Last week saw Valve reveal a brand-new Steam Machine which aims to rival that of the latest PlayStation and Xbox consoles by offering PC gaming without the PC.
Arriving with “six times the horsepower” of the Steam Deck and giving players “the power to play your whole Steam library, including your favorite AAA titles,” the brand-new Steam machine is set to revolutionise gaming as we know it.
Announced just last week, Valve reveals that the Steam Machine will act exactly as a home console such as the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S but it will have access to your Steam library without the need of a PC.
That means you will not have to splash out for a top-of-the-range gaming PC but still have access to all of its games which is definitely this machine’s main selling point.
Not only that but this may just entice console-only users to make the leap and as a result, Sony may want to watch out.
With some users taking to r/Steam to say things like, “As an avid PlayStation player, I can’t wait for the Steam Machine”, it seems as though this new piece of hardware will be a major contender in the ongoing console wars.
“I have been an avid PlayStation player for a LONG time,” the user continued, “and after seeing the announcement of this new console Steam Machine, all I can say is I’m excited.”
Set to launch in early 2026, the Steam Machine is close to release and with it marking the first launch in the brand new PC/console hybrid genre that both Sony and Microsoft are reportedly tapping into, it will also make a perfect guinea pig.
The future of gaming
“I think every gamer should be excited for it even if they’re not in the market for it,” user Norbluth commented.
“We need a place like Valve doing this, showing these corporations that always answer to shareholders what it looks like to make products that empower and respect the fans.
Plus just having more options is always good.”
User narfjono agreed, adding, “As an avid Steam user, I actually can’t wait for an authentic PlayStation portable system akin to the Steam Deck (or Switch if we’re being honest).
All of my owned digital PS games via my account to be downloaded and played just like I’ve been doing with my Steam Deck, you betcha I would pay for that.”
Essentially serving as a mini PC with great specs, free online gaming, no hassle with setting up and offering more variety than the PlayStation library, it seems as though the Steam Machine is going to be hard to beat.
So it is perhaps no wonder that PlayStation fans are already feeling the hype.
