Exciting rumors about Valve’s next gaming devices are making waves, with reports suggesting a Steam Deck 2 and a new home console are in development. A recent podcast by Moore’s Law is Dead, featuring YouTuber Jimmy Champagne, also hints at a growing partnership between Valve and Sony to support these projects.
Steam Deck 2 Details
- More Power: The Steam Deck 2 is expected to be much stronger than the original, possibly using AMD’s new “Magnus” chip, which could also power future PlayStation and Xbox consoles. This chip promises faster performance for games.
- Not Soon: Valve’s team, including designer Pierre-Loup Griffais, said in January 2025 that they’re waiting for a big leap in technology before releasing the Steam Deck 2, likely not until 2026 or 2027. They want better battery life and a major speed boost.
- Better Screen: Rumors suggest a 900p OLED screen with a smoother 90Hz refresh rate, improving visuals compared to the current Steam Deck OLED.
Valve Home Console
- New Device: Valve is reportedly working on a home console, separate from the Steam Deck, that would run SteamOS and compete with PlayStation and Xbox. It could act like a powerful living room gaming system.
- SteamOS Focus: The console would use Valve’s SteamOS, designed for easy gaming, aiming to challenge Windows 11 and other console systems.
- Past Lessons: Valve tried something similar with Steam Machines years ago, but they didn’t succeed. This new console is said to be a bigger, more serious project with full support from Valve.
Sony Partnership
- Sony’s Support: Sony has been quietly helping Valve by making PlayStation games like God of War, Ghost of Tsushima, and The Last of Us work well on the Steam Deck. They’ve even added custom boot animations for these games, something Microsoft hasn’t done.
- Why It Matters: With no handheld PlayStation of their own (the PlayStation Portal only streams games), Sony seems to see the Steam Deck as a way to reach handheld gamers. This makes the Steam Deck feel like an unofficial PlayStation portable for some players.
- Strategic Move: The podcast suggests Sony views Valve as a friendlier partner than Microsoft, especially since Microsoft is pushing its own handheld, the ROG Ally X, as an “Xbox device.”
Why It’s Exciting
The original Steam Deck, launched in February 2022, became a hit for its ability to play PC games on the go. A Steam Deck 2 with more power and a better screen could make it even more popular.
A Valve home console could shake up the gaming world by offering a new way to play Steam games on your TV, challenging PlayStation and Xbox. Sony’s support adds intrigue, as it shows they’re working with Valve to make PlayStation games shine on Steam Deck, possibly to compete with Microsoft’s handheld plans.
What to Expect
No official announcement has been made, but the podcast claims Valve is treating these projects like major launches, unlike the experimental first Steam Deck. The Steam Deck 2 might cost more, possibly $499-$799, based on comparisons to other handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally X.
The console and Steam Deck 2 could launch around 2026 or 2027, when AMD’s new chips are ready. For now, fans can expect more details as Valve shares updates.
The Steam Deck 2 and a possible Valve home console could bring big changes to gaming, with Sony’s quiet support making these devices even more promising for players.
