Valve Argues Loot Boxes Are Widespread, Expresses 'Disappointment' Over New York Lawsuit
Following recent legal action where the state of New York sued Valve over its implementation of loot boxes – which Attorney General Letitia James controversially labeled 'illegal gambling' – the proprietor of Steam has issued a comprehensive public statement. Valve expressed its 'disappointment' regarding the lawsuit and firmly stated its belief that the 'mystery boxes' featured in its games do not infringe upon the state's gambling regulations. The company further emphasized that such mechanics are not exclusive to video games but are a 'widely used' concept, even 'in the tangible world'.
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What We've Been Playing: "I Started With Maple Trees Behind the Bank"
Hello and welcome back to our regular feature where we write a little about the games we've been playing. This week, Connor loses his grip on reality and finds it instead on the haft of an axe; Victoria feels the sting of giving an unappreciated present; Kelsey tries to stop Cooking Mama from

Marathon Mid-Season Update: Nerfs to Claymore Drones, Thermal Scopes, and Buffs for Altruism
The mid-season one update for Marathon has arrived, introducing substantial alterations to Bungie's extraction shooter. These changes encompass the elimination of a particularly amusing in-game tactic, a reduction in the effectiveness of what is arguably its most potent weapon attachment, and an i

"Players Always Find Things Quicker Than We Anticipate" - Unpacking Bungie's Major Marathon ARG
A few weeks ago, there was a remarkable atmosphere surrounding Marathon. While new releases often generate buzz, this felt distinct from typical launch excitement. It possessed the distinct character of a communal quest, a collective effort by the community to uncover a concrete reward: the Cr

Metro 2039 Announced, Xbox-Themed Reveal Stream Coming This Week
Survivors, prepare yourselves – the harsh realities of the outside world await once more. Metro 2039 has been officially confirmed, and its developer, 4A Games, is set to unveil the first proper glimpse of the game later this week.

"Mads Mikkelsen in Hannibal but with flair" - Casting calls for Hideo Kojima's new PlayStation-published spy game Physint give new clues about what to expect
Following the completion of Death Stranding 2, Kojima Productions is shifting its focus to upcoming projects. Among these are the horror game OD and the new espionage title, Physint, which is slated for publication on PlayStation by Sony. While Physint is still some time away from release, rec

Does the 007: First Light PS5 Controller Design Miss the Mark?
It might seem an unusual observation to make, but does the design of the limited edition 007: First Light DualSense PS5 controller strike you as… incorrect? Not in terms of an error in execution, but rather, does its design fail to properly represent one of the most recognizable James Bond moti