Valve Delays Steam Machine Launch, Addresses Pricing Concerns Amidst Component Costs
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Valve has pushed back the anticipated release of its Steam Machines to the first half of 2026, citing ongoing volatility in the prices of key components like SSDs and RAM. The update comes after initial reports from AMD, the manufacturer of the machines’ semi-custom system-on-a-chip (SoC), suggested a launch in early 2026.
On Thursday, Valve responded to the circulating information with a detailed FAQ post on its official blog, aiming to clarify the timeline and address concerns from potential buyers. The company refuted the initial launch date and price estimates, acknowledging the impact of fluctuating component costs on its plans.
Shifting Timelines and Pricing Uncertainty
Valve originally envisioned a high-profile announcement around January, but has since adjusted its expectations. The release window has now expanded from “early 2026” to encompass the entire first half of the year, extending the wait potentially until June.
“Regarding availability, we go from ‘early 2026’ to ‘the first half of 2026’,” a company release stated.
The question of whether Valve can navigate the current RAM price increases remains open. No firm price point has been established, leaving gamers in the dark about the potential cost of the new hardware.
Performance Expectations and the Steam Frame Headset
Despite the delays, Valve remains confident in the performance capabilities of the Steam Machines. The company asserts that the devices will be capable of running recent, demanding games at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second utilizing FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). However, Valve concedes that the quality of upscaling will vary depending on the title, potentially requiring a trade-off between frame rate and visual fidelity through the use of Adaptive Sync.
The FAQ also provided updates on the Steam Frame headset, which is currently available for development kit requests through the Valve website. The headset is not intended for use with an official dock, but the company anticipates the community will develop compatible accessories. Valve also addressed concerns about eyewear compatibility, noting that glasses should not interfere with the experience, depending on the frame style.
A key feature of the Steam Frame is Foveated Streaming, a technology that utilizes on-board cameras to track eye movement and dynamically adjust compression, focusing image quality on the areas the user is actively looking at. This aims to optimize performance and visual clarity.
In short, details remain scarce regarding the final arrival of the Steam Machines. As it stands, potential buyers are left awaiting further information.
