Yesterday, Valve introduced launch particulars for the Steam Controller, alongside reassurances that its Steam Body and Machine devices are nonetheless on observe for future launch. The Steam Deck 2 has but to have agency updates, however Valve confirmed it stays in improvement.
In a dialog with IGN, Valve programmer Pierre-Loup Griffais mentioned, “We’re onerous at work on it” when requested a few second-gen Steam Deck. Nevertheless, there’s no clear launch window, and additional feedback counsel it might nonetheless be a good distance from launch.
Griffais mentioned, “And clearly each step of the way in which, for those who have a look at our {hardware} initiatives through the years, you’ll be able to draw a straight line from the unique Steam Controller and Steam Machine to Steam Deck, to every part that we’re asserting and transport this yr. And we count on Steam Deck 2 will probably be numerous the identical, the place numerous what we’re doing right here will probably be learnings that construct as much as it.”
The unique Steam Deck is now 4 years previous, having launched in early 2022. A lot of Valve’s rivals have launched a number of generations of handheld gaming units because the authentic Steam Deck, however Valve is holding hearth.
A yr and a half after the first-gen Steam Deck, Valve up to date the hand held with a mid-gen refresh, the Steam Deck OLED, that includes an improved display screen.
Griffais instructed IGN in November 2025, “We’re not all for getting to some extent the place it is 20 or 30 and even 50% extra efficiency on the identical battery life.” He additionally mentioned Valve deliberate enhancements to carry what he known as actually next-gen efficiency.
Even additional again, in late 2023, Valve instructed The Verge {that a} Steam Deck was at the very least a few years away, main some to invest we could have seen a brand new handheld on the finish of final yr or in 2026. Though Griffais’ newest feedback do not verify that we can’t see a Steam Deck 2 as early as this yr, it seems like improvement is not far sufficient alongside to start out predicting launch dates.
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There’s no lack of recent Steam {hardware}, although, with the model asserting its new controller will probably be obtainable from Might 4, which PCMag gave our coveted Editors’ Alternative award.
Will Greenwald wrote in his evaluation, “The brand new Steam Controller feels nice, performs effectively, and has an unbelievable record of options and customization choices. At $99.99, it’s pricier than most traditional gamepads, however cheaper than premium controllers just like the DualSense Edge and Xbox Elite. However contemplating every part it does, the Steam Controller is a worthwhile buy for those who principally play video games on Steam.”
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