In the initial announcement of its intriguing Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller hardware back in November, Valve had projected a release in early 2026. Some industry insiders were even told to expect a launch in the first quarter of that year. However, due to ongoing challenges with memory and storage supply, the company has pushed the launch to the first half of this year. Valve has also promised to update cost expectations at the earliest opportunity.

Valve recently addressed these delays in a new statement, explaining, “We intended to release specific pricing and launch dates by now. However, the memory and storage shortages affecting the industry have intensified significantly. The scarcity and rising costs of these vital components necessitate a reevaluation of our shipping timeline and pricing, particularly concerning the Steam Machine and Steam Frame.”

Despite these setbacks, Valve remains committed to introducing all three products within the first half of the year. The company acknowledges the need to establish firm pricing and release dates, all while considering the volatility surrounding these factors.

During a preview session with The Verge and other publications, Valve was non-committal about pricing, which is crucial for determining whether these devices will compete with gaming consoles or PCs. From the outset, Valve indicated that the Steam Machine would be priced closer to the entry-level PC market. As for the Frame, the aim was to price it below their previous headset, the $999 Index. Meanwhile, the Steam Controller was expected to be competitively priced against other advanced input controllers.

However, shortly after Valve’s announcements last November, it became evident that competitive pricing would be challenging, given the surge in RAM prices. Valve told Tom’s Hardware that setting a price was difficult due to the volatile market and escalating memory costs. By early 2026, PC gamers witnessed RAM prices soar, even quadrupling, as manufacturers diverted their resources to more lucrative AI server markets.

On a recent earnings call, AMD CEO Lisa Su mentioned, “From a product standpoint, Valve is on track to start shipping its AMD-powered Steam Machine early this year.” Her words suggest that while the product itself is ready, other factors might be influencing the timeline more than anticipated.