Steam marked its 23rd anniversary on September 12, 2026, with the storefront still the default market for PC game releases. Valve's hardware line is now the active story: the Steam Frame VR headset went on sale September 15, while the Steam Machine and Steam Controller remain restock-driven in Japan through distributor KOMODO.
Valve's storefront turned 23 on September 12, 2026, having launched on September 12, 2003 as an update delivery system for Valve's own games before expanding with Half-Life 2 in 2004 and third-party distribution in 2005. The anniversary arrives in a year when the volume of games on the platform has grown faster than the money they make. Steam released 9,265 new games in the first five months of 2026, up from 7,862 a year earlier, while first-half revenue from new releases fell by 390 million dollars year on year, according to GameDiscoverCo data cited at Summer Game Fest 2026.
Valve's hardware line has become the more active story. The Steam Frame VR headset went on sale September 15 in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong through KOMODO STATION, at 199,980 yen and 244,980 yen in Japan for the 256GB and 1TB models. Reviews praised the 440g fit but found the headset cramped with glasses, and a Valve review program listed titles as playing comfortably on Frame that reviewers could not get to launch. The Steam Machine, a compact SteamOS PC launched June 23, has sold out repeatedly in Japan at 189,980 yen for the 512GB model, with restocks on July 17 and August 18 also moving fast. The Steam Controller, launched May 5 at 17,800 yen, sold out quickly and has been restocked through a system that failed once under traffic.
Outside hardware, Steam's coverage this year runs in unrelated directions: a 12TB leak of legacy Steam2 files on August 29, Nexus Mods taking over SteamDB operation on September 2, and a court dismissing both claims in the Steam Pilots dispute after Makuake refunded backers.
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Valve revised the Steam Subscriber Agreement for Japan on April 20, adding a clause that funds added to the Steam Wallet expire if unused within 6 months of the date of addition. The change appears tied to Japanese prepaid payment rules that exempt instruments with a 6 month expiration. Credits are sold from 500 yen, and it is unclear whether existing balances are covered or when the display will appear.
KOMODO, the Japanese distributor for Steam hardware, will restock the Steam Machine compact gaming PC and the Steam Frame wireless VR headset on KOMODO STATION at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Four models are included in the resale: the Steam Machine 512GB and a Steam Machine 512GB bundle with the Steam Controller, plus the Steam Frame 256GB and Steam Frame 1TB. Steam Frame prices are 199,980 yen for the 256GB model and 244,980 yen for the 1TB model. Steam Machine, a roughly 16-centimeter square SteamOS desktop with a semi-custom AMD CPU and GPU and FSR 4.1 support, went on sale in Japan on June 23, 2026. Steam Frame, a VR headset and controller system built around Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 16GB of RAM, released on September 15, 2026. Both products have repeatedly sold out immediately after each restock on KOMODO STATION.
Level-5 published a Tokyo Game Show 2026 event report and released demo play videos for four titles: Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, Holy Horror Mansion, Snack World RELOADED, and DecaPolice. The booth, the company's largest, showed playable demos of all four and drew visitors from Japan and overseas, with original goods as bonuses. The Layton demo runs to Professor Layton and Luke meeting inventor Egg Muffin.
Tokyo Game Show 2026 runs at Makuhari Messe from September 17 to September 21, and Professor Layton and the New World of Steam is exhibiting at the Level-5 booth for the third consecutive year. The demo lets visitors take on three puzzles, all of them built by the quiz group QuizKnock. One puzzle becomes easier with the memo function, another rewards observation, and the last, presented by the new character Egg Muffin, leans on sudden inspiration. A Hint Coin detection mode, activated with the minus button, helps players find coins for hints, with Coin Der-kun pointing the way. The demo starts inside the Egg Muffin Workshop, a building whose exterior is lined with countless doors. The game is a sequel set one year after Professor Layton and the Last Time Travel and is scheduled for release on December 10, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Steam.
