The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition
Steam summer sale day one


Some claim that summer doesn t start until the 21st, but Valve says it s time for the Steam Summer Sale and we haven t heard anything from the solstice lobby so, happy first day of summer! As always, it s celebrated with a ridiculous store-wide Steam sale renowned for its low prices and intoxicating effect on the PC gaming community. Everything looks great when it s 80% off, but before you start filling up your library, here are our favorite picks of day one.

Reminder: if a game isn't a daily deal or a flash sale, it could pop up later in the sale for an even lower price. If you want to be safe, wait until June 30 to pick up a sale-long deal.

5 - Trine Complete
85% off: $3.74 / 2.69 - Steam store page
What Trine lacks in challenge it's not very difficult as platformers go it more than makes up for in magical fairy tale charm. The sequel, Trine 2, improves upon the formula just about every way, particularly through the addition of cooperative multiplayer action. And with the original game about to undergo a dramatic (and free!) overhaul thanks to the coming Trine Enchanted Edition, this bundle at this price is a must-have by any measure.

4 - Hotline Miami
85% off: $1.49 / 1.04 Steam store page | Flash sale: Buy it before 8 p.m. EST
No game revels in ultraviolence like Hotline Miami, which turns pixelated murder sprees into an art form. It's brutal, stylish, and challenging in that perfect way: once you make a perfect run through a level without stopping, mowing down a dozen thugs with a knife and then a pipe and then a shotgun, you'll feel like the god of sleazy Miami murders. You'll want some practice now, since Hotline Miami 2 includes a level editor that will let you craft your own murder rooms. Get it fast the flash sale on Hotline Miami won't last long.

3 - Far Cry 3
75% off: $7.49 / 3.74 - Steam store page
Attacking outposts is our favorite part of Far Cry 3. The sandbox shooter s story is a strange and meandering mixture of Alice in Wonderland and the spring break trip you made in college, but dismantling the dozens of bases that populate Far Cry 3 s islands however you want is scrappy, open-ended FPS combat at its best. Now s a good time to jump in before Far Cry 4releases later this year.

2 - The Witcher 2
80% off: $3.99 / 2.99 - Steam store page
You ve got until early 2015 before The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt releases, and it s looking fantastic. That s plenty of time to catch up on one of our favorite modern RPG series not only is The Witcher 2 on sale, the first game is only $1.99 / 1.39. Bonus value: The Witcher 2's fantastic story splits into two completely separate arcs in its second act, so if you want to experience both paths, you've got two playthroughs ahead of you.

1 - XCOM: Complete
67% off: $16.49 / 8.24 - Steam store page
Our favorite strategy game of 2012, conveniently collected into bundle form with the equally-great Enemy Within expansion, has one of the best campaigns in gaming. Hand-building your alien defense force replicates the feeling of running imaginary missions with action figures in your living room. Except this time, G.I. Joe can die for reals. Thoughtful strategy, a tense metagame, and detailed maps that explode into pieces make XCOM the second-best digital board game available (Civilization V would be the first).

Other great deals today:
Rising Storm: Game of the Year Edition (50% off) $9.99 / 7.49
Tomb Raider (50% off) $9.99 / 7.49
Max Payne 3 (70% off) $5.99 / 4.49
Mirror s Edge (75% off) $4.99 / 2.49
The Witcher Enhanced Edition (80% off) $1.99 / 1.39
Papers, Please (50% off) $4.99 / 3.49
Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines (50% off) $4.99 / 3.74
May 23, 2014
Trine 2: Complete Story - MarjutFB


Yes, we are holding Trine 2 Video Contest! The rules are on the picture attached. You can find more information from our blog post for it. We are waiting to see what you can come up with! Remember to use the hashtag #FunWithTrine on Twitter to apply, or to search for videos! ;)

EDIT:

We have decided to allow contest entries through our blog as well. :) If you don't want to use Twitter, you can now post links to your videos in the comments of our blog post announcing this competition (link above). Looking forward to your videos!
May 23, 2014
Trine 2: Complete Story - MarjutFB


Yes, we are holding Trine 2 Video Contest! The rules are on the picture attached. You can find more information from our blog post for it. We are waiting to see what you can come up with! Remember to use the hashtag #FunWithTrine on Twitter to apply, or to search for videos! ;)

EDIT:

We have decided to allow contest entries through our blog as well. :) If you don't want to use Twitter, you can now post links to your videos in the comments of our blog post announcing this competition (link above). Looking forward to your videos!
Trine 2: Complete Story - RiikkaFB
Hi all,

We released a Major Trine 2 update on Steam last week. The game now supports touch-based devices that run on Windows, and we have made a specific UI for those devices. You can read more by clicking the link!

