Valve changes Steam Machine release date to this 'year,' second change as AI-fueled memory and shortage crisis deepens — official announcements went from "early 2026" to "first half of 2026" to "this year"

Steam Machine.

Valve announced its second-generation Steam Machine in late 2025, with gamers and enthusiasts looking forward to the console PC’s arrival. Unfortunately, the entire world is also gripped by a memory and storage chip shortage driven by the AI infrastructure build-up, with prices spiraling out of control. Because of this, the company has been delaying the release of the Steam Machine, with the Steam Year In Review 2025 noting that it will ship the device this year.

Go deeper with TH Premium: AI shortages

(Image credit: Nvidia)

• AI data centers are swallowing the world's memory and storage supply
• Chip scarcity assaults auto industry amid the worsening Nexperia and DRAM crisis
• Samsung and SK hynix shorten memory contracts as pricing power shifts back to suppliers
• Memory makers are set to earn $551 billion from the AI boom