Tag: Valve

April 10, 2025
Valve Deckard VR Headset Manufacturing Tips and Leak Insights
Key Takeaways
1. Valve is importing updated injection molding machines to produce the Deckard VR headset locally in the US.
2. The move may help Valve avoid US tariffs on imports from China or enable easier prototyping and trial runs.
3. Valve has received shipments of VR face gaskets from Teleray Group, indicating progress in their manufacturing process.
4. The shipments suggest that Valve is refining the headset’s hardware design for future mass production.
5. Modifications to SteamOS for Arm hardware hint that the Deckard VR headset may be released soon.
Not too long ago, some leaks came out revealing the prices, specs, and possible release info for Valve’s next-gen VR headset, known as Deckard. A recent tweet from industry expert, @SadlyItsBradley, on X showed that Valve seems to be bringing in equipment and parts to the US to produce the upcoming Deckard VR headset locally.
Manufacturing Moves
The leaked shipping records suggest that Valve has begun importing what looks like updated injection molding machines to create facial interfaces for the Deckard headset. Some people are guessing that this step is a way for Valve to dodge potential US tariffs on items from big manufacturers like China, but it could also mean Valve is just setting up a small production area to more easily prototype and do small trial runs.
Components and Collaborations
Furthermore, Valve has received multiple shipments of VR face gaskets from the same original equipment manufacturer — Teleray Group — which is already known for producing parts for both the Valve Index and various other VR headsets. This backs up the theory that Valve is either validating its manufacturing process for future mass production or refining the headset’s gasket hardware design and materials for the same reasons.
Release Speculations
Although this info doesn’t exactly tell us when the headset will be released, it does hint that Valve Deckard might be coming very soon. Additionally, Valve was seen modifying SteamOS to function on Arm hardware, which further implies that the gaming company is gearing up for a Deckard launch in the next few months.
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Tags: Deckard, Valve, VR headset
April 9, 2025
Rare Steam Deck Prototype with AMD Picasso APU Sells for $2K
Key Takeaways
1. A Steam Deck prototype was auctioned on eBay for $2,000, despite a listing price of $2,999.99.
2. The prototype, completed in February 2020, featured an experimental AMD ‘Picasso’ APU, which was less powerful than the retail Aerith APU.
3. The Picasso APU provided about half the GPU power of the Aerith, which uses an RDNA 2-based iGPU.
4. The prototype had 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, while retail Steam Decks have 16 GB of RAM and various storage options (64 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB).
5. The future of the prototype, designated as ‘Engineering Sample 34,’ is uncertain, and it may be showcased again later.
A few years ago, Pierre-Loup Griffais posted images and a short video of some Steam Deck prototypes. Recently, one of these prototypes was auctioned on eBay in the US for a staggering $2,000. It’s important to mention that while the eBay listing indicates the final auction price was $2,999.99, an accepted Best Offer of $2,000 was actually the price paid.
Prototype Details
The images in the listing show that Valve completed this prototype around February 2020, which is about two years before the retail versions hit the market. The Steam Deck officially comes with two APU options: one called Aerith for the LCD models and another named Sephiroth for the OLED versions. However, Engineering Sample 34 shows that Valve was also experimenting with an AMD ‘Picasso’ APU, likely incorporating Zen CPU cores alongside Vega (GCN 5.0) iGPU cores.
Performance Comparison
Pierre-Loup Griffais mentioned that this Picasso APU was only providing “about half” the GPU power of Aerith, which uses an RDNA 2-based iGPU with 8 Compute Units. In comparison, newer APUs such as the Ryzen Z1 Extreme present in the Asus ROG Ally (currently priced at $599.99 on Amazon) come with 12 CUs from AMD’s advanced RDNA 3 architecture. This means that, had this prototype been released as a consumer product, it would have been quickly outdated.
At that time, Valve was also working on the Steam Deck with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. In contrast, all the retail units of the Steam Deck come equipped with 16 GB of RAM, and storage options include 64 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB across both the LCD and OLED models. Where ‘Engineering Sample 34’ will go next is still uncertain, and it remains to be seen if it will appear in public again. Hopefully, we will see this prototype showcased in the future.
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Tags: AMD Picasso, Steam Deck, Valve
March 16, 2025
SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview: New Handheld Support & Desktop Experience
Key Takeaways
1. SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview, called “Pi Day,” introduces support for third-party gaming handhelds beyond the Steam Deck.
