Steam Machine Release Pushed Back as Valve Reassesses Pricing Strategy

The launch of the Steam Machine has been pushed back, as Valve announced in a recent blog post, attributing the delay to the rising costs of computer components. So much for that early 2026 release prediction!

Valve first unveiled the Steam Machine, along with the Steam Frame VR headset and the Steam Controller, in November 2025, aiming for a 2026 launch. This console has the potential to revolutionize PC gaming by allowing players to access their entire Steam library from the comfort of their living rooms. However, Valve has yet to disclose any pricing details, leading to speculation about its cost, with a reader poll suggesting a price point of $599.

In the blog post, Valve explained, “When we announced these products in November, we planned on being able 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. The limited availability and growing prices of these critical components mean we must revisit our exact shipping schedule and pricing. Our goal of shipping all three products in the first half of the year has not changed.”

Valve has not yet responded to requests for further comments.

Additionally, the blog post provided some updates on the upcoming hardware. Game developers can now request Steam Frame dev kits, which are being distributed in limited quantities, indicating that the product is nearing market readiness. Valve also mentioned that most games tested on the Steam Machine run smoothly at the 4K 60 FPS standard typical of other home consoles. Furthermore, Valve plans to offer full support for third-party face plates.

There was no mention of Half-Life 3 in the blog post.