Superior Micro Units (AMD) CEO Lisa Su shared some fascinating details about two upcoming online game gadgets, Valve’s Steam Machine and Xbox’s next-gen console, each of that are powered by her firm’s chips.
As reported by Gamesbeat on February 3, Su shared some new information about when to anticipate Valve’s upcoming console-like PC gaming field, the Steam Machine, and additional teased a potential launch window for Microsoft’s beforehand confirmed-to-be-in-development next-generation Xbox.
“From a product standpoint, Valve is on track to begin shipping its AMD-powered Steam Machine early this year,” claimed Su in ready remarks forward of a monetary name. “And development of Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox featuring an AMD semi-custom [System on Chip] is progressing well to support a launch in 2027.”
This isn’t a affirmation that the subsequent Xbox will launch in 2027, however Su did level out that each the PS5 and Xbox Sequence X/S will probably be getting into their seventh yr in the marketplace at that time, and that’s a superb time for a refresh.
Valve’s Steam Machine has a confirmed launch date of 2026, however nothing any extra particular. Valve says the Steam {hardware} household will broaden in early 2026, however didn’t specify if that was all three lately introduced gadgets, only one, or another combo just like the VR headset and new controller. Su’s feedback appear to point that Valve might begin promoting and delivery Steam Machines to clients throughout the subsequent few months. In the meantime, we’ve identified for a while that Microsoft is attempting to get the subsequent Xbox out around 2027 or possibly 2028. Microsoft execs have additionally teased that the next-gen Xbox will probably be a “very premium, very high-end” device, so it doesn’t sound low-cost.
The subsequent technology of recreation consoles will probably be costly
Whereas Su didn’t speak about costs, it’s fairly clear to anybody paying consideration that any online game consoles or console-like gadgets arriving within the close to future are going to value fairly a bit. President Trump’s tariffs have led to elevated costs on many items made abroad. In the meantime, AI hyperscalers and tech giants are scooping up more and more PC parts, like RAM and GPUs, to assist construct out large AI knowledge facilities. This has led to memory prices skyrocketing, and Nvidia is even reportedly seeking to begin making outdated GPUs once more because the elements wanted to make newer playing cards are routed towards making high-end playing cards for knowledge facilities.
Existing consoles, like the Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S, could also see price increases sooner or later on account of reminiscence shortages and the rising value of PC elements. Even AMD’s cheaper GPUs are reportedly going to see price increases. In the meantime, after we’ve seen new gaming-adjacent tech launch within the final 12 months, the costs have been excessive, as within the case of Xbox and ROG’s handheld PC which costs $1,000. And it appears just like the Steam Machine will possibly cost $800 to $1000 or extra when it launches later this yr.
What does all of this imply for the PlayStation 6 and subsequent Xbox? It means you most likely want to start out saving now if you wish to afford certainly one of these gadgets after they launch within the subsequent 24 months or so. And perhaps be ready to go with out one for some time, because it’s seemingly there will probably be shortages for a very long time following both console’s future launch.