2. The update upgrades the Arc Linux base and moves the Linux Kernel to version 6.11 for improved performance.
3. Transition from Plasma 5.7 to 6.2.5 aims to enhance the desktop experience for Linux users.
4. The update addresses bugs, updates the Mesa graphics driver, and improves controller/input functionality.
5. A general-purpose version of SteamOS may be released soon, potentially competing with Windows.
The SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview is officially here, marking a significant update from Valve. Known as “Pi Day,” this update introduces several improvements, with one of the most notable being the support for gaming handhelds that are not Steam Deck.
Uncertain Support for Handhelds
However, it remains unclear which third-party handheld gaming devices will receive full support with this SteamOS Preview update. Although this is just the initial step, Valve has kept its word about broadening support. Of course, there are more exciting features in the update. The 3.7.0 Preview also includes new functionalities, numerous enhancements, and various updates to improve user experience.
Key Upgrades in the Update
As per the release notes, the SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview upgrades the Arc Linux base and moves the Linux Kernel to version 6.11. These changes promise to offer better software accessibility and performance improvements. Additionally, the update shifts from Plasma 5.7 to 6.2.5, which aims to provide a more desktop-like experience for Linux users.
Moreover, the SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview addresses multiple known bugs, updates the Mesa graphics driver, and resolves controller and input problems. The new version also enhances the transition between game and desktop modes, boosts surround sound support, and increases compatibility with various displays.
Looking Ahead
While the SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview broadens the OS’s compatibility with third-party gaming handhelds like the 512 GB Legion Go currently priced at $602 on Amazon, we are still waiting for Valve to unveil a general-purpose version of the OS. However, reports suggest that this could happen soon, making it interesting to see how it will stack up against Windows when that time comes.
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Tags: Legion Go, SteamOS 3.7.0, Valve
March 11, 2025
FragPunk Faces Backlash for AI Art Use Without Steam Disclosure
Key Takeaways
1. FragPunk is a new free-to-play first-person shooter that gained over 110,000 players in its opening week on Steam.
2. Controversy arose over the use of AI-generated art in the game, with players noticing visual flaws and inconsistencies.
3. Despite favorable gameplay reviews, there is growing discontent among players regarding the incorporation of AI art.
4. It’s unclear how much AI art is used in FragPunk, and the game’s Steam page does not disclose any AI-generated content.
5. The situation mirrors past controversies in gaming, such as with the indie game Terraria, and it’s uncertain how the developers will respond to the criticism.
FragPunk is the newest free-to-play first-person shooter that is taking on the likes of Valorant and The Finals. Since its launch, it has gained a lot of attention, surpassing 110,000 players at the same time on Steam during its opening week. However, this rapid rise to popularity has led to some controversy, particularly concerning the use of AI art in its game assets.
Concerns Over AI Art
Users on X, including @EpicNNG and @Gloomffct, have noticed certain features of AI-generated artwork in the splash screen and some items in the in-game store. A Reddit user also pointed out that several in-game skins and stickers exhibit signs of AI creation. These visual flaws include characters having extra fingers, physics that don’t make sense, strange shading and lighting, and overall inconsistencies in the art style.
Mixed Reactions from Players
While the gameplay mechanics have been enjoyed and reviews from players on Steam are mostly favorable, there is a growing discontent regarding the incorporation of AI art into the game. This negative sentiment seems to be overshadowing the otherwise fun experience that players are having.
Uncertainty About AI Usage
It remains uncertain if there are additional instances of AI art within FragPunk. Notably, there is no mention of AI-generated content on the game’s Steam page, despite Valve’s requirement for such disclosures since late last year. TechPowerUp has reported that Valve is wary of AI art due to potential copyright issues that could arise.
This situation isn’t new, as generative AI has previously stirred controversy in the gaming world. We’ve reported on the popular indie game Terraria, which faced its own challenges with AI-generated merchandise. The developer’s response to that issue seemed to bolster support from its fans. It will be interesting to see how Bad Guitar Studios, the company behind FragPunk, addresses this criticism, especially given its more corporate approach.
Awaiting a Response
We have reached out to NetEase, which owns Bad Guitar Studio, for their thoughts on this matter, but we haven’t received a reply yet. We will update this article if they do respond.
