Valve Prices Steam Machine Video Game Console Above $1,000, Citing Component Shortage

June 22, 2026 - 17:36

Valve Corp. has finally announced pricing for its long-awaited Steam Machine, a cube-shaped video game console that will start above the $1,000 mark. The company cited ongoing volatility in the cost of memory, solid-state drives, and other key components as the primary reason for the high price point and the device's delayed release.

Originally slated for a late last year launch, the Steam Machine faced multiple setbacks as global supply chain issues drove up manufacturing costs. Valve confirmed that the final retail price will exceed $1,000, a figure significantly higher than initial projections. The console is designed to run PC games from the Steam library directly on a living room television, using a custom operating system and controller.

In a statement, Valve explained that fluctuating prices for DRAM and NAND flash storage made it impossible to lock in a lower price earlier. The company also noted that the high-performance hardware required to run modern games at acceptable frame rates contributed to the final cost. While some analysts had hoped for a price closer to $500, Valve insisted that the current pricing reflects the reality of the component market.

The Steam Machine is expected to ship in limited quantities starting next quarter. Pre-orders will open soon, though Valve warned that initial stock will be constrained by the same supply shortages that pushed the price upward.