Valve has finally detailed the launch plan for its Steam Machine, with reservations now open for the SteamOS-powered PC. After extended periods of anticipation and concerns over component availability, the company has confirmed pricing and implemented a randomized reservation system for initial orders. The system is designed to mitigate the impact of reseller bots and ensure a fairer distribution of limited initial stock, similar to the process used for the Steam Deck.
Steam Machine Pricing and Configurations
The Steam Machine will be available in several configurations. The base model, featuring a 512GB SSD, is priced at £879 / $1049 / €1039. A bundle including the 512GB model and a Steam Controller costs £938 / $1128 / €1108. For users seeking more storage, a 2TB SSD configuration is available for £1149 / $1349 / €1359, with a bundle including the Steam Controller priced at £1208 / $1428 / €1428. These prices reflect the broader industry trend of increased hardware costs due to component shortages.
Reservation System Details
Prospective buyers can sign up for a reservation between now and June 25th at 6pm BST / 10am PT. Following this period, Valve will conduct a random draw to determine the order in which reservations are fulfilled. Those selected will receive an email notification to claim their order. This method aims to prevent a scramble during a fixed launch window and is a departure from traditional first-come, first-served sales. While the sale will continue after the 25th, new sign-ups will enter a conventional order queue.
The current component availability issues have impacted the planned initial stock for the Steam Machine. Despite the elevated prices, Valve anticipates that the initial units will sell out quickly. The company has acknowledged the challenging market conditions contributing to these costs and the complexities of the ordering process, which have been discussed in further interviews.