Valve has officially released the SteamOS 3.8.0 update to the Preview branch, and while the patch notes are extensive, one line has stood out: “Initial support for upcoming Steam Machine hardware”. This confirmation comes at a critical time, following a wave of release date uncertainty due to memory shortages.

By baking support for the OS directly into the OS, Valve is signalling that, despite the global RAM crisis and supply chain hurdles, the Steam Machine is very much alive. The update even includes improved video memory management for discrete GPUs, a feature unnecessary for the Steam Deck but vital for the high-performance RDNA 3/3.5 silicon powering the Steam Machine.

For existing Steam Deck owners, the update also provides “preliminary support for hibernation” for the original LCD model. For years, Deck users have struggled with a sleep mode that drains the battery at times. This new hibernation state aims to mimic the deep-sleep functionality of a Windows laptop, effectively preserving battery life for weeks rather than days. The feature is currently tucked away in BIOS v133 and may not yet appear as a dedicated UI toggle for all testers. The LCD model is also receiving a “Memory Power Down” option and the return of “Bluetooth Wake”, allowing docked users to wake their device using a wireless remote or controller.

Beyond the Deck, SteamOS 3.8.0 also reduces input latency for handheld controllers from a standard 5 to 8ms to a staggering 100 to 500 microseconds. The update also adds native TDP control and speaker audio support to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally series, as well as full controller support for the Lenovo Legion Go 2 and OneXPlayer F1. By updating the desktop mode to KDE Plasma 6.4.3 and switching to Wayland by default, Valve has also enabled HDR and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support for external displays, ensuring that when the Steam Machine does eventually land in the living room, it will be fully compatible with the latest 8K and high-refresh-rate OLED TVs.

KitGuru says: Seeing the Steam Machine mentioned in the patch notes suggests a launch might be around the corner, but if the current memory situation doesn't improve, then Valve may have a hard time meeting demand, or getting the price as low as consumers expected.

The post Valve preps the Steam Machine and finally tackles Deck battery drain with SteamOS 3.8 preview first appeared on KitGuru.

Dead Meat is, for the moment, a very new kind of video game that could potentially be commonplace, depending on how Generative AI (GenAI) continues to be welcomed (or unwelcomed) into the video game industry. It rides that thin line because Dead Meat is a game where you speak to AI-powered NPCs as you investigate a murder mystery. It's developed by Meaning Machine, a studio that says "AI characters and quests have the potential to revolutionize interactive storytelling" on their website, adding that it can only work "if human authors retain creative control of those stories. Because without the human […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/genai-study-conducted-by-studio-making-game-with-ai-powered-npcs-claims-96-of-players-enjoy-ai-powered-npcs/

One feature introduced with the Steam Deck was the notion of games being Steam Deck verified – giving users an easy indicator as to which titles should and should not run on the gaming handheld. With the upcoming Steam Machine, it appears Valve is taking a similar approach; this time offering more concrete compatibility requirements.

As part of the company’s GDC talk, Valve spoke on their upcoming hardware releases including the much-anticipated Steam Machine. According to Valve (as collated by PCGamer), the upcoming box will require a similar level of testing to that of the Steam Deck, meaning if it is Steam Deck verified then the game should also be Steam Machine verified.

That said, for all of its good, Steam Deck verification varies widely from title to title, with some offering bespoke graphics modes for the platform whereas others can run like a potato while still receiving the green checkmark.

For the Steam Machine, it seems requirements are slightly more stringent, with Valve revealing that there’s a performance target requirement of 1080p and 30fps. Given that this device is designed for TV play, here’s to hoping that most titles are able to run at perceptively higher resolutions and with increased framerates than than above however.

Regardless, it appears to be a step up compared to Steam Deck Verification. Of course, we will have to wait and see how strict Valve will be in this regard.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the Steam Deck verification system? Is it too lenient? Would you accept modern games running at 1080p 30fps? Let us know down below.

The post Valve reveals Steam Machine verification requirements first appeared on KitGuru.

At GDC 2026, Valve has officially set its requirements for the Steam Machine Verified badge, targeting native 1080p resolution. This resolution floor aligns with early analysis of the system's specifications, which highlighted how 4K@60 FPS gameplay on the system would rely heavily on AMD FSR upscaling. During a talk held this week, Valve confirmed again that all Steam Deck Verified games will also be Steam Machine Verified, with the same input expectations as the handheld. The biggest surprise, however, is in the required performance level - native 1080p resolution at 30 FPS - a far cry from the reveal's messaging […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/steam-machine-verified-requirements-target-native-1080p-resolution-30-fps-gameplay/

While Valve had originally planned to release new hardware products in early 2026, the ongoing memory and storage shortage has put a hold to those plans. Valve has recently pushed its release timing from ‘Q1 2026' to ‘1H 2026'. 

In an update shared this week Valve said that it still ‘hopes' to ship the Steam Machine, Steam Frame and Steam Controller in 2026. This had some worrying that the new products may not ship this year at all but a spokesperson told The Verge that Valve still fully intends to ship its new products in the first half of this year.

While we were initially expecting all three new hardware products to launch before the end of this month, towards the end of last year, the AI data centre market began to make a huge impact on global memory and storage supplies. Since then, prices for high-speed RAM and storage have been creeping up and manufacturers have begun shifting production capacity to better serve the AI market, leaving less production available for consumer-grade electronics.

Aside from the Steam Machine, there has also been talk of the memory shortage causing price hikes for current consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2 and delays for next-gen systems like the PlayStation 6.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Do you think Valve should pause its release plans or should it push ahead despite potential long-term supply challenges?

The post Valve says Steam Machine and Steam Frame still coming this year despite memory shortage first appeared on KitGuru.

Late yesterday evening, Valve posted a 2025 Steam retrospective that also included some small but significant tidbits on the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller shipping. As you will certainly recall, their original goal was to ship all three products in early 2026, as confirmed even by AMD CEO Lisa Su. However, shortly after that statement, Valve told consumers that it was forced to delay the timetable on the heels of the ongoing memory and storage crisis and was now targeting the first half of 2026. The new blog post appears to quietly push the shipping window even further. […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/valve-steam-machine-now-targeting-this-year-instead-of-first-half/

The FBI says hacks that trick ATMs into spitting out cash on demand are rising, with hundreds of attacks in the past year alone netting hackers millions in stolen bills.