Steam is starting to become a serious competitor for both Xbox and PlayStation in terms of consoles, but even the mighty Valve is prone to delays.
Gamers will have no doubt heard of the disastrous RAM shortages that are gripping the industry, causing havoc with console manufacturing and having massive implications for future hardware prices.
The next Xbox console for instance will have more in common with a PC than a home-console, and with the cost of RAM soaring you can expect a hefty price-tag when it eventually launches.
PlayStation is a similar story, with a price-hike for all PlayStation 5 consoles going into effect today, but don’t worry as there are still a few places you can get one on the cheap.
Dude, Where’s My Steam Machine?
Over at Valve, the famed gaming company is having another go at home-console gaming with the Steam Machine, the price and release date of which was delayed for reasons unknown.
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Perhaps the RAM shortages have Valve rethinking things, and it’s almost definitely played a factor in the company’s follow-up handheld the Steam Deck 2.
Leaker KeplerL2 says (via NeoGaf) a new handheld is in development with Valve, and at the moment its launch is apparently planned for 2028.
This could of course change depending on if this RAM dilemma gets sorted out.
KeplerL2 made an interesting point about the potential delays though, saying because it isn't using a semi-custom SoC like Xbox and PlayStation it could mix and match any of the Steam Deck 2’s internal parts as it sees fit. Basically ensuring the console is up-to-date with the latest tech for whenever it launches.
Obviously this is a leak so take it with a pinch of salt, but given the success of the first Steam Deck it was only a matter of time before Valve explored a successor.
The big question is will there be any compatibility with the Steam Machine? One of the Steam Deck’s handiest features is how it can be hooked up to a TV with a dock accessory. If the Steam Machine is designed to be played on a TV exclusively does that mean the Steam Deck 2 will lack that functionality?
There’s a lot of speculation to be done, but for the time being most Valve fans should look forward to the Steam Machine’s release later this year, hopefully for a reasonable price after all the console price-hikes we’ve been getting.