Valve has announced that they've sorted out various issues with their Steam Deck supply chain, so they will get through reservations much faster than expected now. This means a lot of people will be bumped up the list a bit getting their Steam Deck purchase email a lot sooner.
Everyone who has an existing reservation will get their purchase email this year. So many who were in "Q4 or later" were bumped up to the Q3 window and Valve said everyone else is now sitting properly inside Q4.
Any new reservations will be in the Q4 list but if those fill up, naturally they spill over into next year. Either way it's good news, as Valve can get Steam Deck units shipping a lot sooner than before.
We don't know exactly what has changed, as Valve only said that "the supply chain shortfalls that affect Steam Deck are gradually clearing up, and we're continuing to ramp production, so we're able to produce more Decks faster than ever before"
Valve also said to expect "more news soon".
This is awesome news, I'm excited to see more of you getting your units. Every single device shipping is a new potential Linux gamer!
I wonder what are they planning when reserves are fullfiled. They can't put this to physical stores for obvious reasons (many high profile games unsupported, software has deal breaker bugs) but what then?
EDIT: Perhaps they are planning to add more regions?
Last edited by mr-victory on 29 July 2022 at 5:57 pm UTC
There was a discussion about this very topic on GOL Discord. I had predicted Q2 2023 but it looks like Valve is faster than expected!There are 5,338 supported games on Steam Deck. There are 4404 licensed games on Nintendo Switch. Plenty of AAA games aren't playable on Switch.
I wonder what are they planning when reserves are fullfiled. They can't put this to physical stores for obvious reasons (many high profile games unsupported, software has deal breaker bugs) but what then?
I don't see why the game library is an obstacle to selling Steam Decks in brick-and-mortar retailers. A bigger issue might be that game stores could be reluctant to stock a console that doesn't allow you to buy games from those same retailers.
Last edited by RandomizedKirbyTree47 on 29 July 2022 at 5:57 pm UTC
There are 5,338 supported games on Steam Deck. There are 4404 licensed games on Nintendo Switch. Plenty of AAA games aren't playable on Switch.Because of expectations. Let's say I have a PS4 and downloaded a PS4 game. Will I even think that if the game will work or not? Now apply this mindset to Steam Deck. With the correct marketing and improved verification system, people may buy Decks with the correct expectations but IMO most people will think the Deck is buggy because ie. it can't run PUBG. Keep in mind that I am talking about general public who can't distinguish an OS from the hardware.
There are 5,338 supported games on Steam Deck. There are 4404 licensed games on Nintendo Switch. Plenty of AAA games aren't playable on Switch.Because of expectations. Let's say I have a PS4 and downloaded a PS4 game. Will I even think that if the game will work or not? Now apply this mindset to Steam Deck. With the correct marketing and improved verification system, people may buy Decks with the correct expectations but IMO most people will think the Deck is buggy because ie. it can't run PUBG. Keep in mind that I am talking about general public who can't distinguish an OS from the hardware.
Gen 1 hardware is never for the plebeians. At some point there will be critical mass of the catalog. Keep in mind that number is KNOWN playable games which is strongly tied to current gaming trends. It’s not like that number represents the entirety of PC games ever created.
Last edited by itscalledreality on 29 July 2022 at 6:55 pm UTC
I don't see why the game library is an obstacle to selling Steam Decks in brick-and-mortar retailers. A bigger issue might be that game stores could be reluctant to stock a console that doesn't allow you to buy games from those same retailers.It's allowed, box game with steam key are think, bux mostly they are colectibles...
Yes, I have been moved up to Q3!:( I was in Q3 but moved to Q4 lol, guess it goes both ways
Still fiddling around with it, but phenomenal first impressions.
They can't put this to physical stores for obvious reasons (many high profile games unsupported, software has deal breaker bugs) but what then?
They continue with with their exclusive sale on Steam. There's really few downsides to remaining exclusively on Steam.
I don't see why the game library is an obstacle to selling Steam Decks in brick-and-mortar retailers.
Agreed. There are other risks that could dissuade Valve. There's the increased rate of possible returns with brick and mortar. People are more motivated to do a return then they can travel back to the store. There's the loss of information control, with brick and mortar reporting sales, lack there of, and returns to their investors; something Valve doesn't have to do.
Gen 1 hardware is never for the plebeians.
I'd be careful of wandering into some elitism here. You might think this is true and I might agree, but as I stare at the Steam store, I see the Deck mentioned 3 times, 2 prominently. It seems clear to me they believe differently.
Gen 1 hardware is never for the plebeians.
I'd be careful of wandering into some elitism here. You might think this is true and I might agree, but as I stare at the Steam store, I see the Deck mentioned 3 times, 2 prominently. It seems clear to me they believe differently.
I’m just being tongue in cheek. Valve’s goal is of course to sell as many of these as possible. It just usually takes a product generation or so before less technical people will comfortably not complain.
Last edited by itscalledreality on 30 July 2022 at 4:57 am UTC
Pleasant, since it will be a Christmas gift. :)
Last edited by 1xok on 30 July 2022 at 11:52 am UTC
I’m just being tongue in cheek. Valve’s goal is of course to sell as many of these as possible. It just usually takes a product generation or so before less technical people will comfortably not complain.
It is a PC. If you can't tell the difference in games, you can't appreciate it. The Steam Deck is clearly aimed at PC users and they are used to suffering. Even with Windows. :)
If you come from PC, the Steam Deck is already a huge relief.
... suffering. Even with Windows. :)
The word you are looking for is "especially" ;)
Last edited by ShabbyX on 30 July 2022 at 1:21 pm UTC
It's great news to see valve increasing production as everyone I know is now hyped for and talking about steam deck.
Gen 1 hardware is never for the plebeians.
I'd be careful of wandering into some elitism here. You might think this is true and I might agree, but as I stare at the Steam store, I see the Deck mentioned 3 times, 2 prominently. It seems clear to me they believe differently.
I’m just being tongue in cheek. Valve’s goal is of course to sell as many of these as possible. It just usually takes a product generation or so before less technical people will comfortably not complain.
Oh, I see, my apologies. I think I was just reading your comment very literally, sorry about that.
I’m just being tongue in cheek. Valve’s goal is of course to sell as many of these as possible. It just usually takes a product generation or so before less technical people will comfortably not complain.
It is a PC. If you can't tell the difference in games, you can't appreciate it. The Steam Deck is clearly aimed at PC users and they are used to suffering. Even with Windows. :)
If you come from PC, the Steam Deck is already a huge relief.
Windows aside, I think I agree a bit with itsacllesreality on the 1st Gen part, especially with it being a PC. 1st Gen PC gear does have a bit of a reputation of having issues. Whether or not that is still the case, we can debate, but I can honestly say it's affected my PC building choices over the past 20+ years. I tend to wait for late Gen1 refreshes when buying hardware, lol. Part of the reason I'm not considering a Deck at the moment (aside from the price).
I'm glad the rollout is going so smoothly so far, though.
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