Valve is celebrating Half-Life 2’s 20th anniversary with updates including bug fixes, restored content, improved graphics, and Steam Workshop support. Episodes One and Two are now bundled, and it’s all free on Steam until November 18. There’s also a feature length documentary exploring its iconic development. Legendary.

Valve makes games! Initially kept under wraps via an invite-only system, Deadlock blends MOBA elements with shooter mechanics: its fast-paced, lane-based gameplay combines elements from the likes of Dota and Overwatch and is immediately compelling. While still in very early development, the game shows immense promise: everything already feels great and the setting, tone and aesthetic are super cool.

The seminal Half-Life turns 25 this weekend, and Valve are celebrating with a substantial update which restores launch day content, introduces fresh multiplayer maps, and provides insights into the original development team’s work. As part of the festivities, there’s also an excellent documentary produced by the Noclip production crew.

Valve’s Counter-Strike 2 is live. It replaces CS:GO on Steam, offering the “largest technical leap” in the series. Announced in March, CS2 overhauls almost every aspect of the game, with updated maps, dynamic smoke grenades, and precise “sub-tick updates.” This marks Valve’s fourth major release in the series, and CS:GO remains wildly popular, with a record 1.5 million concurrent Steam players.

In a statement today, Valve announced their plan to discontinue the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) after the 2023 season, but reassure the community that their annual tournament The International will continue. Launched in 2017, the DPC aimed to clarify & formalise invites for The International, but Valve now claim it led to a less varied and exciting competitive Dota scene.

Sadly not able to play this on the Steamdeck it was designed for, but can imagine it’d be a fun little demo. Its nice seeing Valve having fun with their franchises & actually making stuff. Worth a go.

Valve (finally) throw down the gauntlet. Alyx changes the VR landscape and is truly a masterpiece; sound, level, visual, game design and story are all top notch. Will not be surpassed for some time.

As with all Valve forays into VR, incredibly polished and one of the best introductions to the platform.

Currently the most polished and considered autobattler. Super addictive. Depends if it keeps getting updates, which depends if people keep playing it.

Artifact was as rewarding as it was deep. RNG was handled well, and over large sample sizes played little part in outcome. Monetisation was misunderstood IMO, and - very sadly - basically rendered the game dead on arrival.