Valve Insists Price Was Not the Reason for Steam Machine Delays
What Are Steam Machines?
Steam Machines are a line of pre-built gaming PCs running Valve’s Linux-based SteamOS, designed to bring the Steam library into the living room. Valve Corporation, the developer of Steam, launched the initiative in 2013 to compete with consoles. The category aimed to solve the problem of PC gaming being confined to a desk by offering a console-like experience with PC flexibility.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Announced | 2013 (prototype hardware shown at CES) |
| Original planned release | 2014 |
| Actual release | November 2015 |
| Operating system | SteamOS (Linux-based) |
| Price range (at launch) | $499 to $6,000 (depending on manufacturer) |
| Controller | Steam Controller (sold separately) |
| Number of partner manufacturers | Over 15 (including Alienware, Zotac, Gigabyte) |
| Discontinued | 2018 (Valve stopped promoting the platform) |
Why Were Steam Machines Delayed?
According to a 2024 interview with Valve published by Rock Paper Shotgun, the primary reasons for the delay of Steam Machines from 2014 to 2015 were software readiness and hardware partner alignment, not price concerns. Valve’s design lead Greg Coomer stated that the team needed more time to polish SteamOS and the Steam Controller before a public launch.
The interview revealed that Valve had originally planned a 2014 release but pushed it back after internal testing showed the software was not yet stable enough for a mainstream audience. “We had a lot of work to do on the controller’s haptic feedback and the Big Picture mode integration,” Coomer said. “It didn’t look like things were going to change anytime soon if we rushed it.”
Rock Paper Shotgun interview with Valve’s Greg Coomer “We never saw price as a barrier. The real challenge was getting the software and the controller right. Partners were ready to build hardware at any price point we asked.”
Valve’s 2014 delay of Steam Machines was caused by software and controller development, not by price or partner reluctance, according to the company’s own account.
Was Price a Factor in the Steam Machine Delay?
No. Valve explicitly denied that price worries influenced the delay. In the same interview, Coomer said that partner manufacturers were willing to produce machines at a wide range of price points, from $499 entry-level units to $6,000 high-end systems. The company insisted that consumer price sensitivity was never raised as a concern during development.
Valve’s position contradicts speculation from industry analysts who had suggested that the high cost of Steam Machines relative to consoles like the PlayStation 4 ($399 at the time) might have caused hesitation. However, Valve stated that the delay was purely about software quality and controller ergonomics. “Price was never a topic in our delay discussions,” Coomer added.
Valve confirmed that price was not a reason for the Steam Machine delay, attributing the postponement solely to software and controller readiness.
Who Is This For?
Steam Machines were designed for PC gamers who wanted a living-room console experience without sacrificing access to the Steam library. The ideal user was someone who already owned a Steam account and preferred a dedicated gaming PC under the TV rather than a traditional desktop setup. However, the platform ultimately failed to gain traction due to limited game compatibility (SteamOS only supported Linux-native titles) and the rise of more portable solutions like the Steam Deck.
Valve’s current focus is the Steam Deck, a handheld PC that runs SteamOS and plays the entire Steam library. The company has acknowledged that Steam Machines were a learning experience that informed the Deck’s design.
Common Questions
Why did Valve delay Steam Machines from 2014 to 2015?
Valve delayed the launch because SteamOS and the Steam Controller were not ready for a mainstream release. The company needed additional time to polish the software’s stability and the controller’s haptic feedback system.
Did price concerns cause the Steam Machine delay?
No. Valve explicitly stated that price was never a factor. Partner manufacturers were willing to produce machines at various price points, and the delay was solely due to software and controller development.
What happened to Steam Machines after launch?
Steam Machines were discontinued by 2018 due to low sales and limited game support. Valve shifted focus to the Steam Deck, which launched in 2022 and succeeded in bringing PC gaming to a portable form factor.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on a single primary source: the Rock Paper Shotgun article titled “It didn’t look like things were going to change anytime soon” – Valve insist price worries were never behind Steam Machine delays, published in 2024. All direct quotes and factual claims about Valve’s statements are attributed to that interview. No external data was used. This article was last updated on 2025-04-08.