Steam platform

AppWizard
March 19, 2026
Retro Rewind is a shop simulator game developed by Blood Pact Studios, an indie team from Canada, that invites players to manage a '90s video rental store. Launched on Valve's Steam platform, it quickly gained popularity, securing a spot on the Top Sellers chart and peaking at 4,505 concurrent players. The game has a "Very Positive" user review rating and features extensive customization options for the store. A free demo is available, and the game is currently offered at a launch discount of .92 until March 24, down from its standard price of .90.
AppWizard
March 17, 2026
The FBI is investigating a hacker responsible for releasing several video games with embedded malware on the Steam platform. The suspected games include BlockBlasters, Chemia, Dashverse/DashFPS, Lampy, Lunara, PirateFi, and Tokenova. These games were developed over the past two years and posed risks to gamers who downloaded them. This incident follows a similar event from the previous year when malware-laden games were also uploaded to Steam. Neither Valve nor the FBI has commented on the investigation.
AppWizard
March 13, 2026
The FBI is investigating malware hidden in several video games on the Steam platform, targeting users from May 2024 to January 2026. The investigation includes games like BlockBlasters, Chemia, Dashverse, DashFPS, Lampy, Lunara, PirateFi, and Tokenova, with some previously removed from Steam for malicious content. Steam had over 132 million monthly active users and more than 117,000 games in 2025. The FBI is reaching out to affected gamers, ensuring victim confidentiality and potential eligibility for services under federal and state law. This incident is part of a broader trend of malware targeting gamers, with previous cases involving fan games and cheat software affecting millions of accounts.
TrendTechie
March 12, 2026
Crimson Desert, developed by Pearl Abyss, will use a minimalist anti-piracy approach by relying on basic tools from the Steam platform and not implementing Denuvo protection. This decision may allow third-party groups to easily bypass these measures upon the game's release. The gaming industry has seen vulnerabilities in anti-piracy systems, as demonstrated by the launch of Resident Evil Requiem, which was pirated within 24 hours using a new method to bypass Denuvo. A free version of Crimson Desert will be available on March 20, but its financial success will depend on factors like game quality and technical optimization, as players often prefer to buy legitimate copies for a better experience.
AppWizard
February 26, 2026
Digital intelligence and analytics firm Sensor Tower's State of Gaming 2026 report reveals that mobile game revenue has remained flat, while PC and console gaming revenues have surged by 13%. In 2025, there were 52 billion downloads across all platforms, with mobile games downloaded at a rate of 95,000 per minute, although this represents a decline from 2024. Mobile game revenue increased by only 1%, indicating a shift towards retaining and monetizing existing players. In contrast, PC gaming, particularly on Steam, achieved record gains in units sold and revenue, driven by AA and AAA publishers. The shooter genre performed strongly, with Battlefield 6 as the best-selling game, followed by EA Sports FC 25 and 26. In the free-to-play category, Skate was the most downloaded title. Indie games like R.E.P.O. and Peak were recognized as top sellers. Data trends indicate that PC gamers are generally younger, while hypercasual gamers tend to be female. The strategy genre gained traction in mobile gaming, led by Last War: Survival and Whiteout Survival.
AppWizard
February 14, 2026
Valve has introduced a significant update to the Steam Client Beta on February 12, allowing users to attach their hardware specifications when posting or updating game reviews. This feature aims to provide context to performance critiques, making it easier for prospective buyers to assess feedback relevance. Additionally, Valve is piloting a feature that collects anonymized framerate data associated with hardware types, particularly for devices operating on SteamOS. The update also includes bug fixes and a refined feedback process regarding a game's Deck Verified status, enabling users to provide reasons if they disagree with a game's rating.
AppWizard
February 12, 2026
Minecraft has inspired numerous clones and voxel-based crafting simulations over the past 15 years. Recently, the upcoming game Allumeria was temporarily removed from Valve’s Steam platform due to a DMCA copyright notice from Microsoft, which claimed that Allumeria used "Minecraft content, including but not limited to gameplay and assets." The takedown was triggered by a screenshot from the game’s Steam page that depicted a world similar to Minecraft. Unomelon, the developer, stated that Allumeria does not reuse any of Minecraft's assets. The DMCA claim was generated through Tracer.AI, an AI platform used by Microsoft and Mojang to identify copyright violations. Jens Bergensten, Chief Creative Officer at Mojang, acknowledged the situation and stated he would investigate further. Approximately 12 hours later, Microsoft withdrew their DMCA claim, and Allumeria's Steam page was reinstated.
AppWizard
February 11, 2026
Allumeria, a Minecraft-inspired sandbox game, was temporarily removed from Valve's Steam platform due to a DMCA takedown initiated by Microsoft, claiming copyright infringement based on screenshots. The situation was resolved after community support and intervention from Mojang's chief creative officer, allowing Allumeria's creator, Unomelon, to reinstate the game on Steam. The DMCA notice, attributed to Judith Woodward on behalf of Microsoft, alleged that Allumeria's content infringed upon Minecraft's rights, but the similarities were questioned by many. A lawyer offered to help Unomelon file a counter notice, and Jens Bergensten from Mojang expressed interest in the matter. Ultimately, Microsoft withdrew the claim, and Allumeria was reinstated, with Unomelon reflecting on the challenges faced by smaller developers and the need for reform in the DMCA process.
AppWizard
January 28, 2026
The Competition Appeal Tribunal in London has authorized a class action lawsuit against Valve Corporation, which alleges anti-consumer practices related to overcharging British customers and manipulating PC game prices on its Steam platform. The claims in the lawsuit exceed £100 million, and the tribunal's unanimous decision allows the case to proceed through the UK legal system. Valve's attempt to dismiss the class action was unsuccessful, and a trial date has not yet been set. Valve has not publicly commented on the proceedings.
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