Tag: Steam

  • Discover 2 Free Steam Games: Sandbox MMO & Retro Shoot-’em-up

    Discover 2 Free Steam Games: Sandbox MMO & Retro Shoot-’em-up

    Looking to grow your Steam collection this festive season? There are currently two games you can grab for free. Here’s what you can look forward to with each of them.

    Black Desert Overview

    Black Desert is a sandbox MMORPG that is recognized for its stunning visuals and intricate character customization. Players can select from various races such as humans, shai, and giants, in addition to 25 distinct classes. Besides the typical warriors and mages, the game also features unique classes like ninjas and dark knights. However, keep in mind that not every race can choose every class, and some classes are locked to specific genders.

    Combat and Gameplay Features

    Combat in Black Desert showcases a lively system that focuses on combos and strategic fighting. But it’s not just about battles. The game is filled with sandbox features like trading, crafting, and an elaborate economic system. Players have the ability to buy houses, recruit workers, and even build a trading empire. Usually priced at $10, this action MMO doesn’t need a subscription, although it offers various downloadable content and in-game purchases such as pets, cosmetic items, and experience boosts.

    Reception and Availability

    The reviews for this MMO, created and published by Pearl Abyss in 2017, are mixed. On Steam, Black Desert has a 74% positive rating from around 83,000 reviews, while its Metacritic scores are a Metascore of 76 and a User Score of 5.9. Critics often highlight a lackluster main story and pay-to-win elements like convenience boosts in the in-game shop. If these problems don’t bother you, it’s definitely worth checking out since it’s free on Steam until January 6, 2025.

    Distant Space 2 Overview

    Distant Space 2 is a shoot-’em-up that draws inspiration from the delightful retro flair of classic 80s arcade games. Players get to fly a spaceship, battling enemy fleets across 26 levels, some of which include bosses that require special strategies. As you progress, you can collect enemy weapons, adding a lot of variety to the game. With its nostalgic music score, this game is bound to charm arcade lovers and retro fans alike.

    Developer Details

    This game was created by PixelMouse, an indie studio known for hits like the first Distant Space and Minimalism. Normally, the game is priced at $1, and it has been well-received by approximately 84% of about 250 players. Until December 24, you can download it for free on Steam.

    Prices are subject to change. The offer was valid at the time this article was written but may be limited in duration or quantity. All information is provided without guarantee.

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  • Steam Enforces New Season Pass Rules for Clearer Promises

    Steam Enforces New Season Pass Rules for Clearer Promises

    There have been many strong feelings about season passes and microtransactions since they started showing up in modern gaming, with lots of gamers seeing the slow content release as just another way for developers and publishers to make money. Now, Valve is taking steps to change how game companies can offer season passes on Steam.

    Promising Future Content

    When you buy a Season Pass, you are making a promise for upcoming content. During the launch of a Season Pass, you will need to set a schedule for when each piece of content will be released. This schedule is a promise to both Steam and the players.

    Valve’s Concerns

    Valve has two main issues with season passes: timing and clear communication. Under the new rules, any season pass sold on Steam must reveal what players can expect when the new content is released. Furthermore, if publishers don’t deliver the season pass on schedule — or within three months after Valve’s deadline — Valve will refund players through Steam.

    When a Season Pass is available for sale on Steam, it needs to have the following details:

    Game publishers and developers can postpone promised season pass content, but they must inform Valve in advance and notify their customers about the delay. This three-month buffer is meant to help with common development issues that happen in gaming these days.

    Additional Guidelines

    Another important point in the new season pass rules is that any season pass offered on Steam must come with at least one DLC that is already available at the time of buying, although pre-purchase season passes are excluded from this requirement for obvious reasons.

    It’s hard to say how these new regulations will change the gaming world, but they aim to create a fairer environment for gamers and consumers, even though the allowances for pre-purchase season passes might lead to more of those being offered.

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  • Two Indie Games Free on Steam – Limited Time Offer!

    Two Indie Games Free on Steam – Limited Time Offer!

    While the Epic Games Store gives away a free game each week, Steam tends to offer free games only once in a while. This makes the current giveaway of two titles even more exciting. Although both games are not very well-known indie titles, gamers are usually keen to add any free games to their Steam collections.

