it would only comply with future NY laws. A separate PRS music-rights lawsuit against Valve is also noted in the piece.

Valve reboots Steam Machine for 2026 with premium living-room PC lineup
technology1 month ago

Valve reboots Steam Machine for 2026 with premium living-room PC lineup

Valve is reviving the Steam Machine for 2026 as a compact living-room Linux PC alongside the Steam Frame and Steam Controller; it uses a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU, RDNA3 GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB–2TB storage, runs SteamOS with Proton to translate Windows games for Linux, and relies on FidelityFX Super Resolution upscaling for 4K/60FPS where feasible. Pricing and a firm release date aren’t announced yet, but Valve says it will sit at a premium PC-like price and has acknowledged RAM/storage shortages affecting plans; the company is also expanding its game-verification program to cover Steam Machine titles.

Valve Defends Loot Boxes, Calls NYAG Suit Overreach
technology1 month ago

Valve Defends Loot Boxes, Calls NYAG Suit Overreach

Valve publicly pushed back against New York’s lawsuit alleging loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 amount to gambling. In a detailed Steam post, Valve argued the boxes are cosmetic, comparable to real‑world blind purchases, and not prohibited by current NY law. It said it has cooperated with the AG’s investigation, shut down over a million accounts tied to gambling, and defends the transferability of digital items. Valve criticized the AG’s demanded changes as beyond existing law, stressed it would comply with any new NY legislation, and noted that a court will decide the dispute while reiterating concerns about data collection and anti-gaming rhetoric.

Valve Defends Loot Boxes, Draws Card-Pack Parallels in NY Lawsuit Response
news1 month ago

Valve Defends Loot Boxes, Draws Card-Pack Parallels in NY Lawsuit Response

Valve responded to the New York attorney general’s lawsuit by defending its loot boxes as cosmetic and likening them to real‑world card packs (baseball, Pokémon), arguing players can enjoy games without paying and noting steps taken to curb gambling on Steam; it also opposes transferring digital items and rejects a link between games and real‑world violence.

Valve defends loot boxes as widely used and transferable amid NY lawsuit
technology1 month ago

Valve defends loot boxes as widely used and transferable amid NY lawsuit

Valve responded to the New York Attorney General’s lawsuit by arguing that digital loot boxes are widely used and transferable, comparable to physical collectibles, and do not violate gambling laws since items are cosmetic. It highlighted anti-gambling efforts (blocking gambling sites, fraud protection, trade cooldowns) and said it would comply with future NY laws but opposes removing transferability. The case will be decided by the courts.

PRS Sues Valve Over Unlicensed Music in Steam Games
technology1 month ago

PRS Sues Valve Over Unlicensed Music in Steam Games

PRS for Music has launched legal proceedings against Valve under the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 for using PRS-represented music in Steam games without a licence. The organisation says Valve has not obtained the necessary licences for works used in titles including GTA, FIFA/EA FC, and Forza Horizon, despite years of engagement, and it seeks retroactive and ongoing licences as the case proceeds.

Valve Keeps 2026 Launch Window for New Steam Hardware Trio
technology1 month ago

Valve Keeps 2026 Launch Window for New Steam Hardware Trio

Valve maintains a 2026 launch for its second-gen Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame, saying earlier blog-post hints of delays due to memory/storage shortages were addressed and all three are still expected this year; ongoing RAM demand from AI and tariff conditions are noted as headwinds. The Steam Machine is a 6-inch portable Linux-based mini PC designed to run Steam Deck games on a TV.

Valve Revives Steam Machine as a High-Performance Living-Room PC
tech1 month ago

Valve Revives Steam Machine as a High-Performance Living-Room PC

Valve is bringing back the Steam Machine as a living-room PC option, debuting a compact SteamOS 3-based box designed to run the full Steam library at 4K60 using a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU and RDNA3 GPU with FidelityFX Super Resolution. It offers 512GB or 2TB SSD storage, microSD expandability, and multiple ports, while maintaining SteamOS compatibility and Proton for Windows titles, embracing an open, customizable ecosystem rather than a locked console model. Alongside the new hardware, Valve unveiled a redesigned Steam Controller and the standalone Steam Frame VR headset, signaling a cross-device gaming platform that can span handhelds, TVs, desktops, and VR. Pricing and a firm release date aren’t announced yet, but the company has signaled an early-2026 launch window.

Steam Machine: The Hidden Force Behind Sony’s PC Port Strategy
technology1 month ago

Steam Machine: The Hidden Force Behind Sony’s PC Port Strategy

Rumors suggest Sony may scale back PC ports in 2026, with ex-Blizzard president Mike Ybarra pointing to Valve’s Steam Machine as a contributing factor. He argues SteamOS and Steam’s large game library pressure Sony in the living room, stressing the importance of strong exclusives. Sony’s potential move to curb PC ports could be a strategic bid to protect its console ecosystem, especially as Xbox shifts and Valve maintains influence. The piece notes that PC ports aren’t a major revenue driver for Sony, implying the risk of reduced PC ports could be acceptable to defend its core PlayStation business.