Valve has stated that the pricing for Steam Machines will be "quite competitive" when compared to similar PCs

Valve, the prominent name in PC gaming, has expressed its intention to ensure the newly revealed Steam Machine offers a "good deal" regarding pricing.

During an appearance on the Friends Per Second podcast by Skill Up, Valve's software engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that although the company hasn't settled on a price yet, they aim to provide value that matches the performance customers can expect from the Steam Machine.

Griffais mentioned, “We are aiming for a similar price range that one would incur when assembling a PC with comparable performance.” He emphasized Valve's aspiration to maintain competitiveness while refining price estimates amidst market volatility.

When questioned if Valve plans to absorb some costs to make the Steam Machine more affordable, Griffais clarified that the company intends to align its pricing strategy with the existing PC market trends.

"We wish to deliver a compelling offer at this performance level," shared Griffais, underscoring the unique aspects such as compact design and low noise level, which challenge DIY PC builds.

This strategic approach resembles Valve's release history, as seen with the Valve Index, which started at $999 without considerable price reductions, contrasting with competitors' tactics. Similarly, the Steam Deck had a competitive launch price, although the company president, Gabe Newell, considered it a challenging decision without incurring losses.

In addition to the Steam Machine, Valve announced two other hardware products earlier this November: the Steam Frame VR headset and the Steam Controller gamepad.

Running on a Linux-based SteamOS akin to the Steam Deck, the Steam Machine promises performance six times greater than its handheld predecessor, with a scheduled release in 2026.