Valve's 2026 Gaming Gear: What's New and What's Hype?

Valve, the company behind Steam, is gearing up for a big year in 2026. They're bringing back the Steam Machine, a gaming PC designed for your living room. This isn't their first try at this. The first Steam Machine didn't do well. But now, with the success of the Steam Deck, Valve might have a better shot. The new Steam Machine looks like a small cube. It's packed with powerful parts. It has a strong AMD processor and graphics card. It can handle 4K gaming at 60 frames per second. The machine comes with 16GB of RAM and options for 512GB or 2TB of storage. It also has a MicroSD slot for extra storage. Valve is also working on a new VR headset called the Steam Frame. It's not just a headset; it's a whole PC in a headset. It has controllers that can be used for non-VR games too. The Steam Frame doesn't need base stations. It tracks movement with four cameras built into the headset. This makes setup easier.There's also a new Steam controller. It has two thumbsticks and magnetic thumbsticks to avoid drift. It also has haptic feedback for better vibrations. It has a gyroscope for motion controls, but not everyone will use that feature. Rumors are swirling about Half-Life 3. It's been talked about for years. Some leakers say it might come out in 2026 as a launch title for the Steam Machine. But don't get your hopes up too high. Valve hasn't said when the new hardware will come out or how much it will cost. They say it will launch in early 2026. Prices are still a mystery. The Steam Machine might cost between $600 and $1000. The controller will likely be less than $100. The Steam Frame will probably be cheaper than the previous Valve VR headset, the Index.