HumbleBundle, 5 dollars for 7 games.

Another great deal is available at humblebundle.com, a deal made for you and for charity. HumbleBundle is known for giving you some great games for some incredible prices so for about 5 bucks or so you can get some triple A games to add to your collection.  Don't worry though, you have 13 days to think about adding these games to your library.


,

Read more »

Newest TF2 Update Celebrates the Year of The Dog

Today Valve released a Content Update for Team Fortress 2 known as the Triad Pack that gives players new weapons, hats and misc. items as well as announcing a new King of The Hill map that will be released in the near future.

Weapons

Red Tape Recorder (Spy) -  A new type of sapper that instead of destroying buildings, will reverse the building's cycle until it reverts back into a toolbox that can be picked up as ammo. Engies can destroy the sappers but will have to rebuild it where it was sapped.

Flying Guillotine (Scout) - A new secondary for scout, this throwable hatchet will cause enemies to take bleed damage for a few seconds. Long Distance throws will mini-crit and stunned enemies will take full on crits.

Huo Long Heatmaker (Heavy) - This new minigun that will surround you in a ring of flames that will set any enemy on fire in range while deployed, useful for warding off spies. However when you spin-up the weapon it will use 6 ammo per second.

Neon Annhilator (Pyro) - This unorthadox melee weapon for Pyro will automatically crit on enemies that are wet (from mad milk, jarate and possibly when submerged in water) but will have a 20% slower attack and has no random crits.

Hats & Misc.

Human Cannonball (All) - This new all-class hat resembles Crash Helmets worn by Stuntmen, this hat has 3 styles which are regular, adding dragon decals on the side and also adding skater stickers all over the helmet.

Marxman (All) - An all class Misc item that gives the wearer a pair of Groucho Glasses bound together by tape. The item has two styles that gives the item a novelty cigar and one that doesn't have one.

Champ Stamp (Heavy, Sniper, Engineer, Scout) - Be the first class to have a tattoo of a dragon on your arm as well as wearing some fancy wristwear also.

Triad Trinket (Heavy, Sniper, Scout, Engineer, Spy) - Quite possibly the weirdest item in the update, this gives your class an open shirt with a flipped collar and gold necklaces. What makes it weird is that the item has a style that adds chest hair on your character. (except for Scout)

In the near future Valve will also be releasing a new King of the Hill Map named: Kong King, nothing is known about this map except it's gametype and that it will have a Hong Kong theme. Expect this map to be out this month.

Read more »

The Amazing Spider-Man Coming To Steam This Summer

This Summer, PC users will be able to swing around as Spider-Man as The Amazing Spider-Man will be out for the PC via Steam.

The game will be out on Steam on August 10 and will come loaded with Steam Achievements.

Read more »

Steam Wallet Codes Now Available At GameStop

There were rumors and pictures floating around for the past few days showing Steam Wallet codes at selected local GameStops, but it wasn't announced officially by GameStop that they were selling the codes until today.

Today GameStop announced that all GameStops will be selling the Steam Wallet codes. The codes work like gift cards, you throw down $20 or $50 for the cards and then input a code in Steam and then you will instantly have that $20 or $50 in your Steam funds.



[Discuss this on the forums.]

Read more »

Steam Coming To Linux Systems

Steam is no longer available just for Windows and Apple based PCs, Linux owners will now be able to play Steam games such as Left 4 Dead 2 on the operating systems.

News comes from Michael Larabel, founder of Phoronix, who visited Valve's headquarters yesterday and got a first hand experience on Left 4 Dead 2 on an Ubuntu 11.10 installation.

According to Larabel's article of his experience, Valve will be releasing the Linux version of Steam in a possible beta format later this year and that more titles will be available than just Left 4 Dead 2.



[Discuss this on the forums.]

Read more »

PC Version Of Borderlands 2 Compatible With Steamworks

The PC version of Borderlands 2 will have a retail version and a Steam version with the Steam version featuring Steamworks.

Having Steamworks as a feature basically means that the game will have Steam cloud, achievements, auto-updating, DLC, multiplayer matchmaking and other goodies.

