Valve has stated that the Steam Machine will impose "fewer constraints" compared to the Steam Deck when it comes to game verification

Valve, a major player in the PC industry, has indicated that game developers will face "fewer constraints" for platform verification on the Steam Machine compared to the Steam Deck. In a discussion with Game Developer, designer Lawrence Yang mentioned that developers anticipating the 'Steam Machine Verified' initiative can expect increased latitude in comparison to the company's handheld device.

The Valve representative clarified, "A straightforward guideline is that if your game is Verified on Steam Deck, it will also be Verified on Steam Machine."

Regarding the Steam Frame virtual reality headset, Yang mentioned that the verification process might differ, stating that Valve plans to engage in thorough testing and consultation with developers to ensure the process is properly executed.

Before the Steam Deck's launch, Valve introduced the Steam Deck Verified program, which informs users about game compatibility on the hardware. The program categorizes games as verified, playable, or unsupported. Verified games run smoothly, playable titles may exhibit minor issues, and unsupported games cannot be played for various reasons.

In November, Valve revealed three new hardware products. The Steam Machine is designed as a compact PC, the Steam Frame is a virtual reality headset, and the Steam Controller marks Valve's second venture into gamepad design. Release dates and pricing for these items remain unspecified.

On the Friends Per Second podcast, following the Steam Machine's unveiling, Pierre-Loup Griffais, Valve's software engineer, remarked that the company has not set an internal price for the hardware yet, although it aims to provide a "good deal." He said, "If you were to assemble a PC using individual components to reach a similar performance level, that’s the pricing range we target."

"Our goal is to be competitive and offer a favorable deal. We are currently working to refine this, but it's challenging to determine an accurate price due to various fluctuating factors," Griffais added.