t1z4l

SteamDB confirmed that Valve updated the descriptions appearing on Early Access PC games on the Steam storefront to warn people about stagnant projects. The notice explaining how long it has been since the developers updated a title will appear immediately after the Early Access notification and before the text going over the developer description.

A good example to compare the change is to show how Fields of Mistria, a Stardew Valley style life sim currently in Early Access on Steam and actively update, looks when compared to the product page for Folk Tale, which entered that phase in 2013 and had development stop in 2017. As Fields of Mistria is regularly updated, there is no notice. In January 2025, NPC Studio announced a March 2025 update for example. Since Folk Tale development ended and it is even no longer on Steam, the warning notice is present. It reads, “Note: The last update made by the developers was over 7 years ago. The information and timeline described by the developers here may no longer be up to date.”

Here’s a gallery showing how an Early Access box on Steam looks both with and without the warning notice about gaps in updates about games.

Valve did not note how much of a gap there needs to be since the last update on an Early Access game before that notification will appear on a product page.

The post Steam Early Access Games That Aren’t Updated Now Include Warnings appeared first on Siliconera.

Facepunch Studios and Valve will remove all Nintendo related content from the Garry’s Mod Steam Workshop at the company’s request. Some of these s are over 20 years old.

In the statement, the developers explained that the removal of Nintendo related content is because of Nintendo’s takedown requests, rather than a mistake. The statement added that it’s fair for Nintendo to do this, because it has the choice to allow or restrict their content’s usage elsewhere. The developer noted people should respect this decision.

As of the time of writing, looking up various keywords related to Nintendo in the workshop can garner tens and hundreds of results. Because of how much content there is, the developers hope people can help by deleting their Nintendo related content from the Garry’s Mod workshop.

Nintendo has a reputation from its extreme strictness and protectiveness of its IPs and assets. Gary Bowser, who was part of the hacking group Team Xecuter, went to jail and has to pay a $14.5 million fine.  The creators of Yuzu—a Nintendo Switch emulation program—had to pay a hefty $2.4 million settlement fee after Nintendo sued them. These choices often spark criticism and controversy online.

Garry’s Mod is in the process of removing all Nintendo related content from the Steam workshop. Those who ed anything Nintendo related in the past would be doing the developers a favor deleting them from the service.

The post Garry’s Mod to Remove 20 Years’ Worth of Nintendo Related Content appeared first on Siliconera.

Valve has put out a statement on its website in regards to how Steam will handle games that use AI technology. In short, Steam will allow developers to publish games with AI-generated assets in them, provided they fill out a disclosure section.

Developers have to describe what kind of AI their game uses. There will be two categories: pre-generated AI and live-generated AI. In the disclosure section, the developer needs to promise that the game does not include illegal or copyright-infringing content. If approved, information about the title using AI will appear on the store page for the game. s will also be able to report any illegal content in live-generated or pre-generated AI games.

In the statement, Valve also apologized for taking so long to come to a decision in regard to AI. The company explained that they needed time to research and discuss AI with game developers to better understand its usage and risks.

AI's use in games and other art pieces has become a controversial subject in the industry. Most of the comments to Valve’s statement are mixed. Some people pointed out that it will lead to more “shovelware titles,” though others have rebutted that AI can unlock “endless possibilities” in games if used right. Comments also pointed out that Valve’s statement doesn’t cover training data rights, which means the AI in the game may have learned from stolen data.

You can read Steam’s full statement on its community page.

The post Steam Will Allow Games With AI Generated Content appeared first on Siliconera.

Steam will raise the prices for Melty Blood: Type Lumina in Argentina and Turkey. This price change will only affect those two regions, as well as the PC version of the game. According to Steam’s announcement on its community page, this is due to suspicious purchases made over the course of 2023. [Thanks, KaroshiMyriad!]

To summarize the statement, Steam originally did not increase regional prices for the game out of fear that it would unfairly impact players in Argentina and Turkey in particular. However, even though there has been an increase in Melty Blood: Type Lumina sales from those two regions, there has not been an increase in players who actually live there. As a result, Valve deduced that s outside of Argentina and Turkey are changing their region in Steam to purchase the game for less money.

In the community post, Steam also explained that it had no other choice but to increase the price of the game in those two regions due to so many taking advantage of the cost difference. The company ended the note by apologizing to those in the affected countries but asked for their understanding.

