News:: Valve promises a low fee for direct-to-Steam game publishing

When Valve unveiled its plans to simplify game publishing through Steam Direct, it struggled to settle on a fee. Did it want to go low and make publishing more accessible, or go high to prevent abusers from putting out a never-ending stream of garbage? After a long deliberation, it's going with the former price. Valve has revealed that it will charge indies a $100 recoupable fee -- the lowest it was willing to consider. The company made the choice after looking at community discussions and realizing that it was hard to justify anything more than the minimum cost. Instead of using the price as a quality filter, it's betting that thorough oversight will be enough.

Source: Steam Blog

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News:: Review: Stellaris: Utopia

They said I could grow up to be anything I wanted.

So I became a robot.

To say my Federation-friends were alarmed might be an understatement, but with the threat of space fascism out there, there is more to worry about than a species of cuddly Fennec foxes morphing themselves into heartless machines with nigh-unstoppable battleships… right?

...Right?

Read more...

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News:: Weekend deals: Morrowind expansion, Alienware laptop summer sale

While Tuesday, June 6 has always been the official release date for The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind, PC gamers have been able to get early access since May 22 with a pre-order. On top of that, they're getting discounts up to 18% off the Morrowind upgrade at select retailers like GMG for the Standard Edition and GamersGate for the Collector's. Both of these are the best prices we've spotted online from authorized retailers.

Just yesterday Tekken 7 released on all platforms, and once again PC gamers are getting the lion's share of the discount love. Not only is the PC version $10 cheaper than the console, with a starting price of $49.99 instead of $59.99, but there's also an 18% markdown at GamersGate, bringing the final total to $40.99. The Collector's Edition and Season Pass are also on sale -- both 18% off their Steam price.

Are Alienware laptops overpriced? (Yes.) But the Dell premium machines are a little less pricey this weekend with new $100 and $150 off coupons for their 13.3", 15.6", and 17.3" lineup. After coupon, the cheapest Alieneware 13 is priced only at $881.99 -- it's rare to see one under $1,000, let alone under $900. Side note: we highly recommend springing for the $98 upgrade from the cheapo 720p panel to a higher-end Full HD IPS 300-nits display (there's even an option for a high-end OLED 1440p display).

Top Weekend Deals

Games

• Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind: Upgrade — $32.79  (list price $40)
• Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind Digital Collectors Upgrade — $49.19  (list price $60)
• Tekken 7 Deluxe Edition (Steam) — $61.49  (list price $75)
• Tekken 7 (Steam) — $40.99  (list price $50)
• Tekken 7 Season Pass (Steam) — $20.74  (list price $25)

Alienware Laptop Deals

• Alienware 13 Core i5-7300HQ, GTX 1050, 180GB SSD — $881.99  (list price $1,050)
• Alienware 15 Core i5-7300HQ, GTX 1050 Ti, GSYNC, 8GB, 1TB — $1,099.99  (list price $1,250)
• Alienware 15 Core i5-7300HQ, GTX 1060, GSYNC, 8GB, 1TB — $1,249.99  (list price $1,400)
• Alienware 15 Core i7-7700HQ, GTX 1060, GSYNC, 8GB, 1TB — $1,299.99  (list price $1,550)
• 17" Alienware Core i7-7700HQ, GTX 1050 Ti, IPS, 8GB, 1TB — $1,175.99  (list price $1,350)

Refurb Consoles

• Xbox One 1TB Console + Free 4 Games (Refurb) — $229.99  (list price $500)
• PS3 Super Slim 250GB Console (Refurbished) — $104.99  (list price $220)
• New Nintendo 3DS XL Black (Refurbished) — $160  (list price $200)

Recent Releases

• 05/31: Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 Upgrade (Steam) — $16.99  (list price $19)
• 05/23: Steel Division: Normandy 44 (Steam) — $31.86  (list price $40)
• 05/23: Steel Division: Normandy 44 - Deluxe Edition (Steam) — $47.88  (list price $60)
• 05/23: Overwatch Game of the Year Edition (PS4 Download) — $41.99  (list price $60)
• 05/23: Overwatch Game of the Year Edition (Xbox One Download) — $38.99  (list price $60)
• 05/23: Overwatch Game of the Year Edition — $39.99  (list price $60)
• 05/23: Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada (Steam) — $42.49  (list price $50)

Upcoming Releases

• 06/06: The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind — $50.99  (list price $60)
• 06/06: The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind Collectors — $64.99  (list price $80)
• 06/09: DiRT 4 (Steam) — $47.99  (list price $60)
• 06/20: Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood — $33.29  (list price $40)
• 06/20: Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood Collector's — $49.79  (list price $60)
• 10/17: South Park: The Fractured But Whole (Uplay) — $47.99  (list price $60)