Borderlands 2 will be going on sale on September 18 on the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Read more »

PC Users Can Try Out New Skyrim Patch

Another patch update is on it's way for Skyrim and PC users can test the patch out as a beta via Steam. As for what's being fixed in this update, here's the list:

UPDATE 1.4.26


LAUNCHER

• Fixed issue with downloading mods when you are subscribed to more than 50 mods
• Fixed crash when loading a subscribed mod that has been removed from Workshop by the author
• Mod load order functionality

BUG FIXES (PC only)

• Fixed occasional crashes when loading a save that relies on plugins/master files that no longer exist
• Fixed issue where controls would become unresponsive while charging an enchanted weapon
• Fixed issue where controls would occasionally become unresponsive while switching from third- to first- person while using the Arcane Enchanter
• Fixed issue where controls would become unresponsive if activating a crafting station with autorun active
• Fixed issue where keyboard would fail if Rename Item was selected before choosing the number of charges, while using Arcane Enchanter
• Fixed several issues with remapping buttons while using an Xbox 360 controller
• Fixed issue where pressing Escape button after fast traveling but before the loading would cause certain menus to stop working properly

In order to test the patch through Steam, just follow these easy steps:

1. Log into Steam
2. Click on 'Steam' in the upper menu
3. Select 'Settings'
4. Under the Account tab, go to the 'Beta Participation' section and select 'Change'
5. Select 'Skyrim Beta' from the drop down menu
6. Click 'Ok'
7. When Steam is finished restarting and after Skyrim is done being updates, launch the game and test out the new things.

Read more »

Power Failure Caused Steam Outage

We finally know who the culprit is that was behind the outage that made Steam and other Valve services go down earlier today, it was a pesky power failure according to their Twitter post.

"Our data center's UPS experienced a power failure. Power is back on now and working to get service restored asap," says Valve.

"Our data center's uninterruptible power supplies experienced a power failure. The power is back on now and we're working to get service restored as quickly as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused."

Read more »

Steam Suffered From An Outage Earlier Today

Reports today are saying that Steam is down, everything from the client to the forums. Well, that was the case at 1:30 p.m. EST today, but as of now it seems like the client, games and the forums are back up.

Valve seems to be suffering from some sort of outage that affected every aspect of Steam along with valvesoftware.com and steampowered.com. According to Steam's official Twitter page, they "are investigating reported outages," but that was at 2:36 p.m. EST.

I've just checked my Steam client and it seems like things have been taken care of, except that it says the Steam Community is currently unavailable and I have no connection to the Steam servers. I can still play my games and access the Store.

Valve has yet to say what has caused the outage, but I'll post an update once I find out.

Read more »

Information Might Have Been Stolen From Valve Hack Back In November

Back in early November, Valve's database was hacked into. Originally everything was fine and not out of the ordinary, but today Gabe Newell is saying that there might be a problem.

In a statement to Steam users, Gabe Newell states that backup files with information on Steam transactions between 2004 and 2008 might have been stolen from the hack. These files includes user names, e-mail addresses, encrypted billing addresses and ecrypted credit card information, but not Steam passwords.

Here is the full statement below:

Dear Steam Users and Steam Forum Users

We continue our investigation of last year's intrusion with the help of outside security experts. In my last note about this, I described how intruders had accessed our Steam database but we found no evidence that the intruders took information from that database. That is still the case.

Recently we learned that it is probable that the intruders obtained a copy of a backup file with information about Steam transactions between 2004 and 2008. This backup file contained user names, email addresses, encrypted billing addresses and encrypted credit card information. It did not include Steam passwords.

We do not have any evidence that the encrypted credit card numbers or billing addresses have been compromised. However as I said in November it's a good idea to watch your credit card activity and statements. And of course keeping Steam Guard on is a good idea as well.

We are still investigating and working with law enforcement authorities. Some state laws require a more formal notice of this incident so some of you will get that notice, but we wanted to update everyone with this new information now.

Gabe

Read more »

Meet the Pyro Coming This Year &, TF2's Secret Project and Many More.