For reference, as of the time of writing, $1 (USD) equates to around 350 ARS. Responses to the change on Twitter and Steam Community have been very understanding. One who responded to the post noted that several YouTubers and online gaming guides had been recommending readers change their Steam region to Argentina. Thanks to the currency differences, this then allowed s to buy many games for less money. Unfortunately, this method negatively impacts those in Argentina more than those outside of it.

Melty Blood: Type Lumina is now available on the PS4, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Nintendo Switch.

The post Melty Blood: Type Lumina Prices Raised in Argentina, Turkey appeared first on Siliconera.

Valve released a major update for Steam on desktop. It already rolled out to all s, following a period of beta testing. The update brings a major overhaul to the app, bringing its codebase more in line with the Big Picture and Steam Deck versions of Steam. While the biggest changes will be noticed on desktop, some of the new features will also appear on Steam Deck.

Valve's new Steam update gave the whole app a visual overhaul. Fonts, menus and colors have all been adjusted. It’s not a drastic change, however, with most of the changes being tweaks to the previous UI.

The biggest visual changes in this update are visible in the Steam in-game overlay. It has a lot more customization options, allowing s to pick the features they’re more likely to need. A toolbar allows to pick these features, including their friends list, achievements and more. A new feature for the overlay has been rolled out too, providing s with a notepad tied to the game they’re playing. To make the notes feature more useful, windows can now be pinned to the screen during gameplay. Transparency and position of the windows is fully customizable.

It's the latest major update to Steam since a previous update to the mobile versions in October 2022. The new Steam update has been rolled out to all desktop s now.

The post New Steam Update Overhauls Desktop Overlay, Adds Notes appeared first on Siliconera.

Valve officially revealed its schedule of promotional events on Steam for the rest of the year. In a blog post, Valve laid out when its major sales and themed promotional "fests" are planned for 2023. Though intended for companies using Steamworks to sell their games on the platform, the Steam Sale and Fest information is also helpful for individuals planning out their future game purchases.

Additionally, the post also gives some insight as to how Valve categorizes its various sales promotions. For example, the well-known Seasonal Steam Sale events occur four times a year (one for each season), and are open to all games that enter a discount for the period.

Meanwhile Valve will occasionally spotlight a particular category of games with the Steam Fest promotion, a themed event that usually has participation criteria.

Lastly, three times a year Valve runs the Steam Next Fest, a multi-day celebration of titles that features developer livestreams and playable demos.

As for the full schedule of Steam Sale and Fest events for 2023, check it out below.

• Mystery Fest: February 20 - 27
• Spring Sale: March 16 - 23 (major seasonal sale)
• Puzzle Fest: April 24 - May 1
• Sports Fest: May 15 - 22
• Next Fest: June 19 - 26
• Summer Sale: June 29 - July 13 (major seasonal sale)
• Stealth Fest: July 24 - 31
• Visual Novel Fest: August 7 - 14
• Strategy Fest: August 28 - September 4
• SHMUP Fest: September 25 - October 2
• Next Fest: October 9 - 16
• Return of Steam Scream Fest (Halloween): October 26 - November 2 (additional details to come)
• Autumn Sale: November 21 - 28 (major seasonal sale)
• Winter Sale: December 21 - January 4, 2024 (major seasonal sale)

The most recent Steam Next Fest was held in early February 2023. Check out our list of recommended demos from it.

The post Valve Publishes Steam Sale and Fest Schedule for 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.

Valve's Steam Next Fest is on, and hundreds of new and games are getting free playable demos to for all and sundry this week. Until February 13, 2023, the front pages of the Steam storefront will engage in a "celebration of games," with developer-led livestreams of titles, as well as the opportunity to personally experience a slice of what's next up on the world's biggest PC game store. Of course, with all those new games available for the sampling, it can be tough to choose which to try out in the limited time available. Some demos might remain online after the festival, but the general assumption is that they'll be unavailable for a while once the fest is over.

To that end, we've gone ahead and selected a handful of titles we think are worth trying out, via their Steam Next Fest playable demos. Check them out below, and recommend your own favorites in the comments.

Note: The following games were picked by Siliconera staff out of the Steam Next Fest selection. The full lineup is viewable at this link and via the Steam client. System requirements and availability may vary by title or region. 1r4v3o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tNA6FvTDDk

Affogato 31h5y

Affogato blends coffee, conversation, and tower defense into a new style of RPG. The gameplay uses a "reverse tower defense" style, and players help a sorceress make her new café business successful by helping clients fight their "inner demons." Between battles, they'll converse with customers, build relationships, and use a realistic coffeemaking model to brew the perfect cup.

