Valve sets the rumour mill in motion with new "Neon Prime" trademark

Gordon Freeman
(Image credit: Valve)

Valve has registered a trademark for something called “Neon Prime”, and fans are weighing in on what they think it means.

As spotted by Twitter user Gabe Follower, Valve submitted the trademark application for Neon Prime on October 10. According to the document, it’s filed under the following categories, “computer game software, electronic game software, video game software, computer game programs downloadable via the internet.” At the time of writing, the application has been accepted but not assigned to an examiner, so the trademark hasn’t yet been granted.  

We’ve not got much to go on, but Valve’s actions have certainly set the rumour mill in motion. In a discussion on Reddit, one user said, "It sounds like this could be a new game”. If so, it’ll be the first release from Valve we’ve seen since Half-Life: Alyx, the company’s flagship VR title, which launched back in 2020. Another user wrote, “Hopefully, a new game in a new genre, I would love to see Valve continue to expand their offerings.”

Other Valve fans seem to think the trademark is related to prime status in CS:GO. “They already have Prime matchmaking for CSGO, it could be a new version of that,” says one user. Although they’re not entirely convinced, adding, “Neon Prime would be a weird name for a matchmaking system.”

Over on Twitter, one user thinks Valve has an entirely different vision for Neon Prime, claiming that the company is planning to launch its own version of Game Pass. 

At this point, it’s all just pure speculation, and it’s best to wait for official word from Valve before getting your hopes up too high for a brand-new game release.

Keen to take your Steam library on the go? See our Steam Deck review for our verdict on Valve’s handheld device.

Anne-Marie Ostler
Freelance Writer

Originally from Ireland, I moved to the UK in 2014 to pursue a Games Journalism and PR degree at Staffordshire University. Following that, I've freelanced for GamesMaster, Games TM, Official PlayStation Magazine and, more recently, Play and GamesRadar+. My love of gaming sprang from successfully defeating that first Goomba in Super Mario Bros on the NES. These days, PlayStation is my jam. When not gaming or writing, I can usually be found scouring the internet for anything Tomb Raider related to add to my out of control memorabilia collection.

Read more
A patent for a Valve VR headset on a white background
A Steam Deck, but for your face? The latest rumors about Valve's new VR headset are pretty exciting
Skies Of Arcadia
After 23 years, JRPG fans start to hope again as Sega renews the trademark for Dreamcast and GameCube classic Skies of Arcadia
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight: Silksong gets unprecedented second update in 2 weeks, with a Steam page tweak pointing to a 2025 release
Splatoon
New Nintendo patent implies veteran Splatoon developers are behind that mystery Minecraft-like game playtested last year
Key art for Deadlock.
Deadlock updates will be "a little bit more spaced out" so Valve can "improve our development process," but you can expect bigger major patches when they arrive
Among Us
"Don't tell Valve I told you this": Industry expert warns devs that Steam "is an engine that turns magic into money," and you can't break into "Real Steam" until you have the magic
Latest in Games
Schedule 1
Schedule 1 is Steam's latest viral hit – an open-world drug dealing simulator with 98% positive reviews, co-op, and a free sample to get you started
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
Reclaiming their crown, pacifist Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 player beats the whole RPG as "Merciful Henry": 1,741 strikes blocked, 472 knockouts, and zero kills
Somehow this keeps happening: Another game with a Persona 5 collab is going under, and this time it's JRPG comrade War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
Lies of P art showing P walking in a snowy forest
Lies of P director loves FromSoftware and respects the Soulslike tag, but says "I'm really serious, I'm not lying, I'm very truthful, our focus is to create our own style of game"
Naoe and Yasuke walk in the sunset in a screenshot from Assassin's Creed Shadows
Following Assassin's Creed Shadows controversy, Baldur's Gate 3 publishing director says "every big AAA game could be better," but players shouldn't be mad "just because some dude told you to"
Assassin's Creed Shadows Wanted Status
How to remove Wanted status in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Latest in News
Schedule 1
Schedule 1 is Steam's latest viral hit – an open-world drug dealing simulator with 98% positive reviews, co-op, and a free sample to get you started
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
Reclaiming their crown, pacifist Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 player beats the whole RPG as "Merciful Henry": 1,741 strikes blocked, 472 knockouts, and zero kills
Somehow this keeps happening: Another game with a Persona 5 collab is going under, and this time it's JRPG comrade War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
Lies of P art showing P walking in a snowy forest
Lies of P director loves FromSoftware and respects the Soulslike tag, but says "I'm really serious, I'm not lying, I'm very truthful, our focus is to create our own style of game"
Tony Dalton as Jack Duquesne
Daredevil: Born Again fans are loving the MCU cameos in this week's episodes – especially the Hawkeye reunion
Naoe and Yasuke walk in the sunset in a screenshot from Assassin's Creed Shadows
Following Assassin's Creed Shadows controversy, Baldur's Gate 3 publishing director says "every big AAA game could be better," but players shouldn't be mad "just because some dude told you to"