Steam Machine Launch Window Update Issued, It's The Final Countdown

Valve has officially acknowledged its new hardware, the Steam Machine. Confirming that it will launch this year and sooner than we thought.

The Steam Machine is Valve’s solution for console owners wanting to get a taste of the PC experience, and PC owners wanting to simplify/streamline the way they play games.

It’s basically a miniature PC that plugs into your TV like an Xbox or PlayStation, and will come bundled with a Steam Controller for anyone who didn’t snag one earlier this year.

Finally, Valve has given us a release window in a new post discussing the new verification process for both the Steam Machine and Steam Frame.

When Is The Steam Machine Launching?

Like the Steam Deck games on Valve’s digital platform will receive a rating outlining their compatibility with the Steam Machine. They’ll either be Unsupported, Playable or Verified.

Valve confirmed as much in its new post but also said the console will launch “this Summer”, though further details weren’t shared.

Now, the Steam Controller got a rapid release date announcement, with only a few days between the reveal and pre-orders going live.

Based on that, we can speculate the Steam Machine might launch later this month with pre-orders starting soon, or sometime in July/August.

We’d imagine Valve will want to get the console out sooner rather than later due to the changing markets.

Valve

Speaking of the markets, they’ve apparently wreaked havoc behind the scenes. At the time of writing, the Steam Machine is yet to be priced, though rumours say it could cost as much as $1,000/£1,000.

It sounds extraordinary, but it actually makes a lot of sense considering the Steam Deck recently received one of the biggest price hikes we’ve ever seen for a console.

Whether it’ll have any impact on the Steam Machine’s price remains to be seen but it feels like a safe bet to make. Don’t forget the Steam Machine will come in a variety of bundles, including one packaged with a Steam Controller and one packaged with a Steam Controller plus Steam Frame.

The Steam Frame is a new VR set that will be compatible with both the Steam Machine and regular PCs. Like the rest of Valve’s hardware, its compatibility will vary from game to game.

It’s nice to know the Steam Machine is still on track to launch later this year but there are still so many unknown variables swirling around the device.

The price is going to either make or break it, as while it sounds like a good idea on paper, we don’t think anyone is going to want to pay more than an Xbox Series S for it, especially considering it’s not as powerful as the more advanced Xbox Series X.

READ NEXT: Steam's New Hardware Features Hilarious Easter Egg That'll Brighten Your Day