Steam achieved a record-breaking $11.1 billion in revenue for the first half of 2026, reflecting a 14.5% increase from the same period last year. This growth is largely fueled by back catalogue sales, which now dominate Steam's revenue streams, accounting for 79% of the total.

AMD's 6th-generation Venice EPYC processors, featuring Zen 6 architecture on TSMC's 2nm process, will soon debut, promising significant performance improvements. The unveiling at the Advancing AI Event highlights its potential impact on AI and HPC workloads, with consumer CPUs expected by late 2026 or early 2027.

A new free-to-play survival game is launching on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on August 25, featuring full cross-play and cross-progression. It offers a first-person perspective, 4K/60FPS, and exclusive pre-order packs.

Alienware unveils the AW3426DW, a 34-inch QD-OLED ultrawide monitor, marking its 30th anniversary with improved brightness, contrast, and text clarity at an accessible $800 price point. The monitor boasts a 280 Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and strong factory calibration, though it lacks built-in speakers and USB-C video, striking a balance between performance and cost.

Samsung is developing GAIA, a new AI accelerator chip for PCs, aimed at boosting AI performance with prototypes reportedly in the hands of major PC makers like Lenovo and HP. The chip, planned for a 4-nanometer process, may face challenges in market adoption due to uncertainties in translating mobile experience to desktop applications and the current state of Windows on Arm.

LG Display's recent study confirms that Gaming OLED monitors with higher refresh rates enhance gaming performance, improving hit accuracy and reaction times. The company aims to capitalize on these findings to advance next-gen display technologies, emphasizing reduced input lag and motion blur advantages.

Nubia has launched the Neo 5 GT Special Edition, a gaming smartphone designed to offer pro-level gaming experiences to Gen Z with advanced cooling and controls. Featuring the AquaCore Cooling System and AI-driven features, it aims to sustain high performance with low latency, powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7400, up to 24GB RAM, and a robust battery system.

MuMuPlayer's 6.0 update for its Android emulator on PC introduces Android 15 support, enhancing game compatibility and performance. Key features include improved graphics, MuMuStore, and tools for seamless cross-region gaming.

Razer launches Hammerhead V3 X HyperSpeed earbuds for Xbox and PlayStation, offering low-latency wireless connectivity and dual-platform support. Priced around $99.99, they feature IPX4 water resistance, 35-hour battery life, and platform-specific spatial audio.

Vertigo Games Amsterdam's standalone Tomb Raider VR project, codenamed Project U, was canceled in January 2026 amid a studio reorganization before its closure in June. Despite impressive early development and concept art revealing a Mesopotamian-themed plot, the project was cut due to broader industry scale-backs, alongside other titles like Batman: Arkham Shadow and an unannounced Harry Potter VR game.

NVIDIA unveils its GeForce Trading Cards Series 1, a 14-design collection celebrating GeForce GPU milestones, available for free at select events and via social media giveaways. Fans can expect card distributions at events like Gamescom and QuakeCon, with potential future series hinted as part of NVIDIA's Summer of RTX promotions.

FiiO unveils its first gaming headset, the FG3, priced at $69.99, featuring Hi-Fi sound and broad platform compatibility. Limited availability at launch with ongoing updates for purchasing links.

Valve's Proton technology serves as a strategic moat, enabling seamless access to Windows games on Linux-based SteamOS devices, enhancing the appeal of Valve's ecosystem. By open-sourcing Proton, Valve accelerates development and strengthens its market position, leveraging community contributions and Steam's vast library to maintain a competitive edge.

Gigabyte introduces its GAMING Series PSUs with T-Guard, a thermal monitoring system that prevents overheating, ensuring durability and performance. Available in 750W, 850W, and 1000W, these units boast dual Cybenetics certifications for efficiency and noise, aimed at high-performance systems.

Xailient's Casino Eye-D facial recognition platform has received GLI validation for its integration with casino management systems, enhancing patron identification and compliance. While promoting operational benefits, the platform emphasizes stringent adherence to privacy laws, ensuring that biometric data handling aligns with regulatory standards.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort will debut in the U.S. at San Diego Comic-Con, offering hands-on play of four sports at The Pointe in Hilton San Diego Bayfront from July 23-26. This event precedes the October 22 launch of the game and the Switch 2 console, with additional activities planned around the convention center, including a special competition with social media creator The Rizzler.

Fiesta Online, the beloved free-to-play MMORPG, is expanding from PC to Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo, courtesy of Gamigo. The console adaptation will keep its engaging multiplayer features and diverse character classes, though the release date remains unannounced.

Valve's recent update to its Steam Frame verification rules now allows 2D games to bypass the 2160x2160 display test, upgrading Portal 2 to "Verified" status. This change indicates Valve's preparations for the imminent launch of Steam Frame, as they refine backend operations and test original game builds.

33 Games and Beyond The Pixels are launching The Forever Project to produce premium physical indie game editions, starting August 2026. This initiative offers a new channel for monetizing indie games beyond digital platforms, with a focus on quality and developer control.