Accessory maker Dbrand has been forced to discontinue its popular "Companion Cube" accessory for Valve's Steam Machine after the company failed to secure the necessary licensing for the iconic Portal intellectual property. The product, which had become the second-fastest selling item in Dbrand's 15-year history, was abruptly removed from sale following a request from Valve's legal team.
Dbrand acknowledged that Valve's actions were entirely within their rights, stating that the company was "direct, fair, and respectful throughout" the process. The company has since "eviscerated" all mentions of the accessory from its website and social media, and all pre-orders are being refunded. It remains unclear why Dbrand proceeded with the product's launch without first securing a partnership or license from Valve for the use of the Companion Cube likeness.
The development of the accessory was reportedly a passion project for Dbrand. The company invested significant resources, including redesigning the product multiple times to ensure a precise fit for the Steam Machine and renting a university campus for its launch video. Dbrand admitted to losing money on each $99 "Poverty Cube" sold, a decision seemingly made to align with the hype surrounding Valve's hardware and even referencing Half-Life 3 rumors in promotional materials. The company expressed that it "regret[s] that decision for a very long time."
Despite the premature end, creators who received early versions of the accessory were reportedly impressed. Tech YouTuber Tyler Price described it as "easily one of the most detailed products they’ve made and probably one of the coolest tie ins for gaming i’ve seen in such a long time." Another commented that the accessory had now become a "Collector’s Item."
This is not the first time Dbrand has engaged in a public dispute over console accessories. Following the launch of the PlayStation 5, the company provoked Sony into a legal discussion regarding its custom black faceplates. It remains to be seen if this incident will follow a similar pattern of social media engagement or if the Companion Cube accessory will receive another opportunity.