Valve assures: RAM shortage does not delay the release of Steam Deck 2
- Valve: the RAM shortage does not delay Steam Deck 2
- The project's goals are increased performance and a moderate price
- The OLED version with 512 GB has risen to $789, sales have dropped
- The date and price of the new console will be announced later
Valve has officially stated that the current global shortage of RAM does not affect the development plans for the next generation of its portable gaming console – Steam Deck 2. According to IGN, the company continues to adhere to its original vision: to provide a noticeable increase in computing power without a sharp increase in retail price.
The project's goals remain unchanged
Valve engineers Pierre-Loup Griffais and Jeff Leinbaugh confirmed that the main objectives of the project have not changed. The team is closely monitoring the component market to choose the optimal moment for the release of the new model. The priority is not an accelerated launch, but a high-quality user experience and technical reliability.
Internal analysis shows that despite the rising prices of chips, the team is able to adapt the design without compromising the planned specifications. This allows for maintaining the balance between performance and price that was established in the first version of Steam Deck.
How the memory shortage has affected the current lineup
The global shortage of RAM has led to increased component costs, which has already significantly impacted the price of the current model. The OLED version with a 512 GB storage has increased from $549 (approximately 46,000 roubles) to $789 (about 67,000 roubles). This price increase has negatively affected sales volumes, forcing Valve to approach the pricing of the future console more cautiously.
The company takes market reactions into account and does not intend to release Steam Deck 2 at an inflated price, even if this requires additional time investments in finding alternative suppliers or optimizing the production process.
Other hardware projects by Valve
While work on Steam Deck 2 continues, Valve is actively promoting other devices such as Steam Machine and Steam Frame, which are aimed at the desktop gaming experience. These projects allow the company to maintain interest in its ecosystem and test new technological solutions.
Regarding the release date and final price of Steam Deck 2, the company stated that information will be published when market conditions become more favorable. For now, the main focus is on ensuring stable quality and maintaining product availability for a wide audience.
Source: 3DNews
