Valve has quietly changed the wording used to describe the Steam Machine’s 4K gaming capabilities, and it may be a bad sign for the device. While Valve’s Steam Machine page still indicates that the console is capable of 4K, the circumstances of it reaching 4K are now different.
Valve Explains Why the Steam Machine is Priced So High
Valve officially explains why the Steam Machine is so much more expensive than typical game consoles and how parts demand impacted the price.
Valve Makes Subtle But Important Changes to Steam Machine Listing
On the Steam website listing for the Steam Machine, Valve has adjusted the wording for the device, removing any reference to frame rate capabilities, and indicating that the device is capable of playing “up to 4K”. The new version seems to imply that it can’t play in 4K on all games, and if it does reach 4K, the frame rate could potentially be subpar. Previously, the website indicated that the CPU and GPU of the Steam Machine would give it enough power to make 4K gaming at 60FPS possible when utilizing FSR, which would be considered satisfactory by many PC gamers. However, the page now simply indicates that it can get up to 4K gaming with FSR 4.1. Gamers are already expressing concern about the performance of the Steam Machine, especially since the new Valve device costs over $1000, and this change could drive more potential customers away.