Valve released the Steam Frame, its official Steam VR headset, on September 15, 2026. In Japan it is sold by KODOMO, at 199,980 yen for the 256GB model and 244,980 yen for the 1TB model. The headset weighs 440g with the head strap, lighter than the Meta Quest 3 at 515g and the PICO 4 Ultra at 580g, and puts the battery at the back of the head. Reviewers consistently praised the fit. PC Gamer said hours of wear left no marks on the face, and The Verge rated the comfort above any headset it had tried. The Steam Frame runs an Arm-based Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with Steam OS, and can stream from a PC wirelessly through an included 6GHz adapter with foveated streaming. Glasses wearers fared worse. CNET called the fit extremely cramped with glasses, and found the Quest series more compatible.
KOMODO began selling Valve's Steam Frame on September 15 in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong through the online store KOMODO STATION. The wireless VR headset and controller system ships in two models: 256GB at 199,980 yen and 1TB at 244,980 yen in Japan, with Taiwan prices at NT$38,888 and NT$47,888 and Hong Kong at HK$9,388 and HK$11,388. The headset runs SteamOS on a Snapdragon 8 series processor with 16GB of RAM, carries two 2160x2160 LCD panels per eye at refresh rates from 72Hz to 144Hz, and uses four monochrome cameras for tracking. Supported titles run standalone without a PC, and the included 6GHz wireless adapter streams both VR and non-VR games from a gaming PC. Sales at authorized retail stores are undecided, and KOMODO plans a Korea release with timing to be announced.
Valve's PC storefront Steam marked its 23rd anniversary on September 12, 2026, having launched on September 12, 2003. It began as a delivery system for updates to Valve's own games, then expanded with Half-Life 2 in 2004 and third-party distribution in 2005. Over time the platform's user base grew alongside releases such as Portal, Team Fortress 2, and Left 4 Dead, and PC games shifted from packaged sales to digital distribution.
Steam released 9,265 new games in the first five months of 2026, up from 7,862 a year earlier, according to GameDiscoverCo data cited at Summer Game Fest 2026. Yet first-half Steam revenue from new releases fell by 390 million dollars year on year. Titles disclosing generative AI use now account for around a third of monthly releases, and most earn only hundreds of dollars.
Level 5's Professor Layton and The New World of Steam will launch December 10 worldwide for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. The release date came with a new trailer shown during Nintendo Direct, and Level 5 confirmed pricing at 7,920 yen in Japan. Mouse support is included on all versions except Switch. The game had been slated for the previous year before a delay. It is set after Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, in Steam Bison, the American town Luke Triton moved to and from which he invited Layton to visit. Yo Oizumi returns as Layton, and Mio Imada voices Luke. The cast also includes Riho Yoshioka, Mahiro Takasugi, Shinya Kote, Koichi Yamadera, Akio Otsuka, and Micaela Wako Sato. Quiz Knock handled the puzzles. Joe Hisaishi composed the theme song performed by Lilas. The previous entry was Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire's Journey, which launched in July 2017.
Nexus Mods, the major PC game mod distribution site, announced on September 2 that it has taken over operation of SteamDB, the unofficial Steam database. SteamDB co-founder xPaw confirmed the move, saying he had been seeking a partner to take over the project for years. SteamDB began in 2013 as a hobby project by xPaw and Marlamin, who later left, leaving xPaw to run the site almost alone. He described the workload as equivalent to a full-time job and said his passion faded through the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of AI, leaving him close to burnout. He chose Nexus Mods because he judged it shared SteamDB's identity and community values. Nexus Mods stated that SteamDB will remain an independent service, keeping its name, brand, and community, and that all currently free features will stay free, with no ads planned and no Nexus Mods account required. The company plans to invest in SteamDB's infrastructure, security, and scalability, and to use SteamDB's historical data on game builds and updates to improve mod compatibility checks, though those features are still at the concept stage. xPaw will support the transition over the coming months.
