The price of Valve's Steam Machine could deter potential console purchasers.

      The outlook for Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine appears grim.

      Valve has increased the price of the Steam Deck significantly, which raises concerns for those anticipating the release of the Steam Machine.

      The 512GB Steam Deck OLED is now priced at $789, up from $549, while the 1TB OLED model has jumped from $649 to $949. Valve attributes these hikes to rising memory and storage expenses driven by the current AI trend. Recently, a known Valve leaker provided an unfavourable update for those waiting for the Steam Machine.

      Challenges concerning the Steam Machine's pricing

      In a recent post on X, leaker Brad Lynch mentioned that he had received a price estimate for the Steam Machine about two months ago. While he did not disclose an exact figure, he indicated that it would likely exceed the pricing of the Steam Deck.

      "Take this with a grain of salt, as it was just whispers I heard. But two months ago, I was told a figure for Valve’s projected starting price for the Steam Machine, which was still higher than the current Steam Deck prices," Lynch tweeted.

      If this information holds true, the Steam Machine could easily surpass the $1,000 threshold. Some unverified online speculation even suggests it could be priced around $1,200 or more. At that price point, Valve’s compact Linux-based gaming device would face tough competition. The price of Sony’s PS5 stands at $649.99 in the U.S., while the PS5 Pro is priced at $899.99. If the Steam Machine is priced higher than both, simply having SteamOS and access to Steam's extensive PC game library may not suffice to attract buyers.

      Can Valve afford to subsidize it?

      The situation for Valve is complicated by the fact that console consumers are accustomed to competitively priced hardware. Sony and Microsoft can sell consoles with thinner profit margins or even at a loss, as the actual profit comes later from game sales, accessories, and subscription services. This cheaper entry point is a key reason behind the success of consoles.

      Valve is entering this market at possibly the least opportune time. As memory and storage costs surge, even major console manufacturers are grappling with pricing stability. Recently, Sony raised prices across the PS5 range, with the PS5 Pro, initially launched at $699.99 in November 2024, now costing $899.99.

      Although Valve benefits from Steam’s extensive game library, it lacks a subscription model akin to PlayStation Plus or Game Pass to rely on. Unless it can absorb some of the Steam Machine’s hardware costs, the device may find it challenging to attract mainstream console gamers. A Steam box priced over $1,000 might appeal to PC enthusiasts, yet it would be a tougher sell for gamers comparing it directly to a PS5 or PS5 Pro.

      ---

      I have around four years of experience primarily focused on gaming, PC hardware, and smartphones. During my free time, I enjoy...

      Acer unveils the Predator Atlas 8 gaming handheld featuring metal fans. Let’s hope the price isn't exorbitant.

      Acer’s Predator Atlas 8 is a handheld that clearly indicates it’s not playing it safe. It appears to directly challenge the current trend of gaming portables like the ROG Ally and Steam Deck, albeit with an intriguing twist: it includes a metal cooling fan within the handheld device. This detail is thought-provoking. Either Acer has made significant advancements in thermal engineering for portable PCs, or it’s introducing a costly way to increase your energy bills.

      Under the hood, the Atlas 8 is powered by Intel’s latest Arc G-Series platform, promoting the notion of "PC-level gaming you can actually carry." It can support Intel Arc B390 graphics with ray tracing capabilities, along with XeSS 3 AI upscaling. The goal is to deliver smoother frame rates without compromising battery life or visual quality drastically. It’s the same promise that modern handhelds offer—albeit with more confidence in its hardware.

      ---

      You should check out Marathon before others decide for you.

      Marathon's free week is an excellent opportunity to experience Bungie's ambitious new offering.

      Marathon has evolved into a title where the chatter surrounding it often outweighs the game itself. This new extraction shooter comes from Bungie's extensive development background and the legacy of Destiny 2. Amid speculation about layoffs following the conclusion of Destiny 2, some players have prematurely deemed Marathon representative of everything wrong with live-service gaming. Yet, many of these assessments come before these players have even attempted to extract once.

      With Bungie announcing its first Open Play Week, now is the ideal time for many to engage with Marathon and form their own impressions.

      ---

      Nintendo might become the most intriguing battleground for Call of Duty in 2027.

      A rumored cover image has raised skepticism, while claims about a Switch 2 indicate a potential return of Call of Duty to Nintendo.

      A purported leak of Modern Warfare 4 cover art is circulating online, with the