In anticipation for Valve’s latest line of Steam hardware (Steam Machine and Steam Controller), video game stores across the US, Canada and the UK will have a dedicated section later on this year. According to a report on PC Gamer, stores such as GameStop, Game and EB Games will be making shelving space ready for the launch of the new Valve console and accessories.
Valve CEO, Gabe Newell, said that “[c]reating a ‘store within a store’ across North America and the UK is a significant win for getting the first generation of Steam Hardware products into gamers’ hands.”
The new hardware and controller are set for release on November 10th, 2015 with the aforementioned retailers being the exclusive bricks ‘n’ mortar game stores to purchase the hardware from. There is also a limited preorder offer where gamers who purchase any of the hardware will receive a free copy of Portal and/or Rocket League.
The Steam Machine is Valve’s foray into the console market and will bring the whole digital experience of Steam into the modern living room. The machine itself is essentially a pre-built gaming computer originally referred to as the Steam Box. While it’s technically still a console, a Steam presence in retail stores could bring a refreshing and new representation of more PC-oriented gaming back onto the high street.