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Tags: AI Art, FragPunk, Valve
March 2, 2025
Steam Deck 2 Rumors: AMD ‘Aerith Plus’ APU Leaks Speculation
Key Takeaways
1. Rumors about a Steam Deck 2 are circulating, but there’s no solid proof yet.
2. AMD is working on a new APU called ‘Aerith Plus,’ featuring enhanced specifications.
3. Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffais dismissed the idea of a Ryzen Z2-powered Steam Deck, suggesting a new APU is more likely.
4. The ‘Aerith Plus’ APU may be intended for the upcoming Deckard VR headset, expected to be expensive.
5. Ongoing speculation about the Steam Deck 2 continues, with no major announcements yet.
Rumors about a possible successor to the Steam Deck have circulated online several times over the past year, even if there’s no solid proof to support those claims. Nevertheless, it’s clear that a Steam Deck 2—or whatever Valve decides to call it—is being worked on, and the company has mentioned that it will offer a ‘generational leap’ in performance while maintaining efficiency.
New APU Leak
A recently uncovered shipping document, highlighted through tweets by @Olrak29_, shows that AMD is working on a new APU known as ‘Aerith Plus’ with some intriguing specifications. The details reveal that the Aerith Plus APU will feature a boost clock reaching 3.8 GHz, a 1.8 GHz integrated GPU, and a thermal design power (TDP) of 20 watts. For those who might not know, ‘Aerith’ is the code used for the APU in the current Steam Deck, and the ‘Plus’ variant seems to suggest that enhancements are on the horizon—or maybe not?
Speculation and Doubts
Pierre-Loup Griffais, who previously dismissed the rumors about a Ryzen Z2-powered Steam Deck, has once again squashed the speculation regarding this leak. His comment on BlueSky simply says “Not happening,” offering no additional context. Given that Valve has made it clear that the next Steam Deck will feature significant performance upgrades, it seems likely that AMD will create a completely new APU rather than just updating the existing ‘Plus’ version.
The VR Connection
It’s also plausible that the ‘Aerith Plus’ APU is meant for the rumored Deckard VR headset, anticipated to launch later this year at a staggering price that could exceed $1000. As with all rumors and leaks, it’s wise to approach this information cautiously. We have yet to see any major disclosures regarding the Steam Deck 2, and it’s safe to say that speculations will keep flowing for the time being.
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Tags: AMD Aerith Plus, Steam Deck 2, Valve
February 14, 2025
Zombie Shooter on Steam: Over 700K Positive Reviews Under $1
Key Takeaways
1. Enduring Popularity: Left 4 Dead 2 remains popular after 15 years, reaching over 40,000 concurrent players on Steam and boasting a 97% positivity rate from over 710,000 reviews.
2. Engaging Narrative: The game follows four survivors navigating zombie-infested areas in the southern U.S., set just weeks after a devastating outbreak.
3. Teamwork Focus: Players can team up in cooperative gameplay or compete in Versus mode, enhancing the multiplayer experience.
4. Diverse Combat Options: The game features fast-paced combat with a variety of firearms and melee weapons, requiring careful ammo management.
5. Limited-Time Discounts: Left 4 Dead 2 is currently available at a 90% discount on Steam, priced at $1 until February 17, as part of a cooperative gaming promotion.
Released back in November 2009 for PC and Xbox 360, Left 4 Dead 2 has now been around for over 15 years yet it still remains beloved by many. Recently, it reached a peak of more than 40,000 players at once on SteamDB, and its reviews are impressive – boasting over 710,000 with a 97% positivity rate.
A Thrilling Zombie Adventure
In Left 4 Dead 2, gamers are thrown into a chaotic world plagued by a vicious virus that has transformed much of humanity into zombies. While the original game took place in the Pacific Northwest, this sequel takes players on a journey through the southern U.S., from Georgia to Louisiana. Set just weeks after the outbreak, the narrative follows four survivors who navigate through perilous settings, desperately looking for safe places to evacuate.
Cooperative Gameplay at Its Best
This game centers around teamwork, requiring players to join forces as one of four survivors. You can tackle the campaign alone with AI partners, or team up with up to three other players, either online or sitting side by side. Besides the traditional co-op experience, Left 4 Dead 2 includes a competitive Versus mode where one group plays as survivors while the other takes on the role of the infected. For those wanting a tougher challenge, the Survival mode pits players against continuous waves of zombies.
