Valve rivals Xbox and PlayStation with new console

Valve, the corporate behind PC gaming platform Steam, has revealed a brand new console to rival Nintendo, Xbox and PlayStation.

The Steam Machine is a house console designed to permit avid gamers to play PC video games on their TV – although it will also be used as a pc.

It’s a non secular sequel to the 2014 system of the identical title, which didn’t break right into a market dominated by the three huge gaming giants.

Costs for these consoles, again then, began at $499 (£300) – however Valve’s newest iteration is anticipated to price a superb deal extra because it packs a far better punch.

The Steam Machine will go on sale in early 2026, the corporate mentioned, with the pricing but to be introduced.

The corporate says this and extra particulars can be supplied nearer to the precise launch date, which can also be presently unknown.

In a video announcement, it described the system as “a strong gaming PC in a small however mighty bundle” – with an honest quantity of energy inside a 6-inch dice.

Valve argues the system is “optimised for gaming” over different PCs as a result of the agency is ready to say which video games on its large digital storefront will work on it before you purchase.

Powered by its Linux-based SteamOS working system and AMD graphics processors, the agency mentioned the brand new Steam Machine can help 4k decision and 60 frames per second.

In an uncommon transfer, Valve has additionally introduced additional {hardware} – its Steam Body digital actuality (VR) headset.

The system is solely wi-fi – and it described it as a “streaming-first” system – however it’s also itself a PC working SteamOS.

And it brings a technical leap ahead within the VR area – the headset shows the highest-quality graphics solely within the bits of the display screen you are taking a look at.

With the sweeping new system bulletins, Valve is setting itself as much as rival its extra established opponents.

In recent times, Microsoft-owned Xbox has positioned its subscription service Recreation Move on the coronary heart of its providing for avid gamers – some say on the expense of its console crown.

In the meantime the PS5 has been the best-selling console for a while, however followers have been left asking when its successor will appear on the market.

Since Valve launched Steam in 2003, it has grown to grow to be the world’s largest distribution platform for PC gaming.

Round 25 million Steam gamers had been on-line and 6 million had been enjoying video games on the time of writing, in accordance with the platform’s personal metrics.