Starting from this week, you will now be able to buy Steam vouchers across all GameStop stores in the US, vouchers which will add credit to your Steam Wallet on your computer. Just like Sony’s PlayStation Network vouchers, you’ll now be able to pick up vouchers in quantities of $20 or $50.

It means that you can now buy the games you want, with a peace of mind that your credit or debit cards are not at risk by sophisticated hackers, which has happened in the past don’t forget. We imagine that a lot of you are delighted by this announcement, since it was a long requested feature from the community.

If you want to buy some Steam vouchers straight away, you’re probably eager to find out if your nearest GameStop store has them. For those that need it, GameStop has provided a Store Locator service on their website, so you can find your nearest store and call them to check that they have the cards already.

We’re surprised that this didn’t come sooner, but it’s a happy ending for all concerned at last. What are you planning to buy from the Steam store with your first voucher? Unfortunately, it looks like this is a deal exclusive to GameStop, which means that you may have to search online for voucher codes if you live outside the U.S. Hopefully Valve will extend this to the UK and other parts of the world once the initial rollout has begun. It’s not hard to purchase PSN cards online though, but obviously there is a little additional fee involved for the service.

Is this fantastic news for you that you can now use Steam vouchers to add to your wallet?

More About: gamestop, Valve

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad

We first heard about a potential gaming console from Valve at the start of March, when there were whispers that the system would be equipped with hardware specs such as an Intel Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and graphics from NVIDIA – promising if accurate.

Now though, it has been widely reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook has recently paid a visit to Valve’s HQ and more specifically Gabe Newell and there is obvious talk that the agenda for both companies is closely linked to the initial Steam Box console theories, with Apple now potentially playing a major part in development.

If the two are really working together, then we imagine that Valve are hoping that Apple will assist them in the software department. Valve arguably has more knowledge in building a gaming system, while Apple obviously are one of the mobile app superpowers with their iOS App Store.

Could Valve’s gaming console feature support for the Apple App Store? Unlikely, but one much more likely scenario is that Apple could be helping out with voice-recognition and motion support for the console. It does seem like a rather farfetched collaboration, but the rumors do not seem to be going away at the moment.

Everyone is expecting big things from Microsoft and Sony at this year’s E3 event this Summer, but imagine a mindblowing scenario where Tim Cook and Gabe Newell take to the stage to announce their console to the world? That would be incredible. It’s worth mentioning about Sony too and how they would feel on a potential partnership between Valve and Apple. Most of you will remember Newell’s now infamous speech at E3 2010 when he surprisingly revealed Portal 2 for the PS3 with Steam support after previously being critical of Sony. Will this now put their relationship in jeopardy with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on the way this year?

Interesting times indeed and we can’t wait to see what happens. Let us know your thoughts on a potential console from Apple and Valve. We often see the term ‘game-changer’ misused in the industry, but could it really apply in this case?

More About: apple, Valve

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad

This seems to have come out of nowhere, but there is little doubt that everyone is talking about it on the likes of Twitter at the moment. The Steam Box story is according to a report over at The Verge who suggest that Valve may be planning to reveal the new hardware at the Game Developers Conference, which kicks off this week in San Francisco.

Further more, The Verge has even got a potential list of specs for us to drool over, specs which were apparently discussed at CES 2012 back in January. If legit, Valve may be announcing the Steam Box with specs such as an Intel Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and graphics from NVIDIA.

8GB of RAM sounds pretty good to us, but what would a console from Valve mean for the industry – more specifically, how would it make Sony and Microsoft feel since both companies are almost ready to announce their PS3 and Xbox 360 successors? There has always been a big gap from console to PC, but the idea of having a compact box in the living room which could handle the equivalent of Battlefield 3 on PC, may be a tempting idea for many gamers who have previously been reluctant to make the jump from console to PC.

What’s more interesting, is that this huge rumor has come days after Gabe Newell was quoted as saying ‘if we need to sell hardware, we will’. Coincidence perhaps guys, or a real indication that Valve are ready to enter the console market? Let us know your initial feelings towards a Steam box from Valve and if you would choose it ahead of the Sony PS4 and the next Xbox console. Kotaku has a image of a rumored prototype model here – well worth a look.

The idea of playing PC-quality games in the living room is an interesting one, but we would definitely like to see it happen as a fourth console option is always better than three.

More About: Sony PS4, steam, Valve, Xbox 720

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad

It has been a long time coming and one of the biggest requests from the Steam community. Gabe Newell and his team have listened though and if you head to the App Store now or Android Market, you’ll see that the Steam Mobile app is now available to download, free of charge.