Check out its Steam page and grab its Steam Next Fest demo at this link. The full release is due in 2023.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7uWrjl95k4

Grim Guardians: Demon Purge 2g4w4r

A new title from Inti Creates, Grim Guardians is inspired by gothic horror in the "Metroidvania" vein. Two sisters must challenge a demonic castle that has consumed their school, hunting demons throughout the 2D, multi-floor labyrinth. They'll earn weapons and equipment from defeating bosses that unlock more areas to visit. Players will control the siblings in tag-team fashion, swapping sisters as the situation demand. Jump-in co-op also allows two players to control both Kamizono sisters on-screen, should the mood arise.

Grim Guardians launches on February 23, 2023. Its store page and demo are here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nra31mia8Y0

Mr. Saitou 5h2n6u

Mr. Saitou comes courtesy of Laura Shigihara, the singer-songwriter best known as the lead composer and sound designer for mega-hit title Plants vs. Zombies. It's a follow-up to her previous game, the story-based adventure Rakuen, and focuses on the titular Mr. Saitou. He's an average white-collar worker struggling to find meaning in a workaday existence. An accident lands him in a strange fantasy world, leading him to unexpected friends and adventure. Shigihara says that Mr. Saitou is "short and sweet", with a non-combat story and an original soundtrack.

Check out Mr. Saitou's store page at this link. The game will launch on March 24, 2023. Its Steam Next Fest demo is only in English, but the full release will multiple languages, including Japanese, French, Dutch, Korean, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, and Turkish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITlbiOSd3Vc

WitchSpring R 533y6k

A new title from WitchSpring3 Re:Fine developer Kiwiwalks, WitchSpring R returns to the well of witch-raising. It's a story-driven RPG that brings together daily life simulation, collection, crafting, and battle. Players control Pieberry, a bunny-eared witch living in a secluded, monster-infested forest. You'll help her reach the outside world to walk amongst the humans, and will need to help her gain power, find resources, and train her attributes.

The game doesn't have a release window, but Kiwiwalks says that the Steam Next Fest demo will last 2-3 hours, and include a tutorial. Check it out at this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_f5fGNtg6k

Pocket Mirror ~ GoldenerTraum x484d

From developers AstralShift and VisuStella, Pocket Mirror ~ GoldenerTraum is a "remastered" edition of Pocket Mirror, a legendary horror RPG. Despite being created in RPG Maker, a popular game development tool suite for independent and hobbyist developers, Pocket Mirror impressed with its visuals and story. GoldenerTraum updates the visuals further, as well as adding more features, like a new ending, 2D animated sequences, a New Game+ mode, and additional content. Players will be able to switch between the new art style and the classic one.

According to its store page, the game doesn't yet have a release window, but you can grab the Steam Next Fest demo at this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXGc7QMHTXU

Radio the Universe 142w1f

Radio the Universe might feel familiar, and it should. Its creator, known only as "6e6e6e" (or "sixe") has been working on it for nearly ten years. It was first funded via Kickstarter in 2013, and has been in development ever since. Now it's playable at the Steam Next Fest, though it doesn't have an announced release window (it was last planned to be ready by Winter 2020). Players take on the role of an immortal wanderer, traveling through the ruins of a mysterious city, taking on dangerous enemies and fighting to survive.

Here's its Steam store page, from which you can the playable demo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBhHesn3ka8

Banchou Tactics 35l2i

A tactics title themed after Japanese high school toughs, Banchou Tactics has been in the works at Secret Character. It is inspired both by games like Final Fantasy Tactics and titles like River City Ransom. Players take control of various school-age street fighters caught up in a gang war to determine the toughest and strongest delinquent in the city.

The demo is available at this link. A release date hasn't been specified, but it was last set for a Q1 2023 debut.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRlI7dsID3s

Wandering Sword 4h6i6a

A Chinese-developed RPG boasting visuals in the vein of Square Enix's recent "HD-2D" productions (like Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy), Wandering Sword promises wuxia-inspired adventure in its STeam Next Fest demo. Players step into the role of Yuwen Yi, a warrior who is recuperating in a mountain village after a brush with death. Players will guide Yuwen on his journey through the land, learning various martial arts and weapons, and mastering their meridian points in pursuit of pure martial prowess.

