It looks like Valve might be trying to get back into the Console business but not in the way you’d think, according to a Steam data miner which revealed a Steam Handheld Controller could be in the works at Valve.
The premature console reveal was discovered by SteamDB founder, Pavel Djundik who uncovered the device in Steam’s new client beta. Djundik also revealed references to Neptune, the device’s codename and a game list called “SteamPal Games/GameList_View_NeptuneGames”. Also listed was quick access and a power menu with options to shut down, suspend or restart the handheld device. Other references include system settings which include airplane mode, wi-fi and Bluetooth.
Now, this rumour comes off the heels of Valve’s vague reply to a question if Steam would be porting any games to consoles or not. The question was asked during a Q&A at Auckland, New Zealand’s Sancta Maria College which was recorded by Reddit user, Odysseic which has been deleted.
“You will get a better idea of that by the end of this year… and it won’t be the answer you expect,” Newell said. “You’ll say, ‘Ah-ha! Now I get what he was talking about.'”
Could the Steam handheld be what he was referring to because Valve releasing hardware was probably something no one had in mind? The rumoured news asks more question then answer them, for example how will games be playable? Will it be through digital downloads or through game streaming? How many games will support the device? How much will it cost?
The idea of Valve producing hardware isn’t a first for the company, Valve has a long history of getting into the hardware market. That includes hardware like the expensive Valve Index VR headset to the infamously unsuccessful Steam Machines and Steam controller. Now at this point, this isn’t a guarantee that the Steam handheld is going to happen but is a hint at a direction that Steam could be heading.
