Valve has officially acknowledged that certain regions are facing challenges in obtaining the Steam Deck due to memory and storage shortages attributed to the rising demand from AI-driven companies like Nvidia and Google. These shortages have resulted in rising RAM prices affecting the availability of consumer electronics, including the Steam Deck and potentially impacting the production of Valve's upcoming Steam Machine. The company confirmed that the Steam Deck OLED may be "intermittently" out of stock, and the 256GB LCD variant is no longer being produced. This situation is also complicating Valve's plans for the Steam Machine, initially set for an early 2026 release, as they reassess pricing and launch timelines amidst these challenges. The ongoing AI chip crisis is similarly causing delays and price increases for other gaming consoles, including potential impacts on Sony's PlayStation 6 and Nintendo’s Switch 2.

What are the reasons for the Steam Deck shortages?

The shortages are primarily due to increased demand for memory and storage driven by AI companies, resulting in higher RAM prices and affecting the production and availability of consumer electronics like the Steam Deck.

The Steam Deck was released in February 2022 and quickly became a popular handheld gaming device, praised for its ability to run PC games on the go. However, it is now facing significant challenges related to global chip shortages, a situation impacting many technology sectors. The Steam Machine, which Valve announced as a console-like PC for gaming purposes, was initially planned for release in early 2026 but is now delayed due to these ongoing supply chain issues.