Former Valve dev hits back at Epic Games CEO's claims Steam holds gaming back

gamesradar.com Oct 29, 2026

Former Valve dev hits back at Epic Games CEO’s claims Steam holds gaming back

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 29, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney intensified his criticism of Valve’s Steam platform, accusing it of stifling competition and imposing controversial AI disclosure policies. In recent statements, Sweeney claimed Steam’s “social walled garden” prevents cross‑platform communication and that forcing developers to publish political statements is “abhorrent.” Former Valve designer Chet Faliszek, known for work on Portal and Half‑Life, responded in a YouTube video, dismissing Sweeney’s arguments as “AI psychosis” and defending Steam’s tools that give developers and players transparency, including AI disclosures. Faliszek highlighted that Epic’s own marketplace, Fab, uses similar disclosures and accused Sweeney of double standards, concluding that Steam’s large user base offers developers valuable reach.

💡 Why It Matters

· The clash underscores a broader battle over platform control and transparency standards that could reshape how developers choose distribution channels.

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Cate Blanchett’s Kojima Productions Visit Raises One Big Metal Gear Solid Question

Oscar‑winning actress Cate Blanchett met Hideo Kojima, creator of Metal Gear Solid, during a visit to Kojima Productions that Kojima posted on X on Oct. 29, 2026. The tweet showed three photos and a Japanese caption, “With Cate Blanchett,” and tagged Blanchett’s Dirty Films company, but announced no collaboration. The images revived fan speculation that Blanchett could portray The Boss, the legendary mentor from Metal Gear Solid 3, a casting idea circulating since 2007 despite Kojima confirming Charlotte Rampling as the character’s visual model. Interest surged after the August 2025 release of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, a PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC remake that introduced the story to players. No casting or project details have been confirmed.

💡 The encounter fuels a decades‑old fan fantasy, putting a high‑profile actress on the radar for a iconic video‑game role and prompting fresh buzz around Kojima’s franchise.

eurogamer.net · Oct 29

FromSoft’s Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods, has been delayed into 2027

FromSoftware announced that its upcoming Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods, has been pushed from the 2026 window to an unspecified date in 2027. The studio said the title is in the “final adjustment stage” and the delay will allow additional time to refine game rules, balance combat and address stability issues uncovered during a closed network test. The test, which attracted more applicants than the Elden Ring Nightreign trial, revealed significant connectivity problems in its first session that were later resolved. The Duskbloods, described as a hybrid of Bloodborne, Sekiro and Dark Souls with jetpacks and dinosaurs, remains the only FromSoftware title slated exclusively for Nintendo’s next‑gen console. The announcement came via the game’s official Twitter account, which also apologized to fans for the postponement.

💡 Extending development gives FromSoftware a chance to polish a highly anticipated, experimental title before its debut on a brand‑new platform, reducing the risk of a flawed launch that could tarnish both the game’s reputation and Switch 2’s early software lineup.

gamesradar.com · Oct 29

Ubisoft is done with Assassin’s Creed remakes for now after Black Flag…

Ubisoft announced that it will pause further Assassin’s Creed remakes after the 2026 release of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, which achieved strong critical and commercial results. In its Fall 2026 update, the publisher detailed the status of upcoming titles: the multiplayer‑focused Codename Invictus remains in development and is being refined to better align with core franchise pillars, while the next mainline entry, Assassin’s Creed Hexe—a darker, witchcraft‑themed game—continues to make steady progress with a major update slated for 2027. Ubisoft emphasized that its development teams are now concentrating on new, undisclosed projects with fresh settings and narratives, though it left the door open for future remakes, citing fan interest and the aging legacy catalog.

💡 Ubisoft’s shift signals a strategic pivot toward original IP expansion, aiming to rejuvenate the franchise with novel experiences rather than relying on nostalgia‑driven sales.

playstationlifestyle.net · Oct 29

Free PS5 Upgrade for Popular PS4 FPS Games Is Available Now

Deep Silver and 4A Games have launched a free next‑gen update for the PS4 remasters Metro 2033 Redux and Metro: Last Light Redux, allowing owners to download native PS5 versions from the PlayStation Store. The patch adds 4K resolution, optional 60 fps or upscaled 120 fps modes, enhanced textures, lighting, shadows, particle effects, hardware tessellation, displacement and higher‑quality audio. PS5 Pro users receive PSSR upscaling and DualSense adaptive‑trigger feedback, while bug fixes and quality‑of‑life tweaks address community requests. The upgrade preserves the series’ core gameplay and atmosphere, letting players experience Artyom’s post‑apocalyptic Moscow tunnels with sharper visuals and more responsive controls. The release also teases the upcoming Metro 2039, slated for February 4 2027. Both titles now run smoother, a immersive experience for fans.

💡 Offering a free next‑gen upgrade revitalizes legacy titles, keeping the player base engaged and generating momentum for the forthcoming sequel.

eurogamer.net · Oct 29

EA’s sale to Saudi-led consortium was “final nail in the coffin” for…

BioWare co‑founder Greg Zeschuk broke his silence about the studio’s shutdown, describing EA’s recent leveraged buyout by a Saudi‑backed consortium as “the final nail in the coffin.” Speaking to 80 Level, Zeschuk recalled learning of the closure while fishing, receiving a flood of texts, and processing the news away from the public buzz. He reflected on BioWare’s legacy in Edmonton, noting the studio once served as a beacon of creative ambition in a city not known for game development. Zeschuk, who retired in 2012, said the company’s decline was gradual, driven by staff turnover and EA’s preference for annually released sports titles over BioWare’s long‑development, story‑driven projects. He now runs a small brewery, Blind Enthusiasm, while his fellow co‑founder Ray Muzyka declined to comment.

💡 Zeschuk’s candid remarks link the studio’s demise to EA’s new ownership, underscoring how financial restructuring can marginalize risk‑heavy, narrative‑focused game development.

ign.com · Oct 29

Bethesda Pays Tribute to Patrick Stewart for His Role in Oblivion, Fans…

Bethesda honored Sir Patrick Stewart, who died at 86, for his brief but iconic role as Emperor Uriel Septim VII in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The studio released a detailed 90‑page dossier on the character, noting Stewart’s enthusiasm for the depth. The actor’s voice work, praised by developers, set the tone for the game’s opening. Fans and colleagues celebrated his contributions across gaming and film, while his family urged donations to Alzheimer’s research funds.

💡 Stewart’s performance gave Oblivion a memorable, authoritative start that shaped player experience, underscoring how a single voice can define a game’s legacy.