The Steam Machine is the start of an even more expensive future for game consoles

It's no secret that just about every aspect of video games is getting more expensive. Game consoles are getting regular price hikes , PC components are spiking in cost , and the golden age of affordable handhelds is over , all largely due to the global RAM shortage , which has had a similarly costly impact on PC gaming, including portable devices like the Steam Deck . This all led to some trepidation around the Steam Machine, Valve's latest attempt to bring the breadth and openness of PC gaming