Valve announced on Thursday that its highly anticipated Steam Machine and Steam Frame hardware will launch sometime this summer. The launch window reveal came as an unexpected part of the brand’s latest Steamworks Development update, confirming the expansion of Steam’s Verified program to include both the Steam Machine home console and Steam Frame VR headset.
“Today we are expanding the Verified program to include Steam Machine and Steam Frame, both of which are shipping this summer,” Steam’s message starts. “As with Steam Deck Verified, the goal is to help customers understand the out-of-box experience for a given title on these new devices, and how smoothly a game will run with no user work or configuration required.”
Steam’s lengthy statement continues, assuring players and developers that Steam Machine verification processes “are nearly identical” to that of Valve’s popular handheld system, the Steam Deck. “Long story short: If your game already runs well on Deck, it will also run well on Machine with no extra work required from you. And if it doesn’t run great on Deck because of CPU or GPU performance, it may still run great on Machine. If you have games like this, you don’t have to take any action: We’re already testing every title on Machine that fell below our performance requirements on Deck.” Steam also included technical information for game developers hoping to optimize projects for the new system.
Conversely, the Steam Frame has its own Verified program. In the Steamworks Development update, Valve says that “the Steam Frame Standalone Verified program focuses on the experience customers will have with the device out-of-the-box in standalone mode.” Valve adds that, aside from standalone mode, Steam Frame Verification criteria are pretty similar. “[T]he default graphics configuration needs to perform well, text and UI elements need to be clear and legible on the built-in display, and the default controller configuration needs to work well with the Steam Frame Controllers. The same test criteria apply to both VR titles and non-VR titles.” Additionally, Steam included information for devs regarding Steam Frame optimization.
Steam’s comprehensive update closed with some Partner Dashboard updates. “In addition to updating Steamworks Documentation to include developer info for Steam Machine and Steam Frame, today we’re updating the Partner Dashboard to include Verified test info for Steam Machine and Steam Frame.
“On your dashboard you’ll see new tabs for Steam Machine and Steam Frame alongside Steam Deck Verified. Many titles have already been tested, and you may see Verified results for either or both of the new devices.”
Fluctuating tech prices fueling fans’ Steam Machine cost concerns
Valve revealed its Steam Machine and Steam Frame virtual reality headset in November 2025 alongside an updated version of the Steam Controller. The Machine, a black, boxy mini-PC designed to resemble traditional home gaming hardware, will run Linux-based SteamOS. The Controller hit shelves and digital retailers last month for $99, leaving fans wondering when the powerful new mini-PC would launch.
We now know when to expect the system, but consumers are gritting their teeth ’til they get cost confirmation. Consumer tech prices continue to ebb and flow as component costs climb with no signs of slowing. Just nine days ago, Steam announced that its Steam Deck OLED was back in stock, but for 40% more than it previously sold for. The Steam Deck OLED 512GB, once available to U.S. consumers for $549, is now listed at $789; Valve’s Steam Deck OLED 1TB price jumped from $649 to a staggering $949.
In its pricing announcement, Valve confirmed the only thing changing about the Steam Deck OLED is its cost. “Steam Deck itself hasn’t changed; these new prices reflect the current state of component costs and other global logistical challenges across the industry as a whole.”