The game is planned for a 2023 release. You can grab its Steam Next Fest demo on this page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3XXgRpIKp4

1000xRESIST 6f272q

A narrative adventure set at the end of the world, players are placed in the role of Watcher, a clone member of a secret sisterhood living in a closed facility called the Garden. The sisterhood worships "The Allmother," the last surviving human. When Watcher's closest sister, Fixer, uncovers a dangerous rumor, Watcher must explore history through a time-shifting tool to uncover a lie thousands of years old.

1000xRESIST is playable as part of the Steam Next Fest, and launches fully in 2023. Check it out on its store page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2CDeQx63kQ

Shadows of Doubt 4r505r

An entry into the venerable "immersive sim" genre, Shadows of Doubt uses low-poly visuals to "fully simulate" a functioning cityscape in an alternative 1980s timeline. Players take on the role of a private detective and use gadgets and sleuthing skills to solve cases. Players can get to know any one of the hundreds of NPCs in the game, each with their own daily routine, and take a variety of routes to meet their goals.

Check out the store page to access the playable demo. Shadows of Doubt doesn't have a release window yet.

The current Steam Next Fest runs until February 13, 2023.

The post Check Out These 10 Free Steam Next Fest Demos appeared first on Siliconera.

The Steam Deck can be a handy way to enjoy all sorts of games from players' libraries. After all, getting to play things on the go is always a boon. But given how many titles are out there, pinning down specific ones can get overwhelming. So for this week's Siliconera's Speaks Up, we figured share some of what we would consider the best JRPGs on the Steam Deck and see what everyone had to recommend.

I mean, I don't own a Steam Deck yet, but I'd think FFVII Remake would be one of the best RPGs to play on it. It's a very demanding game, and that the handheld can manage it is great! Also, this is the only possible way you can play it essentially as Square Enix intended on the go. There's no Switch port, after all. Plus, it's a really interesting reimagining of FFVII, and given FFVII Rebirth, aka part 2, is on the way, it could be a good way to catch up. — Jenni

I was thinking of being cheeky and calling the Steam Deck's best JRPG "a Nintendo Switch emulator," but thankfully Square Enix stepped in and resurrected one of my favorite games ever: Tactics Ogre Reborn. The tactical game is perfectly suited to play on a handheld device. It's a classic on the PSP and Vita, and it'll continue to be a classic on the Steam Deck, or even the Switch, where it also released. — Josh

The Steam Deck is great for two sorts of games: ones that haven't gotten a port to the Switch yet, and ones that are just a bit too taxing for the now-aging Nintendo hardware. For the latter category, the Steam Deck can be the sort of "Switch Pro" many out there have been whining about needing for some time. A great case study: Monster Hunter Stories 2. The game's only on PC and Switch, and it's great on both, but it certainly benefits from a bit more graphical horsepower on the Deck. As a bonus? You can make the franchise's platform list even weirder, with the first game only releasing on 3DS and phones. — Graham

The post What are the Best JRPGs on the Steam Deck? appeared first on Siliconera.

The Steam mobile app has been getting a bit long in the tooth, and it looks like even Valve noticed. The company has revamped Steam Mobile with new features and an updated interface for buying and managing Steam games. The update also includes better management features.

Check out the brief trailer Valve released to get customers up to speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YhYPGltHyI

Though Steam Mobile got the bulk of the major changes, Valve also did work across the whole Steam app ecosystem, including Steam Chat, its social app, and Steam Link, its remote play app. The work ensures greater security and compatibility with new methods. One headline addition is QR Code : App s can now to their Steam s by using their smartphone or device camera to scan a QR code displayed by the Steam Desktop app. It's a similar process to the QR Code used by chat app Discord and others. Previously, s needed to type in their . If they had Steam Guard (Valve's two-factor authentication method) enabled, they'd also type in a code generated by Steam Mobile. The app also s authorization prompts, allowing s to tap a simple "Approve" or "Deny" button when a device attempts to to a connected Steam .

The Steam Mobile app also features an updated interface, making browsing the store and buying games easier on mobile screens. s can even manage game s from the app, ordering their computer to a Steam game remotely. Those who want to customize their experience can now use tabs to do that, too.

The Steam Mobile app is updated on iOS and Android devices. Valve is working on bringing some of the new features to both the Steam Desktop Client and Steam's browser version. The Steam Deck will receive QR eventually as well.

The post Valve Overhauls the Steam Mobile App With New Functionality appeared first on Siliconera.

Your battle station could soon become your play station. Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that PSN and Steam linking is now ed. Interested holders can perform a "PC Registration" operation on the official PlayStation website.

