The New Steam Machine Is Going to Hurt Your Wallet, According to Linus Tech Tips
We all knew the new Steam Machine wasn't going to be cheap, but I didn't expect the confirmation to hurt this much.
During a recent livestream, Linus Sebastian of Linus Tech Tips shared a story about his time with Valve that has the entire internet spiraling. While discussing the upcoming hardware, he mentioned a specific interaction where the topic of "console pricing" came up. When he told Valve that he hoped the device would hit the magic $500 mark, the sweet spot that makes the PS5 and Xbox Series X so attractive, the reaction was apparently less than enthusiastic.
The Silence Was Deafening
According to Linus, the room went cold. "Nobody said anything, but the energy in the room wasn't great," he admitted during the stream. You can watch the full clip here. That kind of silence speaks volumes. If they were targeting $500, they would have smiled or nodded. Silence usually means "oh you sweet summer child, add another $300 to that."
The implication here is that Valve is treating this strictly as a PC. Unlike Sony or Microsoft, who are happy to sell you a box at a loss because they know they will bleed you dry with subscription fees and $70 games for the next seven years, Valve seems unwilling to subsidize the hardware cost. They want to make money on the unit itself, which means we are likely looking at a price tag that rivals a mid-range gaming laptop rather than a console.
The Community Is Already Fighting
The reaction to this clip has been swift and divided. The Reddit thread discussing the clip is sitting at a chaotic 2.7k upvotes and 1.5k downvotes, proving that nobody knows how to feel about this. The comments paint a picture of anxiety, with many users calling a potential $700+ price point a "no man's land". It is too expensive for the casual console crowd but arguably underpowered compared to what a PC enthusiast could build for a little more cash.
Some users pointed out that without the subsidy of a closed ecosystem, a $500 price point was always a pipe dream. Others are already calling it "DOA" if it launches above $600, noting that the average consumer isn't going to care about "open platforms" when they can just buy a PS5 Pro for less.
My Take
If this thing lands at $799, it is going to be a hard sell for anyone who doesn't already worship at the altar of Gabe Newell. I love the idea of a console-like experience that I actually own, but my wallet has limits. We will have to wait for an official announcement, but if Linus's read of the room is accurate, you might want to start selling some CS:GO skins now.
Credit to the youtube video from Linus Tech Tips.