PC Game Deals

Bandai Namco Sale

• Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Deluxe Edition (Steam) — $41.53  (list price $75)
• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Road to Boruto (Steam) — $37.39  (list price $50)
• Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (Steam) — $22.50  (list price $50)
• One Piece Burning Blood Gold Edition (Steam) — $17.25  (list price $75)
• One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 Gold Edition (Steam) — $13.10  (list price $52)
• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 (Steam) — $12.90  (list price $30)
• Saint Seiya: Soldiers' Soul (Steam) — $11.50  (list price $50)
• One Piece Burning Blood (Steam) — $11.50  (list price $50)
• One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 (Steam) — $9.20  (list price $40)
• Dragon Ball Xenoverse (Steam) — $8.55  (list price $40)
• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution (Steam) — $6.90  (list price $30)
• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst (Steam) — $6.82  (list price $30)

Paradox Interactive Sale

• Stellaris: Galaxy Edition (Steam) — $29.75  (list price $70)
• Europa Universalis IV Collection (Steam) — $27.20  (list price $100)
• Stellaris: Nova Edition (Steam) — $25.49  (list price $50)
• Stellaris (Steam) — $20.39  (list price $40)
• Europa Universalis IV (Steam) — $18  (list price $40)
• Victoria Collection (Steam) — $9  (list price $40)
• Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition (Steam) — $8.50  (list price $40)
• Cities: Skylines (Steam) — $8.16  (list price $30)
• Victoria II (Steam) — $4.25  (list price $20)

More PC Games

• Grand Theft Auto V Megalodon Bundle — $54.40  (list price $136)
• Grand Theft Auto V — $30.95  (list price $60)
• Overwatch Standard — $30  (list price $40)
• Syberia 3 (Steam) — $27.99  (list price $40)
• Dark Souls III (Steam) — $24  (list price $60)
• The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (PC DVD) — $17.15  (list price $60)
• Mafia III (Steam) — $17  (list price $40)
• Football Manager 2017 (Steam) — $15.33  (list price $50)
• The Walking Dead: A New Frontier — $13.05  (list price $25)
• Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition (DRM-Free) — $9.99  (list price $20)
• Tabletop Simulator (Steam) — $9  (list price $20)
• Tropico 5: Complete Collection (Steam) — $7.59  (list price $40)
• The Walking Dead: Season 1 — $4.74  (list price $25)
• The Walking Dead: Season 2 — $4.74  (list price $25)

Console Game Deals

• NHL 17 (PS4, Xbox One) — $27.99  (list price $40)
• Bioshock: The Collection (PS4, Xbox One) — $24.99  (list price $60)
• Dishonored 2 (Xbox One, PS4 - Used) — $24.99  (list price $60)
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (Xbox One, PS4 - Used) — $24.99  (list price $60)
• Assetto Corsa (PS4, Xbox One - Used) — $19.99  (list price $50)
• Tom Clancy's The Division (Xbox One, PS4 - Used) — $19.99  (list price $50)
• Resident Evil 6 (Xbox One, PS4 - Used) — $14.99  (list price $20)

PS4

• NieR: Automata (PS4) — $39.99  (list price $60)
• Just Cause 3 (PS4 - Pre-owned) — $19.99  (list price $60)
• Star Ocean Integrity And Faithlessness (PS4) — $19.49  (list price $60)
• Werewolves Within (PSVR) — $14.97  (list price $25)

Xbox One

• Halo Wars 2 (Xbox One - Pre-owned) — $24.99  (list price $60)
• Quantum Break (Xbox One - Pre-owned) — $19.99  (list price $60)
• Rise of the Tomb Raider (Xbox One - Used) — $19.99  (list price $40)
• Assassin's Creed Syndicate (Xbox One - Used) — $19.99  (list price $50)
• Doom (Xbox One - Used) — $17.99  (list price $60)
• Resident Evil 4 (Xbox One - Used) — $14.99  (list price $20)
• Resident Evil 5 (Xbox One - Used) — $14.99  (list price $20)
• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (Xbox One - Used) — $14.99  (list price $60)
• Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide (Xbox One - Used) — $12.99  (list price $40)
• Mirror's Edge Catalyst (Xbox One - Used) — $12.99  (list price $20)
• The Elder Scrolls Online (Xbox One Download) — $7.99  (list price $60)

