Valve Steam Machine is expected to cost like a PC

Source: ValveAlongside the launch of the new Steam Frame VR, Valve introduced a console-style product to make it easier to access Steam games. The Steam Machine is a cube-shaped device that lets you play PC games on your TV. It supports 4K gaming at 60 frames per second using FSR technology and runs on AMD hardware. It is also designed to support cloud gaming and connect with devices, like Valve's own Steam Deck.

However, do not expect the console-like device to have a console-like price. Linus Sebastian of Linus Tech Tips said in a recent episode of the WAN Show that executives from Valve told him the device won't have a "console price," which is around US$500 or roughly CA$705. "Nobody said anything, but the energy of the room wasn't great," Linus said.

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'Spider-Man 2' is no longer a PlayStation exclusive

Spider-Man 2 will be the latest PlayStation-exclusive title to make its way to the PC. Sony announced it will be available on Steam and the Epic Game Store starting January 30, 2025. It is the fastest major PlayStation 5 game to be ported to the PC, coming out less than two years after the original launch.

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Steam tightens refund policy for Early Access games

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Eight years ago, Valve introduced a generous refund policy for Steam users. You could get a refund on any game, no questions asked, within 14 days of purchase as long as you played for less than two hours. However, this policy didn't quite apply to Early Access and Advanced Access games. 

In these programs, players could enjoy a game early before its official release, but playtime during that period didn't count towards the two-hour limit. This meant some could essentially play most of the game and then request a refund before release. To address this loophole, Valve has updated its policy. Now, any playtime in Early Access or Advanced Access will count towards the two-hour refund limit.

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Steam revamps family sharing with new features

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Steam revamped its family sharing with Steam Families. Families can now share games more easily with simultaneous play for different games, stronger parental controls, and easier gifting for kids.

Gone are the days of juggling Family Sharing and Family View. Now, families of up to six can play together without restrictions on how many devices you can authorize (except members can play the same game at once). If two people in your family want to play the same game, there needs to be a new copy bought and added to your library. Each member still maintains their saves, achievements, workshop files, and other features.

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