When Steam creator and longtime steward of the PC gaming storefront Valve announced the Steam Machine in November, it made some very big waves. Interest in a SteamOS-powered PC designed for the living room that blurs the line between PC and console gaming is high, and so is trust in Valve after the tremendous success of the Steam Deck, the device that propelled the market for handheld gaming PCs into the limelight.
With the Steam Machine's early 2026 release window rapidly approaching, something many have wondered about is how difficult it will be for games to get a "Verified" badge for the Steam Machine; this title from Valve is given to games that it's determined will run well on Steam Deck through testing, and there will be a badge like this for the Steam Machine, too.
That's good news for game devs and publishers; because that Verified badge signals to players that a game will run well, it's a powerful marketing tool that helps drive sales. Verification is indicative of good performance even on traditional PC rigs, and that's a factor PC players frequently consider when choosing whether or not to buy a title.
Notably, Valve engineer Steve Cardinali also took some time to talk about the new Steam Deck-inspired Steam Controller that will be included with the Steam Machine (you'll also be able to buy it separately) in the same interview, focusing on its accompanying puck accessory that serves as both a wireless receiver and a charger.
Though considered strange by some, Cardinali explains that it was designed to address a few noteworthy issues with standard wireless controller use. Firstly, while you can still use Bluetooth for the controller, Valve went with its own adapter to avoid the "highly variable" nature of spaces with lots of Bluetooth-connected devices in it.
Often, people plug wireless adapters into their PC's rear USB ports next to several others, which can cause interference. To encourage avoiding this practice with the Steam Controller's puck, Valve gave it a USB cable and charging capabilities, encouraging users to leave it in a more forward, open location "where it's likely to have minimal interference while providing a really easy charging experience."
The company's ultimate goal with the Steam Controller and its puck was to create an "It just works" experience, and with smart design choices like these, that will hopefully be how it feels to use it. We'll know for sure when the controller and Steam Machine come out in the near future.
What are your thoughts on the Steam Machine? Do you plan on getting one whenever they become available? How about the new Steam Controller? Let me know how you're feeling in the comments.
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