Steam Week in Review: Once positioned as mainstream-friendly PC gaming solutions, can Valve's hardware survive the memory crisis?

Last week, PC Gamer's Andy Edser published an article discussing a significant decline in Steam Deck sales. Though the presented numbers may not be entirely accurate, they highlight the growing concern surrounding Valve's hardware and its uncertain future. In 2018, Valve co-founder Gabe Newell donated a substantial amount of money to OpenAI, potentially leading to unforeseen ramifications on Valve's hardware plans.

The Steam Deck OLED's price soared in May, with the 1TB model increasing from $649 to $949 and the 512GB option rising from $549 to $789. Valve cited the rising costs of components and logistical challenges across the industry as the reason for these price hikes, which consequently transformed the once affordable entry-level PC gaming solution into an expensive item for only a select few.

Simultaneously, the Steam Machine faced substantial challenges, including a high price tag and extreme supply shortages. Despite its initial promise, the machine has become the biggest casualty of the RAM crisis, with its minimum price now exceeding $1,049. Consequently, its launch has been rather subdued, and even Valve's compatibility module has yet to be updated to acknowledge the Steam Machine's existence.

Steam's top-selling games chart, updated weekly, still lists the Steam Deck among its top products, albeit with a higher average price than average games. However, the Steam Machine's future prospects appear bleak, as it seems unlikely to make a lasting impact on the industry.