Unfortunately, this update came with some unwanted issues we did not anticipate. We have just now released a hotfix.




Changelog below:


****************************************************


v2.00 (build 367) - May 22nd, 2014
aka Windows Touch Screen Support Hotfix

Technical:
  • fixed launch issues on Windows XP (trine2_32bit.exe is not a valid Win32 Application)
  • fixed ALT + F4
  • disabled touch screen when multiple keyboard and mice option is enabled

GUI:
  • fixed missing tooltips for MAC OS X and Linux
  • fixed Wizard cursor which stayed on screen
  • fixed Windows cursor which were left on screen if game was launched using touch screen

Menus:
  • fixed build number for MAC OS X and Linux in main menu (When reporting bugs, please report game's version number and build number)
  • added some missing names in to credits
  • fixed typing issues when typing passwords in server listing menu

Gameplay:
  • fixed automatic weapon change after character change
  • fixed crash when changing character to Warrior on local co-op when unlimited game mode was enabled

MAC OS X:
  • built MAC OS X with newer SDK, game isn't compatible with OS X 10.6 and older anymore.
  • To enable support to OS X 10.6 and older versions, check section "Enabling the old build"

Enabling the old build:
1) Select Trine 2 from your Steam game library
2) Right click on Trine 2 and open PROPERTIES
3) Go to BETA tab
4) Select beta: "old_v200_b1 - Old v2.00 build 1"
5) Press CLOSE
6) If Steam doesn't start downloading data, VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME CACHE from Trine 2 Steam PROPERTIES -> LOCAL FILES
7) Now you have the old v.2.00 (build 0) in use which was released on January 30th, 2014


General patch info:

If you are having problems launching the game after the new patch, you can enable the old version by following above 7 step instructions, see section "Enabling the old build".
Trine 2: Complete Story - RiikkaFB
Hi all,

We released a Major Trine 2 update on Steam last week. The game now supports touch-based devices that run on Windows, and we have made a specific UI for those devices. You can read more by clicking the link!

Unfortunately, this update came with some unwanted issues we did not anticipate. We have just now released a hotfix.




Changelog below:


****************************************************


v2.00 (build 367) - May 22nd, 2014
aka Windows Touch Screen Support Hotfix

Technical:
  • fixed launch issues on Windows XP (trine2_32bit.exe is not a valid Win32 Application)
  • fixed ALT + F4
  • disabled touch screen when multiple keyboard and mice option is enabled

GUI:
  • fixed missing tooltips for MAC OS X and Linux
  • fixed Wizard cursor which stayed on screen
  • fixed Windows cursor which were left on screen if game was launched using touch screen

Menus:
  • fixed build number for MAC OS X and Linux in main menu (When reporting bugs, please report game's version number and build number)
  • added some missing names in to credits
  • fixed typing issues when typing passwords in server listing menu

Gameplay:
  • fixed automatic weapon change after character change
  • fixed crash when changing character to Warrior on local co-op when unlimited game mode was enabled

MAC OS X:
  • built MAC OS X with newer SDK, game isn't compatible with OS X 10.6 and older anymore.
  • To enable support to OS X 10.6 and older versions, check section "Enabling the old build"

Enabling the old build:
1) Select Trine 2 from your Steam game library
2) Right click on Trine 2 and open PROPERTIES
3) Go to BETA tab
4) Select beta: "old_v200_b1 - Old v2.00 build 1"
5) Press CLOSE
6) If Steam doesn't start downloading data, VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME CACHE from Trine 2 Steam PROPERTIES -> LOCAL FILES
7) Now you have the old v.2.00 (build 0) in use which was released on January 30th, 2014


General patch info:

If you are having problems launching the game after the new patch, you can enable the old version by following above 7 step instructions, see section "Enabling the old build".
Trine 2: Complete Story - KaiFB
We have just released a patch for Trine 2: Complete Story.



