There might be a juicy software update question, though.
RPS: When did Valve start working on the Steam Deck OLED?
Was it right after the Steam Deck launch?
Jeremy Selan:Basically immediately.
We knew we needed a better display, even from day one.
RPS: You weren’t tempted to wait for a whole new-generation Steam Deck?.
You were like “Lets work with what weve got?”
And we’re not there yet.
Selan:One of the core challenges in product design is you really have to balance the tradeoffs.
And even then, this is a brand new APU, we just tuned it for battery life.
Shaw:It’s an interesting point.
We’ve talked about that a lot internally, right?
I don’t think we really have a way to predict how developers are going to ship games.
Selan:We obviously care about the longevity of the machine.
Shaw:Yeah, very much.
RPS:I’ve seen that happen, yeah.
And Im like “Wow, it’s cool, it’s a treat to play.”
It’s just such a weird thing to be playing a game like Cyberpunk on a handheld.
And HDR looks so good!
Yeah, HDR looks incredible.
It just kind of blows my mind a little bit.
Shaw:Yep, absolutely.
Selan:They’re actually functionally identical to the 256GB LCD model that we’re going to continue supporting.
So yeah, we’ll always be updating with all Steam Deck customers in mind.
So you don’t see yourselves bringing out any more new additions?
Selan:I don’t think we’re promising specific timelines.
The new generation, if we did one, is not close.
I am super excited about the Special Edition (of the Steam Deck OLED).
Not being a designer, I imagine maybe there could be other special versions?
Shaw:We have so many ideas.
So many ideas as to how many fun colorways we can put out there.
But yeah, this is the one, for a long time.
I remember the Valve standpoint in 2022 being “We want more people to make handheld PCs!”
So is stuff like the Asus ROG Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go what you had in mind?
Shaw:More, more more!
Selan:Yeah, it’s awesome.
I think we wouldn’t expect all customers to be served by one gadget.
And we see it as a real validation.
I think Steam Deck sort of defined the category, so seeing other people join is just awesome.
Shaw:Yeah, it’s great.
And we can work with them to do a better job for all customers.
It’s more the merrier.
Sort of showing off very similar user experience, which is great.
Shaw:It just pushes us to continue working on that.
Selan:Two thumbs up!
Shaw:Yeah, two thumbs up!
yo, everybody, keep making these.
