Rumors that Valve is working on a new game console have gained momentum with a newly filed patent. It’s been suggested that the device, codenamed “Fremont,” could be released under the name Steam Frame.
A Steam game console is coming
Valve, which achieved significant success in the portable gaming market with the Steam Deck, is now entering the desktop game console segment. Leaked information last month revealed some evidence that Valve was working on a new gaming machine called “Fremont.” This device is described as a dedicated gaming PC that would connect to a television like a game console.
These rumors gained further substance when Valve patented the Steam Frame name for a “computer game console.” This patent raises the possibility that the device, codenamed “Fremont,” will be released under the Steam Frame name.
On the other hand, it’s also been suggested that the Steam Frame name could be used as a broader, parent brand encompassing various consoles and VR headsets. However, the fact that the patent was filed specifically for a “computer game console” supports the notion that the name is directly linked to the new device.
In fact, Valve has been considering such a device for nearly a decade. This project, initially attempted in 2015 under the name Steam Machine, was unsuccessful at the time. However, today, the conditions are much more favorable for launching such a gaming machine.
Thanks to Valve’s Proton compatibility layer, it is now possible to run Windows games on Linux-based devices. This technology allows the new gaming machine to support a large library of games.
According to previous leaks, Valve’s new machine will feature a custom AMD Hawk Point 2-based processor (6 cores, 12 threads, 3.2 GHz). It is also claimed to feature a desktop-level Radeon RX 7600 GPU. These specifications suggest that the Steam Frame will be a powerful device in terms of performance.
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