More details: http://frozenbyte.com/2014/05/major-trine-2-update-on-steam/

Changelog below:

************************************
v2.00 (build 362) - May 15th, 2014
aka Windows Touch screen support

Technical:

- fixed crash issues
- changed default resolution from 1024x768 to 1280x720
- updated Steamworks SDK

Controls:

- added touch screen control support for Windows
- added touch screen on screen buttons for Windows

Menus:

- added build number into main menu (When reporting bugs, please report game's version number and build number)
- fixed some misspelled names in credits

Multiplayer:

- updated multiplayer master server address

Gameplay:

- fixed various gameplay issues

Localization:

- added Russian localization for last 7 levels (Goblin Menace DLC levels)
- fixed various localization issues

MAC OS X:

- built MAC OS X with newer SDK, game isn't compatible with OS X 10.6 and older anymore.

Enabling the old build:
1) Select Trine 2 from your Steam game library
2) Right click on Trine 2 and open PROPERTIES
3) Go to BETA tab
4) Select beta: "old_v200_b1 - Old v2.00 build 1"
5) Press CLOSE
6) If Steam doesn't start downloading data, VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME CACHE from Trine 2 Steam PROPERTIES -> LOCAL FILES
7) Now you have the old v.2.00 (build 1) in use which was the build before this patch was released

****************************************
UPDATE:

If you are having problems launching the game after the new patch, you can enable the old version by following above 7 step instructions, see section "Enabling the old build".

We will do a hotfix once we have more details about new issues.

Thank you for your patience!
Trine 2: Complete Story - KaiFB
We have just released a patch for Trine 2: Complete Story.



More details: http://frozenbyte.com/2014/05/major-trine-2-update-on-steam/

Changelog below:

************************************
v2.00 (build 362) - May 15th, 2014
aka Windows Touch screen support

Technical:

- fixed crash issues
- changed default resolution from 1024x768 to 1280x720
- updated Steamworks SDK

Controls:

- added touch screen control support for Windows
- added touch screen on screen buttons for Windows

Menus:

- added build number into main menu (When reporting bugs, please report game's version number and build number)
- fixed some misspelled names in credits

Multiplayer:

- updated multiplayer master server address

Gameplay:

- fixed various gameplay issues

Localization:

- added Russian localization for last 7 levels (Goblin Menace DLC levels)
- fixed various localization issues

MAC OS X:

- built MAC OS X with newer SDK, game isn't compatible with OS X 10.6 and older anymore.

Enabling the old build:
1) Select Trine 2 from your Steam game library
2) Right click on Trine 2 and open PROPERTIES
3) Go to BETA tab
4) Select beta: "old_v200_b1 - Old v2.00 build 1"
5) Press CLOSE
6) If Steam doesn't start downloading data, VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME CACHE from Trine 2 Steam PROPERTIES -> LOCAL FILES
7) Now you have the old v.2.00 (build 1) in use which was the build before this patch was released

****************************************
UPDATE:

If you are having problems launching the game after the new patch, you can enable the old version by following above 7 step instructions, see section "Enabling the old build".

We will do a hotfix once we have more details about new issues.

Thank you for your patience!
Trine 2: Complete Story - Valve
Today's Deal: Save 90% on Trine 2: Complete Story!*

Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are!

*Offer ends Tuesday at 10AM Pacific Time
Portal 2
IMG_1219_web


At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, Valve's Steam Machines are king. The Half-Life developer and Steam creator held a press conference that that everyone wanted to attend, but flipped the script when it devoted the majority of the event to its hardware partners. But even though Gabe Newell gave the briefest of briefs, some Valve-only content was still available: The company's press area included six Steam Machine prototype stations, giving the press a chance to try some popular games with the fabled Steam Controller.

