Valve has made the CAD design files for the Steam Machine's exterior publicly available, allowing users to create custom modifications. The files are released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license, which permits sharing and adaptation for non-commercial purposes.
These files are primarily intended to assist users in creating custom front plates for the Steam Machine. However, Valve acknowledges the potential for more extensive user modifications. As noted by Pierre-Loup Griffais, an engineer at Valve, any damage incurred during modification will not be covered by the device's warranty. This disclaimer is also included in the readme document accompanying the design files.
The release follows Valve's prior distribution of CAD files for the Steam Controller. While the Steam Machine has seen limited availability and a high price point since its release, the availability of these design files could spur a wave of third-party accessories and aesthetic changes. It remains to be seen what kinds of custom designs will emerge, but the possibility of unique creations, such as a "GabeCube" inspired by the classic Nintendo GameCube, has been speculated.
Previously, companies like dbrand, which specializes in device skins and wraps, had to halt plans for a Portal-themed modification due to licensing issues. The new Creative Commons license for the Steam Machine exterior files ensures that any derivative works cannot be legally sold.