I’m hopeful this leads to being able to play older Android games.

One of the things that sucks about Android is that as the versions march on they raise the API requirements (ostensibly for security), which leaves old games being unable to run on new devices.

I have a bunch of games purchased om Humble Bundles over the years that now just refuse to run on my Android devices as their API target level is too old.

Where have Steam said they are partnering with a company to offer replacement parts? As far as I’ve read, Valve have not provided any details around sourcing replacement batteries for the Steam Controller. All they’ve said is that the controller is able to be serviced by opening via the screws and clips - ie it’s not glued closed like many user-hostile companies, eg Google Stadia.

This is in no way the same as old smart phones (eg Galaxy S1-S5) toolless battery replacement, where you would just slide off the battery cover, pop out the old battery insert new, click battery cover back on. PS3 Dualschock 3 controllers are also exactly as user-serviceable - clips and screws, no glue. So I agree with OP: batteries that are built for toolless user replacement to a standard format are far superior. This is just asking for e-waste.

Valve have not provided any details around sourcing the batteries. All they’ve said is that the controller is able to be serviced by opening via the screws and clips - ie it’s not glued closed like many user-hostile companies, eg Google Stadia.

The PS3 Dualschock 3 controllers are also exactly as user-serviceable - clips and screws, no glue. So I agree with OP. Batteries that are built for user replacement to a standard format are far superior.

Yeah I love having non-user-replaceable batteries in my electronics devices to give them an inbuilt death timer.

Very zeitgeist.

People cheap out on the dumbest shit.

• 4080ti
• 9800X3D
• ‘Gamer’ Mobo with all the swag*
• 128gb low latency ram kit

And then ‘the stuff that doesn’t matter so you can save some money’:

• bronze-rated PSU from ‘Seasorny’ or some other namealike knockoff
• $5 thermal paste
• $10 fans

“Bro my $3500 PC is crashing!”

Because letting extremely biased ideological groups dictate worldwide policy is always a bad thing that comes with negative consequences.

I’m not personally familiar with any of the games in this ban wave, but Steam’s stance prior is that these games are free expression of art, made by adults and it’s not Steam’s job to police art. If a group does want to impose limitations on art on a worldwide storefront - that should be a national limitation performed by an appropriate body - Australia already has a stringent games rating system, and if these games do not meet any approved standards they would be hit with ‘Refused Classification’ and thereby restricted to be sold (banned from sale or import) to Australia and Steam would region block them for sale to Aus. As is the case for many games already.

However, this group deemed following the appropriate channels too much work, so instead went for a Karen smear campaign of the payment processors on social media - stating that they supported the sale of rape and incest games (simply by working with Steam), thereby pressuring the payment processors to put lobby Steam to remove the games entirely as the easiest path for Steam to avoid financial processing impacts.