Steam Sales: The Good, the Bad, and the Unexpectedly Explicit
Okay, so Steam sales are happening again! You know, the biannual event that makes gamers everywhere collectively lose their minds (and maybe their wallets)? This time around, it’s been a wild ride, with some incredible deals alongside… well, some other stuff. Let’s dive in.
Dwarf Fortress: A Million Copies and Counting
First off, Dwarf Fortress hit a major milestone – one million copies sold on Steam! That’s huge. Seriously impressive for a game that's been around for ages. Meanwhile, the sales themselves are pretty bonkers. You can grab Metro 2033 Redux for free, which is insane. And the Oddworld Complete Collection is just a dollar? I’m not even kidding. The Fanatical Level Up Sale is also throwing in some great RPG deals, like Blue Prince and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Gold—plenty to keep you busy!
The No Mercy Removal: A Content Controversy
Content Warning: The following discusses a game with extremely graphic sexual violence. Now, for the less-fun part. Remember that game, No Mercy? Yeah, it got pulled from Steam in several countries. Why? Because of the seriously disturbing content. We’re talking non-consensual sexual acts depicted in graphic detail. It sparked a massive outcry, understandably. The developer, Zerat Games, took it down but defended its right to exist. Honestly, who saw that coming? It kinda felt like watching a slow-motion trainwreck.
This whole thing really highlights the ongoing debate about what platforms like Steam should and shouldn't allow. Where do you draw the line? What's the responsibility of a platform like Steam in moderating this kind of content? It's a tough question, and there are no easy answers.
What's Next on the Steam Sale Calendar?
But let's shift gears back to the good stuff! The Steam sale calendar is jam-packed. Get ready for the Sokoban Fest (April 21st-28th), the Wargames Fest (April 28th-May 5th), and the mother of all sales – the Steam Summer Sale (June 26th-July 10th). Mark your calendars, people!
Just How Much Have You Spent?
While you're enjoying all these incredible deals, have you ever wondered how much you've actually spent on Steam? You can check your spending history by going to: help > Steam support > my account > data related to your steam account > external funds used. You might be surprised (and possibly a little horrified). Seriously, managing your gaming budget is important! Knowing how much you've spent is a great first step.
The Bottom Line: Deals with a Side of Ethical Dilemmas
So, there you have it. Steam sales are awesome, offering amazing deals. But, as the No Mercy controversy showed us, we need to think critically about the content we consume. It’s all fun and games until someone gets, well, really upset. Let's enjoy the sales responsibly, okay?
