Valve Says Steam Deck 2 Is Getting Closer, but Still Not Ready Yet

The Steam Machine is officially ready to launch, but that hasn’t stopped fans from wondering how close Valve is to unveiling the long-awaited Steam Deck 2. Speaking to IGN ahead of today's Steam Machine review, Valve’s engineers hinted that the Steam Deck 2 is closer than ever, but that they still haven’t seen the “generational leap” they’re waiting for to make a second-generation Deck worth it.

“I'd say we're closer than we were the last time we talked,” said Valve Engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais. “We’re definitely getting there.”

For those keeping track, Griffais told us Valve has a “pretty good idea” of what Steam Deck 2 is going to be in November of last year, and reiterated they were “hard at work” when we spoke ahead of the Steam Controller launch earlier this year. In the time since then, a new generation of handheld gaming processors hit the market – the new Intel Arc G3, which will launch in the $1,799 MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, as well as a handful of other Windows-based handhelds in the coming weeks.

The Arc G3 is a powerful chip to be sure, but it still wasn’t enough to move the needle for Valve. “I would say that the new chips that are coming out are still in power envelopes that are not quite the right segment that you'd want for a true handheld experience,” Griffais said. “I think a lot of them are more low-end laptop chips or playing in that sort of form factor that are then repurposed for handhelds and maybe not leading to, I guess the trade-off that we would've chosen in terms of power and better life and that and all that.”

In other words, there’s likely enough power in the chips coming out these days, but they wouldn’t be able to hit those numbers while also maintaining the kind of battery life that Valve wants to see in its next-generation handheld. Of course, the ongoing RAM crisis is likely a factor as well, and it’s no surprise that Valve would prefer to wait until supply – and prices – return to more normal levels on that front before committing to putting out a new handheld, especially if it hopes to launch at or near the original price point of the Steam Deck, which itself recently saw a significant price hike.

All that said, Griffais was clear that a Steam Deck 2 is still in the works. “We're working towards our next gen for sure,” Griffais said. “We'll definitely be talking about that in the coming years, but right now we're focusing on Machine.”

What to Expect from the Steam Deck 2

While Valve hasn’t given away specifics, the company is clearly working on a successor to the Steam Deck. The Steam Deck 2 is expected to bring a number of improvements over its predecessor, including:

  • A more powerful processor for better performance
  • Enhanced battery life for longer gameplay sessions
  • A redesigned form factor for improved ergonomics
  • Better thermal management to prevent overheating
  • Possible integration with the upcoming Steam Machine platform

These improvements are likely to make the Steam Deck 2 a more competitive option in the handheld gaming market. However, Valve is taking its time to ensure that the next-generation device meets their high standards.

The Road Ahead for Valve and the Steam Deck

Valve’s focus on the Steam Machine is a sign that the company is still committed to expanding its presence in the gaming industry. While the Steam Deck 2 is still in development, the company is making progress toward its release. The Steam Machine is a crucial step in this journey, and it will be interesting to see how it performs in the market.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, Valve is clearly working to stay ahead of the curve. The Steam Deck 2 is just one part of this broader strategy, and fans will be watching closely to see what the future holds for the company’s handheld gaming lineup.