After months of speculation, Valve has confirmed when players can expect the Steam Machine release date to drop. In a recent dev update, the company revealed when the hardware will start shipping to consumers. However, a new report claims the Steam Machine price is going to be really expensive.Steam Machine Release window Officially Confirmed by ValveScreenshot: ValveThe wait for the Steam Machine is almost over, as Valve appears to be readying the launch of the highly anticipated console. In an official blog update, the company finally confirmed a release window for the PC-hybrid console and also revealed that it will be shipping sooner than some may have expected.According to Valve, the Steam Machine release date is Summer 2026. “Today we are expanding the Verified program to include Steam Machine and Steam Frame. We’re excited for players to try your titles on the new Steam hardware once they launch this summer.” You may be asking: when exactly is “summer?”Screenshot: ValveIn North America, Summer starts on June 21, 2026, and runs through September 22. That’s a pretty broad window. It means the Steam Machine could technically release anywhere within the next 3 and a half months. However, there is evidence that players won’t have to wait too long for the Steam Machine release date.New Steam Machine Clues Suggest Launch Could Be Weeks AwayScreenshot: ValveOn May 30, Valve quietly added Steam Machine’s “Welcome Tour” page to the backend of its site. The reason this is noteworthy is that the Steam Controller released two weeks after its Welcome Tour page code was added to Steam’s servers. So if Valve follows the same pattern as its recent hardware launch, the new PC console could be launching soon.With Valve also stating that the Steam Machine release date is Summer 2026, that actually lines up with the timeframe we detailed earlier. If Valve were being literal about a “Summer” release, then we could see the Valve console launch around June 24, 2026. Although that is pure speculation. Unfortunately, Summer is also kind of a vague window.However, with the Steam Machine Welcome Tour being added, it does seem to point towards the hardware releasing sooner rather than later. So I would expect a June launch at the soonest, and July at the latest.Steam Machine Price Leak Sparks Concerns Over CostScreenshot: ValveWhile Valve was finally willing to confirm a release window, they still would not comment on the Steam Machine price. However, Mike Straw over at Insider Gaming recently made some comments that have some fans worried about its pricing. During a podcast episode, the journalist explained that the price had drastically changed since the console’s initial launch plans.“I’ve heard rumblings that the price is ‘nowhere near’ where it was originally planned, but don’t know what that is.” This also lines up with a leak that developer Brad Lynch recently posted. “Take this with a grain of salt, because it was just whispers in my ear. But back when I was told a figure for what Valve’s estimated price of Steam Machine would be, it was still higher than today’s Steam Deck prices. And that was 2 months ago.”Screenshot: X @SadlyItsBradleyThis is alarming because Lynch was referencing the recent Steam Deck price increase. The handheld went from $649 to $949. So if what he’s saying is true, then the Valve console price is likely to be over a thousand dollars. After all, the Steam Deck has much lower specs than the console and is now costing consumers a staggering $950. Regardless, it appears that the Valve console release is finally around the corner with a Summer 2026 launch, even if it ends up being expensive.The post Valve Confirms Steam Machine Release Date Window as New Clues Hint at Imminent Launch appeared first on VICE.