Steam Machine
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Steam Machine.
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Existing Unauthorized Steam Machine Companion Cubes Are Being Destroyed After Release Fiasco
Dbrand's unauthorized Steam Machine companion cube will not be sold, and pre-ordered units are being refunded. The manufacturer is requesting that existing samples, including one sent to The Verge, be returned for destruction. Dbrand admitted to making a mistake by selling the accessory without Valve's permission, which is a violation of intellectual property.
French retailer briefly offers the 'Stim Machine,' a Steam Machine competitor made of standard PC components for less than a grand
A French retailer briefly listed the 'Stim Machine,' a device described as a competitor to the Steam Machine. This new hardware is reportedly constructed from standard PC components and was priced under $1000.
Behold my range of handmade Steam Machine faceplates: tasteful fan-covering, on the cheap
This article provides a humorous guide on how to create custom, low-cost faceplates for the Steam Machine using common household items like paper plates, seaweed, tote bags, and popcorn bags. It contrasts these DIY solutions with more expensive third-party options and offers creative suggestions for alternative labels for a learner plate.
Unlock The Potential Of Your Steam Deck/Machine With Decky Loader
This guide explains how to use Decky Loader, a third-party tool, to customize the SteamOS experience on devices like the Steam Deck and Steam Machine. It details the installation process and highlights useful plugins such as SteamGridDB for artwork, Tab Master for library organization, ProtonDB Badges for compatibility information, Deck Settings for performance tweaks, and Junk Store for accessing third-party game launchers.
Dbrand skrotar Companion Cube-skalet till Steam Machine
Accessory manufacturer Dbrand has discontinued its Companion Cube case for the Steam Machine less than a week after its launch. The decision came after Valve's legal department stated that the design is protected intellectual property and Dbrand lacked the necessary license. Dbrand admitted to developing the product without seeking Valve's permission first, a move that led to the cancellation of sales and a refund for all customers.
Disassembling the Steam Machine suggests Valve are protecting its precious RAM by burying it under a dozen other parts
A teardown of the Steam Machine reveals its complex internal structure, making RAM upgrades and repairs significantly more difficult than on standard PCs. While components like the SSD are accessible, the CPU and GPU are integrated, and accessing the RAM requires extensive disassembly. Despite these challenges, the modular design offers good repairability for individual parts, though replacement parts are not yet widely available.
Valve says it is 'definitely' investigating an Arm-based gaming future on top of its work on FEX
Valve is investigating the potential for an Arm-based gaming future, in addition to its work on the FEX translation layer. Engineers confirmed that Arm is definitely under consideration for future Steam Machine hardware, alongside an Arm-specific version of SteamOS and a VR headset. This exploration aims to provide users with more affordable and powerful gaming options.
Valve doesn't currently have 'any specific plans' for more Steam Machine faceplates, so you'll have…
Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that there are no current plans for official custom faceplates for the Steam Machine beyond the two included with the 2TB model. However, Valve intends to release CAD files and dimensions to allow third parties and individuals to create their own custom faceplates, provided they are not sold commercially.
Portal 2 just got a Steam Frame compatibility rating, hinting at the VR headset's imminent launch
Valve has assigned Portal 2 a 'Playable' rating for its upcoming Steam Deck VR headset, indicating the game will function but not at the headset's full native resolution. The rating suggests the game supports the headset's controller configuration and interface text, but the resolution limitation is noted as a drawback. The Steam Deck VR headset is slated for a summer launch and will feature standalone capabilities similar to the Meta Quest 3.
'99% of the work was already done in a sense': Valve says it has less to fix with the Steam Machine because…
Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais suggest that the development of the Steam Deck has significantly streamlined the process for future Steam Machine hardware. They explain that much of the foundational work, such as input handling and general PC gaming optimization, was already completed with the Steam Deck, reducing the need for extensive rework on the Steam Machine. Despite facing challenges like supply chain issues and the desire for lower costs, Valve views hardware development as an iterative process with new models dependent on market viability.
Say what you will about Valve's $1,049 Steam Machine price tag, it's already getting SteamOS updates that…
Valve has released a SteamOS Beta update that significantly improves VRAM management, aiming to enhance performance and stability, particularly for systems with limited memory like the Steam Machine. This update, potentially incorporating a previously proposed Linux Kernel patch, should allow games to utilize their allocated VRAM more effectively, leading to a more stable experience even with demanding titles. The update also includes improvements to the Mesa graphics driver, benefiting ray tracing performance and overall functionality across various PC hardware and handhelds.
Valve just killed the Steam Machine Companion Cube
Valve has halted production of Dbrand's "Companion Cube" case for the Steam Machine, which was designed to make the console resemble the Weighted Companion Cube from the Portal games. Dbrand was denied a retroactive license by Valve, forcing them to refund thousands of orders and cease development. The company acknowledged fault for proceeding without initial licensing approval.
Company that made a Steam Machine wrap based on Valve intellectual property without asking forced to take it down
Dbrand has been forced to cancel its 'Companion Cube' wrap for the Steam Machine after failing to obtain a license from Valve. The company admitted to building the product without permission and will issue full refunds to pre-order customers. This incident follows a similar controversy in 2021 where Dbrand was compelled to remove custom PlayStation 5 faceplates due to intellectual property concerns with Sony.
Companion Cube case for Steam Machine is canceled by Valve after Dbrand bafflingly forgot to get permission to make the…
Dbrand has canceled its Companion Cube case for the Steam Machine after Valve, the owner of the intellectual property, requested its removal. Dbrand admitted to not seeking permission before production, leading to the product's withdrawal and refunds for customers. This incident follows a previous cease-and-desist from Sony regarding Dbrand's 'Darkplates' for the PlayStation 5.
Steam Machine Companion Cube case cancelled because Dbrand didn't ask Valve for permission to make it: 'We’re going to regret that decision for a very long time'
Dbrand has cancelled its Companion Cube case for the Steam Machine after Valve's legal team informed them they did not have a license for the intellectual property. Despite significant investment and sales success, Dbrand was forced to remove all traces of the product due to the unauthorized use of Valve's intellectual property.
The largest RAM and storage component manufacturers are being sued for alleged price fixing and stoking "supracompetitive prices"
Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, the world's largest RAM and storage manufacturers, are facing a class-action lawsuit alleging price-fixing and intentional supply limitations. The suit claims these actions have led to 'supracompetitive prices' for consumers, impacting devices from PCs and consoles to AI data centers. This is not the first time these companies have faced such accusations, with past incidents involving DRAM price-fixing leading to significant fines.
On Steam Machine, Valve engineers say "the cheaper the better," but a price drop is unlikely "any time…
Valve engineers acknowledge that while they prefer lower prices for the Steam Machine, a price drop is unlikely in the near future due to ongoing high hardware component costs, particularly memory. Despite the entry-level model costing $1049, Valve believes it offers value as an enabler for gaming experiences.
Evening Tech Bits
Preorder emails for the Steam Machine are causing confusion, with some units already appearing on eBay before preorders have officially begun. Separately, Micron indicates that the memory shortage is expected to continue without an end in sight.
Steam Machine preorder emails are in the wild, and it finally feels real: Valve is actually gonna release this thing in…
Valve has begun sending out preorder reservation emails for the Steam Machine, notifying customers who were selected through a randomized lottery system. Those selected have three days to complete their purchase, with cancellations potentially opening spots for others in the queue. The company implemented the lottery to limit resellers, though inflated preorder access listings have already appeared on sites like eBay.
Steam Machine Preorders Are About To Begin, So Of Course They’re Already On eBay
Despite the Steam Machine not yet being released, preorders and reservations are already appearing for sale on eBay at significantly marked-up prices, some doubling the original cost. This practice mirrors similar situations with other in-demand hardware like the PlayStation 5 and Steam Deck, with listings fetching prices between $1050 and $3200.