marketplace Archives

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Valve made more than 27 million unique images for Counter-Strike listings as part of its new ‘major update’ to Steam’s Community Market

Valve has initiated a beta test for a significant update to the Steam Community Market, which now includes over 13,000 games and more than 700 with in-game items. The update features a new layout with a full-width grid display to enhance user navigation. Counter-Strike players will be the first to experience these changes, including specially generated images for individual items that showcase their characteristics. Valve has created over 27 million unique images for Counter-Strike listings. The updates are set to go live today, and all marketplace users can access the beta, with an option to opt out.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Even Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred’s blue items are selling for billions, thanks to Horadric Cube crafting

The latest update to Diablo 4, titled Lord of Hatred, introduces the Horadric Cube as a significant crafting tool, enhancing gameplay mechanics and altering the trading ecosystem. Blue-rarity magic items, previously considered salvage, can now be valuable for crafting, with max-level blue items selling for tens of billions of gold and rare items with desirable affixes approaching 100 billion. The crafting process allows players to customize items to fit their builds, increasing the value of lower-rarity items and encouraging exploration of trading opportunities. The satisfaction from crafting is noted to surpass that of simply purchasing items.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Minecraft enjoying “incredible momentum” going into Licensing Expo 2026

Minecraft is experiencing significant growth as a platform for creativity beyond just gaming, according to Hanna Willis, the Head of Global Consumer Products for Minecraft. The franchise has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, creating a diverse ecosystem of products and experiences for fans of all ages. The upcoming Licensing Expo 2026 will provide an opportunity for Minecraft to showcase its latest collaborations and product offerings.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Lidl shoppers get 100 free points in new app update

Lidl has launched Lidl Plus Points, a rewards system in the Lidl Plus app, allowing shoppers to earn points with every grocery purchase. New and existing app users receive 100 complimentary points that can be redeemed for select rewards. The points can be exchanged for money-off coupons, free or discounted products, and rewards on various items. From May 5 to May 22, customers earn double points on fruit purchases. Lidl has partnered with Liberty X for a marketing campaign to promote the new program.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Steam Controller stock sold out in minutes, but there is something you can do about it

Steam Controller stock sold out quickly after its release, with most regions reporting "out of stock" within half an hour. Scalpers are reselling the controllers on eBay at inflated prices, often using misleading listings that violate eBay's presale guidelines. Consumers can report these listings to eBay, which may lead to their removal. It is advised that buyers resist purchasing from scalpers and wait for standard-priced stock, as more shipments may be forthcoming and could resolve existing software issues with the controller.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Lidl announces major change to loyalty rewards app in May

Starting May 5, Lidl will replace its Coupon Plus feature with a new rewards system called Lidl Plus Points. Customers will have until May 4 to meet their April spending targets under the current program. While Coupon Plus will be discontinued, Personalised Coupons and Weekly Offers will remain unchanged. Under the previous Coupon Plus program, customers earned rewards through monthly spending milestones, while the new Lidl Plus Points system allows customers to collect points for every purchase (£1 = one point) and redeem them for rewards in the Rewards Marketplace. From May 5 to May 22, customers will earn double points on fresh fruit and 100 welcome points by opening the app until July 31. Louise Weise, chief customer officer at Lidl GB, mentioned that customer feedback inspired the transition to Lidl Plus Points, which aims to provide more flexibility in rewards. Reactions from customers have been mixed, with some expressing nostalgia for the old system. Further details can be found on Lidl's website.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

Blood pressure too low? Try our quiz about the most freakishly out-of-touch things tech CEOs have ever said

- "Innovation is not just about technology; it’s about creating experiences." - "We’re not just building games; we’re crafting worlds." - "Data is the new oil, but creativity is the engine." - "The future is not something we enter; the future is something we create." - "Every setback is a setup for a comeback." - "We’re not just in the business of gaming; we’re in the business of joy." - "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - "Our competitors are not just other companies; they’re the limits of imagination." - "In a world of noise, clarity is the ultimate luxury." - "The best ideas come from the most unexpected places."

AppWizard

April 30, 2026

EVE Online dev pays out $80,000 to mod contest winners for its experimental survival MMO

CCP Games has announced the winners of its latest hackathon for EVE Frontier, a blockchain-based survival MMO. The main winner, CradleOS, received a prize of ,000 for its civilization-building tool. An additional ,000 was awarded to other notable projects. The winning projects include: - CradleOS: A user interface and system for managing in-game resources and territory with a narrative involving a mysterious AI. - Blood Contract: A bounty system for player-versus-player quests. - Civilization Control: A user interface for managing territory and assets in the game. Secondary category winners were Bazaar, which received the "Most Creative" award for transforming the marketplace menu into a playable social space, and Shadow Broker Intel, which won the "Weirdest Idea" accolade for a marketplace trading player activity intelligence. EVE Frontier is currently in early access, allowing players to participate in its modding experiment.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

Gabe Newell once said Steam wasn’t ‘the answer to digital distribution,’ proving that even Gabe Newell is wrong about stuff sometimes

Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, integrated Steam with Half-Life 2, significantly influencing PC gaming despite initial skepticism about digital platforms. In a 2011 interview, he warned that the gaming industry is ever-changing and emphasized the need for continuous innovation to provide value to partners like EA, Ubisoft, and Take-Two. At that time, EA's withdrawal of titles from Steam raised concerns about the platform's future, prompting Newell to stress the importance of demonstrating value to developers. Currently, Steam remains a dominant force in digital distribution, maintaining a large user base and benefiting from seasonal sales. Publishers such as EA, Activision, Ubisoft, and Take-Two have returned to Steam after testing their own storefronts and the Epic Games Store, recognizing its extensive reach and user engagement. Steam has recently surpassed 42 million concurrent users and continues to expand its library, all while keeping its revenue-sharing model at a 70/30 split. Despite developer concerns, the return of partners indicates that Steam's value proposition is still strong.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

Zenless Zone Zero coming to Steam later this year

Zenless Zone Zero is set to be released on PC in the second quarter of 2026, with a Steam page now available for pre-release tests and a goal of reaching 300,000 wishlists for a milestone event. The game received a mixed review score of 55% from Kerry Brunskill, who described it as a "shallow, polished front for a relentless online store." Developer MiHoYo, known for successful titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, previously achieved 50 million downloads of Zenless Zone Zero within a week of its initial launch. There were speculations about a 40% chance of HoYoverse games coming to Steam due to concerns over revenue cuts, but the games have a strong following that may allow them to succeed without Steam. The Epic Games Store has faced criticism, and the release of Zenless Zone Zero may test its appeal compared to other storefronts.