For me, this was a first chance to test how Valve's haptic-powered trackpads hold up in first-person games such as Metro: Last Light and Portal 2. I came away interested in the technology, but not impressed enough to be completely sold on the concept.

The controllers on display were hooked up to 40" televisions through prototype Steam Machine hardware ostensibly the same boxes sent to beta testers late last year. Each test station had a comfortable couch to sit on, emulating a best-case living room gaming setup. Eagerly, I sat down at a station and started playing Metro: Last Light, sliding my thumbs along the controller's rigid trackpads to move and look. The Steam Controller prototype this isn't final hardware by any means uses its haptic feedback capabilities to vibrate under your thumb as you slide across its trackpads. It's an odd sensation: I was acutely aware of each move or twitch I made on the controller's surface, but I'm not sure what it added to the tactile experience.

The trackpads were also incredibly sensitive, at least on the default settings. This isn't necessarily bad: many gamers crank their mouse sensitivity in order to maximize movement. On first picking up the controller, however, it was extremely surprising. I've played shooters on a dual analog joystick setup before, and am used to a decided lack of quickness available the aiming stick will often glide along slowly, and in many cases, a game will throw in some aiming assistance to compensate. There was none of that with the Steam Controller, which means you're getting a purer experience. But it was initially much harder to aim than I'd hoped, and I never quite adapted to the accelerated aiming in my 10 minutes of playtime.



Clicking the dual trackpad controls was also incredibly easy, sometimes to my detriment. I'd crouch when I wasn't expecting to, because the clickiness of the left trackpad was much easier than I'm used to on a thumbstick. I'd like to think that's something to which one can adapt with enough time.

As far as additional buttons, the Steam Controller has plenty for a standard shooter setup. Two sets of triggers on the shoulders could aim and fire, and the buttons on the underside of the controller were responsive and didn't get in the way. The face buttons were easy to reach, though the non-standard setup meant I had to think more about what buttons I wanted to push. Configuring the buttons seemed easy, with a built-in interface that lets you change buttons on the fly.

Games such as Metro: Last Light and Portal 2 make intuitive sense on the Steam Controller, while my limited experience with Starbound proved to be slightly more frustrating, as Evan predicted in his editorial last week. The trackpads' sensitivity didn't lend itself to movement on a 2D plane, though this could be because Starbound isn't quite optimized in its controls the game is Early Access, after all. The ultimate test for Steam Controller, in my opinion, will be games with independent camera and character movement, like Dota 2. Sadly, I didn't get to play one.



I definitely want Steam Controller to succeed I love the idea of a new controller standard, although it would need to live alongside keyboard and mouse controls for other PC functions. And I'm hopeful after an admittedly short playtime with a Steam Controller prototype that such a device could be fantastic. But I need more time to evaluate if such a controller can be viable, and I'd need to see if it really is possible to adapt to such aggressive sensitivity controls.

It doesn't seem like Valve will divulge any release dates or pricing at this year's event--either for the controller or any of the Steam Machines--but I'm confident that Valve's device could be a significantly better experience than existing controllers.
Trine 2: Complete Story - Valve
The Steam Holiday Sale continues today with huge savings throughout the store! Check back often to take advantage of our eight-hour Flash Sales. You can even help select what goes on sale with our Community's Choice Voting Sales.

In addition to Flash and Vote sales, more than a hundred games and apps will be featured as Daily Deals throughout the sale, with new deals popping up every 24 hours.

Today's Daily Deals include:

Participating in the 2013 Steam Holiday Sale will also earn customers exclusive Holiday Sale Trading Cards. Collect, trade, and craft 10 Holiday Snow Globe Cards that can only be earned during the sale. Every craft of a Holiday Sale badge will also generate a random item drop from 10 participating Free-To-Play games, featuring exclusive in-game items from Warframe, Path of Exile, Team Fortress 2, DOTA 2 and more. These items are both tradable and marketable.

Learn more about this year's Steam Holiday Sale features HERE.

The Steam Holiday Sale will run until 10AM PST, January 2nd. Complete information on Daily Deals, Flash Sales, Community Choice Voting and more can be found HERE.

...