Rumors suggest Valve's upcoming Steam Machine could start at $1,000 or higher, raising worries among gamers already facing rising costs.
A tweet from Valve insider Brad Lynch on May 27 highlighted that estimates for the Steam Machine's starting price exceeded current Steam Deck prices even two months ago. The Steam Deck now begins at $790, and Lynch indicated the new device might now require a higher entry point.
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Valve announced the prices for its Steam Machine on June 22, with the base 512GB model costing $1049.
Valve has opened reservations for its new Steam Machine gaming PC, which will start at $1,049 for the 512GB model. The company is using a randomized system to allocate the first units due to component shortages. Shipping for selected buyers begins June 29.
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Valve will start sending purchase invitations today for its new Steam Machine console-like devices priced above $1,000.
A French retailer has launched the Stim Machine, the first knock-off of Valve's Steam Machine. Priced at €1,039, it matches the base Steam Machine in cost but uses more powerful components.
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Valve has revealed it receives monthly price quotes from DRAM producers with no option to negotiate. The company must accept the terms or risk losing access to supply entirely. This affects the upcoming Steam Machine, which starts at $1,050.
Valve started displaying Steam Machine compatibility ratings on Steam store pages last night. The ratings appear under a new tab in the existing Steam Deck compatibility section.
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Gaming hardware prices are expected to keep climbing in the coming years due to rising component costs and other factors. Industry experts point to increased demand for RAM from AI data centers as a primary driver. They also cite tariffs, inflation, and geopolitical issues as contributing elements.