Sony could benefit from a soft boost with the PlayStation 5, and this alleged Steam console from Valve could be the ideal solution.
Finally, something that could take Sony out of its comfort zone...
Valve is in the spotlight once again, but this time it's not due to rumors of the Steam Deck 2, which were recently debunked. Instead, there is talk of a potential new product: a Steam console. According to recent reports from HandleDeck and a Spanish leaker known as extas1s, Valve is developing a console that could utilize AMD's upcoming RDNA 4 Radeon RX 9070 GPU. Unlike the Steam Machines, which had an unsuccessful reception, this new console could offer a hybrid experience between console and PC, emulating the SteamOS operating system of the Steam Deck.
The arrival of this console could add significant competition to the home console market, where both the PS5 and Xbox Series X already use RDNA 2 architecture. If the speculations are true, the incorporation of new RDNA 4 technology could allow Valve to position itself as a serious competitor against both Sony and Microsoft.
Moreover, rumors suggest that Valve is working on driver support for the RX 9070 GPU. Given that this GPU could occupy a space in the mid-range market, its release doesn't seem far-fetched, especially now that the Steam Deck 2 is not on the immediate horizon.
The potential launch of a Steam console could force Sony to reconsider its decisions regarding the PS5. Although the company has released upgrades such as the Pro version, its high price has generated discontent among gamers. The Steam library, which includes titles previously exclusive to PlayStation, could attract those looking for more varied gaming experiences.
If this console launches alongside a powerful CPU and the Radeon RX 9070, it could pose a serious challenge to the PlayStation 5 and urge Sony to improve its offering. This situation could mark a turning point in the competition within the gaming sector.