Laptop Deals

• Lenovo Y700-15 i7-6700HQ, 16GB, 1TB + 512GB SSD, GTX 960M, 4K — $1,119  (list price $1,700)
• Dell Inspiron Gaming i7-7700HQ, GTX 1050, 128GB SSD + 1TB, 8GB — $831.99  (list price $950)
• Dell Inspiron i5-6300HQ, 8GB, 1TB, GTX 960M, 4K Touch — $733.99  (list price $1,000)
• Dell Inspiron Gaming i5-7300HQ, GTX 1050, 8GB, 1TB — $685.99  (list price $800)
• HP 15t Power Laptop, i5-7300HQ, GTX 1050, 6GB, 1TB — $649.99  (list price $850)

Alienware Desktop Deals

• Alienware Aurora i5-7400, GTX 1080, 1TB, 16GB — $1,224.99  (list price $1,400)
• Alienware Aurora i5-7400, GTX 1070, 1TB, 16GB — $1,126.99  (list price $1,300)
• Alienware Aurora i5-7400, GTX 1060, 1TB, 16GB — $1,026.99  (list price $1,200)

HDTV Deals

• Vizio M60-D1 60" 4K SmartCast TV + $300 eGift Card — $899.99  (list price $1,250)
• Samsung 55" Curved 4K Pro Smart TV + $250 eGift Card — $799.99  (list price $1,000)
• LG 55UJ6300 55" 4K Smart TV + $200 eGift Card — $697  (list price $797)
• LG 55LH5750 55" 1080p Smart LED HDTV + $150 eGift Card — $497  (list price $697)
• LG 49UH6030 49" 4K Smart TV + $150 eGift Card — $449  (list price $549)
• LG 43UJ6300 43" 4K Smart TV + $150 eGift Card — $397  (list price $547)
• Philips 55PFL5601 55" 4K Smart TV (Refurbished) — $319.99  (list price $500)
• Philips 50PFL5601 50" 4K Smart TV (Refurbished) — $299.99  (list price $500)

Hardware Deals

• Western Digital Blue 500GB Hard Drive — $39.99  (list price $50)
• Samsung DUO 128GB Flash Drive — $39.99  (list price $70)
• Samsung EVO PLUS 128GB microSDXC Memory Card — $34.99  (list price $90)

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News:: Review: Phantom Dust

How about that Xbox One, guys? So many hot exclusives have come out this year for it such as, well, nothing. Okay, okay, there was Halo Wars 2, but you already forgot about that like most people have, right? I sure did. 

But don't worry, Microsoft hasn't forgotten about its loyal Xbox fans: it released a remastered version of an obscure Xbox budget title from 13 years ago for free, now with added microtransactions. Oh, joy.

Read more...

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News:: Computex gave us a glimpse at how computing will evolve

One thing was very clear at Computex: It's going to be a transformational year for computing. We're seeing several trends from the past few years -- like the move towards thinner and lighter laptops, and the rise of mobile computing -- evolve in new and intriguing ways. It was a surprising revelation for a trade show that's sometimes regarded as irrelevant. But, in some ways, it makes plenty of sense. Computex has always been the place to see the groundwork being laid for technology industry's next steps. It just so happens that this year was particularly ripe with innovation.

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News:: Ratings board leaks Minecraft Story Mode Season Two

There are less than two weeks until E3 and if history has proven anything, it's these next few days will be among the leakiest of the year. Whether it's pictures from inside of the convention center spoiling the conferences, companies getting the jump on the event by announcing their games, or just Laura Kate Dale's Twitter account, chances are we'll know everything there is to know about E3 before the first press conference.

Case in point: Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two. The wascally waitings board in Australia posted a listing online for the first episode of season two, titled Hero in Residence. The classification has the game labeled as 'multi-platform' which is to be expected as the first season saw release on 11 different devices and operating systems, including its upcoming Switch release.

Tellltale can count to 2! Minecraft Story Mode 2 leaked on AU ratings [NeoGAF]

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News:: Recommended Reading: 'Wonder Woman' is timely superhero movie

Wonder Woman,
Heroine of the
Post-Truth Age
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic

Wonder Woman may be set in the time of World War I, but the movie's themes are particularly relevant right now. The Atlantic analyzes how a female superhero rescues a solider on the run before taking on a much bigger foe -- and what all of that means for in the present day. That Lasso of Truth sure would come in handy for us in 2017.

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News:: The Morning After: Weekend Edition

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Welcome to the weekend. It's time to prep for Apple's next big event and carefully consider what could happen if the government legalizes "hacking back."

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