Valve’s Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller were first announced back in November, with hopes for an early 2026 launch. However, due to ongoing shortages in memory and storage, shipping has been delayed. Valve has stated that it will update pricing and launch dates soon, as the market is changing rapidly.
In a recent post, Valve explained, “We planned to share specific pricing and launch dates by now. But the memory and storage shortages you’ve likely heard about across the industry have rapidly increased since then.” This highlights how the rising costs of critical components are forcing them to reassess their plans. Despite these hurdles, Valve remains committed to launching all three products in the first half of the year.
During early previews, Valve was somewhat vague about pricing—a crucial factor for competing with consoles. They’ve mentioned aiming for entry-level prices for the Steam Machine and keeping the cost of the Steam Frame below their previous headset, the Index, which retailed for $999. Meanwhile, the Steam Controller will be competitively priced with other high-end controllers.
However, just days after the announcement, it became clear that pricing would be a challenge due to surging RAM costs. Industry reports have shown RAM prices have soared, with many gamers witnessing price hikes of two to four times. AMD CEO Lisa Su noted in a recent earnings call that Valve is on track to ship its AMD-powered Steam Machine soon, but it’s evident that unforeseen challenges remain.
Recent trends have shown that tech companies are increasingly impacted by material shortages. Research from the International Data Corporation indicates that global semiconductor sales are projected to grow, especially for gaming hardware. This could suggest a potential recovery for supplies in the coming months, though it remains to be seen how that will affect price stability.
For gamers and tech enthusiasts alike, this situation reflects a larger issue in the industry, as companies navigate shortages and fluctuating costs. What started as an exciting rollout has turned into a complex market challenge. Let’s hope Valve’s perseverance pays off and that consumers find value in these new products once they’re finally ready.
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