Valve has unveiled an exciting lineup of three new devices today: the Steam Frame, an updated Steam Machine, and a redesigned Steam Controller. However, curious minds are wondering about the absence of the Steam Deck 2 in this announcement.
We reached out to Valve’s software engineer, Pierre-Loup Griffais, to shed light on this matter. He confirmed that a new version of the Steam Deck is indeed in the pipeline. Rather than rushing the release, Valve is waiting for technological advancements that would allow for a significant leap in performance, all while keeping the battery life satisfactory.
The Future of Steam Deck
Griffais elaborated that while the Steam Deck isn’t the focus of today’s announcement, the team is deeply invested in its future. They aim to ensure that any new iteration offers a substantial performance upgrade, making it a compelling standalone product. “We’re not interested in getting to a point where it’s 20 or 30 or even 50% more performance at the same battery life. We want something a little bit more demarcated than that,” Griffais explained.
Currently, the challenge lies in finding the right System on a Chip (SoC) that truly represents a next-generation upgrade. Despite the Steam Deck’s aging hardware, with its original launch in February 2022 and an OLED model in November 2023, some users are eager for an upgrade. In a September 2023 interview, Griffais indicated that a new Steam Deck wouldn’t arrive for at least a couple more years, dashing hopes for a holiday release this year.
Battery Life Challenges
The primary issue with developing a Steam Deck 2 revolves around battery life. Reports highlight this as a significant hurdle, particularly when running Windows. Even under SteamOS, the battery performance leaves much to be desired. For example, playing God of War on default settings can reduce a fully charged Steam Deck to zero in just 90 minutes. Battery life remains a massive challenge for the Steam Deck, influencing the timeline for its next version.
Despite these challenges, Valve enthusiasts have much to look forward to with the upcoming Steam Frame, Steam Machine, and Steam Controller. Exciting content awaits as sources provide insights into these devices. Meanwhile, there are ongoing discussions about the features and specifications desired in the next Steam Deck iteration.