On August 29, 2026, more than 12TB of game-related files were made public online, an archive drawn from Steam2, Valve's legacy content delivery system that operated from roughly 2003 until the migration to SteamPipe in 2013. Data miner Gabe Follower stated the files came from a public API and involved no hacking, suggesting Valve had accidentally left the data accessible. The exact origin remains unclear; Valve Cut Content moderator CrazyBubba told Ars Technica the archive may be a user's collection that was only now released. The leaked contents include early builds, update histories, and in-development assets for Valve titles such as Portal 2, Left 4 Dead, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Half-Life 2: Episode Three, which Valve cancelled. Notable finds include unused Portal 2 dialogue and models, a "bullet time" mechanic, and data for F-Stop, an unreleased Portal prequel. Third-party games also appear, with early builds reported for Call of Duty, Resident Evil, Sonic the Hedgehog, Mirror's Edge, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Dragon Age: Origins, and SPORE. Polygon noted the archive is so large that the full scope of prototypes and pre-release content is impossible to grasp. Valve had not responded to requests for comment as of writing.
On August 28, developer ganma_cat released a major update to the free browser quiz game SteamCue, adding a new mode called Image Wolf. The multiplayer deduction party mode follows the Word Wolf style, where players must find the WOLF who sees a different image. The update also includes a Daily Challenge mode, weekly rankings, and overhauls to existing modes.
Video from Airbus's Mars simulation facility, Mars Yard, shows a Steam Deck being used to manually operate a rover unit called Codi. The footage, published on Nebula, shows influencer Tom Scott controlling the rover with the handheld during a tour. Airbus uses the facility to test self-propelled Mars rovers in a reproduced Martian environment.
RENGAME announced a new game for the anime 'Keroro Gunso☆', airing fall 2026. Titled 'Keroro Gunso☆ Hachamecha TV Show ~Shoukin Getto Daisakusen de Arimasu!~', it is a casual mini-game collection for Nintendo Switch and Steam. It launches in December 2026 for 1,800 yen. The main visual and teaser PV were released August 26.
KOMODO announced the next Steam Deck OLED shipment for Japan will arrive around 10:00 a.m. on August 25. The restock covers the 512GB and 1TB models, sold through KOMODO STATION with a one-unit-per-person limit. Demand remains strong despite June price hikes of roughly 40,000 to 50,000 yen.
KOMODO, the official distributor of the Steam Machine in Japan, announced on August 14 that it will restock the device at KOMODO STATION starting around 10 a.m. on August 18. The restock covers two models: the Steam Machine - 512GB at 189,980 yen and the Steam Machine - 512GB + Steam Controller bundle at 204,980 yen. Purchases are limited to one unit per person, and the start time may shift. The Steam Machine is a compact gaming PC running SteamOS, equipped with a semi-custom AMD CPU and GPU, and supports up to 4K gaming with FSR 4.1 upscaling. It has 16GB DDR5 RAM and 8GB GDDR6 VRAM. Sales began in June and sold out quickly despite the high price. A restock on July 17 also sold out fast. The 2TB models, priced at 249,980 yen and 264,980 yen, remain out of stock and are not part of this restock. KOMODO advises creating an account in advance and following its official X account for updates.
Reddit user PhyFawkes is building a Game Boy-sized Steam Deck called SteamBoy. The custom casing holds the motherboard, battery, speakers, buttons, sticks, and trackpads, though the grip is gone. A small fan and heatsink handle cooling. The remaining work is a custom adapter for a VR AMOLED display, which requires BIOS changes. A demo video showed the device running Slay the Spire 2 on an external monitor.
A Steam Deck owner on Reddit rigged the handheld with a spiked cover, a camera, a speaker, and a servo-driven taser to stop family members from borrowing it without charging the battery. The mod runs on a Raspberry Pi and triggers a warning audio clip before the taser activates.
KOMODO, the official distributor for Valve's Steam Controller in Japan and Taiwan, has announced that sales will resume on August 4 at 10:00 AM Japan time. The resale follows a failed restock on July 23, when heavy traffic caused a system failure that suspended sales. The controller, which launched in Japan on May 5 and sold out within hours, has remained sold out despite earlier restocks. The upcoming sale will include the same one-unit-per-person limit as before, and KOMODO has introduced SMS authentication as a measure to handle demand. The Steam Controller is priced at 17,800 yen and will be sold at KOMODO STATION in Japan. Valve has stated that demand for the controller has far exceeded expectations, and new orders are scheduled to ship in 2027. The restock covers both Japan and Taiwan, with the July 23 attempt also including South Korea and Hong Kong. Whether the August 4 sale proceeds smoothly remains to be seen, given the previous system failure.
