Keep an eye on: Future Steam Deck (and Valve) hardware
With the Steam Deck, Valve has finally snagged the hit it was likely hoping for when it first ventured into the hardware jungle some seven or so years ago. And the company is far from done producing hardware. While nothing has been confirmed for 2023, this is a good year to keep an eye out as Valve has been hinting at what it’s working on and what it hopes to see in the future.
We know, for example, that the Steam Deck is far from a one-off. As was discovered in promotional literature for the Steam Deck’s arrival in Asian territories, Valve describes the Steam Deck as “the first in a new category of Steam handheld gaming PCs” and that the company will “follow up on this product with […] new versions of the Steam Deck.” We also know what upgrades the company would like to see in future versions.
Any Steam Deck owner likely has a list of specs they’d like to see improved, but if yours contains improved battery life and a better screen (I know mine does), then Valve is on a similar wavelength. Speaking to The Verge, Valve’s Lawrence Yang and Pierre-Loup Griffais disclosed that the screen and battery are key areas of improvement for the manufacturer.
But would such updates come via a direct sequel to the Steam Deck with a number attached to the side like most other consoles? That’s uncertain. Valve does describe the Steam Deck as a “multi-generational product,” perhaps not too unlike traditional consoles which we use similar terminology for. And while it does take some technical skill, the Deck is highly user-reparable and upgradable. Folks have already been upgrading their fans to more silent offerings from iFixit, as well as finding solutions to storage via SSD upgrades and more. It seems like any number of futures are possible for the Steam Deck, but one thing is certain: Valve is committed to it as a brand and a platform.
Oh, and while it’s not a Steam Deck, Valve has expressed a desire for a follow-up to the Steam Controller. According to Valve’s Lawrence Yang, “it’s just a question of how and when.”
