Steam Machine PS5 Poll
Image: Push Square

Just in case you missed it, Valve announced the (admittedly well-named) Steam Machine earlier this week. And no, it's got nothing to do with Daft Punk.

It's an enticingly small box that's designed to kind of bridge the gap between PC and console. Basically, you can hook this thing up to your TV and use it as a Steam-based console, with full access to your Steam library through a simple account login.

The question though, at least from our PlayStation perspective, is whether it poses any challenge to Sony's business.

To be clear, Valve has explored this idea of console-leaning hardware before. Back in 2015, the company launched a series of gaming PCs that used SteamOS. At the time, the same question of there being a new competitor in the console space was raised — but it soon became obvious that Valve was mostly just testing the waters.

This iteration of the Steam Machine is much more unified in terms of vision, however, and Valve is launching it off the back of the success that it's found with the Steam Deck. It immediately feels like a more considered effort to expand Steam's potential reach.

As for how it'll actually stack up to the PS5 when it launches next year, the Steam Machine is reportedly weaker than Sony's base hardware — but it should still be more than capable of running the heavy hitters of this generation.

Trying to muscle in on the console market is incredibly difficult — as evidenced by a distinct lack of fresh competition for several decades now. We're even at a point where Xbox has changed the direction of its entire brand in a bid to remain relevant going forward.

It may all come down to cost, then. If Valve can position the Steam Machine as a relatively inexpensive and highly efficient way to play your favourite games, then we dare say there'll be a market for it. Whether that'll be enough to steal some — or any — of Sony's thunder, remains to be seen.

But what do you think? Will PlayStation be keeping an eye on the Steam Machine, or is it going to go down as a well received, but more hardcore device, much like the Steam Deck? Vote in our polls, and then explain your reasoning in the comments section below.

Are you interested in the Steam Machine? (3,788 votes)

  1. Yes, I'm very interested27%
  2. Yeah, it seems like a cool idea18%
  3. Kind of, but I need more info23%
  4. Nah, it hasn't caught my eye11%
  5. No, I have zero interest20%

Does the Steam Machine pose any threat to PlayStation? (3,607 votes)

  1. Yes, I could see it being quite popular11%
  2. Yeah, as long as it's priced right26%
  3. Maybe, I'm not convinced either way14%
  4. Nah, it'll find an audience but it won't compete45%
  5. No, this thing's gonna bomb4%