Valve is reportedly prototyping a Nintendo Switch-like gaming PC

Evidence that Valve is functioning on a transportable Switch-like device which will allow Steam users to play a part of their game library on the go is beginning to build up, with a replacement report from Ars Technica offering some potentials details on the project.

Citing multiple sources “familiar with the matter,” the publication says Valve has been performing on an all-in-one PC with gamepad controls “on and off for a few time.” Taking a page from devices just like the Aya Neo, the device will reportedly include an AMD or Intel system-on-a-chip while presumably coming with Linux. a minimum of one prototype is claimed to be wider than the Nintendo Switch and features the standard assortment of console buttons, triggers, and joysticks. The prototype also includes a touchscreen and a Steam Controller-like touchpad. Like the Switch, the device will include a USB-C port to permit you to attach it to an external display. 

Ars couldn’t determine if Valve plans to release multiple variants of the device which will feature different components. It also did not have anything substantial to mention about price, noting current global chip shortages could make it impossible for Valve to sell a tool anywhere near the $299 the Nintendo Switch costs. It says Valve could release the device by the top of the year, though supply constraints could affect that timeline. While we might take today’s report with a healthy dose of skepticism, there’s evidence to point out Valve has been performing on a replacement hardware project. 

Since September of last year, the corporate has added code snippets to Steam referencing something called “Neptune” and “Nepture Optimized Games.” Initially, most of the people thought Valve was performing on a replacement controller. But on Tuesday, the corporate added additional code linking Neptune to snippets referencing “SteamPal” — Ars Technica says it can’t confirm if that is the final name of the new device. What’s more, at the beginning of the month, Valve co-founder Gabe Newell said the corporate would have something to share associated with console games. “You will get a far better idea of that by the top of this year, ” he told a faculty in New Zealand. “… it won’t be the solution you expect. You’ll say, ‘Ah-ha! now i buy what he was talking about.'” 

At an equivalent time, we’ll note Valve may be a company that’s famous for incubating projects only to cancel them later and shift its attention to something else. After all, we had to attend 13 years to play a replacement Half-Life game. Additionally, the corporate features a hit and miss history with hardware projects. Valve Index came bent strong reviews in 2019, but one year earlier Valve stopped offering Steam Machines. Either way, we’ve reached bent Valve for comment, and we’ll update this text if we hear back.