Valve Archives

AppWizard

August 2, 2026

Developer of ‘Spanking Exorcist’ game held up by Steam content moderation releases free ‘apology game’ where you spank him as punishment: ‘We would be delighted if you enjoy it’

Actor, the developer of Spanking Exorcist, released a free "apology game" called Apology.exe after missing its launch date on July 24 due to content moderation issues on Steam. The game allows players to humorously simulate spanking the developer as a form of retribution. Spanking Exorcist, which blends first-person exploration with unsettling visuals, officially launched on Steam six days after the missed date, priced at .99 with a launch discount bringing it to .39.

AppWizard

August 2, 2026

Prolific Team Fortress 2 collector is selling his in-game case arsenal for an estimated $100,000 — 1.7 million items collected over 10 years are enough to fund a house purchase

Vincent Stech has collected over 1.7 million Team Fortress 2 cases across multiple Steam accounts, with an estimated value of 0,000. He began this collection around late 2017 and used automated methods to accumulate the cases while avoiding detection by Valve. Stech holds approximately 17% of all publicly known TF2 cases, making it challenging to sell them without disrupting the market. He has found a buyer for his entire collection, with the transaction in progress and expected to be completed by October. Stech plans to use the proceeds from the sale as a down payment on a house.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Xbox May Walk Away From Steam, As It Reportedly Prepares PC Strategy Shift Amid 2026 Reset

Xbox is experiencing a challenging period marked by layoffs and studio closures, prompting a reevaluation of its operational strategies. Speculation exists about a potential shift away from Steam for PC gaming, as discussed by Jez Corden on the Xbox Two Podcast. He noted that Microsoft has plans regarding its presence on PC, suggesting a possible reconsideration of its relationship with Steam, although he expressed doubt about the likelihood of abandoning the platform due to financial implications. Additionally, discussions about Xbox's operational changes are linked to the upcoming Xbox Project Helix, which aims to connect console and PC gaming but is expected to be costly. The integration of third-party storefronts could impact Xbox's revenue model, complicating hardware pricing amid rising component costs.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

I was excited for this Quake port of Half-Life until I discovered the creator’s wild AI conspiracy theories

The technology behind Half-Life, known as GoldSrc, is a modified version of the Quake engine, and remnants of Quake code are present in Valve's Source 2. A modder named KleskBY is developing a project called Libre-life, which aims to port elements from Half-Life into Quake source ports, particularly focusing on the Zircon Engine. KleskBY believes that older engines like GoldSrc have limitations that hinder creativity and prefers using Quake source ports over Xash3D, arguing that they offer capabilities that Xash does not. Libre-life is in early development, with progress including the reimplementation of all weapons from Half-Life 1. KleskBY uses AI extensively in the project, despite expressing strong negative opinions about AI's broader implications.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

XBOX could eventually stop releasing games on Steam

Journalist Jez Corden from Windows Central suggested that Microsoft may be considering a shift in its gaming strategy on PC, potentially moving away from Valve's Steam platform. He indicated that Microsoft has plans that could lead to a withdrawal from Steam, although specifics are not yet clear. Corden mentioned that he would not be surprised if Microsoft ceased support for Steam, but the situation remains fluid. It is uncertain whether any potential withdrawal would affect only upcoming releases or existing titles as well. Microsoft has not announced any formal plans to remove its games from Steam, and a shift away from the platform would represent a significant change in XBOX's publishing strategy, which has typically involved launching first-party games on both Steam and its own ecosystem.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Steam gamers have spoken: innovative indies like Palworld continue to thrive while traditional triple-A flounders for a foothold

In 2026, the gaming landscape shows a significant shift, with smaller development teams gaining popularity among PC gamers, while established franchises face challenges. Palworld 1.0 has become a major success, attracting over half a million concurrent players daily, trailing only behind CS2, PUBG, and Dota 2. Other notable releases include Meccha Chameleon, Windrose, Slay the Spire 2, Deltarune Chapter Five, and Mewgenics. In contrast, Halo: Campaign Evolved peaked at just over 25,000 concurrent players, significantly lower than The Master Chief Collection's peak of 161,000 in 2019. Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced reached 104,000 active players, marking its best performance on Steam. The Summer Game Fest highlighted successful titles like Resident Evil Requiem and Forza Horizon 6, while smaller innovative projects like Vampire Crawlers and Super Battle Golf are also gaining attention.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Valve finally gives Deadlock a proper ranked mode, warns that matches will be ‘very rocky’ to start

Valve has introduced a revamped ranked mode for Deadlock, featuring a new match balancing system aimed at enhancing the competitive experience. This update marks a significant transformation from the previous straightforward ranked mode, which allowed players to select heroes and compete for ranks. Players should prepare for an adjustment period as the community adapts to these changes. Additionally, there are indications that Valve may consider expanding access to Deadlock beyond its current invite-only format.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Half-Life: Alyx gets ‘No VR’ mode, perfect for those without an expensive headset

Half-Life: Alyx has introduced a 'No VR' mode that allows players without virtual reality headsets to play the entire campaign on a flatscreen. Originally launched in 2019 as a VR-exclusive title, it faced criticism for being inaccessible to many fans of the series. The new mod enhances gameplay with interaction mechanics similar to those in games like SOMA or Amnesia, allowing players to engage with objects by aiming and holding down a button. Currently in testing, the mod covers only the first chapter of the game, with a public release expected soon. While the game is designed for VR, the mod offers an opportunity for those unable to use a headset to experience the narrative and gameplay interactively.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Xbox Project Helix could be dead on arrival thanks to PlayStation PC cull

Xbox's upcoming console, Project Helix, has undergone significant modifications due to changes in the gaming industry influenced by PlayStation's strategic decisions. PlayStation plans to phase out physical disc production by 2028 and is reportedly stepping back from PC ports due to disappointing sales figures. This shift affects Xbox's strategy, as PlayStation is reluctant to share its gaming library with Xbox users, disrupting Project Helix's original model. The anticipated cost of Project Helix is expected to exceed that of Valve's Steam Machine, raising concerns about its pricing amid a market where fewer gamers are willing to invest heavily in consoles. Exclusive titles have historically been a major draw for consoles, but Xbox is still recovering from past strategic missteps. The gaming community is awaiting further details on Project Helix's PC capabilities and an official unveiling.

Winsage

July 28, 2026

One year later, XBOX’s Adaptive Joystick has changed our accessible gaming life for the better — as Microsoft’s efforts slow down

A year ago, the author invested in the XBOX Adaptive Joystick for their fiancée, who has a connective tissue disorder that makes traditional gaming controls uncomfortable. The joystick was intended to help her play PC-exclusive games like World of Warcraft. Microsoft is undergoing significant restructuring, resulting in approximately 3,200 layoffs, including the elimination of the Gaming Accessibility Lead and accessibility testers. The XBOX Adaptive Joystick is priced at .99 in the U.S. and £24.99 in the U.K., but its future is uncertain due to these layoffs. The joystick is not wireless but features a long USB cable and lacks pressure-sensitive triggers, which limits analog input options. Despite its limitations, it is considered user-friendly and adaptable for various gaming experiences.