Accessory maker Dbrand has introduced a new line of customizable skins for Valve's Steam Machine, presenting them as a "backup plan" after its initial Companion Cube-inspired design was reportedly developed without Valve's explicit permission and confined to a test chamber.
The newly unveiled skins offer a variety of aesthetic choices for the Steam Machine console. Among the most premium options are the "Touch Grass" skin, which features a fuzzy texture, and a "Real Black Leather" wrap, both priced at $60. Other designs include more complex patterned wraps starting around $43, and single-color skins available for approximately $35. One notable design highlighted features an all-over marbling effect, playfully named "Cotton Candy."
While the designs offer distinct visual customization, Dbrand's marketing copy for the skins has drawn some criticism. The brand employs acerbic humor, describing the wraps as "Thin—Unlike you," and making jokes about hair loss in its descriptions of the skins' thickness, which is noted as being about two hair's breadth. The company also uses phrases like "dbrand: it's like getting away with murder" in reference to the product's residue-free removal.
Beyond aesthetics, the Steam Machine skins are advertised as being scratch-proof. Dbrand asserts that their application and removal will not leave sticky residue on the console, facilitating easy changes or replacements. For users who purchased the Steam Controller, Dbrand also released a range of similar skins for the controller in April, allowing for a matching aesthetic.
For those seeking alternatives to commercial skins, Valve has made the CAD files for the Steam Controller and its accompanying Puck publicly available. This move offers an opportunity for users interested in 3D modeling and printing to create their own custom designs.