Intense Combat and Weapon Variety
Left 4 Dead 2 offers fast-paced and thrilling gunplay, featuring a blend of standard and special weapons. Players can choose from pistols, shotguns, assault rifles, and submachine guns, as well as powerful choices like machine guns and grenade launchers. However, ammunition is limited, so managing it wisely is crucial. When bullets run out, melee combat becomes vital. Unlike its predecessor, which allowed only basic melee attacks, Left 4 Dead 2 introduces a range of melee weapons – including axes, machetes, baseball bats, and even chainsaws, ideal for slicing through hordes of zombies.
Big Discounts for Enthusiasts
As part of the Steam Couch Co-Op Fest, featuring demos and deals on co-op games playable both on the couch and online, Valve is currently offering Left 4 Dead 2 at a whopping 90% discount until February 17. This drops the price to a mere $1, down from its usual $10.
Prices may change. The offer was valid at the time this article was written but might be limited in duration or availability. All information is provided without guarantee.
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Tags: Co-op Shooter, Left 4 Dead 2, Valve
February 11, 2025
Valve Updates Guidelines to Control Predatory Advertising Practices
Key Takeaways
1. Valve has introduced new guidelines to regulate how developers use the “Early Access” label.
2. Developers are prohibited from hiding game content behind advertisements or rewarding users for watching ads.
3. Valve encourages developers to use microtransactions and create additional content post-launch instead of ad-based monetization.
4. Developers can still promote products within their games, despite regulations on ads.
5. Valve’s guidelines aim to prevent money-hungry practices common in mobile gaming from spreading to PC games.
After taking action against developers who improperly use the “Early Access” label, Valve has introduced important new guidelines to keep money-hungry free-to-play creators under control. According to GamingOnLinux, the company’s website now outlines clear rules regarding how developers should market their games.
Key Guidelines on Advertising
A major point is that developers are not allowed to hide game content behind ads. Furthermore, users shouldn’t be rewarded for watching advertisements to earn in-game items. These practices are common in many mobile games and have become a regular part of the industry.
New Monetization Strategies
Instead, Valve suggests that developers should focus on using microtransactions and creating additional content after launch, which is another issue that the gaming industry continues to deal with. Although this isn’t a major issue on PC, it’s reassuring to see Valve addressing it early on. However, developers who prefer to use these tactics can always turn to other platforms or choose to self-host their games.
Advertising in Games Still Allowed
Sadly, developers still have the option to promote products within their games. For example, Death Stranding incorporated Monster Energy branding subtly, while EA took a more blatant approach with full-screen ads in UFC 4. Thankfully, this type of advertisement hasn’t become popular, but if it ever does, Steam seems to be okay with it.
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Tags: Death Stranding, Early Access, Valve
February 7, 2025
Valve Addresses AMD RDNA 4 Rumors and SteamOS Gaming Project
It’s widely known that Valve is making strides in enhancing the AMD Mesa drivers for Linux. However, some news reports from earlier this week suggested that the latest driver updates could indicate that Valve might be developing a competitor to the Xbox Series X or the PlayStation 5 (currently priced at $449 on Amazon).
Rumors vs. Reality
As we talked about back then, these speculations seem to be misinterpreting Valve’s real goals in improving Linux drivers for AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture. Even though Valve collaborated with AMD for the Steam Deck, Pierre-Loup Griffais, a prominent developer for the Steam Deck, provided some clarity regarding the recent enhancements to the RDNA 4 drivers:
…we’ve [Valve] done pre-release Mesa Vulkan work on every AMD architecture since Vega because they have kindly lent us hardware, so there’s not much to read into that.
What’s Next?
To put it simply, the rumors surrounding AMD RDNA 4-based devices can be placed in the same category as last month’s assertion that AMD had verified a Ryzen Z2 update for the Steam Deck. At this moment, there’s no solid proof of new hardware from Valve that would operate on SteamOS. Instead, there have been some suggestions about a device with the codename ‘Fremont’, along with potential images showing designs for a Deckard controller and a Steam Controller 2.
In summary, Pierre-Loup Griffais’ comments suggest that while Valve is actively working on driver improvements, the speculation about new gaming hardware is premature and lacks substantial backing.
