“Valve’s Steam Machine seems like a great option for those who want to get started with PC gaming but don’t want the full experience that a console offers.” In Valve’s mind, this new system is aimed at gamers looking for a compromise: the power of a gaming PC, without the complexity that comes with it.
This type of ready-to-use machine can appeal to an audience who, until now, have never dared to take the plunge into PC gaming. “It’s just simpler.” Unlike the sometimes labyrinthine configurations of mounted PCs, the Steam Machine is intended to be accessible, intuitive and ready to connect to your television like a classic console.
A machine designed for the living room, but not without limits
Some users, already equipped with a Steam Deck and a TV adapter, are wondering about the real usefulness of this new machine. “I already own a Steam Deck, with the TV adapter, and have had a good time with it, but the setup is a bit fiddly and it can’t run all the games I want to play.”
It is precisely on this point that Valve seems to want to make the difference: to offer a more powerful, better optimized, and above all less restrictive alternative than the Steam Deck. However, one detail gives rise to concern. “Based on Valve’s comments, it appears that the Steam Machine has a similar verification system, which is both confusing and worrying, especially since no pricing has been announced yet.”
The game verification system, a headache in perspective?
As with the Steam Deck, games available on the new machine will be classified into three categories: Verified, Playable or Unsupported. Problem: even with a more powerful machine, there is no guarantee that all titles are fully compatible.
And that could be a game-changer for many potential buyers. “My desire to buy one would diminish considerably if I discovered that the majority of games I want to play on it are merely playable rather than verified by Steam Machine.”
While the estimated price is close to €700, the equivalent of a PlayStation 5 Pro, the question of complete compatibility becomes crucial. Difficult to invest such a sum in a device which, ultimately, would not guarantee a smooth experience across the entire Steam catalog.
A vague target, between PC and console players… and doubts
The Steam Machine is currently struggling to clearly define its audience. For PC players, the interest seems limited if they already have a powerful configuration. For console gamers, the promise is attractive… but double-edged. “Why risk owning a device that doesn’t support the games you want to play, when your current console can?”
Valve still maintains the mystery around the release date, the officially “Verified” games and the final price. If the machine lives up to its promises, it could become a new hybrid standard. But as long as the gray areas persist, cautious waiting remains in order among gamers.