At the moment, there's not a ton players get out of a Steam and PSN link. Nixxes Software, the studio that helped port Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered to PC, announced some incentives for PC s willing to make themselves known on the PlayStation ecosystem.

https://twitter.com/NixxesSoftware/status/1578042898418999296

Owners of Marvel's Spider-Man on Steam who use the "Connect to PSN" option newly added to the game gain three minor bonuses. These are an early unlock of the Concussive Blast gadget, an early unlock of the Resilient Suit for Spider-Man, and two skill points for use in unlocking new moves and perks.

As Sony ramps up its catering to the PC audience, mainly with releases of PlayStation Studios' games to PC, fans who choose to link up could see other benefits. Cross-platform progression, special unlocks, or potentially even cross-ownership could be possible. Destiny 2, which is developed and managed by the now Sony-owned Bungie, allows cross-progression across all available platforms.

PSN and Steam linking is now active. Marvel's Spider-Man is readily available on PS4, PS5, and PC.

The post Steam and PSN Linking Activated appeared first on Siliconera.

Valve continues to work on its Steam Deck handheld, and has announced that in addition to various updates, more people will now be able to actually get one. Interested Steam Deck buyers can now order a Steam Deck without having to make a reservation. According to Valve, it has managed to get clear of supply chain and manufacturing issues that forced it to implement a queuing system to manage orders. Now, players no longer have to make a reservation just to order a unit in countries where the Steam Deck is offered. Buyers with existing reservations will have theirs prioritized as well. Reservations will still be needed, however, in places just getting the Deck for the first time, like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Valve also unveiled a bespoke Steam Deck Dock. Officially called the Docking Station, the dock allows a Steam Deck to be plugged into a power supply. It'll also be able to use video output to plug into a monitor or TV, and an ethernet port for wired online access.

Check out the official Valve Docking Station in the launch trailer below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvokyBOYe8Y

The dock contains three USB-A 3.1 ports, a USB-C port for power, a Displayport video output, an HDMI video output, and an ethernet port. It also s up to 4k displays and Freesync. The Docking Station includes an identical power supply to the Deck, allowing s to use it to charge up the device or use it as a mini desktop console. It's also designed to propping up the Deck so s can see the screen. The Docking Station isn't necessary, though. s can opt to use most third-party USB docks or hubs instead. Pre-orders for the Docking Station are open at this link. The dock costs $89 USD.

Other updates for the Steam Deck operating system include additional language , customizable options for working with docked mode, and improvements to offline mode stability. "Virtual Menus" expand the range of inputs available for more complex games, and a "mode shift" allows players to remap controls while holding down a button.

Check out a summary trailer highlighting Valve's Deck-related news below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRnZrSBK3R4

The Steam Deck is available to order from Valve's official website. Prices range from $399 USD to $649 USD, determined by storage size and speed.

The post Valve Opens Steam Deck Orders Without Reservations, Unveils Dock appeared first on Siliconera.

Spike Chunsoft announced that the Chaos;Head Noah Steam release, thought cancelled will proceed as planned on October 7, 2022. The game was initially rejected from the storefront due to conflicts with Steam's guidelines. The game will be available as is, without any changes to the original content. Additionally, Spike Chunsoft thanked fans for their vocal .

Last week, Spike Chunsoft revealed that Chaos;Head Noah would not be able to release on Steam due to "guideline-required changes". While it was unclear which guidelines Chaos;Head Noah violated, Spike Chunsoft stated that the required changes would not allow the game to be released to its standards. As such, the company was looking into releasing the game on alternative storefronts. The announcement led to outcry from fans on social media. Fans of visual novels and similar games (as well as some individuals connected to developers and publishers) have in recent years complained about perceived bias in Valve's review process, with excessive scrutiny directed at games with an "anime" aesthetic or featuring school settings, or decisions and reasoning that seems dependent on the attitudes of individual reviewers at Valve rather than a clear set of guidelines.

https://twitter.com/SpikeChunsoft_e/status/1578189767120162816?s=20&t=aeTqDgnwnwnnPdqb_z_AFg

Whatever the reasoning for the rejection, Valve has reportedly "re-examined" the game after its initial content review, and decided to reverse its decision. Furthermore, Valve stated that it has reviewed the process that led to the decision to reject Chaos;Head Noah in the first place, and has made changes to prevent such situations from happening again. To this, Spike Chunsoft expressed gratitude towards fans for their vocal and commitment, adding that the decision was the result of "unwavering " from fans.

