Steam platform Archives

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

The first ever third-party game to come to Steam probably doesn’t get the respect it deserves—mostly because no one remembers it

Steam's automated monthly top-seller list has highlighted Rag Doll Kung Fu, the first third-party title on the Steam platform, which debuted in 2005. Developed by Mark Healey, the game is available on Steam for one dollar and has a Mostly Positive rating of 73% based on 68 reviews. It remains accessible two decades later, although it is labeled "Unsupported" on Steam Deck. The game launched eight years before the introduction of Steam reviews, which may explain its limited feedback.

AppWizard

May 15, 2025

Valve refutes reports of massive Steam hack

Valve addressed concerns about alleged breaches of user data, refuting claims of a significant hack involving Steam account information. The company clarified that reports of leaked two-factor authentication text messages do not indicate any compromise of its internal systems. The source of the leak is under investigation, and it involved older text messages containing one-time codes valid for 15 minutes, without linking phone numbers to Steam accounts or exposing sensitive information like passwords or payment details. Valve emphasized that old text messages cannot compromise account security and that attempts to change account details via SMS will trigger additional confirmation steps. Allegations from Underdark.ai about a dataset containing over 89 million Steam user records are questioned due to the low asking price for the data.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Zerat Games removes controversial visual novel from Steam

Developer Zerat Games has withdrawn its visual novel from the Steam platform to avoid complications with Valve, while defending the game's themes of incest and sexual violence as fetishes. The studio expressed understanding that some may find these themes disgusting but advocated for the exploration of desires without harm. The game's removal followed actions taken by Valve in the UK, Canada, and Australia, where UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the content as illegal and mentioned new regulatory measures being implemented. Zerat Games aims to promote dialogue on diverse expressions of human sexuality despite societal challenges.

AppWizard

March 15, 2025

2024 was Steam’s ‘best year ever’ of users buying newly released games—but I wouldn’t celebrate the end of the forever game era just yet

Valve's "Steam Year In Review" blog post revealed that the peak concurrent user count on Steam has nearly doubled since March 2020, with users engaging with more new titles than ever. In 2024, newly released games generated the highest revenue on Steam, reaching ten times the levels of 2014. Over 500 games surpassed 0,000 in new release sales, with more than 200 achieving over million, marking increases of 27% and 15% compared to 2023. Despite these revenue figures, only 15% of user playtime was dedicated to games released in 2024, up from 9% in 2023 but down from 17% in 2022. Notable successful titles included Palworld, Helldivers 2, Space Marine 2, and Black Myth Wukong, alongside established games like Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2. The closure of several live service games suggests a potential shift in the gaming industry's dynamics.

Winsage

February 14, 2025

Hackers Somehow Uploaded a Game Full of Malware on Steam

On February 6, hackers uploaded a pirate-themed survival game called PirateFi to Steam, attributed to Seaworth Interactive, which contained malware designed to steal users' browser cookies. The game was available for download for at least a week before Valve removed it after becoming aware of the risks. Estimates suggest that between 800 and 1,500 users downloaded the game. Promotional materials for PirateFi were reportedly taken from another game, Easy Survival RPG. Users' antivirus programs identified PirateFi as “Trojan.Win32.Lazzzy.gen,” a malware variant known for extracting browser cookies. Valve informed players about the malware and advised them to scan their systems and consider reinstalling Windows. Seaworth Interactive had no prior history, and PirateFi was its only game, with no dedicated website or social media presence.

Tech Optimizer

February 13, 2025

Steam just killed a game that was installing Windows malware

The Steam platform experienced a security breach due to a free-to-play game called PirateFi, which was found to be delivering malware to players. The game was available on the Steam store for a week before Valve removed it and banned the developer after discovering it was distributing suspected malware. Approximately 800 users downloaded the game, and some reported compromised Microsoft and Steam passwords, leading to unauthorized access to their game currency. Valve has notified affected users via email, advising them to perform virus scans or format their PCs if necessary. This incident highlights the challenges Steam faces in maintaining security as the platform continues to grow, with over 15,000 new games released last year.

AppWizard

February 10, 2025

Valve bans games that rely on in-game ads from Steam, so no ‘watch this to continue playing’ stuff will be making its way to our PCs

Valve has updated its Steamworks developer documentation to introduce new advertising guidelines. In-game advertisements as a revenue model are prohibited, but product placement is allowed if it does not disrupt gameplay and is contextually appropriate. Cross-promotional efforts are permitted, but charging developers for participation in bundles or access to store pages is forbidden. Paid advertising campaigns conducted outside of Steam that direct users to a store page are allowed. Valve has also taken a stance against NFT and crypto-derived games and requires disclosure for games that use generative AI technology.

AppWizard

February 7, 2025

The best FPS games on PC

The first-person shooter (FPS) genre remains popular, with the PC being the preferred platform for enthusiasts due to its flexibility and the precision offered by mouse and keyboard controls. FPS games are not limited to multiplayer experiences; there are also engaging single-player narratives available. The Steam platform features a vast library of FPS titles, with new games regularly released. A curated selection of exceptional FPS games on PC is available to help players find immersive gameplay experiences.

AppWizard

February 5, 2025

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 free download very quietly released

The launch of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for PC has faced significant issues, including crashes, visual glitches, and poor optimization, leading to critical feedback from players. In response, the development team has released a hotfix to address these concerns, particularly focusing on crashing issues related to ray tracing, along with various crash fixes and stability enhancements. Players with auto-update enabled should already see improvements in performance. Further updates are anticipated to enhance user interface elements and improve DualSense controller connectivity with PCs via Steam.

AppWizard

December 9, 2024

Five new Steam games you probably missed (December 9, 2024)

On December 6, the following games will be released: 1. Granny Escape Together - A 2.5D platformer developed by CreepyToad, featuring nostalgic characters and a soundtrack by David Wise, with couch co-op gameplay. 2. Rings of Zilfin - A re-release of a 1986 RPG from Strategic Simulations for the Commodore 64, offering a classic experience with pixel art and cryptic challenges. 3. The Hole - A horror game developed by Bober Bros, where players experience a suspenseful narrative involving drilling noises and mysterious holes in walls. On December 7, Esca will be released, developed by LuN. It is a survival RPG set in a dilapidated underwater research facility, focusing on horror elements and branching narratives.