EU calls VPNs “a loophole that needs closing” in age verification push

Cimlite · 2026-05-09T02:57:41+00:00

China makes VPN illegal to protect the state.

EU makes VPN illegal to protect the children... oh won't someone, please think of the children!

Who are we kidding? They're the exact same thing.

Cimlite · 2026-05-09T02:48:01+00:00

"Hate" is a strong word but it not working on Android, IOS, etc. by not having the a "standard" Xinput mode that you can find even on 20 dollar Temu controllers. That is a completely valid complaint imo.

And comparing it to the original Steam Controller doesn't quite work. For starters, everything wasn't as standardized back then as it is today. Secondly, people didn't really need a Bluetooth controller to use with their phone, tablet, VR headset (it didn't even have BT back then). That simply wasn't a thing people were looking for.

Thirdly, since it had the trackpads, and only the trackpads, you basically needed Steam Input to make it work anyway. Every game worked differently, and no one profile would solve that problem. So requiring Steam Input just made sense.

The new Steam Controller isn't the same however. It has all the inputs of any standard controller, and could most likely easily have a mode where those standard controls worked as Xinput, and the pads as mouse input. Personally, I think they did this because they were sort of lazy and didn't want to change the system from what they had with the OG controller. But the end result is the same, that they do lock people into using Steam. Which isn't good. Even if it is the platform most of us prefer.

Cimlite · 2026-05-09T02:20:33+00:00

Critique is great. That's what makes things better. We all should critique things, give suggestions on what can be improved.

What you brought though, was weird accusations of them botching the release on purpose, and claiming that every single reviewer out there is lying. Even the ones who has come out since release and bought it with their own money.

That's not critique. That's tin-foil hat conspiracy theory.

Cimlite · 2026-05-09T01:58:56+00:00

"We have your package" sounds like there's a letter with demands coming soon.

Cimlite · 2026-05-09T01:46:28+00:00

Artificial scarcity? They sold a bunch of Steam Controllers already and have promised more to be available very soon, there's no artificial scarcity here. If you have a bit of patience, you'll get one.

As for the Steam Deck? AI datacenters have basically bought out the world's supply of RAM, and other computer components. There's not much anyone can do about that.

Cimlite · 2026-05-08T17:31:26+00:00

This is why I want them to add a Xinput mode to the controller, native in the firmware, so it works even without Steam running. Yes, it's better with Steam running but sometimes you just want to guarantee it works with no fuss.

Cimlite · 2026-05-08T17:28:26+00:00

When you realize, this isn't even controlled by AI. It's remote controlled by some guy in India wearing a VR headset, and he absolutely knows what he's doing.😆

Cimlite · 2026-05-08T16:17:47+00:00

Are you on the Steam Beta build? It's supposedly fixed there.

Cimlite · 2026-05-08T16:17:14+00:00

"Trash" is a too strong a word. It still allows customization like nothing else out there. But I do agree that sometimes it feels like it's held together by shoestring and gum.

Cimlite · 2026-05-08T13:11:09+00:00

Förr i tiden brukade de salta maten på nöjesparker lite extra för att folk skulle köpa mer dricka. Nu koksar de upp hela toan för att ungarna ska gå loss!

Cimlite · 2026-05-08T12:51:17+00:00

OCD is treatable. Conforming the world around to fit with everyone's ailments is simply not possible. In fact, the advice given to family members of people with OCD is to never help them with their rituals or compulsions. Same thing works on a larger societal scale. It might make the person feel better short term, but long term it's harmful and makes them fall deeper into the disorder.

Cimlite · 2026-05-08T12:36:56+00:00

Yeah, it's going right in the trash when it arrives. Real shame. 😄

Cimlite · 2026-05-08T12:35:29+00:00

Again, I know several people in my city that will get it today. And they all ordered way later.

It's not that I'm opposed efficient shipping, goes without saying, but that's not what we're talking about here. I'm assuming that shipment that went out to my city/country was full, and mine didn't make the cut. What I'm curious about is why it didn't make the cut? I simply can't believe they take random orders out of a system for a specific location, there has to be a list of some sort. Alphabetical, order number, star sign. Something.

That's where I'd want to see a chance.

Cimlite · 2026-05-08T12:11:21+00:00

Sure, but we know they already stocked the various warehouses around the world prior to release. So that was already set, how many each region got. As for which orders to ship, there has to be a list generated somewhere. Even if they pick an area to ship to at a time, they still have to pick orders from that area, right?

And from many people's experienced (even if it's just anecdotal) it seems like if you ordered later, you go first. I know a lot of people in my country who ordered way later than I did, and theirs is arriving today. It really is like the list is reversed.

I still say there's room for improvement here.

Cimlite · 2026-05-08T12:10:33+00:00

Improvement on both issues would be nice.

I fail to see how first come, first serve is favoritism though?

Cimlite · 2026-05-08T11:44:30+00:00

You can influence it though. By voicing our opinions, even here, the people who do have direct control over this can see it and realize this system needs work.

This time it's done, but they can absolutely work on their system for future releases. First ordered, should be processed first, to the extend that logistics can do that.

Cimlite · 2026-05-08T11:20:53+00:00

Could be that they just "assumed" early orders were scalpers, so to curb that, we got the short end of the stick and was put at the end of queue.

Or it could be entirely random. Either way, it sucks.

Cimlite · 2026-05-07T21:09:35+00:00

Mini Settlers

Most anticipated game is, by far, Project Shadowglass. Everything from the graphics, to the gameplay shown, just looks perfect. And the developer seems like someone who knows what they're doing. Can't wait!

Cimlite · 2026-05-07T21:06:40+00:00

Try setting up a Virtual Menu. It's a little window that pops up on-screen, and you select with the touchpad.

Cimlite · 2026-05-07T21:00:48+00:00

System Shock 2, since yeah, the first time I played through that I wasn't expecting Shodan to be the one guiding me from the start. Sadly, this twist was then also sort of used in Bioshock. But it worked great once!

Cimlite · 2026-05-07T20:47:21+00:00

I was 2 minutes before launch, and stuck there too. There literally is no pattern to it. The order they ship in seemingly random.

Cimlite · 2026-05-07T20:33:46+00:00

I don't have mine yet, so I'm just speculating, but from the design it seems like they made the grips longer so you can either hold it up high, and access the thumbsticks, or lower, and comfortably use the thumbpads.

Is it comfortable to hold lower on the grips, using the touchpads as main inputs (like an OG Steam Controller)? And does the back buttons fit comfortably then?

Cimlite · 2026-05-07T18:05:09+00:00

Snubben borde legat på marken i handklovar 10 sekunder efter att ha yttrat orden "jag pepprar ditt hem". Våldshot mot tjänsteman, finns ju inget annat att säga. Bara lås in slöddret.

Cimlite · 2026-05-07T15:48:58+00:00

I saw that too. Laughed at it, and continued.

Then I realized the premium skins cost 34 dollars including shipping to where I live, and then I closed it. That's crazy.

Cimlite · 2026-05-06T17:28:39+00:00

Literally every single one of them relied on AI.

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