Valve has finally revealed the pricing of its Steam Machine, a compact gaming console designed for PC gamers. At $1,049 for a 512GB model and up to $1,349 for a 2TB variant, it competes with consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X but comes at a higher cost.

According to Valve, these prices reflect the true cost of components, without subsidies. The company is steadfast in its belief that open systems are superior, as evidenced by PC gaming’s history of innovation. By not subsidizing hardware, Valve wants customers to choose based on their needs rather than being locked into a closed ecosystem.

Lawrence Yang from Valve explained that the cost of the Steam Machine includes only the components and manufacturing expenses, while Pierre-Loup Griffais noted that the company is aiming for as close to these costs as possible. The launch was also affected by the component shortage, with Valve expecting to produce around two-thirds of their original plan.

While the Steam Machine may not appeal to budget-conscious gamers, it aligns with Valve’s vision of promoting open-source innovation in gaming. This approach could set a precedent for how gaming hardware is priced and marketed in the future.