Xbox Leadership Welcomes Valve's New Hardware While Staff Compare the Design to Classic Leaks
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Xbox leadership praises Valve's new hardware ecosystem for championing open platforms, while Microsoft staff joke that the device design resembles old Xbox Series S rumors.
Xbox head Phil Spencer has publicly welcomed Valve's latest hardware lineup, emphasizing the importance of open platforms in driving the industry forward. Writing on social media, Spencer praised the expansion of access across PC, console, and handheld devices as a reflection of a player-first future built on choice. As one of the largest publishers on Steam, Xbox made it clear that giving players new options to access games everywhere benefits the entire ecosystem. The remarks highlight a broader industry shift toward cross-platform accessibility that today's players expect from modern gaming hardware.
While leadership focused on the strategic value of open platforms, some internal humor quickly made the rounds online. Senior social media manager Josh Stein joked that the design of Valve's new machine bears a striking resemblance to those heavily circulated and rumored Xbox Series S leaks from back in 2019. The internet affectionately dubbed the compact form factor the Gabecube, leaning into the playful side of hardware discourse that routinely captivates community spaces on platforms like X and Reddit.
Valve clarified that the new Steam Machine and accompanying ecosystem devices stem strictly from their own internal experience and direct feedback from PC players, rather than following competitor blueprints. Set for release next year, the upcoming hardware suite will see Valve self-distribute once again, continuing the playbook that made the Steam Deck a success. You can read the original reporting and hands-on hardware previews over at Eurogamer to see how these devices shape up for the living room.
Tags: Xbox, Valve, Steam, PC Gaming, Hardware
Original article: Eurogamer