It’s no secret that Valve is “arduous at work” on Steam Deck 2 – its devs have mentioned as a lot each time I’ve requested that query over the past a number of years, and their plans for a sequel have been clear from the beginning.
The crux of the message has all the time been that Valve is ready for the correct know-how with a purpose to current a real “generational leap” in efficiency. The unstated a part of that, in fact, is that Valve is ready for not simply the proper degree of efficiency, however the right efficiency to cost ratio that may make Steam Deck 2 a viable product.
Within the time for the reason that Steam Deck initially launched, a lot of different, extra highly effective handheld gaming PCs have come to market – all at average to considerably increased costs. In different phrases, the efficiency could be there now, however the worth isn’t.
It could be a fear, then, that the RAM disaster that has pushed up {hardware} costs – the whole lot from graphics playing cards to gaming consoles to the Steam Deck itself – would impression Valve’s plans for a tool so delicate to part prices just like the Steam Deck 2.
Fortunately, Valve says its plans haven’t modified. My colleague Jackie just lately sat down with Valve software program builders Pierre-Loup Griffais and Jeff Leinbaugh, they usually had a reassuring reply to her query about whether or not the continuing RAM scarcity has impacted Valve’s plans.
“Not likely,” mentioned Griffais. “We have talked earlier than about how we need to ensure there is a very delineated efficiency enchancment for one thing like a future Steam Deck, and I believe we’re nonetheless taking a look at it in the identical method.
“It is only a matter of trying on the present circumstances and seeing how and after we can ship one thing like that. However from what we’re engaged on, so far as the person expertise goes and what the product that we’re making an attempt to construct goes, it’s totally related targets.”
To me, that seems like Valve’s goal hasn’t modified, however the timeline may need. As I mentioned earlier than, it’s all about discovering the proper worth to efficiency ratio the place a brand new Steam Deck would make sense.
Then again, the Steam Machine and Steam Body have proven that Valve isn’t afraid of merely passing increased part costs alongside to the buyer. However on condition that Steam Deck demand has reportedly cratered attributable to its ballooned worth, as much as $789 for the 512GB OLED mannequin that beforehand value $549, I’ve to imagine that Valve is in no hurry to push out an overpriced Steam Deck 2.
Within the meantime, there’s no scarcity of Valve {hardware} available on the market, as the corporate’s 2026 slate of gadgets are lastly all out within the wild. For extra on that, remember to take a look at our overview of the Steam Body, in addition to why there’s no new Half-Life recreation.
Bo Moore
Senior Supervisor, Tech
Bo Moore is IGN’s Senior Supervisor of Tech. You’ll find him on-line @usebomswisely.