Valve has up to date its web site to acknowledge that prospects in some areas are struggling to purchase a Steam Deck “due to reminiscence and storage shortages.”
Memory is in excessive demand as a result of corporations like Nvidia and Google require a lot of it for his or her AI chips, with a current CNBC report stating that these corporations “are the primary ones in line for the parts.” This has already pushed up RAM costs for client electronics, and has had a knock-on influence on each console retail costs and availability.
Now, acknowledging a components scarcity that’s delaying the construct and cargo of its Steam Deck handhelds, Valve has confirmed earlier rumors of a provide difficulty, admitting the hand held could also be “intermittently” out of inventory in some international locations.
“Steam Deck OLED could also be out-of-stock intermittently in some areas due to reminiscence and storage shortages,” the corporate has now added to its Steam Deck store page. “Steam Deck LCD 256GB is not in manufacturing, and as soon as bought out will not be accessible.”
The identical difficulty has additionally scuppered Valve’s plan to launch its Steam Machine in early 2026. When the Steam Machine was first introduced again in November 2025, Valve instructed that the console-like PC would launch within the first quarter of this 12 months, however the firm now says that as AI shortages which can be inflicting PC {hardware} to spike in worth, it wants extra time to nail down the value and launch date for the Steam Machine and Steam Body. You’ll be able to learn our first impressions of Valve’s new console-like gaming PC proper right here.
This follows information yesterday that the AI-fueled chip disaster has reportedly upended Sony and Nintendo’s console plans, too, and could trigger a delay to the discharge of the PlayStation 6 and a worth rise for the Change 2.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, in addition to a critic, columnist, and advisor with 15+ years expertise working with a few of the world’s largest gaming websites and publications. She’s additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually Excessive Chaos. Discover her at BlueSky.