Valve is Making Steam Sales Algorithmic
Sep 30, 2026 · 57m
Summary
Jeff Grub and Janana Cho discuss Valve’s plan to replace Steam’s curated sales calendar with algorithmic recommendations in 2027, debating the impact on indie developers. They also cover Xbox’s new disk-to-digital feature, Grasshopper Manufacture’s independence from NetEase, and Shuhei Yoshida’s advice for Sony and Nintendo to extend the current console generation. The episode includes a light-hearted segment about Jeff’s trip to Aldi for Halloween items and a review of the cozy game Totem 2.
Topics discussed
Opill birth control pill advertisement
Show intro and episode overview
Host personal update and Aldi shopping
Premium membership and Goop Troop video
Review of Little Nightmares II
Steam personalized sales and algorithm changes
Xbox disc-to-digital conversion feature
PlayStation 6 backward compatibility concerns
Instagram and Odeec advertisements
Grasshopper Manufacture becomes independent
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet character design
Shuhei Yoshida on next-gen hardware delays
PS5 jailbreak exploit and piracy risks
PS6 release timeline and CES absence
Xbox mythic achievements and Naughty Dog news
Ratchet & Clank update and Retro Songbird
Poll results: Papa's Pastaria
Cyberdillo and upcoming show segments
Outro and premium member giveaway
ChatGPT and Pepperidge Farm advertisements
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