The Steam Machine is a massive point of interest for pretty much everyone in the gaming industry right now. For prospective tinkerers, industry pundits, speculators, and Valve fans alike, the idea of a Steam Machine costing more than $1,000 is starting to sink in. Since the Steam Deck is nearly $1000 for the highest-grade OLED model right now, the concept is getting even easier to swallow.
Since we’re so far away from the launch of the PlayStation 6 and XBOX’s Project Helix, the Steam Machine could feasibly be the next big hardware launch in the gaming industry. Over on Reddit, a debate kicked off regarding the Steam Machine price, and there’s a wide gulf between opinions.
Although there have been leaks and suggested pricing, Valve has yet to announce a final price for the Steam Deck. That hasn’t stopped the community from running away with it, though, suggesting all sorts of theoretical price points. One user posits that “whether the Steam Machine launches at $800, $1,000, or $1,200, I think it will sell out almost instantly on release day,” sparking a spirited discussion about whether price actually matters.
Realistically, it does to many people, especially in the current economy. “I think if it were priced at par with PS5, I think it would do okay, I just think it’s going to be too expensive for most people to make the jump,” one user responds. Another retorts: “The Steam Machine is a stationary PC, its competition is every other desktop PC. As far as I understood its specs, it’s in the middle of the Steam users’ chart. It will be great for casual gaming, for newcomers or those with very weak/old setups, who do not want/can’t afford to assemble their own PC, and just want a plug&play device to game on.”
Others see it more practically: “The crazy thing is that $1000 is the same price most prebuilts are that perform on the same level the Steam Machine might likely will. You’re basically buying a mini prebuilt that includes SteamOS. If it was around $700-$800 (For the 512GB one to be exact), then it would make a little more sense.”
So far, Steam’s initial hardware suite launches seem to be going over fine. The Steam Controller is generally seen as a step up from the prior generation, and the Steam Deck, while recently seeing a massive price hike for OLED models, remains a respected, formidable, and once-attainable handheld.
While the Steam Frame could end up falling into the same niche as many VR headsets before it, the Steam Machine will be seen as the true crown jewel of the hardware rollouts. All the prior devices funnel into it, and the idea of multiple disparate devices interfacing with the same box is enticing to hardcore Valve fans.
If the price isn’t right, though, it’ll be just as niche as the last Steam Machine rollout. Valve is being super careful right now not to scare people away, but eventually, it’s going to have to give fans a price.
- Brand
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Valve
- Original Release Date
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September 12, 2003