Valve has announced the current status and rules for Steam Machine reservations, stating that overseas users who have reserved the console should be able to complete their purchase procedures by the end of 2026. The Steam Machine has been out of stock since its launch at the end of June. To process orders, Valve is sending emails with purchase procedures to users who have reserved, after randomizing the order. The company explained that launches starting at a specific date and time tend to favor bots, people with fast internet connections, and those who can adjust their lives to that time, so accepting reservations over several days and eliminating any first-come, first-served element aims to remove as much of the hurdle to purchasing as possible. For users on the waiting list, Valve stated they will not overtake users who have reserved, and they can only reserve after the reservation queue for their region's product has been processed to the end. Depending on the product, some waiting list users may be moved up to a reservation slot, and they will receive an email with purchase procedures when their turn in the random queue comes. In Japan, KOMODO STATION handles sales and does not use this system; orders are taken as soon as the store page is accessible, with stock information posted on their official X account.
Independent developer ganma_cat officially released the browser quiz game 'SteamCue' on July 23, 2026. The game is free to play on PC and smartphone browsers with no installation required. Players guess the titles of games distributed on Steam based on a single screenshot from the store page, with four candidate answers provided. Options allow filtering by review count, genre, release era, and price range. Game modes include solo play, a Party Room for up to 4 players (up to 8 with a VIP membership), and a beta 1-on-1 Online Battle mode with automatic matchmaking. Scores are based on correct answers and response speed, with stats tracked after each round. A VIP membership costs 500 yen per month and adds features such as increased player limits and in-game currency for profile items. The developer, a 23-year-old web creator and 19-year Steam user, stated the goal is to help Steam games, especially indie titles, reach more players.
The legal dispute over the unfinished shooting game Steam Pilots has concluded, with a Japanese court dismissing both the developer's claim for unpaid development costs and the composer's counterclaim for damages. The project, initiated by composer Motoaki Furukawa, raised a total of 11,022,700 yen across two crowdfunding campaigns on Makuake. Developer Pixel handled game development but received no payment, leading to its withdrawal in January 2022. Pixel sued Furukawa for unpaid costs in March 2022, and Furukawa countersued for damages and defamation in 2023. The Sendai District Court ruled on January 29, 2026, that the arrangement was a joint production contract with profit sharing after sales, so Pixel had no right to compensation. Furukawa's damages claim was also rejected because the game was never completed and Pixel's withdrawal was due to unavoidable circumstances. However, the court partially recognized Furukawa's defamation claim against Pixel representative Eishu Sasaki, ordering 400,000 yen in damages. Pixel appealed but the High Court upheld the ruling on July 7. Pixel stated it considered appealing to the Supreme Court but decided to accept the judgment and move forward. The crowdfunding platform Makuake had already refunded backers after the project was effectively canceled in 2023.
Valve's Steam Controller will be restocked at KOMODO STATION on July 23 at 10:00 AM Japan time, priced at 17,800 yen. The controller, which originally launched on May 5, 2026, sold out within about 30 minutes in some overseas regions due to high demand. KOMODO, the official distributor for Steam products in Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, announced the restock on July 21. Purchases remain limited to one per person, and SMS authentication may be required at checkout for security. The restock covers shipments to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The controller features TMR magnetic thumbsticks, high-definition rumble, and a gyroscope with capacitive touch. In June 2026, KOMODO revealed that demand far exceeded expectations, with estimated shipping times for new overseas orders pushed to 2027.
Valve's Steam Machine launched June 23 with high prices blamed on memory shortages. Valve engineers now say the shortage is worsening and will not improve soon. The internal configuration was changed from dual-channel to single-channel because 8GB modules became impossible to procure. Suppliers predict the crisis may last until 2028-2030.
