Steam Deck won't get a price hike just yet, says Gabe Newell

Steam Deck
(Image credit: Valve)

Gabe Newell, head of Valve, has confirmed that despite the popularity and scarcity of its new handheld system, there are currently no plans to increase the retail price of Steam Deck.

"I mean, part of what you do with pricing is you're making a promise to customers. [...] But we wouldn't expect to be adjusting the SKU pricing," Newell told IGN in an interview, acknowledging that initially pricing the system had been "painful" but "critical". 

It'll be good news for Steam fans who hope to lay their hands on the handheld PC but struggled to get the model they wanted in the pre-order scrum.

Newell has, however, acknowledged the team has looked at introducing "higher-end configurations" at a later date.

"Absolutely. [...] That's the great thing about the PC market, right?" Newell said. "That it just continues [...] Like a year from now, AMD is going to have better parts, right? A year from now, all the component suppliers are going to either expand capacity, expand performance, or reduce costs. 

"So, we're absolutely going to ride that as hard as we can. That's part of the thing about being in the PC space - everybody's essentially driving everybody else's price performance improvements over time."

In related news, yesterday Newell confirmed that there are currently no plans for the company to introduce a game subscription service, like Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass or EA's EA Play.

Despite the release of its highly-anticipated and all-new handheld system, Newell says that while he understands that subscription services are "clearly a popular option" with some gamers, he doesn't "think it's something [Valve] needs to do" despite their popularity.

He did, however, suggest that the company would be open to working with third-party partners such as Microsoft to "get [subscription services] on Steam".

Still undecided on Steam Deck? In our Steam Deck review, we said: "Steam Deck is everything Valve promised, a handheld with all the potential of a PC and a huge library of games ready to go," giving it 4.5 stars out of 5.

Looking for something new to get stuck into? Here are the best PC games right now.

Vikki Blake
Weekend Reporter, GamesRadar+

Vikki Blake is GamesRadar+'s Weekend Reporter. Vikki works tirelessly to ensure that you have something to read on the days of the week beginning with 'S', and can also be found contributing to outlets including the BBC, Eurogamer, and GameIndustry.biz. Vikki also runs a weekly games column at NME, and can be frequently found talking about Destiny 2 and Silent Hill on Twitter. 

Read more
Nintendo Switch 2 with Mark Kart on screen next to Steam Deck with blue and purple backdrop
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: how do both gaming handhelds compare?
Lenovo Legion Go S with Steam Big Picture Mode on screen with pink and blue lights in backdrop.
Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS pre-orders are now live, and I'm hoping it's a second wind for the handheld
Hands holding Alienware gaming handheld "Concept UFO" with city in backdrop
Sorry, an Alienware gaming handheld isn't on the way, but Dell says its looking "pretty heavily” at the space
Steam Deck review
Valve shuts down Steam Deck 2 speculation as AMD says it's building chips for a stronger handheld: "There is and will be no Z2 Steam Deck"
Lenovo Legion Go S in Black and white with 8.8-inch Legion Go OLED model on top left
Lenovo makes its new Legion Go family official, and I'm fixated on the handheld maker's $499.99 "Steam Deck"
Nintendo Switch 2 close up of controller connectors on side of handheld
Nintendo Switch 2 price will match the "affordability that our customers expect," company president promises – and I'm personally expecting $400 or so
Latest in Handhelds
x
Ugreen just launched a bunch of Genshin Impact handheld accessories that are made for Kinich fans
Razer Handheld Dock with Steam Deck sitting on cradle, pink and yellow RGB lighting on, and Alienware monitor in background with Tomb Raider Trilogy gameplay on screen.
Razer Handheld Dock review: “Your Steam Deck will ride shiny and Chroma"
Lenovo Legion Go S with Steam Big Picture Mode on screen with pink and blue lights in backdrop.
Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS pre-orders are now live, and I'm hoping it's a second wind for the handheld
OneXPlayer OneXSugar1 handhelds with one on left featuring screen detached and right hand device with dual-screens.
Qualcomm just revealed its latest Snapdragon chips, and the G3 Gen 3 will power what could be my dream 3DS handheld
Baseus 6-in-1 Steam Deck dock with OLED model sitting in cradle next to Asus controller and Samsung TV with game menu in backdrop.
I've tested over 20 different docking stations since the Steam Deck landed, but there's one I always go back to
Lenovo Legion Go S with FlyKnight gameplay on screen featuring player character holding bow and arrow with enemy ant in backdrop.
Lenovo Legion Go S Windows 11 review: “my heart aches for this mixed up handheld”
Latest in News
Chris Hemsworth's name on the back of a director's chair
Marvel Entertainment reveal live blog
Screenshots from the Alien Evolved Edition TRPG teaser trailer
Alien Evolved Edition TRPG just burst through the million dollar crowdfunding mark with the vigor of a face-hugger on steroids
Halloween director John Carpenter
15 years on from his last horror movie, Halloween's John Carpenter says he'd "love to direct again" – but he has one condition
Monster Hunter Wilds screenshot showing a hunter battling a congalala
If you missed the last one, the new Monster Hunter Wilds event quest is another way to stock up on rare ingredients before the big update drops next week
The cast of Suicide Squad (2016)
David Ayer admits James Gunn has good reason not to release his cut of Suicide Squad, but he remains hopeful it'll happen
Ezra Bridger in Ahsoka
A Star Wars actor just quietly confirmed that filming has begun on Ahsoka season 2