December 6th 2024.
Valve, a popular game company known for its Steam storefront, has recently gained attention for its handheld console, the Steam Deck. And now, rumors are circulating that they may be planning to take another shot at creating a console equivalent. Despite being a major player in the gaming world, Valve has yet to make a significant impact in the hardware business.
In 2015, they attempted to enter the market with their Steam Machine concept, which involved gaming PCs running SteamOS. However, this attempt was met with failure and the Steam Machines were discontinued in 2018. But with the success of the Steam Deck, it seems that Valve is considering giving the concept another try.
The first signs of a new Steam system emerged on Reddit, with a user noticing an internal test for a device codenamed Fremont within the Steam Deck operating system. While the details are still unclear, there is speculation that this could be a new console. Brad Lynch, known for leaking information about Valve, has also shown support for these rumors, claiming that the manufacturer of the Steam Deck, Quanta Computer, has been involved in the development of this new device.
Further evidence was found in firmware updates, with mentions of "Fremont" and checks for a full-size HDMI Type-A port, similar to those found on other TV-focused consoles and desktop computers. Lynch believes this could be a home console that connects to a TV, but not a hybrid system like the Nintendo Switch.
In addition to a new console, there are also rumors of a new Steam Controller in the works, codenamed Ibex. Lynch claims that it is currently in production and even shared a low-quality render of the controller from Valve's SteamVR drivers. While nothing has been officially announced by Valve, it seems that they are at least experimenting with new hardware, which is not surprising given the success of the Steam Deck.
Valve is also said to be working on a standalone VR headset codenamed Deckard, but as they are known for starting new projects and not always following through with them, nothing is confirmed until it is officially announced. Interestingly, next year marks the 10th anniversary of when Valve announced the Steam Machines, Steam Link, and Steam Controller. Some speculate that this could lead to a wave of hardware announcements in 2025.
If this is true, the big question is whether or not new Steam Machines could compete in the current console market. With the PlayStation and Xbox consoles becoming more like PCs in terms of architecture, there is potential for Valve to make a significant impact by leveraging the connectivity to Steam and the vast library of games available on the store.
However, it's important to note that while the Steam Deck has been successful, it has not reached mainstream popularity. According to Valve, it has only sold "multiple millions" of units as of November 2021, while the Nintendo Switch has sold almost 150 million units. Only time will tell if Valve's new hardware ventures will be successful.
In the meantime, if you want to stay updated on any announcements from Valve, you can follow them on Twitter and sign up for their newsletter. And for those interested in submitting letters or features, there is a convenient Submit Stuff page on their website.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
