A hotel chain is introducing gaming for guests, Steam is launching a multi-tiered pre-order system, and an event agency called Trading VCard Games is being launched. Shala Chen also discusses the use of AI.
Valve Software's new 'streaming-first' wireless VR headset is almost ready, dear readers,
While many established players are quietly pulling out or freezing their investments, Valve's continued belief in the future of virtual reality hardware is admirable. They are delivering a technically interesting system with integrated eye-tracking for foveated and optimised PC streaming. However, with a starting price of €1,049, the Steam Frame is firmly in the absolute premium segment — twice the price of the Meta Quest 3, which outperforms it in the MR category. Driven by global hardware cost increases and the memory chip market crisis, hopes of a mass-market consumer product have been dashed. In an economic climate where consumers' budgets are tight, this four-figure price point poses a significant challenge. Therefore, the assumption that the Steam Frame will revitalise the stagnating VR gaming market, or even trigger widespread growth, is unrealistic. Valve is undoubtedly consolidating its position in the high-end niche for VR enthusiasts, but unfortunately that is all it amounts to. The market environment is simply far too unfavourable, and waiting any longer was not an option, especially since the situation is not expected to improve in the next few months. VR gaming therefore remains in turmoil.
Here are the news of the day!
Your Marcel Kleffmann
Following a pilot project in Berlin, the concept is now being rolled out in Frankfurt. In collaboration with SK Gaming, nhow Hotels & Resorts — a Minor Hotels brand — is transforming hotel stays into gaming experiences.
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by Marcel Kleffmann
The price of the new VR headset from Valve Software, the Steam Frame, is relatively high due to the current chip and memory crisis. In an attempt to curb scalping, Valve has introduced a two-stage pre-order system.
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by Marcel Kleffmann
In Brave New Wonders, players control automatons that respond to plain language commands. In this interview, we spoke to Shala Chen, CEO of City From Naught, about using AI as an essential gameplay feature rather than for streamlining development, as well as the market for strategy games and more.
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How do gaming executives rate Europe's position in the global market? And what key challenges and trends are currently affecting the industry? We spoke to Mattias Rengstedt, Chief Business Officer (CBO) Paradox Interactive (Sweden), to find out.
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by Marcel Kleffmann
In mid-January 2027, hiddenCon will take place for the first time at KAP Europa in Frankfurt. The organizers, The Eventgers, expect over 200 dealers and exhibitors, as well as more than 5,000 visitors for the convention for trading card games.
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Evil Empire is back with another edition of the Triple-i Initiative Showcase on 8 October 2026. The event will feature world premieres, gameplay reveals, release dates and other announcements across 40 games, including Dave the Diver, Risk of Rain 2 and Windrose.
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Ubisoft has postponed the release of Rayman Legends Retold. Originally scheduled for release on 1 October 2026, the French publisher now plans to launch the fully reimagined version of the classic platformer on 3 December 2026.
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At the end of September, the Tampere Game Hub is holding a Games Legal Summit about running a studio, IP rights, GDPR and more in Finland.
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Several universities, teachers, students and graduate game projects are up for election at the TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2026. The winners will be announced on 5 October.
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To mark its 25th anniversary, the German game studio playzo is relaunching the browser game Operation Weltherrschaft (Operation World Domination), bringing the game up to modern standards without sacrificing its minimalist style.
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Marcel Kleffmann
18.09. - 20.09.2026: Gaming Istanbul (GIST) (Istanbul)
18.09. - 20.09.2026: Nexus Nerd Rock Festival (Leipzig)
21.09. - 23.09.2026: D.I.C.E. Europe (Athens)
22.09. - 25.09.2026: Game Devs of Color Expo (online)
23.09.2026: Open Stage Games BW (Suttgart)
23.09. - 25.09.2026: Northern Games Summit (Kajaani)
26.09. - 27.09.2026: Zurich Pop Con Game & Show (Zurich)
29.09. - 30.09.2026: DevGamm x FTW! (Belgrade)
02.10. - 04.10.2026: Hero Fest (Bern)
03.10.2026: IAM Gaming Expo (Moray)
04.10. - 11.10.2026: New York Games Week (New York)
07.10. - 08.10.2026: Mobidictum (Istanbul)
08.10. - 09.10.2026: Gamespace Conference (Zürich)
09.10. - 11.10.2026: Polaris (Hamburg)
09.10. - 11.10.2026: SAGA Barcelona Game Fest (Barcelona)
09.10. - 11.10.2026: PAX Aus (Melbourne)
Find more events in our GamesMarket calendar.
