Lawrence Yang
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"We have our own list of features that we wanted to add": Valve say the Steam Machine's update support will be similar to the Steam Deck's
Valve hardware designer Lawrence Yang stated that the Steam Machine will receive software support and feature updates comparable to the Steam Deck. Valve plans to continuously ship updates and improvements, incorporating user feedback and their own internal feature wishlist, similar to how the Steam Deck evolved post-launch with new features and performance enhancements.
Valve admits Steam Machine is "more expensive" than it hoped
Valve has acknowledged that the Steam Machine is more expensive than initially hoped due to component and distribution costs. Engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Lawrence Yang stated that current component prices and scarcity prevent them from achieving their desired entry-level price point. Analysts suggest the Steam Machine will remain a niche device due to its cost and form factor.
$1,049 Steam Machine is still a "good value," Valve engineer says, even though it was supposed to be $789 like…
Valve engineers discuss the $1,049 price of the Steam Machine, acknowledging it's higher than their original $789 target due to component shortages. They believe the price is still competitive for its specifications and form factor, especially compared to self-built PCs, and hope consumers will understand the market conditions.
"It didn't look like things were going to change anytime soon": Valve insist price worries were never behind Steam Machine delays
Valve designers Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehayyat clarified that supply chain issues, not pricing concerns, were the primary reason for the Steam Machine's delays. They explained that establishing efficient production lines and securing components took significant time and effort, impacting the launch quantity rather than the decision to release.
Steam Deck 2 – Valve Engineer Says “We’re Definitely Getting There”
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais confirmed that development is underway for a successor to the Steam Deck, with the company aiming for a "generational leap" in hardware. While a specific release date is unconfirmed, rumors suggest a 2028 launch, potentially delayed by component shortages. Valve is also releasing the Steam Machine for $1,049, emphasizing its open Linux-based PC nature.
"It's too dangerous for us to speculate": Valve don't know if Steam Machine prices will drop in the future, after admitting that "some people are going to priced out"
Valve has opened reservations for the new Steam Machine, with prices starting at £879 / $1049 / €1039 for the base 512GB model. Valve designers Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehayyat attribute the high cost to ongoing component shortages and pricing issues, stating that the current prices reflect manufacturing realities. They acknowledge that some consumers will be priced out but believe it still offers good value compared to other market options, while declining to speculate on future price drops due to market uncertainty.
"We don't lock our hardware down" - Valve takes a swing at consoles while explaining why it doesn't subsidise the price of Steam Machine
Valve has announced pricing for its Steam Machine, opting against hardware subsidization to maintain an open ecosystem, unlike console manufacturers such as Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. Valve believes customers should be able to play any game on any PC and install alternative software on their hardware. Despite high price points, Valve views competing hardware like Microsoft's Project Helix as beneficial for gamers by offering more choices.
Steam Machine and Steam Frame Reaffirmed for Summer Launch, Verified Program Detailed
Valve has reaffirmed that the Steam Machine and Steam Frame are targeting a summer launch and detailed their respective 'Verified' programs. Similar to the Steam Deck Verified program, these new indicators will help customers understand the out-of-the-box experience for games on these devices. The Steam Machine will leverage its significantly greater processing power compared to the Steam Deck, while the Steam Frame will have a dedicated 'Standalone Verified' program for its VR capabilities.
Steam Controller took "easily hundreds" of attempts to get its layout right, but did Valve nail it?
Valve product designers Lawrence Yang and Steve Cardinali revealed that the Steam Controller underwent hundreds of prototypes and rapid iteration cycles, starting in early 2023. The team focused on ergonomics, trackpad integration, and input responsiveness, even consulting with fighting game professionals to refine the D-pad.
Valve says Steam Controller sold out 'faster than we anticipated' but previously told us it has knobs it can…
Valve has announced that the Steam Controller has sold out faster than anticipated, with many customers unable to purchase one. The company is working to increase stock and will provide an update on availability timelines soon. This unexpected demand has also led to scalpers reselling the controller at significantly marked-up prices on platforms like eBay.
