Steam Deck
News, coverage and analysis tracking Steam Deck across the outlets.
The RAMageddon hits homeValve has significantly increased the price of its Steam Deck handheld due to ongoing global shortages and price hikes in RAM and SSDs. This move highlights the broader crisis in consumer hardware pricing, impacting not only handhelds but also PCs, consoles, and other digital devices. The situation may also drive further adoption of cloud gaming as a more affordable alternative.
Despite astronomical price hike, the Steam Deck has sold out again in North AmericaDespite a significant price increase to $949 for the 1TB model, Valve's Steam Deck has sold out again in North America shortly after being restocked. Intermittent stock issues are attributed to memory and storage shortages, potentially exacerbated by Valve's focus on other hardware projects like the Steam Machine. Limited stock remains available in other regions, with the LCD model still available in Australia at its original price.
Valve allegedly had higher Steam Machine prices in mind before the Steam Deck hike, but I need you not to assume the…Recent leaks suggest Valve's upcoming Steam Machine may have been planned with higher prices than the current Steam Deck OLED models. While exact figures are speculative, insider information indicates potential pricing exceeding $800, with the author advising caution due to ongoing hardware cost fluctuations.- Valve hikes Steam Deck prices as stock replenishesValve has increased the price of the Steam Deck handheld gaming PC as stock levels are replenished. The company cited rising component costs as the reason for the price adjustment.
Discord's latest 'year of the Linux desktop' update is a game-changer for Steam Deck, but fans are concerned about its age verification plansDiscord has released a significant update for its Linux client, improving game and screen sharing with hardware-accelerated video encoding support across Nvidia, AMD, and Intel GPUs. This update is particularly beneficial for handheld devices like the Steam Deck. However, users are expressing concern and frustration over Discord's upcoming global age verification plans, overshadowing the technical improvements.
KDE Plasma 6.7 Beta arrives with Plasma Bigscreen, new Union theme systemThe KDE Plasma 6.7 Beta has been released, introducing Plasma Bigscreen for improved TV and HTPC experiences, and a new Union theme system to address fragmentation. This release is a stress-test for the upcoming full version, scheduled for June 16th. Plasma Bigscreen is expected to enhance docked Steam Deck and potential Steam Machine/Frame usage.
The Steam Controller is unmatched at letting you play mouse and keyboard games from the couch, but as a gamepad it loses outThe Steam Controller offers unparalleled versatility for playing PC games from the couch, particularly those designed for mouse and keyboard input, thanks to its innovative trackpads. While it excels in comfort and PC navigation, it falls short as a traditional gamepad compared to similarly priced alternatives and has some drawbacks in its software integration and button actuation.
Valve's Steam Machine reservation page code points towards four package flavors, and two could ditch the controllerCode found on Valve's Steam Machine reservation page suggests four package configurations will be available, including options with and without the new Steam Controller. The article speculates on potential storage sizes and pricing, noting that a smaller SSD could make the device more affordable for indie gaming or as a secondary console alongside platforms like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.
Steam Machine release window, specs, and price estimateThe Steam Machine is slated for an early 2026 release, aiming to bring PC gaming to the living room with a compact, console-like design. It will feature semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPUs and RDNA 3 GPUs, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 512GB or 2TB NVMe SSD storage, with pricing estimated between $799 and $999. Valve anticipates the system will rely on AMD's FSR upscaling technology to achieve 4K gaming performance.
Valve forming an orderly queue for the Steam Controller makes it clear we need the same for the Steam Machine, Frame, and perhaps a lot more in-demand tech tooValve's implementation of a reservation queue for the Steam Controller highlights the need for similar systems for other in-demand tech like the Steam Machine. The article contrasts this with the frustrating purchasing experiences for the Steam Deck and PlayStation 5, advocating for reservation systems to combat resellers and improve customer satisfaction.
Valve announce a reservation system for the new Steam ControllerValve has announced a reservation system for the Steam Controller due to high demand, with reservations opening on May 8th. This system mirrors the one used for the Steam Deck, allowing customers to secure a place in line for future orders. The company also detailed purchase limits, account standing requirements, and regional rollout plans for the controller, which remains priced at $99 USD.
Steam Controllers to come back in stock with reprise of Steam Deck reservation systemValve announced that the Steam Controller will be restocked using a reservation system similar to the one used for the Steam Deck. Reservations open on May 8, with fulfillment prioritizing the US and Canada first. This move aims to manage demand after the initial batch sold out rapidly.
I bought a $5 Steam Controller 7 years ago and forgot it existed. Now it's my new living room sidekickThe author rediscovers the original Steam Controller, purchased years ago for $5, and finds it to be an excellent companion for the Steam Deck in living room PC gaming setups. Despite Valve discontinuing the device, strong community support through Steam Input ensures extensive game compatibility, making it a surprisingly viable option for mouse-centric games on a TV.
The Steam Controller might be sold out, but official Valve 3D files mean I could make my own using Steam Deck partsValve has released official 3D CAD files for the Steam Controller and its wireless puck under a Creative Commons license, allowing users to download, modify, and 3D print their own versions. This move enables enthusiasts to create custom accessories, repair existing controllers, or even attempt to build new ones using parts from devices like the Steam Deck.
Steam Controller goes out of stock as Valve get a ton of "Game Console" shipmentsThe Steam Controller has sold out in multiple regions shortly after its standalone release, indicating high demand. Valve is reportedly receiving significant shipments of "Game Console" hardware, potentially including more Steam Deck units, Steam Machines, and Steam Frames, suggesting a potential restocking wave.
The Steam Controller sold out in 30 minutes, utterly breaking Steam in the processThe Steam Controller experienced a sell-out within 30 minutes of its launch, causing significant issues with the Steam Store. Reports of transaction errors spiked around the launch time, with stock appearing and disappearing rapidly. This mirrors the high demand seen during the Steam Deck's initial release.
The new Steam Controller from Valve is out now - some early thoughtsValve's new Steam Controller offers a comfortable and feature-rich experience, building upon the lessons learned from the Steam Deck. It boasts excellent battery life, repairability, and deep customization through Steam Input, making it a versatile option for PC gaming, especially on Linux. While it has a learning curve and some minor quirks with non-Steam games and specific titles, it significantly outclasses previous controllers for couch gaming and general PC use.
Valve breaks down the issues causing Steam Machine launch delayValve has announced that the launch of the Steam Machine, a compact gaming PC running SteamOS, has been delayed due to ongoing hardware shortages, specifically RAM and SSDs. Valve UX designer Lawrence Yang cited these issues, along with price hikes, as significant obstacles. Despite the delays, rumors suggest a potential summer launch, and Valve has other hardware releases planned for the year, including the Steam Controller and Steam Frame VR headset.
Valve’s hardware graduates from side-quest to full-blown ambitionValve is increasingly focusing on hardware development, with the positive reception of the new Steam Controller highlighting growing anticipation for upcoming launches like a home console and VR headset. Despite supply chain issues causing delays, Valve's cumulative approach to hardware, building on successes like the Steam Deck and Proton compatibility layer, positions its new products as significant growth vectors for the company's ecosystem.
Steam week in review: Another online shooter winds down weeks after launch, as robot cowboys take overThe cooperative shooter Far Far West, inspired by Left 4 Dead and Vermintide, is shifting focus to replayability and community support after a successful early access launch. Despite a challenging year for new multiplayer titles, developer Night Street Games aims to keep the game playable for its community. The article also reviews Steam's top sellers list for April 21-28, noting the performance of various games including Counter-Strike 2 and the new s&box platform.