Valve’s recent announcement of its lineup of new hardware included the company’s first console-like device, the highly anticipated Steam Machine, a reveal that has the gaming industry buzzing. Because the Steam Machine isn’t technically a console and is functionally a PC, it’s reportedly going to have a high price tag, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
In a SkillUp interview (via YouTube) with Valve software engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais, he stated that “if you build a PC from parts and get to basically the same level of performance, that’s the general price window that we aim to be at.” This indicates that Valve isn’t cutting any corners when it comes to performance and quality on its upcoming not-technically-a-console Steam Machine.
The Steam Machine Won’t Come Cheap
Given the specs provided on Valve’s Steam Machine, it appears players are going to be facing a hefty price tag when the not-a-console eventually releases. According to Griffais, it would “be pretty competitive” with a high-quality PC built from parts, indicating the cost could be significantly higher than consoles like PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series S/X. “It’s more in-line with what you might expect from the current PC market,” he says, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
This higher cost ostensibly comes with equally high value and performance. “Our goal is for it to be a good deal at that level of performance,” he says, further iterating that the Steam Machine will have capabilities and features no other PC on the market can accomplish, such as an extremely low noise level, HDMI and CEC functionality, and more.
While the Steam Machine’s high cost may ostracize and price out a certain portion of gamers, quality appears to be of the highest importance to Valve and its team of engineers working on the hardware. It’s a great sign of what’s to come, and it’s also worth noting that the actual cost of the Steam Machine has yet to be revealed, and while the high price point is likely, it remains speculative.
It’s A Sign Valve Isn’t Cutting Corners
Valve hasn’t come out and verified that the Steam Machine is going to cost an arm and a leg, but it’s definitely clear that the company is not cutting any corners. The design philosophy around the Steam Machine seems to be to approach it with a quality PC-focused mindset, and with that comes some very promising possibilities in terms of capabilities and performance, especially compared to consoles on the market.
The Steam Machine is the best of both worlds in terms of console vs. PC, which is something Valve’s competitors have yet to master. Assuming the Steam Machine launches the way Valve is describing it, players have a lot to be excited about, even if it ends up being very expensive.