Publisher Kwalee released a new trailer for railway management sim Steam To Electric on July 17. Developed by Galaxy Grove, known for Station to Station and Town to City, the game lets players build and optimize railway networks in a voxel art world from the steam era to electrification. The trailer debuted at the Convergence Showcase indie event and introduced two new train types. The game is set for PC release on Steam.
KOMODO announced on July 16 that the Steam Machine, a compact gaming PC developed by Valve, will be restocked on July 17 at 10:00 AM Japan time. The device runs on SteamOS and is designed to play Steam games on a TV or monitor. It features an AMD semi-custom desktop-class CPU and GPU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 4.1 for up to 4K output. Two storage models are available: 512GB and 2TB. Prices range from 189,980 yen to 264,980 yen. The Steam Machine initially launched on June 23 and sold out within hours due to high demand. Resale listings on eBay reportedly reached double the official price. The restock is limited to one unit per customer, and SMS authentication may be required at purchase. The sale is available on the KOMODO STATION online store for customers in Japan and Taiwan.
BLDB is launching sales of the Steampunk Eagle, a 3D metal assembly kit for adults. The model uses over 650 metal parts to build an eagle with spread wings, approximately 40 cm wide. It includes an LED for display effects and has an estimated assembly time of 3 to 5 hours. Sales begin July 15, 2026 at the BLDB online store.
Valve's Steam Controller is selling out as soon as it appears, according to an ASCII.jp gadget column. The author investigates why this gamepad has become so popular, noting its four back grip buttons, trackpads, and full remappability. After testing, he concludes it is surprisingly excellent.
Valve has released Windows drivers for its Steam Machine gaming PC, available for download from the English support site. The drivers include graphics, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and SD card reader support, allowing users to install Windows on the device. However, dual-boot is not yet possible as the SteamOS dual-boot installer is still in development.
Valve has released the design drawings and source code for an e-paper information display called Inkterface, designed for the front panel of the Steam Machine gaming PC. Published on the official Steam GitLab repository under an MIT license, the project includes parts sales links and assembly instructions, using an Adafruit 4.2-inch three-color e-paper display.
Developer mike wing released Steam Summer Sale Simulator on July 4, a browser app that mimics the Steam front page and lets users add games to a cart and purchase them with unlimited virtual funds. The app has gained traction on social media, with mike wing's post receiving about 3.05 million impressions and 30,000 likes. It offers achievements, a community market, and random gifts from a fictional Gabe.
Early Steam Machine adopters are reporting a GPU error indicated by a red LED line on the front of the device, reminiscent of the Xbox 360's 'Red Ring of Death.' One user described the console failing after a firmware update, and Valve's support page confirms the red indicator signals hardware errors including GPU, memory, or SSD issues.
Dbrand, a gaming peripheral manufacturer, has halted sales and is issuing full refunds for an unauthorized Steam Machine case shaped like Portal's Companion Cube after Valve's legal team demanded its removal. The company began accepting pre-orders on June 22, 2026, and the product became the second fastest-selling item in dbrand's 15-year history, behind only the Switch 2 Killswitch. However, Valve contacted dbrand shortly after, stating that the Companion Cube is its intellectual property and that dbrand lacked a license. Dbrand complied immediately and asked about obtaining an official license, but Valve refused. In a statement posted on Reddit and its official X account, dbrand acknowledged its fault, describing the project as a passion project that began on November 12, 2025, the day the Steam Machine was announced. Over seven months, the industrial design team spent more than 1,000 hours on engineering, created 44 sets of injection molds, and shot a promotional video on a rented university campus. The $99 "Poverty Cube" edition was sold at a loss per unit. Dbrand expressed respect for Valve's handling, saying the legal team was "direct, fair, and respectful." Refunds are being processed, and customers who do not see them by the end of the week are asked to contact dbrand.