Valve has announced on the TF2 blog that they will be releasing the "Meet the Pyro" Video sometime later this year, making this the final "Meet the Team" video. About bloody time! They also teased us a new image of the new video as well.
They have also announced that this 2012 they'll be working on something BIG for TF2, and no, it's not a hat, it's not a map and it's not a bunch of hats or maps or weapons or misc. items either. That's all they'll let us know for now, so keep your eye on TF2's blog for more information.

Valve has also released the new Steam Workshop blog, there you can view community created items, announcements and even post your TF2 creations over there. Check it out over here.

And finally, Valve has announced the second annual Saxxy Awards, which rewards the community for their achievements for skill, dedication, creativity and who has the most fashionable loadout. Whoever is lucky enough to win an award will receive a Saxxy item, a gold statue that turns your fallen foes into solid australium

Read more »

Steam Access On Your iOS Or Android Device Is Now Available As An App [Updated]

Back when the iPod Touch was what all the kids were doing, Valve was talking about making some sort of app for the device. That was about almost a year ago, in that time Android has been getting more and more attention, so now Valve decided to make an app for both devices which is out right now.

On both iOS and Android devices, Valve has released and official Steam app (there are some unofficial Steam apps out there) that allows users to access the Steam Community via your device.

Here is a full press release:

With the Steam app, gamers around the world may chat with Steam friends, browse community groups and user profiles, view screenshots and user-generated content for their favorite games, read the latest gaming news, stay up to date on unbeatable Steam sales, and more.

"The Steam app comes from many direct requests from our customers," said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve. "Seeing which of your friends are online and playing a game, sending quick messages, looking at screenshots for an upcoming game, or catching a sale - these are all features customers have requested. Mobile is changing way people interact, play games and consume media, and the Steam app is part of our commitment to meet customer demands and expand the service functionality of Steam to make it richer and more accessible for everyone."

The app is now available on the Android Market and the Apple App Store.

Update:

The app is currently in a closed beta, so only game journalists and publications are the only ones who currently have access to the app. When it will officially be released for everyone is unknown at this time.

Read more »

PC Users Can Test Out The New Skyrim Patch Now

Skyrim PC players can get a chance to test out Skyrim Update Patch 1.4 through Steam before it officially comes out.

"Be sure to back up your saved games or simply be careful not to overwrite your existing saves," says Bethesda. "If you decide to opt out of the beta program, your old saves will still work with the current release of Skyrim (v 1.3)."

If you want to try out the beta patch, then head over to Settings in Steam, go to the Account tab, click on Change under Beta Participation and select the Skyrim Beta and select OK.  After you do all that, you are then all set to try the patch, but remember to back up your save files that are found in the Skryim folder under My Games in My Documents.

Read more »

Saints Row Genki Bowl VII and TF2 items

Yesterday was the official release of Saints Row the Third's first DLC Genki Bowl VII, which is available for 800 MS points (free with a season pass) have a look at it's trailer if you're curious on what to expect.



Unfortunately I wont be downloading this due to lost of interest of Saints Row the Third and I'm really enjoying the Fenix Rising DLC and Skyrim as of right now But that's not all that's going on in the world of Saints Row.

Those who own the Steam Version of Steam can get 9 bobble-head masks of Valves favorite mercenaries, the classes of Team Fortress 2!


These masks will be available for free of charge and is downloaded just like a patch. Then you can blow up people wearing only the demoman mask, or headshot people as Sniper with blue skin. Anything is possible, makes me wish I has the game on steam now...

Read more »

Mass Effect 3 Won't Be Available On Steam

It's not surprise that EA has announced that Mass Effect 3 won't be available on Steam, and it's not more of a surprise that all PC versions, digital and retail, will require EA's Origin service.

Earlier this year Crysis 2 and Dragon Age 2 were pulled from Steam for "restrictive terms of service", and according to BioWare Community Coordinator Chris Priestly, that's the same reason Mass Effect 3 will not be available on Steam.

