The Steam Machine Doesn’t Even Have To Try

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The announcement of the new Steam Machine generated a lot of excitement, with many gaming fans immediately expressing their support. News outlets also jumped in, discussing whether its release was well-timed and if it could make a real impact in the already competitive gaming console market.

I don’t think the Steam Machine needs to actively compete with other consoles to be successful. The existing console market is already weakening, so the Steam Machine doesn’t need to do much to attract gamers. Simply existing as an alternative option is enough.

The video game console market seems ripe for major changes. Nintendo is continuing its unique approach with the Switch 2, which has already been incredibly successful and is expected to build on the original Switch’s popularity and cater to Nintendo’s dedicated fanbase.

The PlayStation 5 has outsold the Xbox Series X|S, but it hasn’t fully capitalized on that success to become the central place for gamers. This is largely because of some confusing decisions and changes in strategy. PlayStation’s attempt to create games that run as ongoing services hasn’t attracted many new players, and the most innovative games right now aren’t coming from PlayStation.

Even with some mistakes along the way, PlayStation has significantly outsold Xbox. This difference in sales seems less about PlayStation doing things right and more about Microsoft’s inconsistent strategy and unclear vision for its gaming business.

Both PlayStation and Xbox have seen PC gaming become more popular over the last few years. Sony has gradually started releasing its games on PC, while Microsoft (Xbox) has actively encouraged PC gamers from the beginning of this console generation, releasing major titles on both Xbox and PC at the same time to gain a stronger foothold in the PC gaming market. Recently, Microsoft’s marketing has even suggested that buying an Xbox console isn’t always the best option when compared to a PC or a Fire Stick, which isn’t ideal for console sales.

Honestly, things are looking pretty shaky in the console world right now. And with those U.S. tariffs potentially driving up prices, it could get even worse. It’s funny, because when existing console makers raised their prices, it really caught people off guard. But Steam Machine adopters probably won’t be as shocked. What’s really interesting to me is that PC gaming is quietly dominating thanks to all the exclusive titles. That’s a huge advantage for the Steam Machine, which is basically a PC gaming console. With access to so many PC games, I think the Steam Machine could actually shake things up and give the established consoles a real run for their money.

Many of this year’s most popular games are only available on PC. For example, Peak, a funny multiplayer climbing game, had sold over 10 million copies by August. REPO, a survival horror game with voice chat, launched in February and continues to attract a large player base. Schedule I also became very popular on PC for a short time, peaking at almost 460,000 players. Beyond games like Arc Raiders, Fortnite, and Roblox, the biggest gaming successes of 2025 have largely been found on PC, rather than other platforms.

The Steam Machine aims to give console players immediate access to popular games. Console gamers often miss out on major releases, especially considering how long it takes developers to create them. The Steam Machine offers a unique opportunity for console players to enjoy a wider range of the year’s biggest and most successful games.

Beyond gaming, the Steam Machine is a fully functional PC. While designed to feel like a console for playing games, Valve emphasizes it’s a standard computer as well. SteamOS, now refined by the Steam Deck, is stable and reliable, but the Steam Machine isn’t limited to just that operating system – unlike traditional consoles. Valve actually promotes the fact that you can install and use other operating systems on the Steam Machine directly on their website, giving users a lot of flexibility.

With customers being more careful about how they spend their money, a device that can function as both a home computer and a gaming console, and also access the huge Steam game library, makes a lot more sense than buying multiple consoles. As soon as the Steam Machine is released, the advantages for Valve are clear.

The Steam Machine could become popular because of its potential price. Gaming PCs are usually expensive, and that hasn’t improved in recent years. While Valve probably won’t offer the Steam Machine at a discounted price, it could be a big shift for console gamers who currently spend money on multiple consoles, handheld devices, and computers.

Building a gaming PC cost me around a thousand dollars, which was a significant expense. However, it ended up being worth it because I realized it could handle everything – gaming, work, connecting with friends, and watching videos – so I didn’t need any other devices. As a result, I barely use my other consoles anymore. My Switch 2 gets some play, but my PS5 mostly just streams video. The Xbox Series X is the strangest case – it’s collecting dust, which is surprising since I used to spend so much time and money on Xbox starting in 2020.

I’ve built a new PC, and honestly, even though it cost a pretty penny, it’s totally been worth it. It’s got me thinking – a lot of people are probably eyeing the next consoles, crunching the numbers, and realizing what I have is smarter. Why buy a bunch of different consoles when one powerful PC – like a Steam Machine – can play games from PlayStation, Xbox, and PC? It just feels like a better long-term investment.

Take-Two Interactive’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, recently suggested that the gaming industry is moving towards PC gaming instead of consoles. Considering the continued success of games like Grand Theft Auto 5 on PC – boosted by player-created modifications that have transformed it into a roleplaying experience – I believe he’s right. It seems the future of gaming may well depend on a significant shift from consoles to PCs, for better or worse.

The Steam Machine is set to benefit from the growing trend of gamers relying more on Valve’s services – though this also carries some risks – and it can do so without much difficulty. While it likely won’t become an instant bestseller or seriously threaten PlayStation right away, it shouldn’t be underestimated. I think it will be a gradual success, and Valve is uniquely positioned to slowly gain a significant share of the console market over time.

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2025-11-27 02:10