The Steam Machines

Valves’s Hardware Dreams

With the announcement of the Steam Deck, Valves challenge to the Nintendo Switch, It might be prudent to go back and see how Valve has fared historically when it has tried to enter the console and hardware market. PC gamers who make often use of Steam may be reminded of certain projects but may be completely oblivious to other historical entries in the Steam Ecosystem.

People may not know that Valve’s entry into the hardware market came with its initial declaration of war nearly 9 years ago. During the year 2012, Valved exclaimed to the world on their website “There is a lack of innovation in the current computer hardware market… The Market has been filled with emptiness, and groundbreaking user experiences are overlooked.” Let us take a moment and look back to see how Valve has approached this void in the consumer experience.

Their most well-known entry into the hardware market was the Steam Machine and Steam Controller. Two separate projects with the former being essentially a rebranded PC that ran the Linux-based SteamOS and the latter being Valves approach at ergonomic controller design. To put it plainly, these were both abysmal failures. To put it plainly, the Steam Machine could not compete with the console market and the PC market in both price and functionality. The performance was all over the place since there were many different manufacturers, you had models from Origin, Asus, Gigabyte, Alienware, Zotac, and more, all big names in the consumer PC prefab market each with their own prices and specifications. In fairness, the diversity in specifications allowed many steam machines to be sold at a cheaper price, however, one of the big challenges it ran into is that it held no tangible advantage over prefab PCs or consoles in terms of how much bang you could get for your buck when it came to the hardware inside the product. Moreover, the biggest disadvantage of the Steam Machine was mentioned previously, the fact that it ran on a Linux-based OS. On the Steam Market Place in the year 2021, the number of games that can run on Linux is a small proportion of the platform's catalogue, with many fantastic games available. However, if we go back to the initial debut of the Steam Machine that was not the case. There was essentially a drought of content for a very long time until game developers started slowly adding Linux support to their games. Eventually, Steam Machines started coming out with Dual SteamOS and Windows capabilities, but the damage was done by then. Ars Technica even said seven months after the Steam Machines' initial debut that the product was “dead on arrival”.

Two other devices came with the Steam Machine, the Steam Controller and the Steam Link. The Steam controller also ended in abject failure. Its biggest issue is that it did not pull consumer interest, and according to market researchers, the average user had determined that the controller just looked far too complicated. Additionally, Valve lost a lawsuit where they were accused of infringing on the patent of the hardware manufacturer SCUF which just stacked further losses on the project.

However, on the bright side, the Steam Link device was a great success for the company. It was basically a small device that allowed gamers to stream from their PC to their TV. Its only real limitation, as with most game streaming services and devices, is the user’s network’s bandwidth and latency. However, despite its success, they discontinued the product after it had become outdated. As this was Valve's first foray into video game streaming, it gave them critical experience and feedback to develop and implement Steam Remote Play which has been among Valve's best additions to the Steam Platform in recent history.

Valve's other hardware projects include the technically stunning Valve Index, which despite its expense compared to competitors is a fantastic addition to the VR marketplace. Constrained only by supply chain issues, this device has been acclaimed by VR hardware reviewers and users alike. The device was so popular that in January 2020, Valve had announced that the device was sold out in 31 out of 32 countries the product was being sold in. With VR being a constantly growing and innovative arena in the gaming market, the Valve Index feels very much like it is pushing the bar for comfort and technical ability in the gaming space.

And now we come to Valve's first portable console, the SMACH Z. Yes there was a portable console planned before the Steam Deck and unfortunately, the SMACH Z despite its long and dedicated development ended ineffective failure before launch with the manufacturer filing for bankruptcy in May of 2021. And while technically it wasn’t approved by Valve as being a Steam Machine, it is very clearly a precursor to the Steam deck. And while I was honestly excited for the SMACH Z, their release delays and constant fundraising made the project feel like it was never coming out. It will forever exist in my heart and remain on this list as an honourable mention.

So Like the Smach Z and Steam Machine’s before it, what will the fate be of the Steam Deck? Will it end in abject failure? Is it destined for Doom?

…Nah

I’m not a fortune teller, but the Valve that started their entry into the hardware space is a different Valve to today. I think closer to the release date we will get a better picture, but for this product to succeed, they need to prove to the consumer that the Steam Deck is worth their hard-earned money. I think that their comparatively short experience in the hardware marketplace has taught them a lot of hard lessons and granted great success that I hope they have applied to the production, distribution, and sale of this product. I think it shows promise, and so too do the Scalpers on eBay.

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