Valve breaks down the issues causing Steam Machine launch delay
Valve 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 wants to price Steam Machine as competitively as possible, but fears RAM shortages are "unavoidable" and…
Valve is striving to price the upcoming Steam Machine competitively despite facing unavoidable RAM shortages due to high demand from AI data centers. Hardware designer Lawrence Yang acknowledged that external factors have already increased the price of the Steam Controller and will continue to challenge affordable pricing for the Steam Machine.
Valve on the Steam Machine delays: 'Obviously we're bummed that this is the state of things'
Valve has acknowledged the delays affecting its Steam Machine hardware, citing industry-wide challenges such as RAM and memory shortages, and price hikes. The company expressed frustration but is working to overcome these obstacles to release the product at a competitive price. The Steam Controller is launching first, as it was deemed more sensible to release it independently rather than hold it back for a simultaneous launch with the Steam Machine.
Why aren’t there more PC-first gamepads? Valve don’t know, but they "did see an opportunity" for the new Steam Controller
Valve designers Lawrence Yang and Steve Cardinali discuss the lack of PC-first gamepads, noting an opportunity for their new Steam Controller. While acknowledging the dominance of console controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller and PlayStation 5 DualSense, they believe there's a market for a controller specifically designed for PC gaming, offering features beyond 'good enough'.
"A next-gen Steam Deck would do the same": Valve are already eyeing Steam Controller hardware upgrades to reuse in future handhelds
Valve is considering incorporating hardware improvements from the Steam Controller into future Steam Deck models, according to engineers Steve Cardinali and Lawrence Yang. Features like the TMR thumbsticks and Grip Sense sensors are potential candidates for reuse. This approach aligns with Valve's strategy of building upon previous hardware learnings for new devices.
"We're just as impacted as everyone else": Valve explain Steam Machine delays and why the Steam Controller is coming out sooner
Valve engineers Steve Cardinali and Lawrence Yang discussed delays for the Steam Machine, attributing them to industry-wide component shortages and rising costs. The Steam Controller, less affected by these issues, is set for release on May 4th as it is ready, dispelling rumors of intentional delays.
Steam Deck 2 is Still A While Away, But Valve is “Hard at Work” On It
Valve programmer Pierre-Loup Griffais confirmed that "Steam Deck 2" is in development, but a release is still some time away as the company aims for a significant generational leap in performance rather than iterative upgrades. Designer Lawrence Yang previously stated Valve is not keen on yearly updates, prioritizing substantial improvements over frequent releases. The article also briefly mentions updates for other games and the upcoming Steam Controller.
Valve on the $99 Steam Controller: 'I do know price has gone up from where we originally wanted it to be'
Valve designer Lawrence Yang acknowledged that the Steam Controller's final price of $99 is higher than originally intended due to external factors. Despite the increased cost, Yang believes the controller's unique PC functionality will still drive sales, and regional pricing variations are expected due to import duties.
Valve will be providing Steam Controller replacement parts via iFixit after launch
Valve is partnering with iFixit to provide replacement parts for the Steam Controller after its launch, similar to the approach taken with the Steam Deck. Valve engineers Steve Cardinali and Lawrence Yang highlighted the controller's straightforward design for repairability, emphasizing that users will be able to easily swap out components like the battery or customize buttons. While parts won't be available at launch, they will be made accessible through iFixit shortly after.
Valve's Steam Machine might be delayed thanks to the RAM crisis, but its brand-new £85 Steam Controller is going it alone and finally has a release date
Valve has announced that its new Steam Controller will be released on May 4th, priced at £85 in the UK. Unlike the delayed Steam Machine and Steam Frame, the controller's release is not affected by the ongoing RAM crisis as it contains neither RAM nor storage. The new controller features a second thumbstick and a Steam Deck-style layout, aiming to improve upon the original's versatility.
