Valve
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Valve.
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Valve suggests memory crisis is "still getting worse," admitting, "we're limited by memory capacity, for sure"
Valve engineers have stated that memory and storage supply issues for the Steam Machine are worsening, with retail availability lagging bulk supply by three to six months due to high demand from the AI industry. Despite these challenges, Valve insists the Steam Machine's roadmap will not be impacted. Separately, Midgar Studio has been ordered to liquidate after failing to secure a buyer, with founder Jérémy Zeler-Maury expressing deep regret over the closure.
FBI accuse Steam user of stealing over $220,000 via malware-infected games like BlockBlasters, Lunara and Dashverse
The FBI has arrested Zyaire Dontaevious Zamarion Wilkins, a student accused of stealing over $220,000 in cryptocurrency using malware-infected games distributed on Steam. Games like BlockBlasters, Lunara, and Dashverse allegedly infected around 8000 PCs over two years. The investigation involved tracking crypto transactions and linking them to Uber gift cards purchased by Wilkins.
"Honestly, it's still getting worse" - Valve Steam Machine engineer says component prices are still rising, potentially paving the way for a price increase
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that consumer electronics component prices are still rising, potentially leading to price increases for products like the Steam Machine and Steam Deck. This trend is also impacting consoles, with Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo having already raised prices or planning to do so. Separately, Bethesda Game Studios leader Todd Howard thanked fans for their support following recent announcements about Fallout and The Elder Scrolls projects, emphasizing that the company listens to community feedback.
Valve see the great RAM shortage "getting worse," just in case you were clinging to hopes of a cheaper Steam Machine
Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais state that the global RAM shortage is worsening, with retail supply lagging behind bulk supply by three to six months. This ongoing shortage, exacerbated by demand from AI data centers, is contributing to increased hardware prices and is expected to persist for the foreseeable future.
The Steam Machine isn't doing exclusives because Valve thinks "restricting where people can play"…
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais explained that the Steam Machine will not feature exclusive games, as the company believes restricting access is not a good model. Instead, Valve aims to make the entire PC catalog available on the platform. This approach mirrors that of the Xbox Series X|S, focusing on the breadth of existing PC games rather than new, platform-specific titles.
Broken laptops can morph into Steam Machine alternatives, and the base parts cost less than 32GB RAM
A DIY guide demonstrates how to repurpose old laptop components, including motherboards and GPUs, to build custom gaming PCs or Steam Machine alternatives for significantly less than the cost of new parts. One project successfully transformed a laptop into an all-in-one PC for under $400, showcasing a cost-effective approach to PC building by utilizing salvaged hardware.
Steam Week in Review: Take cover, because it looks like more than half of Steam games will have an AI-disclosure by…
The article analyzes the increasing trend of AI disclosures on Steam, noting a significant rise in AI-flagged game launches since early 2025. If this trajectory continues, approximately half of all Steam games could be AI-flagged by 2027-2028, though most are unlikely to generate revenue. This surge in AI-generated content poses challenges for smaller developers seeking visibility on the platform.
MMO Week in Review: Lament for Elder Scrolls Online
Microsoft's decision to lay off a significant portion of The Elder Scrolls Online team has led to further management turnover and a restructuring of the studio. This week's MMO news also covers the early access launch of SpiritVale, the cancellation of Final Fantasy XIV Mobile, and discussions on lessons for Guild Wars 3.
Valve Doesn’t Want to Use Exclusive Games to Sell Steam Machines, Says Engineer
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the company does not intend to make games exclusive to the Steam Machine, preferring to keep the entire PC catalog available. Engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Griffais also emphasized Valve's interest in fostering innovation among hardware manufacturers rather than dominating the market. Despite early success and high pricing, Valve acknowledges ongoing memory supply challenges for the Steam Machine.
Valve Says Memory Crisis is “Still Getting Worse,” But Believes the Steam Machine is a Success
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that the global memory crisis is worsening, with current retail supply lagging behind bulk orders by three to six months. Despite these supply chain issues, which are limiting production of the Steam Machine, Aldehayyat believes the platform is a success in addressing a real user problem. Valve is continuing production and support for the Steam Machine, even as the memory crisis is projected to continue into 2027.
Roadmaps and Plans
CCP Games provided an update on the future of force projection in EVE Online, while Valve offered a brief 'proof of life' regarding an update for Team Fortress 2's Mann vs. Machine mode. Both updates indicate ongoing development for these long-standing titles.
Business and Finance
Valve is reportedly selling between 12,000 and 15,000 Steam Machine units per week. This data provides insight into the current sales performance of Valve's gaming hardware.
Sunday Tech Bits
Valve acknowledges that the ongoing memory crisis shows no signs of abating, with RAM prices expected to continue their upward trend. The company notes that the situation is 'still getting worse,' impacting the cost of PC components.
Valve aren't putting any exclusives on the Steam Machine because they see "the whole PC catalog as our 'launch exclusive'"
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that the Steam Machine will not feature any exclusive games, as the company views the entire PC catalog as its 'launch exclusive.' This approach aims to keep the platform open and encourage innovation from hardware manufacturers. Valve also noted that PC hardware supply chain issues are causing delays, with retail availability lagging behind bulk supply by three to six months.
Saturday Multiplex
A trailer has been released for the official Ghost Rider character guide in Marvel Tokon - Fighting Souls. The article also mentions Valve's 14-year journey to create the Steam Machine, as detailed by Jason Schreier.
Op Ed
This opinion piece argues that Steam's success demonstrates the viability of an all-digital future for PC gaming, while acknowledging potential drawbacks. The article suggests that while digital distribution has largely worked, there are still considerations for game preservation and ownership.
The Steam Machine's $1,000+ price tag is unlikely to come down anytime soon as Valve says the memory crisis is…
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that the memory chip crisis is worsening, impacting the production and pricing of the Steam Machine. He noted a significant lag between bulk supply observations and retail availability, with prices expected to remain high. The shortage is also limiting Valve's production capacity for the device.
Valve reassures Team Fortress 2 players that it's still working on the Mann vs Machine update it announced last…
Valve has provided an update on the Mann vs. Machine mode update for Team Fortress 2, stating that development is ongoing but taking longer than anticipated due to a large volume of community submissions. The company acknowledged the extended silence since the last progress report and thanked players for their patience.
Valve says there's no end in sight to the memory crisis, and prices are only going to increase: 'Honestly,…
Valve acknowledges that the ongoing memory crisis, exacerbated by AI demand, is causing hardware prices to increase with no immediate end in sight. Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that current retail prices lag behind bulk supply by three to six months, and the company sees prices rising in the short to medium term. The memory shortage also impacted the initial production of the Steam Machine, though Valve continues to support the device.
Virtual Reality Check
Valve has released a preview of its first Arm-based Arch Linux build for the Steam Deck. This update allows users to install and run Linux distributions on the handheld gaming PC, expanding its versatility beyond its native SteamOS.