Gaming giant Valve has recently registered the trademark “Steam Frame,” a development that is intensifying whispers about the company`s potential venture into a new console device, building on the success of its handheld Steam Deck. This registration strongly indicates that Valve is gearing up to broaden its hardware portfolio in the near future.
On September 2, Valve submitted two distinct trademark applications for “Steam Frame,” as initially highlighted by an observant Reddit user. Each filing outlines a different intended use. One application specifically covers “computer game consoles for recreational game playing,” along with associated accessories and controllers. The second application is a broader classification under “computer hardware,” featuring a description identical to Valve`s previous trademark for its Steam Index VR headset. For context, the Steam Deck was categorized under “handheld computers” and “computer hardware,” among other relevant designations.
While these trademark details offer no definitive confirmation, the industry rumor mill is buzzing with reports that Valve is actively developing several hardware projects. These allegedly include a Steam console, codenamed Fremont, a new SteamVR headset, codenamed Deckard, and updated Steam controllers. Further substantiating these rumors, a “Valve Fremont” listing recently surfaced on the Geekbench benchmarking platform, adding credibility to the ongoing speculation.
Valve`s prior attempt at a compact gaming device, the Linux-based Steam Machine, did not achieve commercial success. However, the company has seen considerable triumph with more recent launches, particularly the highly popular Steam Deck. Following the Steam Deck`s strong performance, many industry observers have theorized that Valve would revisit the idea of console-like hardware powered by SteamOS. Recent developments, including the “Steam Frame” trademark, make a potential console announcement seem increasingly plausible.
Regarding the exact nature of “Steam Frame,” the existence of multiple trademark filings implies that this branding might encompass a range of forthcoming hardware products and their related peripherals, rather than a single device.