Following Valve’s handheld release in Australia, renowned product designer Lawrence Yang unequivocally decried the proliferation of annual products that merely offer incremental improvements over their predecessors?
While the Steam Deck remains the most comprehensive handheld gaming PC overall, its aging AMD processor is gradually losing ground in terms of power. Valve is unlikely to adopt an annual release schedule for its handheld console, opting instead to focus on developing a robust set of features that will arrive simultaneously with the device’s launch.
Steam Deck designers Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehyyat discussed the handheld console’s triumph with Opinions.org, touching on its recent Australian rollout and the way forward for the innovative device.
What’s being discussed is particularly intriguing, with Yang stating unequivocally: “You’ll need to use our approach; we’ve strived for clarity, and I’m saying flat out: no yearly cadence.”
We’ve decided not to implement an annual price increase. What’s the point of even attempting? From our vantage point, a promise to deliver something dramatically improved in just a short time frame doesn’t quite ring true to the client, as it would be a marginal upgrade at best. We’re eager to pioneer a revolutionary generational leap in computing that harmonizes seamlessly with exceptional battery life before launching the actual second generation of Steam Deck.
It’s a stark warning sign that Valve is not rushing its plans for a Steam Deck sequel, with the Steam Deck OLED’s confirmation as standard despite lack of upgrades failing to prompt an annual release model; this all but confirms no announcements will come in 2024?
It’s implicit but difficult to ignore that Yang might be referencing Asus and its three ROG Ally handhelds, all released within a 13-month span, with the non-High model never marketed as an upgrade, but rather a more affordable option with reduced power. Valve’s OLED launch starkly contradicts the notion of incremental updates espoused elsewhere, instead opting for a bold departure from its established product line.
Valve appears eager to prioritize developing a next-generation device over launching a new handheld console, which is a shrewd move considering its current reputation as the premier handheld gaming PC.
Will you be waiting in anticipation for the launch of Steam Deck? If so, consider checking out our comprehensive review of the Asus ROG Ally X first, as it provides an in-depth look at the top contender vying for dominance in the handheld gaming market against Valve’s flagship product.
