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Valve

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Steam Silence Deepens as Racist Plantation Simulator Draws Backlash
games3 days ago

Steam Silence Deepens as Racist Plantation Simulator Draws Backlash

Kotaku reports that Plantation Simulator, a racist slavery-themed game released on Steam by developer FzzyBzzy, has sparked widespread backlash while Valve has not commented. The top-down sim tasks players with enslaving Black workers to grow crops; Valve's own guidelines ban content meant to shock, yet the game remained on Steam with a mature description. An update changed Black slaves to white, then added hearts and kissing interactions, spurring a flood of negative reviews that often included racist remarks. Kotaku reached out to Valve for comment with no reply at publication, and the game remains on Steam. Critics say Valve’s moderation is lax and inconsistent, calling for better tools to curb hate on the platform.

via Kotaku|
#games#moderation#plantation-simulator
Valve Steam Controller Puck Could Shock Metal Watch Straps
technology4 days ago

Valve Steam Controller Puck Could Shock Metal Watch Straps

A Reddit post describes the exposed contacts on Valve’s Steam Controller Charging Puck remaining live and shorting with a Pixel Watch 4 wearing a third‑party strap, leaving scorch marks. Valve’s Steam Hardware team has reached out to offer a replacement puck and to inspect the charger and watch. No injuries occurred and neither device stopped working. Meanwhile, users are advised to keep the puck away from other chargers and handle it carefully while plugged in, with ongoing questions about whether the issue could have been caught before launch.

via Digital Foundry|
#charging-puck#safety#steam-controller
Valve argues Steam loot boxes are not gambling, framing them as free speech
technology4 days ago

Valve argues Steam loot boxes are not gambling, framing them as free speech

Valve has moved to dismiss the New York attorney general’s case accusing Steam loot boxes of illegal gambling, arguing that randomized rewards are purchased with virtual currency with no real cash value and should be protected as free speech; the memo emphasizes the aesthetic nature of skins, the integrated role of loot boxes in game design and development funding, and warns that criminalizing loot boxes could chill videogame design, while acknowledging ongoing related lawsuits.

via Rock Paper Shotgun|
#first-amendment#gambling#lootboxes
Valve seeks dismissal of NY gambling suit over CS2 loot boxes
law6 days ago

Valve seeks dismissal of NY gambling suit over CS2 loot boxes

Valve moved to dismiss the New York attorney general’s lawsuit alleging it profited from unregulated gambling via Counter-Strike 2 loot boxes, arguing the virtual items are more like collectible baseball cards with subjective value and that opening cases is not illegal gambling. The company warns banning mystery packs could disrupt billions of daily transactions across everyday products, while NY seeks damages and an injunction; the case, overseen by NY Supreme Court Justice Nancy Bannon, highlights a broader regulatory clash as Valve defends its decade-long practice of selling mystery boxes.

via Courthouse News|
#counter-strike-2#gambling-regulation#law
Steam overhauls its tag system, swapping NSFW labels for explicit descriptors
technology7 days ago

Steam overhauls its tag system, swapping NSFW labels for explicit descriptors

Valve has revamped Steam’s tagging, removing the NSFW and Mature labels in favor of more descriptive categories like Sexual Content and Gore. The update adds 17 new tags, removes 28, and renames others (Pool to Billiards) to improve discoverability and recommendations. New genres such as Wuxia/Xianxia are introduced, and a Capybara tag appears; the change may affect how adult titles are categorized and discovered on Steam.

via Rock Paper Shotgun|
#gore#sexual-content#steam
Valve's Steam Controller Delivers a Wilhelm Scream When Dropped
technology12 days ago

Valve's Steam Controller Delivers a Wilhelm Scream When Dropped

The Steam Controller has a hidden easter egg: if you drop the controller while in Steam Big Picture mode, it will emit a Wilhelm scream through its built-in haptic motors rather than your PC speakers. The trigger sequence is to enter Big Picture mode, turn the controller off, turn it on, and then drop it onto a soft surface. Valve notes the controller is robust but advises against repeated drops to avoid potential damage.

via Digital Foundry|
#easter-egg#haptics#steam-controller
Valve's Steam Controller Triggers Wilhelm Scream When Dropped in Big Picture Mode
technology13 days ago

Valve's Steam Controller Triggers Wilhelm Scream When Dropped in Big Picture Mode

Valve's new Steam Controller reportedly emits the Wilhelm scream when dropped from a height while in Big Picture mode, an Easter egg that appears to reliably trigger from about three feet onto a floor or couch. The find comes as early stock sold out and Valve said more would be available soon. The piece also notes the controller is an improved model, though its thumbstick layout may feel niche for some users.

via Eurogamer|
#big-picture-mode#easter-egg#steam-controller
Valve Reveals Four Steam Machine Variants With Reserve System and Storage Options
technology13 days ago

Valve Reveals Four Steam Machine Variants With Reserve System and Storage Options

Valve is launching four Steam Machine configurations (512GB or 2TB, with or without a controller). A reservation system will cap initial stock at 20,000 units with a one-unit-per-customer limit to curb scalping, while prices rise to about $700 for 512GB and $750 for 2TB, highlighting console-like usability, plug‑and‑play design, and potential customization in a competitive market.

via Geeky Gadgets|
#gaming-hardware#note-extra-tag-not-allowed#pricing
Valve's Steam Controller Squeals: A Wilhelm Scream Easter Egg When Dropped
technology13 days ago

Valve's Steam Controller Squeals: A Wilhelm Scream Easter Egg When Dropped

Valve's Steam Controller 2026 hides a playful Easter Egg: if dropped from a certain height, it can emit the Wilhelm scream, a meme sound. Reported on Reddit and corroborated by Peeved Controller Gamer, the effect doesn't fire every time and seems to have a cooldown between drops. The quirk recalls early Steam Controller quirks (e.g., modded units making noise) and is presented as light hardware humor rather than a functional feature.

via Rock Paper Shotgun|
#easter-egg#hardware#steam-controller
Valve targets scalpers with Steam Machine reservation plan
gadgets15 days ago

Valve targets scalpers with Steam Machine reservation plan

Valve plans a reservation-based purchase system for the Steam Machine (likely four configurations including 512GB/2TB SSD options and Steam Frame VR variants), requiring an active Steam account with prior purchases and potentially bundling with a Steam Controller to curb botting. Launch date and price aren’t announced, and storage can be expanded via microSD.

via Gizmodo|
#gadgets#reservation-system#scalpers