Valve Revamps Gaming Experience with New Steam Machine and Controller
In a bid to revamp its gaming experience, Valve has announced a new Steam Machine and Steam Controller that aim to bring PC gaming into living rooms. The devices are set to be released in early 2026, offering users the ability to play PC games on their TVs in a console-like experience.
The Steam Machine is essentially a compact PC running Linux-based SteamOS, boasting impressive specs that rival those of high-end gaming PCs. With a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU and a semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 GPU, this device can deliver 4K gaming at 60 FPS with FSR (Frame Rate Scaling). This means users will be able to enjoy smooth gameplay without the need for powerful hardware.
What sets the Steam Machine apart is its ability to stream more demanding games to devices like the Steam Deck or any other device running Steam Link. This feature opens up new possibilities for gamers, allowing them to access a wider range of titles and play on various platforms.
The accompanying Steam Controller takes center stage with its innovative design. Valve has integrated trackpads into the controller, offering users a wireless gaming experience that rivals traditional PC gaming setups. The controller also supports sticks, face buttons, grip buttons, triggers, bumpers, gyro controls, and customizable input methods per game. Profiles can be shared among friends, adding an element of social interaction to the gaming experience.
The new Steam Controller works seamlessly across multiple devices, including the Steam Deck and upcoming Steam Frame VR headset. Valve has also included a charging dongle that doubles as a wireless transmitter for optimal connectivity.
While details on pricing are scarce at this point, early hands-on experiences suggest that the Steam Machine and Steam Controller will be competitively priced with equivalent PCs and game controllers. Given their impressive specs and innovative features, these devices could offer exceptional value to gamers willing to invest in a premium gaming experience.
With the release of the new Steam Machine and Steam Controller looming on the horizon, gamers can look forward to enhanced entertainment options that bridge the gap between PC gaming and console experiences.
In a bid to revamp its gaming experience, Valve has announced a new Steam Machine and Steam Controller that aim to bring PC gaming into living rooms. The devices are set to be released in early 2026, offering users the ability to play PC games on their TVs in a console-like experience.
The Steam Machine is essentially a compact PC running Linux-based SteamOS, boasting impressive specs that rival those of high-end gaming PCs. With a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU and a semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 GPU, this device can deliver 4K gaming at 60 FPS with FSR (Frame Rate Scaling). This means users will be able to enjoy smooth gameplay without the need for powerful hardware.
What sets the Steam Machine apart is its ability to stream more demanding games to devices like the Steam Deck or any other device running Steam Link. This feature opens up new possibilities for gamers, allowing them to access a wider range of titles and play on various platforms.
The accompanying Steam Controller takes center stage with its innovative design. Valve has integrated trackpads into the controller, offering users a wireless gaming experience that rivals traditional PC gaming setups. The controller also supports sticks, face buttons, grip buttons, triggers, bumpers, gyro controls, and customizable input methods per game. Profiles can be shared among friends, adding an element of social interaction to the gaming experience.
The new Steam Controller works seamlessly across multiple devices, including the Steam Deck and upcoming Steam Frame VR headset. Valve has also included a charging dongle that doubles as a wireless transmitter for optimal connectivity.
While details on pricing are scarce at this point, early hands-on experiences suggest that the Steam Machine and Steam Controller will be competitively priced with equivalent PCs and game controllers. Given their impressive specs and innovative features, these devices could offer exceptional value to gamers willing to invest in a premium gaming experience.
With the release of the new Steam Machine and Steam Controller looming on the horizon, gamers can look forward to enhanced entertainment options that bridge the gap between PC gaming and console experiences.