Valve reconfirms 2026 launch for Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller

Valve has clarified its release plans for the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller, reaffirming that all three devices are still on track for a 2026 launch despite high global hardware costs.

The details:

• As reported by The Verge, Valve has updated its 2025 year-in-review post after the original wording suggested a potential delay to 2027, now confirming that the company is still aiming to get all three devices on the market by the end of 2026. "We shared recently that there have been challenges with memory and storage shortages, but we will be shipping all three products this year," the company wrote. "More updates will be shared as we finalize our plans."
• Valve communications lead Kaci Aitchison Boyle also addressed the concerns directly in a statement to The Verge, stating that "nothing has really changed on our end" regarding the planned 2026 release window for the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller.
• Currently, there is a worldwide hardware shortage mainly impacting the cost of memory and storage, which has had knock-on effects in the gaming world. The shortage, prompted by the bulk purchasing of parts used to power rapidly developing AI technology and its servers, has resulted in PC and gaming companies considering raising the price of their systems, with reports that both Microsoft and Sony may hold off on launching the next generation of consoles by a couple of years.