According to Valve, the application will allow users to sign into their accounts on the go and send instant messages to other users on their friends list. You can also browse through the vast collection of games in Steam’s library, whether that is checking out some screenshots for a game that you’re interested in, or finding out which games are currently on sale.

Unfortunately though, it appears the app isn’t ready yet for full public use, either that or Valve just doesn’t want everyone joining at the same time. Once you’ve downloaded the app and input your Steam account details, you will probably be greeted with the ‘account not in beta’ message. At the moment, there doesn’t appear to be a solution to this, although Valve mention the following on the app:

”Thank you for your interest in the Steam mobile beta. We’ve made a note of your account and will be sending out more invites shortly”

Hopefully that means that emails will start appearing with some sort of activation process, which will allow users to log in as normal and start using the app. If by chance that you already have complete access to the app, let us know your thoughts on it so far. Does the Steam app suit your requirements or is there some areas of the PC app that have been left out?

More About: steam, Valve

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad

Yeah that’s right, Valve’s classic shooter has now been sucessfully ported to Android and you’ll be pleased to hear that Counter-Strike 1.6 is now available as a free download from the Android market. There are two versions available – one which has support for older Android devices, while the one that you should get is called 6p and is for Android devices running Android 2.3 Gingerbread or later.

Just like its PC counterpart, you’ll be able to enter online servers on the Android version and compete against others just like on PC, at the moment there’s only a few maps supported but more are being added as we speak. To give you an idea of how the game handles on Android, we’ve included a video below showing the fy_pool_day map being run on the Sony Xperia Play smartphone.

As you can see, commands are being input via the touchscreen only which may seem a bit strange since the device supports a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and D-pad. Anyway, the famous Counter-Strike sounds are all in-tact, as are the Quake add-on sounds for when a player gets a headshot or goes on a killing spree.

If you’re interested in giving this a go, head to the Android Market and let us know what you think of it. It doesn’t look particularly stunning from a graphics point of view but it is still great for bragging rights nevertheless. With Counter-Strike Global Offensive on the way to consoles at somepoint this year, how fantastic would it be if Valve decided to remake 1.6 for the PlayStation Vita as well? Playing a handheld version of 1.6 with other Vita users online would be immensely popular we feel and would be another great reason to pick up the handheld.

What are your thoughts on seeing CS 1.6 ported to Android? Would you love to see it on Vita as well?

More About: counter-strike, Sony PS Vita, Valve

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad

Let’s start with the news about the T-shirt shall we, as Twitter user Ekanaut posted an image of the unnamed Valve employee sporting the Half Life 3 tee at a recent Seattle developer event, as reported from VG247. According to Chandana Ekanayake, the user responsible for the Twitter account he had been given ‘permission’ to take the picture by Valve, obviously implying that the company did not mind him taking a picture of a Valve employee being associated with the words ‘Half Life 3′.

So, was this Valve’s way of sparking mass fan excitement by revealing the t-shirt in preparation for an official announcement, or was it simply a ‘troll’ by the company, designed purely to tease fans? Surely Valve wouldn’t do such a thing would they?

Now then, a report we’ve read over at StickSkills reveals that Half Life 3 could be the surprise announcement at this years Video Game Awards. You may remember that at last year’s event, Bethesda’s Todd Howard took to the stage to announce the next Elder Scrolls game Skyrim much to everyone’s surprise, so the VGAs are definitely building a reputation for bombshell game announcements and Half Life 3 would certainly fit in that category.

Apparently, a Half Life 3 teaser trailer will be shown at the 2011 VGAs and Valve will reveal a release date for the game shortly afterwards. Combine this rumor with that Half Life 3 t-shirt picture and we have a very exciting rumor for sure. The VGAs will take place on December 10 this year on Spike TV, so make sure you are tuned in and strapped in for a potential night to remember.

If you are a die-hard Half Life fan, what are your thoughts on the Valve t-shirt and possible VGA announcement whispers – do you think it will happen?

More About: Half Life 3, Valve

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad

Unfortunately, if you don’t have a beta key there’s no other way of entering the beta at the moment as Valve has said that they want to keep the first beta test low key until eventually opening up the beta to more and more users in the month to come.

As a result, we know a lot of you are desperate for a beta key to get in, but we do have a few gameplay videos from the beta already to show you, giving you an example of how different Global Offensive looks to Counter-Strike: Source and 1.6.

CS: GO is meant to be an amalgamation of both games, and if you watch the video you’ll see that that is fairly spot on. The core gameplay is obviously the same, but you’ll see that there are new locations added to the traditional de_dust and de_dust2 maps that are available in the beta, while there’s a brand new interface and little gameplay tweaks such as displaying the MVP after the end of each round.