4Gamer's weekly roundup for June 22-28, 2026, covers 314 articles published during the period. The top access article was a play report on 'MONSTER FANTASY,' a Chinese-developed title blending hunting action with life simulation, shown at the BiliBili Game First Look event in Shanghai. Second place went to an exclusive reveal of a new card pack for 'Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond,' and third place covered threats to 'Japan Haunted Property Watch Association 3' that may delay or cancel its release. Valve's new Steam Machine hardware went on sale in Japan on June 23 through distributor KOMODO, priced at 189,980 yen for the 512GB model and 249,980 yen for the 2TB model. As of the time of writing, all models were sold out. The roundup also notes Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders began on June 25, with a Japanese price of 9,800 yen for the standard edition. Other notable stories include a new streaming system trial from Cover Corp for Hololive talents, and a teaser for mecha girl battle game 'Mya: Meltdown' featuring theme music by Hiroyuki Sawano.
Valve has revised the Steam Machine product page, removing the phrase "60FPS" from the description. The original text promised "4K gaming experience at 60FPS with FSR" using AMD hardware. The updated text now reads "up to 4K gaming experience with FSR 4.1." The change follows early reviews that reported some games struggled to run at high resolutions. The Steam Machine remains sold out at the Japanese retailer KOMODO.
Valve's Steam Machine, a compact gaming PC designed to run SteamOS and play Steam games like a console, launched in Japan on June 23, 2026. The device is sold through KOMODO, Valve's official distributor in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China. Four models are available: a 512GB storage version for 189,980 yen, a 512GB model with a Steam Controller for 204,980 yen, a 2TB version for 249,980 yen, and a 2TB model with a Steam Controller for 264,980 yen. The 2TB models also include two interchangeable faceplates. The Steam Machine features a custom AMD semi-custom desktop-class Zen 4 CPU and RDNA3 GPU, 16GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, and 8GB of VRAM, targeting up to 4K 60FPS gaming via AMD FSR upscaling. However, the 16GB memory is configured as a single-channel setup using one 16GB stick from SK Hynix, not the dual-channel 8GB x 2 configuration common in gaming PCs. Valve hardware engineer Yazan Aldehayyat explained that 8GB memory modules were impossible to procure at the required scale due to manufacturers prioritizing higher-capacity modules. Aldehayyat stated that in actual gameplay, performance is 'pretty comparable' to dual-channel. The device was announced in November 2025 but delayed due to rising memory and storage prices. Pre-orders began suddenly on launch day.
Dbrand began overseas pre-orders on June 22 for a Steam Machine case designed to look like the Companion Cube from Portal. The case includes ventilation holes, a magnetic front panel, LED slits, and port covers. Shipping is set for September, but the product does not ship to Japan. A standard edition costs $129.95 and includes a Steam Controller skin and cake cloth; a $30-off Poverty Cube edition omits accessories.
Valve's new compact gaming PC, the Steam Machine, went on sale on June 23, 2026, in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong through official distributor KOMODO. The device is a stationary gaming PC running SteamOS, designed to play Steam games with a console-like interface. Two storage models are available: a 512GB version for 189,980 yen and a 2TB version for 249,980 yen. Bundles including a Steam Controller cost an additional 15,000 yen. The Steam Machine uses a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU, with 16GB DDR5 RAM plus 8GB GDDR6 VRAM. Valve claims performance is over six times that of the Steam Deck, supporting up to 4K at 60fps with FSR. The device measures roughly 15cm on each side and weighs 2.6kg. It includes DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, USB-C, four USB-A ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. Valve stated it priced the hardware close to component cost, avoiding the loss-leader model used by traditional consoles, and cited rising RAM and storage costs as factors in the final price.
Valve announced that new orders for the Steam Controller, which launched on May 5, 2026, will ship in 2027 due to demand far exceeding expectations. The company introduced a reservation queue system and is restocking with a one-per-person limit. In Japan, KOMODO STATION handles sales and currently lists the item as sold out.
Y's Holdings will hold TOKYO Bon Dance × STEAM FESTIVAL 2026 at Ueno Onshi Park on June 26-27, 2026. The event combines Bon Odori with DJ, VJ, music production, and crafting experiences for elementary and junior high school students. Performers include DJ KOO (TRF), DJ Oasis, ZEN-LA-ROCK, and Guinness World Record-holding elementary school student DJ RINOKA.
