Steam News

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All the latest news and updates from your favorite gaming platform, Steam. Stay informed about new features, sales, and more.

Aooni Switch and PC Release Includes New Modes The legendary RPG Maker horror game Aooni is now available on the Windows PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch. It’ll include high-speed mode and a new Ai’s Story option, which will follow a new playable character. [Thanks, KaroshiMyriad !] Aooni is a Japanese horror game that contains RPG and puzzle elements. You have to explore a locked mansion while solving puzzles and collecting items. The entire time, the titular Ao Oni may stalk you through the halls. Since it came out, there has been several spin-offs (both official and fanmade), an anime adaptation, and an official novel . Judging by the sprites and portraits in the trailer, this game is based Version 6.23 , which is the most recent and final version of the game. It originally came out in November 2011. In high-speed mode, the you can choose between 2x and 15x speeds. In other words, the monster will either chase you at either twice or fifteen times his normal speed. As for Ai’s Story, this is a new mode that follows Ai, who’s the friend of Mika, one of the protagonists. Ai’s Story might be a bit more difficult depending on how the RNG is. While the gameplay is the same—finding items and solving puzzles to escape—all of the rooms will change every playthrough. There will also be multiple endings. Aooni is readily available on the Nintendo Switch and Windows PC . The post Aooni Switch and PC Release Includes New Modes appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraJul 26

See Yuuki in Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream Bandai Namco revealed a new Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream character, and the latest trailer confirms Yuuki will be playable in this SAO game. This version of her will be based on her ALfheim Online appearance. Editor’s Note: The Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream Yuuki trailer features spoilers in the first three seconds. In this Sword Art Online game, we’ll see Yuuki appear as a Rogue. She’ll also be voiced by Aoi Yuki, who previously played her in the anime and other games. Aside from an introductory segment offering a bit of background about what happened with the heroine in the story, the trailer is dedicated to showing off gameplay. We get to see her attacks against hordes of enemies, including her signature Mother’s Rosario skill. Here’s the latest Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream character trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Lk6WwjXbs&ab_channel=BANDAINAMCOEurope Ahead of the release of the new Sword Art Online game this fall, Bandai Namco’s regularly shares character trailers highlighting members of the cast as they are confirmed. At Anime Expo 2024, it noted that Eiji Nochizawa and Yuna from SAO Ordinal Scale will both show up. After that, we got a look at Alice from SAO Alicization in the game. Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream debuts on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam on October 4, 2024. The post See Yuuki in Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraJul 26

Another Game Just Got Review-Bombed Into Dropping Controversial Login RequirementGood news! There’s a new Earth Defense Force game and it’s out now! Bad news, if you want to play the game online on Steam you’ll have to create an Epic Games account. This fact was revealed on launch day and went over so poorly with players that the devs behind the new giant bug-killin’ game are already announcing… Read more...

KotakuJul 26

Steam introduces new demo policy, making them even more useful It's a somewhat strange, yet delightful phenomenon that game demos are back. Not stronger than ever, necessarily, but certainly hugely relevant once again, and that's all thanks to the common Steam demo events such as the Steam Next Fest . Now, they're about to get way, way better, to boot. The aptly titled 'Great Steam Demo Update, 2024' is all about "making demos an even more powerful and flexible marketing tool" from both sides of the equation. According to Valve's recent Steamworks Development blog post , both the developers/publishers and the end-users will now find game demos way more useful due to their improved functionality on Steam. The update is also a handy way of dealing with the recent glut of "prologue" style releases that demoed the game with a free vertical slice of its gameplay loop as well as funneling improved visibility to the main (usually upcoming) game. I love Intravenous 2: Mercenarism to bits, for example, but that is what it was doing. Image via Valve. Steam demos now enjoy far superior integration with the full game The blog itself goes into substantial detail on all the game demo improvements that are now available on Steam, but here's the gist of it: Players can now both add and remove game demos to and from their libraries, and they can be installed even if the full game is owned Wishlisters are immediately notified of a game's demo release Demos generally behave more like free games now, appearing in all the same sections and lists as regular games do; releasing a new demo for a game behaves similarly as releasing a free stand-alone title far as the algorithm is concerned Players can now review demos Demo store pages are tightly connected with the full games' store pages, with widgets linking them together Developers can release demos either as optional buttons on the full game's store page, or as separate entries (which gives them space to better describe the content of the demo), although doing the latter does not impact algorithmic visibility outside of positive user signaling There's more, of course, but these are the most important improvements coming to the system. Game developers will now no longer be particularly incentivized to release standalone "prologue" versions of games since demos, too, will appear more regularly during searches and recommendations, which should make it more obvious as to what's what for the regular end-user. Overall, then, a solid set of changes that are most welcome by virtually everyone. They appear to have been already implemented, and you can now easily spot demos by a mysterious icon in the upper left corner of their entry: "That classic icon, my friend, is from the days when demos were commonly distributed through the post office, contained in a bound package of game journalism printed on dead trees and imprinted on circular media known as Compact Discs," as Valve explains it. The post Steam introduces new demo policy, making them even more useful appeared first on Destructoid .