Chaos;Head Noah is available on PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch.

The post Chaos;Head Noah Steam Release to Proceed as First Planned appeared first on Siliconera.

Hardware and GPU maker Nvidia has announced a new DLC pack for 2007's Portal. Called Portal with RTX, the content pack will be free to all players and launch in November 2022.

Check out the Portal with RTX world premiere trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZHBl5yWqJk

The goal of Portal with RTX is to portray a tech demo of sorts, both for Nvidia's ray tracing technology and for Nvidia RTX Remix, a new modding platform that will allow modders and amateur developers to add ray tracing to existing games. Nvidia claims that modders will "have the tools to make ambitious remasters, even for games that were previously unmoddable."

Players will be able to "import" a game to RTX Remix, enhance materials, create custom assets, then export an RTX mod equipped with ray tracing and for other Nvidia-based features like DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and Nvidia Reflex (a free feature designed to lower input lag). Players can also check out comparison screenshots from the base game and Portal with RTX at this site, along with more detailed explanations of the technologies applied.

Portal with RTX was just one of the various Nvidia-related announcements, led by the introduction of the company's latest series of graphics cards. Nvidia claims that its GeForce RTX 40 series are up to 4X faster than the current 30 series. Alongside the RTX 40 series are updates to Nvidia's DLSS feature, which will be ed by 35 new games, including Cyberpunk 2077, Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered, and Hitman 3.

Portal with RTX launches in November on PC. The base Portal game is available on PC, and also appeared on the PS3, Xbox 360, Android, Linux, and Nintendo Switch.

The post Free Portal With RTX DLC Announced by Nvidia appeared first on Siliconera.

Valve announced new Steam guidelines, banning any review scores or awards from appearing on store page art assets. In addition to the new restrictions, Valve will also be making a few changes to store page artwork overrides. Notably, one of these changes includes a requirement to localize said artwork text into all languages ed within the game. The new changes will go into effect starting September 1, 2022.

The guideline changes signal Valve's push for clearer communication on what to expect from a game. The company explained that the change came as a result of an increase in cases where game developers would put review scores, awards, discounts, and other text into their graphical assets. This added text would often make images harder to read and, in some cases, become inaccurate or outdated.

As such, Valve will update its store graphical asset rules with the following:

1. No review scores of any kind, including Steam reviews or external news sources
2. No award names, symbols, or logos
3. No discount marketing copy (eg. no "On Sale Now" or "Up to 90% off" text)
4. No text or imagery promoting a different product. This includes no marketing of sequels or other titles in the same franchise.
5. No other miscellaneous text

The header image above includes fictional game store assets used as examples of what will no longer be allowed.

If developers wish to include any text in their graphical assets, they will have to use Capsule Artwork Overrides. Developers typically use Artwork Overrides to promote seasonal updates and DLC for their games. Furthermore, Valve will require developers to localize any of the text included in these assets into all of the languages ed in-game. Valve stated that this change is to prevent the isolation of non-English speaking Steam s.

Back in 2021, the company also banned any games with NFTs from its storefront. While the guideline changes will not remove any games from the store, Valve does note that it may limit visibility for games that do not adhere to the new guidelines.

The post Valve Steam Guidelines Ban Review Scores on Store Banners appeared first on Siliconera.

The Steam Deck will have its first regional expansion to East Asia. Valve revealed that it is working with Komodo to bring the Steam Deck to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. All three models of the portable console are available to pre-order in those countries and regions.

In Japan, the base 64GB model is available at ¥59,800 (~$449), the 256GB model at ¥79,800 (~$599), and the 512GB model at ¥99,800 (~$749). The prices are higher than in the U.S., where Valve priced the three models at $399, $529, and $649, respectively.

The cooperation between Valve and Komodo will not be limited to the Steam Deck's distribution. The company will set up a large booth dedicated to the portable console at Tokyo Game Show 2022. Japan's annual gaming event will have a physical-and-digital hybrid format, and it will take place on September 15-18, 2022. Valve has yet to announce the East Asian release date, but the TGS 2022 presentation will help introduce the console to the Japanese public ahead of its release.

The Steam Deck first appeared in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union in late February 2022. The portable game console will soon make its way to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. While Valve still plans to bring Steam Deck to more countries and regions, it advised people living in those locations to wait for further information.

The post Steam Deck Pre-Orders Are Now Open in Japan and East Asia appeared first on Siliconera.