    Game Overview: Minimalism

    Minimalism is a 2D platform game that features a very straightforward graphic design. Players guide a square character through unique, abstract environments made up entirely of geometric shapes. They must navigate various challenges in this classic platforming style. The game’s design is intentionally simplistic, avoiding any unnecessary distractions, allowing players to deeply engage with the puzzles presented.

    Originally launched by PixelMouse in 2017, Minimalism is typically priced at $1 on Steam. However, it can be downloaded for free until October 12 at 5 PM (UTC). Still, the game does have its moments of frustration, which is reflected in its Steam rating of 72 percent (based on approximately 2,260 ratings), earning it a "mostly positive" status.

    Game Overview: Castle Break

    Castle Break is an arcade game that fits into the breakout genre. Players are tasked with taking down enemy towers while safeguarding their own base. They maneuver their mouse like a hockey stick to return enemy projectiles. As players advance through the levels, the difficulty ramps up, making a combination of skill and strategy crucial to the game’s enjoyment.

    Released by Pauloondra in 2019, Castle Break has garnered a very positive response from the limited number of players who have shared their thoughts. On Steam, the game boasts an 89 percent positive rating from around 180 reviews. It can be downloaded for free until October 13 at 5 PM (UTC), a significant discount from its usual price of $5.

    Steam: Minimalism / Castle Break

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  • Age Ratings for Steam Games in Germany Starting Next Month

    Age Ratings for Steam Games in Germany Starting Next Month

    Back in March, Valve revealed that both German and Brazilian laws mandate content ratings for video games. German regulators are particularly stringent, with the BZKJ stating that this requirement would also apply to games added to Steam prior to the law’s enforcement. Initially, there was no set deadline for compliance, but Valve has now clarified that all games released on Steam before 2020 must meet the German regulations by November 15th.

    Developer Responsibilities

    Developers are required to fill out a content questionnaire available on Steam and submit their answers by mid-November. If they do not comply, their games will be hidden from Steam users in Germany. Even after submitting the questionnaire, there is a chance that the game may still not be visible to German customers. According to Valve’s Steamworks guidelines, "Certain types of content are prohibited for sale to customers in Germany."

    Special Considerations

    Additionally, games that have obtained a USK rating can enter their information through the store page editor, which allows developers to bypass the aforementioned questionnaire. There is a concern regarding games that remain on Steam but are no longer supported due to developers passing away or studios going bankrupt. This issue requires more focus from both Valve and the German regulatory bodies moving forward.

    The current situation illustrates how digital games can become inaccessible in specific markets for a variety of reasons. However, the physical history of video games remains intact. For those interested, there is a 32% discount on Simon Parkin’s An Illustrated History of 151 Video Games, now priced at $20.30, down from $29.99.

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  • Claim Dead Island Riptide – Definitive Edition for Free on Steam

    Claim Dead Island Riptide – Definitive Edition for Free on Steam

    Exciting news for zombie game enthusiasts and Steam users alike: Dead Island 2 is finally making its way to Steam on April 22, ending its exclusivity with the Epic Games Store. This highly anticipated sequel allows players to navigate a quarantined Los Angeles teeming with the undead. The game offers a rich narrative with an interesting cast of characters and the option to team up with three friends for a zombie-slaying adventure.

    Dead Island Riptide – Definitive Edition Giveaway

    In celebration of Dead Island 2’s Steam release, Dambuster Studios is giving away Dead Island Riptide – Definitive Edition for free till 11:00 AM ET on February 15. This offer is a treat for gamers and a smart move to get players excited about the sequel. Dead Island: Riptide picks up from where the first game left off, delivering players to a new zombie-infested island with improved HD graphics, game models, and a photorealistic lighting system.

    RPG Maker XP: Create Your Own RPGs

    On a similar note, the popular game engine RPG Maker XP is also currently free to claim on Steam. RPG Maker XP, also known as RMXP, is a software program or game engine that allows users to create their own role-playing video games (RPGs) without needing to know how to code. It was released in 2005 and is part of the long-running RPG Maker series, which dates back to the 1990s. RPG Maker XP was a popular choice for aspiring game developers in the mid-2000s, and many successful indie RPGs were created using the program. If you are a hobbyist or an aspiring game developer, this might be the perfect tool for you to get started on making games.

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