"During initial release Mass Effect 3 will be available on Origin and a number of other 3rd party digital retailers, but not on Steam at this time," says Priestly. "Steam has adopted a set of restrictive terms of service which limit how developers interact with customers to deliver patches and other downloadable content.  We are intent on providing Mass Effect to players with the best possible experience no matter where they purchase or play their game, and are happy to partner with any download service that does not restrict our ability to connect directly with our consumers."

It is unknown whether or not EA and Valve will have their old relationship back, but let's just hope that things will get resolved before the release of Mass Effect 3.

Read more »

Team Fortress 2 Presents Australian Christmas!

Valve is celebrating their second annual TF2 Christmas event, Australian style! Which means more Gordobot weapons, holiday themed items, and a whole new Map. This is Australian Christmas.


Engineer and Pyro have gotten brand new Dr. Gordobot item sets for themselves. Pyro gets the Moonman pack and Engy gets the Brainiac Pack.




They both get a new primary, secondary, melee, hat and misc. items that have a futuristic and alien-like theme. You can check their weapons on the TF2 Wiki.

Christmas time calls for Christmas items, and Valve has created a whole bunch of community items for the holiday season. This also means new crates! There is the new Naughty and Nice crates and keys. The "nice" crates can only be opened with "nice" keys and contain the Australian Christmas items, while the "naughty" crates and keys unlock a class's default weapon with Christmas lights, wrapped around them. There is a chance you can get one with a strange variation and still have a chance to unlock an unusual hat for both.
The biggest part of the update is the whole new control points map named Foundry.


Just a standard control points map, however there are 12 new achievements, all related to this map AND if you get 7 of them you unlock the new "Full Head of Steam" hat for all classes.If you want to be part of the festivities, then update TF2 on Steam right now before Australian Christmas is over.

"I want a Mmphmph-frmm-mumphhh"

Read more »

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Beta Is A Go

Starting today, the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive beta is available now. The beta is private, so you are going to need a key if you want to participate. It's not sure on how you can obtain a key, but people might be getting one in their e-mails or from participating websites. Only 10,000 lucky players will be able to get a key and play only on Dust and Dust2, currently 592 players playing on servers.

The beta is to test a limited amount of weapons, items and game modes. It also gives Valve the chance to see how well their servers will respond and tests a variety of client hardware.

Read more »

Steam Autumn Sale - Day Five

Valve's Steam Autumn Sale comes to and end today with 12 new money eating games. If you haven't taken advantage of the sales, better do it now. Today Valve has given us:

• Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 -$3.99
• Section8 Prejudice - $3.74
• Dead Space 2 - $4.99
• Demolition Inc. - $2.49
• Thief: Deadly Shadows - $4.99
• Fable III - $24.99
• Europa Universaus III - $3.74
• Red Faction: Armageddon - $16.99
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - $14.99
• Driver - San Francisco - $24.99
• Divinity II: The Dragon night Saga - $9.99
• Greed Corp - $2.49

Read more »

Steam Autumn Sale - Day Four

Tomorrow is the last day for Steam's Autumn Sell, so if there's something you want to get you better get it now! Today's sales includes:

• Civilization  V - $10.19
• The Witcher 2 Assassins of Kings - $23.99
• Cities XL 2012 - $19.99
• Over Lord Complete Pack - $4.99
• Limbo - $2.49
• The Polynomial - $2.49
• Kane & Lynch 2 - $3.74
• Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction - $4.99
• Rage - $29.99
• F3AR - $19.99
• Worms Reloaded - $6.79
• Payday The Heist - $9.99

Read more »

Steam Autumn Sale - Day Three

Day three of Steam's Autumn Sale is here and it's continuing to sap money from gamers' wallets. I have been lucky enough to control my money and not leaving anyone presentless for Christmas. Anyways though, today's sale consists of

• King Arthur Collection $10.00
• Serios Sam HD Gold Edition - $3.99
• Star Wars Knight of the Old Republic - $4.99
• Flight Control HD - $1.24
• Sanctum - $2.45
• Back to the Future: The Game - $9.99
• Grand Theft Auto IV - $4.99
• Space Marine - $33.49
• Dead Island - $19.99
• Patrician IV - $6.79
• The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena - $4.99
• Deus Ex: Human Evolution - $24.99

Read more »