Steam Archives – DestructoidJul 26

Coral Island Devs Allowing Switch Backers to Get Steam Keys Stairway Games , developers of Coral Island , noted that it is uncertain about the future of the Switch version of the game following the Humble Games restructuring . As such, it announced people who backed that console version on Kickstarter can now switch to a Steam key for a PC version and immediately start playing the game. There are two ways to swap to a Steam code for the PC copy of Coral Island if you were a Switch backer. One is to email the developer directly at [email protected] , and the other is to join the game’s Discord and get in touch with a member of the team there. It noted that once someone gets in touch and supplies their information, the change can happen. Stairway Games also addressed the situation regarding the Switch version of Coral Island to the best of their ability. The statement noted the frustration tied to the port, saying, “Over the years, there’s a lot we’ve wanted to say in the spirit of transparency, about many different things, but continue to be unable to do so because of the publishing agreement and NDA we have in place.” The developer also noted that the Humble Games restructuring is behind a delay for the Coral Island PS5 and Xbox Series X hotfix 1.1. The company said it can send out the patch on Steam, but can’t do so for either console version. That 1.1 update went live on July 22, 2024 . Here is the full statement: https://twitter.com/coralislandgame/status/1816674043954925590 Coral Island is immediately available on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam. The future of the Switch version of the game is uncertain. The post Coral Island Devs Allowing Switch Backers to Get Steam Keys appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraJul 26

Dragon Age: The Veilguard won’t require the EA app on PC After ages of Bioware RPGs requiring the official EA App in some capacity, the studio has revealed the upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard will be a Steam game first and foremost. On Twitter, the announcement explains that Veilguard will be Steam native, meaning it won't require EA's launcher at all. The game will also be Steam Deck verified right out of the gate. https://twitter.com/dragonage/status/1816511768044163410 Regardless of your thoughts on either launcher, EA's simply isn't Steam — the storefront most people use for games — and thus just isn't as practical to use. Perhaps just as important as getting to play the next big Bioware game without touching EA's meddling middleware is how this move signals EA's possible willingness to make things easier going forward. Perhaps it was a tough decision for EA to make, but it's one that the gaming community at large is already celebrating. https://twitter.com/banalnadas/status/1816516805877522771 The past few years have been immensely tough for the series and BioWare. The troubled development of Dragon Age's tentative fourth installment survived the departure of various developers , and we don't know how much of the Veilguard we're getting was part of the plan when the game was still called Dreadwolf. Luckily, this news, along with the recent unveiling of the game's stellar voice cast , seems to show Bioware and EA's determination to bring the franchise back to its glory days. Dragon Age: The Veilguard still has no release date, but Bioware is aiming for a launch in Fall 2024. The post Dragon Age: The Veilguard won’t require the EA app on PC appeared first on Destructoid .

Steam Archives – DestructoidJul 26

After almost 12 years, 7 Days to Die 1.0 is finally out Of all the open-world, survival, crafting games that feature zombies that are out there, 7 Days to Die is definitely one of them. Actually, it's one of the more fun examples of the genre, and after more than a decade, the developer has finally launched version 1.0. An announcement over on Steam positively beams with joy over the game finally coming out of Early Access. The new version is available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5, and comes with a host of changes, though it's still the same ol' 7 Days to Die . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X1gBTzQ_BU To give a quick overview of what the 1.0 update includes, well, you'll be treated to a new HD character creation system, allowing for a "personalized and engaging gaming experience." There's also some new armor, new animal models, and a new challenge system that takes over the beginner tutorial we all know so well. There's even been improvements to the random world generation, and some new points of interest added. Oh hell, you really need to check out the official patch notes to see exactly what's changed. The video above also does a good job of breaking it down. 7 Days to Die discounts available Developer The Fun Pimps (what a name) has also said that, because of the update, the price has now increased to $44.99 for those who are purchasing the game from scratch. However, if you had a digital copy on Xbox One or PS4 – and you can prove it – you can get 25% off for the Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 versions, respectively. I had a quick go at checking version 1.0 out earlier (I already had the game, so the update was free for me because I'm fancy like that). Honestly, one of the things I was concerned about was having all that "jank" removed. You know, the goofy bits of animation and weirdly diamond-shaped bits of dirt when you dig into the ground. I felt for sure 7 Days to Die would become this magnificently polished AAA experience and lose that janky appeal. However, that isn't the case, and I couldn't be happier. Of course, the new version has plenty of improvements and has been tweaked to make it a much more rounded game. I've been getting a kick out it for many years and although I hadn't booted it up for quite some time until today, it was nice to get back to hitting zombies in the head with a club and then eating a can of soup like it's a solid object. Good times! The post After almost 12 years, 7 Days to Die 1.0 is finally out appeared first on Destructoid .