In an email interview with Game Spark, Valve's Steam Controller development team discussed the design philosophy behind the new model. Key points include input parity with the Steam Deck, ergonomic refinements, and the decision to add a second analog stick and dedicated D-pad based on user feedback from the original controller and Steam Deck.
Valve imported 13 tons of VR headsets in a single day, according to import records. The shipment arrived at the Port of Los Angeles on June 10, 2026, and is believed to be the first batch of the standalone VR headset Steam Frame, which Valve plans to release in summer 2026. Valve also imported 50 tons of game consoles in May, thought to be Steam Machines.
Valve launched the Steam Bullet Hell Fest 2026 sale event on June 9, bringing discounts on bullet hell shooting games including Vampire Survivors, Enter the Gungeon, and multiple Touhou Project titles. The event runs through June 16 and also offers free demos, upcoming release previews, and themed Steam Points Shop items.
Valve announced on June 5 that its upcoming gaming PC, the Steam Machine, and its VR headset, the Steam Frame, will ship this summer. The company updated its developer blog to confirm the launch window, which was previously stated only as 2026. The Steam Machine is a stationary gaming PC with a 160mm cubic chassis, running SteamOS on Arch Linux and supporting Windows games via Proton. Two storage configurations will be available: 512GB and 2TB NVMe SSDs. Valve claims the hardware performance is approximately six times that of the Steam Deck. The Steam Frame is a wireless VR headset and controller that can also function as a standalone PC running SteamOS. Both devices will be subject to a Verified Program, similar to the Steam Deck Verified program, to certify out-of-box game compatibility. The program for the Steam Machine requires a minimum of 30 FPS at 1080p resolution. For the Steam Frame, the minimum is 1280x720 at 30 FPS for 2D titles and 1728x1728 at 72 FPS for VR titles. Prices have not been announced. Valve previously delayed the products due to global memory and storage shortages, and the company has stated it is reconsidering pricing in light of rising PC component costs.
KOMODO, the official distributor for Valve's Steam Deck in Asia, implemented a significant price increase for the Steam Deck OLED on June 1, 2026. The 512GB model rose from 99,800 yen to 137,980 yen, an increase of 38,180 yen. The 1TB model jumped from 114,800 yen to 167,980 yen, a rise of 53,180 yen. The revision applies to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Valve cited rising component costs and global logistics conditions as reasons for the increase. This is the second price revision for the Steam Deck OLED in 2026, following a 15,000 yen hike in March. The devices remain sold out at KOMODO STATION, with no restock announced. Users on social media expressed surprise at the new prices, with some comparing the increase unfavorably to other handheld consoles.
Valve announced on May 28 that the Steam Deck OLED models have received a significant price increase in regions outside Japan. The OLED 512GB model rose from $549 to $789, and the OLED 1TB model jumped from $649 to $949-an increase of up to $300. Valve attributed the revision to rising component costs and global logistics conditions. In Japan, the devices remain sold out and no price change was announced for that market, though a 15,000 yen increase had already been applied in February 2026. The price hike has drawn concern from the overseas community, with notable journalist Tom Warren commenting that the increase is a bad sign for the pricing of future Valve hardware, such as the unannounced Steam Machine. The Steam Deck OLED is sold through Valve's official partner KOMODO, and both models are currently out of stock in Japan.
Director and manga artist Katsuhiro Ōtomo has founded a new animation studio called Oval Gear. The studio will focus on feature-length work. Its first project is already in production. The company is hiring animators and production staff as it builds out its team. Ōtomo is best known for the 1988 film Akira, which he directed and wrote based on his own manga. His other directing credits include the anthology Memories, the steampunk feature Steamboy, and the science-fiction story Roujin Z. He also contributed to Perfect Blue, the psychological thriller directed by the late Satoshi Kon. The formation of Oval Gear marks a return to feature animation for Ōtomo, whose last full-length directorial work was Steamboy in 2004. The studio name and its immediate hiring push suggest a permanent production base rather than a one-off project team. No release window or title for the first film has been shared.