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Tags: amd, Steam Deck, Valve
February 4, 2025
Conflicting Reports on New Valve Steam Hardware with AMD RDNA 4
YouTuber eXtas1s has recently shared his thoughts on what might be Valve’s upcoming Steam console. He, alongside HandleDeck, has noticed connections between AMD and Valve in the latest Linux driver updates for the Radeon RX 9070 and other RDNA 4 desktop graphics cards.
Speculations About Valve’s Console
This has led them to speculate that Valve could be working on a home console that might compete with the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 Pro (currently priced at $699 on Amazon). It’s important to mention that neither of them has offered any solid proof to back up their assertions, even though the drivers are open-source.
For now, it would be wise to regard any hints about Valve creating a new Steam Machine with caution. eXtas1s has a somewhat patchy track record regarding leaks of this nature, having missed the mark several times after initially detailing last year’s Xbox Games Showcase.
Counterarguments from GamingOnLinux
In response, Liam Dawe from GamingOnLinux completely denies the claims made by eXtas1s and HandleDeck. He points out on GamingOnLinux that Valve has been hiring developers for many years to update AMD Mesa graphics drivers to maintain Linux compatibility for both current and future AMD hardware.
Dawe argues that eXtas1s and HandleDeck have misread the recent driver modifications, likely influenced by earlier rumors about the Valve ‘Fremont’ linked to the so-called AMD Lilac platform. To support his argument, a senior member of Valve’s Linux graphics driver team noted in the documentation for a recent Mesa driver patch regarding AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture that:
This initial support should be good enough but it’s missing two features (cooperative matrix and video decode/encode) compared to GFX11 (RDNA3) because lack of time.
DCC is still under active development but it might be possible to finish it during the RC period.
The Validity of the Rumors
In summary, this new rumor seems just as credible as the one about an AMD Ryzen Z2 refresh for the Steam Deck that VideoCardz discussed. For context, Pierre-Loup Griffais, a well-known designer of the Steam Deck, publicly dismissed this rumor. While the future of new Steam hardware is still uncertain, some third-party hobbyists have successfully transformed the Steam Deck into a home console experience.
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Tags: AMD RX 9070, Steam Deck, Valve
January 7, 2025
Steam Deck 2: Valve Designer Talks Rumored AMD Ryzen Z2 Update
Rumors about Valve possibly launching new hardware have been floating around for the past month or so, partly due to some leaks from databases. To summarize, information about the rumored Steam Controller 2 came out in late November. In addition, new details about Valve’s much-speculated ‘Deckard’ VR headset also surfaced, quickly followed by a leak regarding a gaming device codenamed ‘Fremont’.
AMD Confirms Steam Deck Update?
Today, VideoCardz published an article that claimed AMD had ‘confirmed Valve Steam Deck update’ as part of the Ryzen Z2 series announcement. This lead to various news outlets resharing the information, even though there was no clear reference to a new Steam Deck in the leaked documents shared by VideoCardz. Instead, the Steam Deck was mentioned alongside other devices like the Legion Go and ROG Ally, which use older Ryzen Z1 and Ryzen Z1 Extreme APUs.
Valve’s Clarification
However, Pierre-Loup Griffais, a key figure in the Steam Deck’s design, has stepped in to clarify Valve’s stance. He directly stated that ‘there is and will be no Z2 Steam Deck’, putting an end to the speculation right there.
As for Valve’s official position, they have only mentioned plans for a next-generation Steam Deck to be released in ‘a few years’. Since the Steam Deck performs similarly to the Radeon 890M in benchmarks, it seems unlikely that the Ryzen Z2 series would be used for a device that Valve wants to deliver with ‘a significant bump in horsepower’.
Upcoming Devices
Meanwhile, there is solid evidence indicating that a SteamOS-powered Legion Go gaming handheld is nearing its launch. Lenovo has strongly suggested that this device will be revealed later this week at CES 2025. However, it won’t be a direct successor to the original Legion Go gaming handheld that Lenovo launched last year (currently priced at $619.99 on Amazon). Instead, it may come as a more affordable option with fixed controllers and a lower price point, aimed at meeting lesser performance targets.
Source: Link
Tags: Ryzen Z2, Steam Deck, Valve