Steam Archives – DestructoidJul 26

Armored Core 6 Surpasses 3 Million Units Shipped Worldwide FromSoftware announced that it has shipped more than 3 million units of Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon worldwide. The company made the major milestone announcement right around eleven months after it released the game with Bandai Namco in late August 2023 . The new game has been breaking sales records in the series since its release. Armored Core 6 was the first title in the series to be recorded with over a million units sold, as no prior entries had reached the feat. The game was released simultaneously worldwide on the PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. While FromSoftware released the game on its own in Japan, Bandai Namco helped the company publish it elsewhere worldwide. More Japanese companies have also been revealing new Armored Core VI merchandise in 2024. Bandai Spirits has revealed 30 Minutes Missions model kits and Robot Spirits action figures based on AC units from the game. Kotobukiya, which has been releasing model kits based on units from earlier series entries, will also produce its own Armored Core VI model kits. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is available worldwide on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. The post Armored Core 6 Surpasses 3 Million Units Shipped Worldwide appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraJul 26

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver I & II Remastered Figures at SDCC At SDCC 2024, it seems Kain and Raziel figures with Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver I & II Remastered branding appeared. Mama Robotnik shared photos on Resetera with the logo and two figures, and GameSpot learned from Dark Horse Comics Vice President Randy Lahrman that the figures will release in August 2024. [Thanks, Mama Robotnik on Resetera!] At time of writing, there is no remaster of the two Legacy of Kain games announced. The original game followed Raziel after Kain stripped him of his wings for daring to surpass his master. The Elder God then makes the discarded Raziel into his soul reaver to defeat Kain to restore the Wheel of Fate and get revenge. The second game picks up directly after a confrontation between Raziel and Kain in the original. The upcoming Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver - The Dead Shall Rise prequel graphic novel is planned to come to Kickstarter and tell more of Raziel’s story. Here are the two images highlighting the Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver I & II Remastered logo that Mama Robotnik showed on Resetera. It almost looks like it is a pair of two figures that can be posed together Images via Mama Robotnik on Resetera The original Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver appeared on the Dreamcast, PlayStation, and PC. It was on Steam for a time, but Crystal Dynamics pulled it. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2 appeared on the PS2 and PC. It is still available on Steam and currently costs $6.99 . A Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver I & II Remastered remaster hasn't been announced. The post Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver I & II Remastered Figures at SDCC appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraJul 26

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Can Be Played on Steam Deck BioWare announced that it will be easier for people to play Dragon Age: The Veilguard at launch, as the game will run natively on Steam and support the Steam Deck. The official Steam product page also updated to show it is fully Steam Deck compatible. The official reveal noted that Dragon Age: The Veilguard will be “all-in on” when it comes to being compatible with Steam. However, the product page doesn’t completely reflect that yet. For example, it doesn’t note support for Steam Achievements cloud saves, or other features just yet. The page also doesn’t note any EA App requirement, just as BioWare promised. However, it does confirm a third party EULA will be in effect. This is the second major announcement tied to Dragon Age: The Veilguard in July 2024. BioWare recently revealed the game’s voice actors ahead of SDCC 2024. That reveal only covered some of the major cast members and companions we’ll encounter, as well as different avatar voice options for our protagonist. This came after the June 2024 Xbox Games Showcase reveal noting the game would launch in Fall 2024. Dragon Age: The Veilguard will come to the Xbox Series X and PC in Fall 2024. The post Dragon Age: The Veilguard Can Be Played on Steam Deck appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraJul 25