Gone are the days of scrambling to build a beefy gaming rig. Though the art of building a PC is still flourishing, gamers now have the option of buying premade builds, equally impressive consoles, and other form factors. Steam, once only a digital storefront, is now leading the charge towards more accessible gaming hardware, highlighted by today’s newly launched Steam Machine.

Introducing the Steam Machine

Today, Valve unleashed its own mini-PC that doubles as its own console. The Steam Machine is a cube device that’s meant to be plugged into a monitor or a TV. As the name suggests, it’s a handy box you can use to play your Steam games without building a gigantic rig.

Inside, the Steam Machine comes with an AMD Zen 4 6C/12T CPU and an AMD RDNA3 GPU. This also translates to 16GB DDR5 RAM and 8GB GDDR6 VRAM. Valve says that the platform is six times more powerful than the Steam Deck. It does support 4K gaming at 60 frames per second and raytracing.

On the software side, it will run SteamOS, providing gamers with easy access to Steam right off the bat. As such, like the Steam Deck, it features compatibility with other controllers and peripherals (via a wide range of I/O ports), cloud saving, and fast suspend/resume. The box itself also features personalization options.

The Steam Machine will come in 512GB and 2TB variants. It can come by itself or bundled with the new Steam Controller.

Paired with the Steam Controller

To support the new platform, Valve also launched the new Steam Controller.

Looks-wise, the controller has the same layout as those you might be familiar with: a D-Pad on the left, XYAB buttons on the right, two joysticks, two pairs of bumpers, and a trio of buttons in front. However, it does have a few additions: left and right trackpads below the joysticks, and four customizable triggers under the grip.

Players can manually connect the controller via a USB-C connection or through wireless. On wireless, the controller can reportedly last more than 35 hours on a single charge.

Though it was built for the Steam Machine, it is also compatible with the Steam Deck and the Steam Frame. It is also compatible with other PCs, Macs, and smartphones.

Price, availability

Unfortunately, Valve has not unveiled the price and launch date of the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller. It does, however, have a confirmed launch window sometime in 2026.

Riot Games has unveiled “GO OFF.” It’s the official music video and anthem for the VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2025. It features a reimagined version of KATSEYE’s hit single “M.I.A.” The new version is now available on major streaming platforms alongside a cinematic video release. It’s titled “M.I.A (VALORANT Game Changers Version)

Music meets competition

Music continues to be a defining part of the VALORANT experience. This year’s Game Changers anthem builds on that tradition. The collaboration with KATSEYE celebrates the confidence, drive, and unity that define the Game Changers movement.

“When Riot asked us to reimagine M.I.A for Game Changers, as a gamer I was like YES!” says Megan of KATSEYE.

“That song has always been about confidence and showing up as your best self, and that message aligns so much with what Game Changers stands for. We wanted this version to celebrate every player who’s out there pushing limits and owning their power.”

A story of perseverance and community

“GO OFF” tells a story of determination and resilience, seen through the eyes of women in and around VALORANT. The video highlights real moments of connection within the community — players who uplift and empower each other in competition and beyond.

“Working with KATSEYE to give M.I.A a Game Changers twist has been an incredible experience,” shares Jonny Altepeter, Lead Music Supervisor at Riot Games. “Their energy and artistry perfectly match the spirit of VALORANT, and Megan’s connection as a player made the collaboration feel that much more authentic.”

Celebrating women in esports

The VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2025 finals will take place from November 28–30. It’s happening at LoL Park in Seoul, marking another milestone for the program since its launch in 2021. Game Changers continues to create more opportunities for women in esports, following past championships in Berlin and São Paulo.

Previous anthems include “All Eyes On Me” featuring Jean Deaux and Whipped Cream. There’s also “VALORANT, LOUDER” with an original score by Karel Psota, and “THE DRIVE” featuring “PREDATOR” by YONAKA.

Watch the music video

After Shadow of the Erdtree concluded the Elden Ring saga, FromSoftware kept the fire going with Elden Ring Nightreign, a multiplayer-focused standalone roguelike set in the same universe. It was a unique experience that breathed new life into the studio’s tough-as-nails dynamic. Now, before the year ends, FromSoftware has announced The Forsaken Hollows, a new DLC coming for Nightreign.

Even from launch, it was apparent that FromSoftware had content updates in store for Nightreign. The studio promised new maps and Nightfarers for the multiplayer game.

Yesterday, an earnings report hinted that the DLC was shipping out potentially early next year. Today, the studio dispelled all speculation and said that the DLC is definitely coming before the year ends.

The announcement expands the already-meaty game with two new playable Nightfarers: the arcane-wielding Scholar and the strength-slash-faith-focused Undertaker. Both characters, featured in the trailer, will introduce their special set of skills in the continuous battle against the Nightlord.

Besides the two new characters, two new bosses are coming to Limveld. We don’t know much about the two bosses. However, knowing FromSoftware, the studio is likely keeping them under wraps, so they can stomp on us harder.

Finally, the update introduces a new Shifting Earth area called The Great Hollow. The area is filled with “exotic ruins and temples; sacred towers denoting the remains of an ancient people; and crystals that exude a cursed, life-draining miasma.”

The Forsaken Hollows is a paid DLC coming to Elden Ring Nightreign on December 3. Though the DLC can be purchased separately, it’s already included in the Deluxe Edition and the Collectors Edition. It’s also available for those who purchased the Deluxe Edition Upgrade.

SEE ALSO: New Elden Ring Nightreign patch will make it easier for solo players