Valve Sets Steam Machine Launch Date and Pricing Amid Global Hardware Pressures
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Valve has revealed the price, configurations, and release date for its upcoming Steam Machine, starting at $1,049 with pre-orders beginning June 25, alongside strict measures to combat scalpers amidst supply chain challenges.
Valve is jumping back into the living room hardware race. The company announced that its new cube-shaped Steam Machine will launch this summer starting at $1,049, with pre-orders opening on June 25. First shipments are scheduled to go out on June 29. The PC console hybrid runs on SteamOS, plugs directly into your TV or desk setup, and lets you access your entire Steam library just like the Steam Deck. Valve is offering four different configurations based on storage size, and every unit comes bundled with the new Steam Controller.
The starting price point has sparked plenty of discussion online since the initial hardware announcement last November, especially after Valve previously hinted at aiming for an affordable device. Addressing the cost, Valve pointed to ongoing supply chain volatility and rising component prices for RAM and storage that have impacted the entire tech industry over the past year. Because of limited initial supply, Valve is putting strict purchase limits and account requirements in place to deter scalpers and make sure early units land directly in the hands of active community members.
For players who treat their PC library as their main gaming ecosystem, this release represents a major step toward bringing desktop gaming into the living room without losing the open nature of the platform. You are not locked into a single storefront, and you can even install alternative operating systems or apps. As hardware launches go, this one arrives during a tough economic climate for manufacturing, but the promise of seamless living room integration will definitely catch the eye of cross-platform players. You can read the full breakdown over at Polygon.
Original source: Polygon
Tags: Valve, Steam Machine, PC Gaming, Hardware, Polygon
Original article: Polygon