Valve has released the official Steam client which you now need for future Halflife, as well as Counterstrike, update patches and other Valve goodies. No more beta patches, this is the official release (thanks Shacknews). Read more for download links ...

Valve Software has released the Steam update tools for the Half-Life dedicated servers. These updates will allow server admins to upgrade to v1.1.2.0, they are required if you want to keep your Win32/Linux servers in sync. These updates also address a large amount of tweaks, improvements and bug fixes. Read more for details & download links ...

Gamesindustry.biz let us know that the public beta test of broadband games-on-demand service Steam will end on Tuesday evening Pacific time, and the first full version installer will be made available on Wednesday morning at 11am PDT via www.steampowered.com, Valve Software has announced.

With the new release on Wednesday, Valve plans to reset the account database. Any future registrations will have to be allied to a genuine CD-key, drawing to a close the honeymoon period of free Half-Life, CS and mod access - not to mention Half-Life 2 movie releases - for the two or three people still without a copy of the original game.

The Steam Beta has delivered several Valve games and popular Half-Life MODs to over 300,000 gamers, and will come to a close Tuesday evening (Pacific Daylight Time). The first full version of Steam, Valve's broadband platform for the delivery and management of digital content, will launch at 11 am PDT on Wednesday. Set up installers for the full version, which will be free of charge to existing Half-Life and Counter-Strike players, will be available from www.steampowered.com and leading game sites.

Vavle just send over word that the Steam Beta is entering its final phase, and is now open to the public. To enter this beta, simply download and run the 500K installer. Steam, a broadband platform for the deliver and management of digital content, currently features a variety of Valve games including Counter-Strike 1.6, which introduces the new riot shield, the official CS bot and more. Visit the Steam Powered website or read more for details & download links ...

Strategy First Inc. announced today that the Train Collection has shipped to stores nationwide. “The Train Collection gives train buffs the best of all worlds,” explains Steve Milburn, Director of Marketing for Strategy First Inc. “You have a real-time strategy game, a railroad simulator and an add-on all in one box. It is the perfect package for a train enthusiast.”

Steam Beta 2.0 begins today at 3 pm Pacific. The beta is open to the public, anyone can join by downloading and running the 4MB install applet. For the first few days, this beta will include the coming versions of Counter-Strike (v1.6) and Team Fortress Classic. Further updates to these games, as well as additional content, will be made available to participants throughout the beta. Read more for links where to download... UPDATE : Seems the demand was/is overwhelming and they have temp. suspended the streaming...

SteamLand from Buka, developed by Gromada, is the unique real-time strategy game with fast and rich gameplay. This game has some railroad puzzle elements so all action happens in the fantastic world, where the life presents in the form of steam-powered mechanisms, like robots and big armored trains that used as most common transportation vehicle. The game presented in perspective view of 2D. Game art is very uncommon and nice-looking. Maximally real physics is implemented for in game world. Check out some new ingame screens!

Colorful crazy world of a fantastic planet. Bizarre plants, strange landscapes! Under these unusual conditions there arose steam-robots civilization. But there’s no peace there – robots are at war. Day and night, rain and meteor shower, volcano and snow – nothing can stop armored trains which rush towards each other in order to have a cruel fight. You need to develop your economy using given resources and to repulse attacks of various hostile creatures and elemental forces. The task is complicated by the fact that the locomotives can move only by railroad. But your main objective is not just enemy defeating. After your long and difficult journey you’ll get to … what? This will be clear at the end of your mission... Read on for NEW screens and features!