Valve has finally set a release window for its long-awaited Steam Machine PC and Steam Frame VR headset, announcing that both devices will launch this summer. The company shared this update in a recent blog post, expressing excitement for players to experience their titles on the new hardware.
The initial announcement of the Steam Machine and Frame, alongside the new Steam Controllerwas made late last year, with Valve initially targeting an early 2026 release. However, the ongoing memory and storage crunch led to revisions in the pricing and shipping plans. In February, Valve acknowledged these challenges and later confirmed in March that all three products would ship this year, despite an earlier statement suggesting a 2026 release.
Steam Controller Released Ahead of Schedule
Valve decided to release the Steam Controller separately, making it available for purchase in early May. While the term ‘summer’ is not a precise date, it does narrow down the potential release window for the Steam Machine and Frame.
Preparing for Launch: Verified Programs and Store Redesign
Ahead of the launch, Valve is busy redesigning the Steam store and providing information about the Verified programs for the new hardware. These programs aim to ensure that games are optimized for the Steam Machine and Frame, similar to the verification process for the Steam Deck.
Steam Machine Verification Requirements
For the Steam Machine, the verification requirements are ‘nearly identical’ to those of the Steam Deck. Given that the Steam Machine is ‘roughly six times as powerful’ as the Deck, Valve expects many more games to be verified for it. The company is also testing every title on the Machine that did not meet performance requirements on the Deck.
Steam Frame Standalone Verification
The Steam Frame’s verified badge will indicate games that run well natively on the headset, as opposed to those streamed to the headset. Valve emphasizes that the Steam Frame Standalone Verified program focuses on the out-of-the-box experience in standalone mode.
As the summer release date approaches, gamers are eagerly awaiting more details on the exact release dates and pricing for the Steam Machine and Frame. With recent price hikes for the Steam Deck, there is speculation about potential sticker shock for these new devices.
