Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer commented on the recently announced Valve Steam engine. While the Steam Machine could be seen as new competition for the Xbox brand, Phil Spencer had nothing but positive things to say about the upcoming gaming machine.
Looking to build on the success of Steam Deck, Valve has revealed what could be some stiff competition from Xbox and PlayStation hardware. While technically a PC, the Steam Machine will give gamers a console-style experience in a compact package. The system is an approximately 6-inch cube that some believe looks similar to Nintendo's GameCube. Despite its relatively small form factor, Valve said the machine is six times more powerful than Steam Deck, making it capable of running popular AAA titles. Understandably, the machine has caught the attention of many in the gaming industry.
Phil Spencer congratulates Valve on unveiling the Steam Machine
Among those who weighed in on the announcement is Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming. He praised the Steam Machine on Twitter, saying that more options for gaming is good for both players and developers. According to Spencer, “a future built on choice” is an integral part of the Xbox brand, and the Steam Machine will help further that vision. Specifically, the CEO noted that Xbox is one of the biggest publishers on Steam and said that they “welcome new options for players to access games from anywhere.” The tweet ended by congratulating the company on the product unveiling.
These comments from Spencer come as Xbox has moved towards a multi-platform strategy over the past few years. Some of the recent Xbox exclusives that have made their way to competing consoles include Sea of Thieves and Gears of War: Reloaded. In addition, Xbox recently revealed that Halo the franchise would finally see its installment on the PlayStation console with the release Halo: Campaign Evolved in 2026. Various Microsoft-published games are already available on Steam, so the upcoming Steam Machine could generate additional potential sales.
However, the Steam Machine announcement comes at a time when Xbox is developing its own next-generation gaming machine. While details are slim, Xbox president Sarah Bond teased that the company's next console will offer “a very premium, very high-end curated experience.” Additionally, the company recently released ROG Xbox Ally handhelds that are capable of playing Steam games. It will be interesting to see what type of impact the Steam Machine could have on sales of these systems as it nears launch next year.
It's worth noting that the Steam Machine wasn't Valve's only announcement. In addition to the new game engine, the company revealed a new Steam controller that will be compatible with the upcoming system. According to Valve, the new gamepad will feature next-generation magnetic sticks, high-resolution rumble, and Grip Sense, a type of touch-activated gyroscopic aiming. In addition to the controller, the Steam Frame VR headset has been revealed, with an expected launch in early 2026.
With these recent announcements from Valve, gamers have a lot to look forward to in 2026. So far, the company has not revealed pricing for the Steam Machine. Regardless, it looks like there will be more options for potential players in the future.
- Date of establishment
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August 24, 1996
- Headquarters
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Bellevue, Washington, United States of America
- CEO
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Gabe Newell
- Subsidiaries
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Campo Santo
