Steam Machine might release sooner than expected – Valve receives massive shipment of "game consoles"

Valve Steam Machine – close-up on light blue background — (Image credit: Valve)

Quick Summary

Valve has reportedly imported 50 tonnes of "game consoles" which could be complete Steam Machine units entering the US for the first time.

That could mean we'll hear more on release and pricing details soon.

Valve released its all-new Steam Controller yesterday and it sold out in minutes – reaffirming the interest in its next-generation hardware. Hopefully, new stock will be available soon, but there's some extra news in the meantime that could be of interest.

According to The Verge, Valve has taken delivery of around 50 tonnes of what is described as "game consoles" on leaked import documents. And it suggests that the containers are filled with Steam Machine models or Steam Frame VR headsets, not renewed stock of the Steam Deck.

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It is claimed that each container has a different weight signature than those used for Steam Deck shipments in the past. However, before we all get too excited, it's worth noting that Steam Machines and their included Steam Controllers and parts would weigh considerably more that Steam Decks, and therefore 50 tonnes of them would actually result in around 20,000 units.

That's not a lot for a global release.

Hopefully, there will be more making their way to Valve in the coming weeks, and we don't have a situation where the new PC-based console sells out as quickly as the controller. And scalpers don't end up ruining yet another new console launch.

Time will tell, but for now it's a positive indication that Valve could make good on its promise to get the Steam Machine out this year – maybe this summer. And considering the ongoing spectre of the RAM crisis, with AI centres still gobbling up every chip like its candy, that's better than we could realistically expect.

Personally, I've built my own Steam Machine from a Mini PC, which runs on Bazzite and gives me 1080p gaming at decent frame rates. I'm just hoping more stock of the Steam Controller arrives soon to enhance it.

Rik is T3’s news editor, which means he looks after the news team and the up-to-the-minute coverage of all the hottest gadgets and products you’ll definitely want to read about. And, with more than 35 years of experience in tech and entertainment journalism, including editing and writing for numerous websites, magazines, and newspapers, he’s always got an eye on the next big thing.

Rik also has extensive knowledge of AV, TV streaming and smart home kit, plus just about everything to do with games since the late 80s. Prior to T3, he spent 13 years at Pocket-lint heading up its news team, and was a TV producer and presenter on such shows as Channel 4's GamesMaster, plus Sky's Games World, Game Over, and Virtual World of Sport.