Steam Machine delays are frustrating, but Valve could release the controller now

I'm disappointed by the continued hold-up around the Steam Machine. I had hoped the mini PC would shift how we play in the same way the Steam Deck did, and at this point I'd even welcome getting the new Valve controller early. The real risk of withholding a firm price or release date is that the Steam Machine will drift back into vaporware.

That’s what happened the first time around: third-party models by Dell emerged, but the core concept faded. Keeping the conversation alive may require staggering releases, and launching the controller separately could help. Delays make DIY solutions more likely, and homemade boxes have been on my mind.

More players seem to be adopting hybrid living-room setups, and placing Valve’s new controller into those environments could soft-launch the idea of upgrading to a dedicated mini rig later on. Putting the Steam gamepad in the hands of PC and console users now would signal confidence in Valve hardware.

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