Sources say Valve is making a Switch-like portable gaming PC that could launch by year's end

We can confirm some, but not all, of what's in store for the codenamed “SteamPal.” — Video game and hardware studio Valve has been secretly building a Switch-like portable PC …

Ars Technica 2021-05-26 Sam Machkovech

Context & Ripple Effects

Valve had previously pursued a broad living-room PC strategy through its Steam Machines lineup. SteamPal shifts that hardware ambition from the TV to a portable form factor.

The report was soon borne out by Valve’s Steam Deck announcement, turning a rumored device into a defined product line rather than another experimental PC-hardware effort.

First-order effects

Valve gains a prospective dedicated handheld channel for its PC gaming software and hardware ambitions, distinct from the earlier living-room-focused Steam Machines.
The SteamPal codename gives prospective buyers and game makers an early signal that Valve is targeting portable PC play before the product’s formal specifications and pricing are public.

Second-order effects

A Valve handheld positions portable gaming PCs as a category adjacent to traditional consoles, raising the competitive relevance of software compatibility and portable controls.
Sony’s later work on a portable console for PS5 games, building on PlayStation Portal, shows major console players continuing to evaluate portable access to their game libraries.

Third-order effects

If handheld PC devices sustain demand, game-platform competition shifts further from a choice between desktop PCs and fixed consoles toward access to the same libraries across more form factors.
Valve’s path from Steam Machines to Steam Deck suggests hardware experiments can become durable platform extensions when they fit a clearer use case than the living room PC.

The trend: Gaming platforms are extending established game libraries into portable hardware, making device form factor another route to platform reach.

Discussion

@thexpaw Pavel Djundik on x
Valve's “Neptune” controller shows up in latest Steam client beta again. It's named “SteamPal” (NeptuneName) and it has a “SteamPal Games” (GameList_View_NeptuneGames)
@steamdb Steam Database on x
Valve is possibly working on a handled Steam console called “SteamPal” (codename Neptune). Beta client update added plenty of references including controller bindings, new UI strings such as quick access menu, system settings (airplane mode, wifi, bluetooth) and a power menu. htt…
@thatguytagg Tagg on x
Looking forward to it being discontinued after a year on the shelves https://twitter.com/...
@film_girl Christina Warren on x
If this happens this could be great. But the whole Steam PC thing makes me very skeptical https://twitter.com/...
@tyler_mcv Tyler McVicker on x
It's not known if this project is a revival of the “Steam Controller with a Screen” project, or the first look at the next flagship VR headset. Any information is apprecaited. https://twitter.com/...
@patstaresat @patstaresat on x
I give it 2 delays before it comes out, it never hits widespread retail due its digital nature, and then it gets quietly cancelled 18 months later. https://twitter.com/...
@pandoras_foxo @pandoras_foxo on x
it really feels like loads of people have gotten Valve's lack of game development confused with a lack of development support for their hardware. It's pretty wrong imo; Valve is not Google https://twitter.com/...
@moomanibe Aura on x
....maybe a decade ago I would have said this had some appeal to it but the switch gets ports of any game that's even remotely successful AND has exclusives, so who exactly is the target audience for this https://twitter.com/...
@saturnmemories Saturn Memories on x
I look forward to trying this three years from now when Valve inevitably abandons it and liquidates the remaining stock for practically nothing. https://twitter.com/...
@dphrygian David Lindsey Pittman on x
Curious. On the one hand, it's the logical conclusion of the Steam Machine / SteamOS / Steam Controller experiment. On the other hand, Steam Machines were a dud, they discontinued the Steam Controller, and SteamOS is extremely out of date. So, uh. Yeah. https://arstechnica.com/..…
@falkoopa_ @falkoopa_ on x
Handheld PCs are alright but they are really pricey for the performance they can provide, and are super niche as a result. Plus Steam's previous attempt at Steam Boxes worked awfully. https://twitter.com/...
@paulcharchian Paul Charchian on x
Unfortunately, Valve's forthcoming handheld gaming system is going to run Linux, which means that 0% of most people's existing Steam library will transfer over. Let's hope a Windows version is forthcoming. https://arstechnica.com/...
@jordan_mallory Throatwobbler Mangrove on x
if this happens they will get bored and stop supporting it within six months. this happens every time valve does anything. Artifact, Steam Machines, SteamOS, PowerPlay, Steam on consoles, it's a long list. https://twitter.com/...
@juliemuncy23 Julie Muncy on x
Excited for Valve to pour a ton of resources into this and then stop supporting it two years later https://twitter.com/...
@patrickklepek Patrick Klepek on x
I would immediately buy one of these. https://twitter.com/...
@deantak Dean Takahashi on x
Looks like Steam Machines never died after all. https://arstechnica.com/...
@adribbleofink Aidan Moher on x
Isn't an underpowered gaming device without access to a mouse and keyboard just... a game console? https://twitter.com/...
@samred @samred on x
I've been sitting on this egg for a while, but today, it finally hatches. Here's my exclusive report on Valve's plans to make a portable, Switch-like gaming PC, currently code-named “SteamPal.” https://arstechnica.com/...
@hrafntho Hrafn Thorisson on x
“Valve has been secretly building a Switch-like portable PC designed to run [..] games on the Steam PC platform via Linux—and it could launch [..] by year's end.” If true, portable PC presumably supports VR. And Valve AIO VR headset seems less impossible. https://arstechnica.com/…

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