After years of trial and error, Valve’s upcoming creation may change the landscape of PC gaming.
On Nov. 12, 2025, Valve announced it would be adding new hardware to its ecosystem: the Steam Machine, Steam Controller and Steam Frame. These new members of the Steam Hardware family are set to be released in the first quarter of 2026.
If you swear you’ve heard of the Steam Controller releasing years ago, you’re not mistaken. Back in 2015, Valve launched its original Steam Controller, and it was a major flop. However, its unique features, such as the haptic touchpad, laid the groundwork for the development of the Steam Deck’s controls and, in turn, the new Steam Controller.
There is a similar backstory to the Steam Machine as well. In 2015, Valve released the original Steam Machine, but it failed due to SteamOS’s inefficiency at that time.
What’s changed
Using their failures as a learning opportunity, Valve bounced back into the market with the launch of the Steam Deck in 2022. Popular games such as Elden Ring run smoothly on the Deck, and players can customize the performance mode to suit their gameplay, a feature that newer handheld consoles like the Switch 2 have yet to implement.
With an overwhelmingly positive response to the Steam Deck, the launch of the Steam Machine is looking promising.
With its compact 15.24 cm cube shape, it can fit anywhere from beside a TV to under a desk. The size already sets itself apart from other consoles, such as the Xbox Series S, which measures out to 6.5 cm x 15.1 cm x 27.5 cm. The Steam Machine runs SteamOS, providing access to the entire Steam ecosystem that over 37 million gamers around the world are familiar with and access daily.
The Steam Machine is also made to host games that can be streamed to the Steam Deck, the Steam Frame or any device that’s able to run Steam. This allows for games that require a stronger GPU to run smoother.
There will be two models released, one with 512 gigabytes of storage and the other with two terabytes. Additionally, both models will include a microSD card slot, allowing for external storage.
Most notably, the Steam Machine will run on Proton, an open-source host that allows for Steam Play. If a game is created to run on Windows, Steam Play enables those games to run by translating the code to be compatible with Linux. This solves the compatibility issues that led to the original Steam Machine’s failure.
Ultimately, the Steam Machine will fundamentally be a PC that also functions similarly to consoles like Xbox or PlayStation.
Why buy a Steam Machine?
The Collegian asked multiple members of Fresno State’s Esports organization for their opinions on the Steam Machine. The members play exclusively on PC when they stream on Twitch, compete in tournaments or host events.
The Steam Machine is one of the first of its kind when it comes to “Frankensteining” a PC and a console, so the audience Steam is targeting with their creation is still up for debate.
“I think it’s for people who want to transition from console to PC, but don’t have the knowledge to do so because I know pre-built gaming PCs are kind of iffy to some people,” said Mark Young, a Valorant team member.
The migration from console to PC is becoming increasingly popular, especially with console-exclusive titles becoming rarer and PCs offering access to a larger gaming library. However, the cost of entry to own a PC can be daunting for many.
“I feel like it targets people who are console gamers and who are not willing to drop $1000 for a PC with relatively good specs,” said Maria Roceo Sy, president of Fresno State’s Esports organization.
Roceo Sy also expressed an interest in the cross-compatibility features of the Steam Deck. Since many games don’t allow competitive play between console and PC players, the Steam Machine can make for an easier transition for people to play with their friends.
“I do know a lot of console gamers. I struggle playing Marvel Rivals, for example, with my friends who are in console,” Roceo Sy said.
Okay, I’m sold. How much do they want for it?
In an interview with IGN, Linus Sebastian of Linus Tech Tips said that Valve doesn’t plan on sticking to “console pricing,” which typically falls in the range of $500-600. With the price still up in the air, Fresno State Esports member Yicherpe Vang feels that the price could make or break the system’s success.
“I think the price point is going to be the determining factor on whether people buy it or not,” Said Vang.
Although there is still a lot left unsaid about the Steam Machine, with the last update from Steam Hardware being in November of 2025, Valve’s cubic creation could make PC gaming easier than ever.
Update: This story was updated on Feb. 6 at 11:03 a.m. to include that Valve has updated their blog, announcing that its pricing and official launch date will potentially be delayed due to the current storage and memory shortages.