Two videos we have to show you gives you an introduction to how the AWP differs in CS:GO, compared to how the weapon handles in say 1.6 or CS: source. The map takes place on de_dust, but we’ve added another video below to show off some detailed gameplay on de_dust2 as well – there’s only two maps on the beta for now, hopefully Valve will decide to add more before the full game releases next year, inferno or nuke would be nice.

Don’t forget that Counter-Strike Global Offensive is also coming to the PS3 and Xbox 360 next year, but at the moment this beta is strictly PC only. If you have managed to obtain a key and have already had a good play of the game, let us know your first impressions. Is CS: GO better than 1.6 and Source in your opinion?

More About: counter-strike global offensive, Valve

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad

How soon you ask? Well starting from today Wednesday November 30th if a recent Tweet by Valve is to be believed. Previously, the company said that the beta had been delayed so that they could iron out a few balancing issues, but thankfully it looks like those problems have been sorted out and everyone can finally start playing.

Valve has stated that the beta will be going live at some point today, in the afternoon according to a CS:GO Twitter account that Valve has set up. There’s no specific release time yet, so if you do have a beta key you should keep checking the Steam store to see if the client has become available. For those that are wondering, there will be no pre-load available on Steam as the CS: GO beta is just a small client containing two maps only – de_dust2 and de_dust, while there’s just one player skin to choose from as well – either Seal Team 6 (CT) or Elite Krew (T).

The all important question that remains now though, is do you have a key? Unfortunately, the only way into the beta at the moment is by obtaining a code which Valve handed out at PAX or Eurogamer. However, as we told you here, we were promised more beta keys by Valve so we’ll bringing you details on how to get one as soon as we can.

Has the beta appeared on the Steam Store for you, or are you patiently waiting with your key to get in? As soon as it does go live, we’ll be having a little play ourselves and we’ll be bringing you our first impressions shortly afterwards. Hopefully there won’t be able more delays and the beta is actually going live later on today.

We’ve got our key, do you have yours?

More About: counter-strike global offensive, Valve

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad

Let’s start with the launch date, if you already have a beta key you can begin playing the beta on November 30, however don’t worry if you don’t have a key as eventually it will become an open beta where everyone can play it. This news was revealed on Twitter and it has also been confirmed that the beta is PC only.

When we attended this year’s EuroGamer Expo we managed to get some hands on time with Global Offensive and we were very impressed with it, visually it was by no means up their with CoD or Battlefield, however anyone who plays CS knows it’s all about gameplay. After playing the game at the Expo we were given some beta keys, obviously we are going to be testing out the beta ourself – however we still have two going spare (and we have been promised more by Valve).

So how can you stand a chance of winning yourself this key? Well it is very simple, but you do need a Google+ account (get one here). Once you are logged in all you have to do is click on this link and click share, share it with your circles and you will be in with a chance of winning a beta key.

At the moment we only have two keys, but we have been in touch with Valve and they have promised us more. We will not be doing a separate giveaway for other keys, so when they are emailed across to us we will randomly pick people who followed the giveaway instructions which we told you about in the previous paragraph. To prove we are not messing you about here are the two cards which the keys are printed on:

We will randomly select winners of the keys the day before the beta launch (November 29), so get on Google+ and click share on this post!

More About: counter-strike, counter-strike global offensive, Valve

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad

Kotaku reports that early last week some gamers began to receive emails from a hacking website after the service forum had been defaced. Gabe Newell, Valve co-founder addressed the company forum on Thursday with a message confirming the breach. Later warnings were issued saying ‘the attack goes beyond the Steam forums.’ As a precaution all forum passwords were reset. They later recommended other passwords be reset as there was evidence to suggest a deeper intrusion, despite the forums being the only section thought to be affected initially.

Further reports suggested the company was still investigating and it has now been confirmed that the hack does in fact go beyond the forums. This was confirmed after they found evidence that a Steam database containing encrypted credit card information, billing addresses; email addresses, purchases, passwords and user names had been accessed.

This hack comes at a bad time for Valve as the company is beginning to launch some of the biggest games of the year so far, but for companies like EA and OnLive, who also have cloud gaming services, this couldn’t have happened at a more convenient time. They will be looking to take advantage of the unfortunate Steam situation and may benefit with deflectors, which would boost their success as they are just trying to get a foothold on the market at the moment. Users are more likely to join a service where security of their details can be assured.

Are you a member of Steam? Will you be looking to join a different service after this breach?

More About: steam, Valve

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad