Steam Machine
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Steam Machine.
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Steam Machine sticker shock, even more Ubisoft layoffs, and another Xbox price hike - Patch Notes #58
This week's gaming news highlights include the high pricing of the Steam Machine starting at $1,049, Ubisoft laying off 93 employees and closing studios, and Microsoft increasing Xbox console prices again. Grand Theft Auto 6 will retail for $79.99, while Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has surpassed 6 million sales. Tencent is reportedly considering exiting some Japanese studios.
As Steam Machine and Xbox are latest to fall to the RAMpocalpyse, Micron CEO says RAM shortages won't ease until…
Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra predicts that global RAM shortages, exacerbated by AI demand and economic factors, will persist until at least 2028, leading to continued price hikes for gaming hardware. This situation has already caused price increases for platforms like Steam Machine, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5, with future consoles like the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix expected to be significantly more expensive.
This Week in Switch 2 - Steam Machine price reaction, Star Fox review, and AI ruins everything again
This Week in Switch 2 covers reactions to the Steam Machine's price, a review of Star Fox, and general Nintendo news. The podcast also addresses the use of AI in content creation, with Shacknews staff confirming they do not use generative AI. CEO Asif Khan also shared his background and love for Nintendo.
Valve clarifies that all Steam Machines have a single 16GB RAM stick — here's what this means, and why I think it's another reason gamers may hold off buying the PC
Valve has clarified that all Steam Machines will ship with a single 16GB RAM stick, correcting previous statements that suggested some models might have two 8GB sticks. While this configuration offers a better upgrade path to 32GB, it sacrifices the performance benefits of dual-channel memory. The article suggests this detail, along with potential pricing issues, might be reasons for gamers to delay purchasing a Steam Machine.
"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.
Steam Machine sold out already in some regions ahead of release
The Steam Machine has already sold out in Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan ahead of its official release date. Valve is using a lottery system in some regions like the US and UK to prevent scalping, a strategy implemented after the Steam Controller's rapid sell-out. All four configurations of the Steam Machine are unavailable in the affected Asian markets, with prices noted as being higher than in the US.
Micron says chip shortage will "improve gradually" in 2028
Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra stated that the global RAM and NAND chip shortage, exacerbated by AI demand, is expected to persist through 2027 and gradually improve in 2028. He admitted that the company has no visibility on when supply will meet demand, citing long fab construction times, worker shortages, and regulatory hurdles. This shortage is driving up component costs, impacting hardware markets and console prices, with companies like Valve facing higher costs for their Steam Machine.
There's a surprising amount of major games you can't play on Valve's Steam Machine - here are eight of the biggest, and why
Valve's Steam Machine, despite its potential, faces significant limitations due to its SteamOS (a Linux variant) not supporting many popular games. This is primarily caused by anti-cheat software, which is incompatible with Linux, rendering titles like Destiny 2, Fortnite, Battlefield 6, Apex Legends, GTA Online, EA Sports FC 24, and modern Call of Duty games unplayable. While installing Windows is an option, it defeats the purpose of the console-like device.
'Above $1,000 Is the Floor': Analysts Predict PS6 Price, and It's Not Good
Industry analysts predict that the PlayStation 6 could launch at a price point exceeding $1,000 due to ongoing component shortages and market trends. While some believe Sony will maintain a price below $999 for marketing reasons, others foresee a significant increase, potentially delaying the console's release until 2028.
Morning Tech Bits
SpaceX's upcoming Initial Public Offering is reportedly causing issues for retail investors. Separately, the article questions the high price point of the Steam Machine, suggesting Valve faced challenges with RAM manufacturers.
I've been trying to get my Steam Link to work for ten years, but I've fixed it just in time to save me spending £1000 on a Steam Machine
After a decade of troubleshooting, the author finally got Valve's Steam Link to work reliably by disabling the Fraps benchmarking tool. This success allows for PC gaming on a big screen without the expense of a Steam Machine, offering a viable alternative for users with existing desktop PCs.
The one thing Valve would change about the Steam Machine? 'Make it cheaper'
Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais admitted that the primary thing they would change about the Steam Machine is its high price, with the cheapest model costing $1,049. They attributed the cost to difficulties in securing components like RAM due to market conditions. Valve also confirmed that users can now install SteamOS on non-Valve hardware, including PCs with AMD GPUs.
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.
How does the Steam Machine compare to PCs? Is it worth it for you?
Valve has announced the pricing and specifications for the Steam Machine, positioning it as a console-like PC gaming device. Benchmarks show performance comparable to mid-range PCs and the PlayStation 5, with potential advantages in its PC library integration and SteamOS environment. The article analyzes its value proposition against traditional PCs and consoles, considering hardware costs and future market trends.
Games Inbox: Is Sonic the Hedgehog cooler than Super Mario?
This article discusses whether Sonic the Hedgehog is still cooler than Super Mario, exploring arguments about their respective attitudes, supporting characters, and modern relevance. It also touches on the high cost of new hardware like Steam Machines and the PlayStation 6, and Sega's struggles with its retro revival strategy.
If you were on the fence about the Steam Machine, this RAM configuration twist might push you off it — straight…
The Steam Machine's RAM configuration has become a point of contention, with many units featuring a single 16GB DDR5 stick instead of a dual 8GB configuration. This single-channel setup can negatively impact CPU-intensive games, although Valve engineers argue the difference is often negligible in actual gameplay. The scarcity of 8GB sticks due to market demand for higher storage is cited as the reason for this configuration choice.
True to its word, AMD brings FSR 4.1 to Radeon RX 7000-series card owners with its latest Adrenalin drivers
AMD has released its latest Adrenalin drivers, version 26.2.2, which bring support for FSR 4.1 to Radeon RX 7000-series graphics cards. This update offers improved AI-powered upscaling and frame generation quality compared to FSR 3, aiming to rival Nvidia's DLSS suite. FSR 4.1 will also be available for RX 6000-series cards next year and is being integrated into the Steam Machine.
Valve is making it easier to build your own Steam Machine
Valve is making it easier for users to build their own Steam Machine by improving SteamOS compatibility with desktop PC hardware. Recent updates to SteamOS 3.8.10 enhance support for Intel and AMD platforms, with ongoing work on Nvidia driver integration. This allows users to install SteamOS on custom PC builds intended for TV-based gaming experiences similar to the Steam Deck or original Steam Machine.
Evening Reading - June 22, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news and features. It includes reviews for The Adventures of Elliot and UFC 6, a preview of Rhythm Heaven Groove, and updates on Sega's new titles, Steam Machine components, and a potential Sea of Thieves live-action movie. The article also touches on Final Fantasy 7 Remake director's desire for original projects and the possibility of custom Steam Machines with an updated SteamOS.
Steam Machine Price in the Philippines: PHP Cost Breakdown — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
This article analyzes the potential cost of Steam Machines in the Philippines, converting US prices to Philippine Pesos and estimating them to range from ₱64,000 to ₱87,100. It highlights that these prices are higher than current PlayStation 5 systems and discusses factors like supply chain issues and the overall value proposition compared to building a custom PC or buying existing consoles.
