Valve is once again drawing attention to home gaming by announcing a new version of the Steam Machine and an updated Steam Controller. The company promises a unique combination of the simplicity inherent to gaming consoles and the power of PC solutions. The main question remains open: can these devices breathe new life into the living room gaming format by combining convenience, high performance, and customization freedom? How does Valve's current approach differ from previous attempts, and why has the company decided to return to this market right now?
The living room is rightfully the room where we all want to be after a hard day at work. Moreover, the value of this room is not only in the sofa, but also in modern technologies that significantly expand the entertainment functionality of the space.
Modern technology has changed even such a familiar pastime as watching TV. Streaming services or YouTube have taken the place of TV channels. And thanks to phones and smart TVs, we not only watch sports matches but also simultaneously place bets on the outcomes of games.
It is not surprising that in recent years there has been a significant increase in the popularity of online betting companies. This applies to all kinds of sports—from popular baseball to exotic cricket. We were surprised when find here the data on the popularity of IPL betting apps. It turns out that dozens of bookmakers offer such opportunities. Apparently, this is related to the arrival of a large number of Indian residents in the USA. And most of these bookmakers have convenient apps for betting from phones or TVs.
But the most popular device combination in the living room is rightfully the TV and console. The success of the PS5, Xbox Series S, and Nintendo Switch 2 has attracted other companies from the video game market. After all, people really enjoy playing on the couch in the comfort of their own living room.
Not long ago, video game fans were faced with the need to choose between a safe and simple console or a complex but more powerful and flexible gaming PC. Consoles offered convenience and a user-friendly interface but limited users within closed ecosystems and fixed specifications. Gaming PCs provided maximum performance and freedom but required a separate workspace and were often quite bulky.
Valve's attempt to enter the home device market in 2015 with the first Steam Machine did not become a revolution. Limited support, inconvenient controllers, and tough competition from PlayStation and Xbox prevented the project from gaining mass popularity. According to NPD Group analyst Mat Piscatella, only the synergy of convenience and openness can change the balance of power in the industry. It was the success of the portable Steam Deck, which demonstrated the demand for powerful devices in unusual form factors, that inspired Valve to make a new attempt.
The new Steam Machine embodies the idea of a compact and stylish device for the living room. The case is made in the form of a cube with a side length of six inches, the surface is matte, and the front panel can be quickly replaced thanks to magnetic mounting. The built-in LED strip not only decorates the device but also informs about processes: system status, loading, updates.
The technical internals deserve special attention. Inside is an AMD Zen 4 processor and RDNA3 graphics, which, according to Valve, allow you to run modern games at 4K and 60 frames per second with FSR enabled. The Steam Machine comes with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 8GB of video memory, and as permanent storage, SSDs of 512GB or 2TB are offered, with the possibility of expansion via microSD card. The built-in power supply saves space in the living room, and the cooling system ensures almost silent operation even in demanding games, as confirmed by the company's tests.
The model supports DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 interfaces for connecting to TVs and monitors with resolutions up to 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 240Hz. On board are five USB ports, gigabit Ethernet, and a Wi-Fi 6E module. A distinctive feature is the integrated wireless adapter: users can connect up to four Steam Controllers and even turn on the device right from the couch. The Steam Machine runs SteamOS—a special Linux-based operating system focused on gamepad control. Importantly, Valve does not restrict users: if desired, you can install any other operating system or additional applications, which confirms their statement about the fundamental openness of the platform.
The updated Steam Controller has absorbed all the experience Valve has accumulated over years of working with controls on the Steam Deck. The gamepad is equipped with two full-size magnetic sticks, two square trackpads, standard buttons, and four additional buttons on the back panel for quick access to game functions without taking your fingers off the main controls.
The key innovations lie in the use of TMR technology for the sticks. This technology is based on magnetoresistive positioning and provides high sensitivity and durability. Each stick supports touch control, which allows for gyroscopic aiming—a mechanism by which you can move the aim in the game by tilting the gamepad. Grip Sense technology automatically activates the gyroscope as soon as you pick up the controller, making the process as natural as possible.
The trackpads support pressure sensitivity and haptic feedback—tactile feedback helps you control the game precisely, even if the project is designed for a mouse. The controller connects via a unique radio module-stand, which also serves as a charging device and provides a connection latency of no more than 8 milliseconds. Connection options include Bluetooth and USB-C, and the stated battery life exceeds 35 hours. One radio module supports up to four gamepads, which is convenient for multiplayer home parties.
The Steam Input system opens up wide possibilities for customization: the user can remap each button, change sensitivity, and select the level of haptic feedback. According to Valve's technical director, the new controller's capabilities make playing projects of any genre comfortable, from shooters to VR experiments.
The launch of the new Steam Machine and Steam Controller marks the formation of a full-fledged Valve ecosystem, which also includes the Steam Deck and Steam Frame VR. By purchasing one of these devices, the user automatically gains access to a common platform where settings, profiles, game saves, and even control methods are synchronized. All devices support cross-platform functionality—you can start a game on the Steam Machine, continue on the Steam Deck, or use the controller for a VR game.
Valve notes that the main goal of this approach is to allow players to freely move between different form factors without losing familiar functionality and personal settings. For gamers, this means easy save sharing, shared libraries, and the integration of new technologies, including augmented and virtual reality.
At first glance, the new Steam Machine looks attractive compared to modern consoles and mini-PCs. The device combines the flexibility of a PC, power, customization, and ease of launching games, as well as the absence of a rigid attachment to a single platform. However, competition with PlayStation and Xbox remains extremely high. Uncertainty with support for some games, the need for integration with the SteamOS ecosystem, and questions about promoting the Linux platform may become serious barriers.
Digital entertainment market expert Alexey Kuznetsov notes that Valve's success will depend on support from third-party developers and a quick response to user feedback. He adds: "Valve has already shown a willingness to experiment, but now it is important for them to ensure stable service operation and convince gamers of the advantages of the new ecosystem." The question remains open: are you ready to try a new format of living room gaming and replace your familiar console with a more flexible alternative?