Valve really isn't budging: Steam Machine and Steam Frame are still 'shipping this summer,' it insists
Despite ongoing challenges in the hardware space, Valve has reaffirmed its commitment to launching Steam Machine and Steam Frame this summer. The company made the announcement alongside the expansion of its Verified program, which officially goes live today. This update signals that Valve is not backing away from its ambitions in the gaming hardware sector, even as global supply chains face significant strain due to increased demand and rising component costs.
Expanding the Verified Program for Broader Compatibility
The Verified program is designed to categorise Steam games based on their performance on Valve hardware and compatibility with Proton, a tool that allows Windows games to run on Linux. Initially introduced with the release of Steam Deck, the program is now being expanded to include the new hardware initiatives. At GDC, we learned more about these changes, but the key takeaway remains clear: if a game runs well on Steam Deck, it will likely run well on Steam Machine as well.
Developers are being encouraged to use the Steam Deck to test compatibility with Steam Machine, as Steam Frame dev kits are already available but Steam Machine dev kits are not. According to the Steamworks documentation:
“Steam Machine dev kit units are not currently available. The best way to ensure compatibility on Steam Machine is to work on your title's compatibility with Steam Deck. If your game runs well on Deck, it will also run well on Machine with no extra work required from you.”
The Hardware Development Dilemma
Steam Deck dev kits were made available to studios ahead of its February 2022 launch, while Steam Frame dev kits are now in the hands of developers. The lack of Steam Machine dev kits might suggest that Valve is carefully managing its access to components, given the ongoing scarcity in the AI industry’s demand for DRAM and NAND memory. These shortages have led to significant price increases across the board, with even the Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 seeing dramatic price hikes in 2026.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Valve had decided to delay its hardware projects, but that’s not the case. Instead, the company remains focused on delivering its products, even if it means navigating a more expensive landscape.
The Cost of Hardware in 2026
While Valve hasn’t officially set a price for Steam Machine, it’s becoming increasingly clear that it won’t be an affordable option. In late 2025, PC Gamer’s hardware editor Jacob Ridley predicted a $529 price tag for a 512GB model. However, by February 2026, he had revised that estimate upwards to around $899, and with the situation worsening since then, the final price is expected to be even higher.
As Lawrence Yang from Valve told PC Gamer in May, the situation is a shared challenge across the industry:
“You know, it's unavoidable that it will impact basically anything we make that has any of those parts in them. So we're doing our best to make sure that we can make the product and have it still available at as good and competitive a price as we can. But yeah, it's challenging for sure.”
The PC Gaming Show returns on Sunday, June 7 at 12 pm PDT. Visit the show’s Steam page to wishlist your most anticipated games and get more information on how to tune in for the big reveals.
