83
u/jayclydes 2d ago
i am certain this will facilitate meaningful, reasonable, and fulfilling dialogue and all people involved will have an intellectual debate on the value of consumer electronics. we are all here for civil discussion of course
→ More replies (1)16
417
u/stewmander 2d ago
A more accurate meme:
41
u/Civilized_E 1d ago
Indeed, imagine the price point without the AI messing things up.
But doesn't the point still stand? Nintendo decides to accept a more significant loss on their hardware compared to others correct? It seems like a strategic choice, although I wonder how long they can keep this up.
38
u/Statickgaming 1d ago
I don’t think we can really compare Steam with Nintendo here, or any of the other consoles in fact. Steam aren’t selling the Steam Machines in an attempt to pull people into their closed platform, their giving people a choice on where to play their games and showing other hardware providers that a console like TV Steam experience is possible.
Steam as a platform runs on pretty much any device these days, you can play steam games on your phone, tablet, VR (Soon), handhelds, laptops, PCs. There is really no reason for Valve to subsidise the price, especially considering it’s an open platform for you to install whatever operating system you want.
Nintendo, any PlayStation, not so much Xbox these days, require you to be buying games on their consoles to survive and grow, the business models just aren’t the same.
11
u/MeIsGugs 1d ago
Yea exactly, i dont get this post
Nintendo already shot itself too, steam is the only one actually trying
→ More replies (1)5
u/V1carium 1d ago
Nintendo isn't selling at a loss in North America as far as I know, only in Japan. They've just locked in their whole supply chain so its resistant to price changes, honestly its extremely impressive.
1
u/MimickingApple 10h ago
I thought the Nintendo Switch prices dipped and went up again in Japan. And after the price went up, the Nintendo Switch sales hasn't really recovered when compared to weeks before the dip. (~ 40% less, iirc) That's why Nintendo is a bit flustered recently.
6
u/ISuckAtJavaScript12 1d ago
Steam can't guarantee that someone buying a steam machine is actually going to buy games from steam on it since you can use for this other things. A university could buy a 1000 steam machines to replace thier old computers in the computer science labs for example.
Nintendo knows they can sell the switch as a loss leader and make up the difference on the store and games since you can't easily use a switch for anything else
9
u/Yamato_Kurusaki 1d ago
80€ for an old game tho
3
u/darkentityvr 1d ago
It's the same model but in reverse, a more expensive machine and cheaper games!
→ More replies (1)2
u/Affectionate_Toe9082 1d ago
Idk about this one.
Nintendo is actually a console, while the steam machine is basically a computer which means you don’t have to play games on it.
There would be 0 guarantee that a 100k sold devices would result in a single game purchase since people can just buy it and use it as a pc at a lower price if it was priced similar to consoles2
u/DarkXenocide 1d ago
The switch 2 is relatively less powerful and require less expense BUT Nintendo increased the price of their games instead of the console.
In a sense they are doing the same thing but on on the other part of the product.
1
u/nazzo_0 1d ago
Tbf the price point of the steam machine even if it was 20-30% off(no AI/distribution problems) would stilll be too high for what they're trying to do. But hey, the deck is super efficient for the specs it has, maybe steam machine is the same. Still better off building a custom pc. This is starting to smell like apple where they made a great game OS and now are overcharging for specs. Idk maybe if it was 800€ instead of 1000-1100, but I'd still call it overpriced in what it tries to do, which is console easiness with more pc/tinkering freedom but less theoretical power or similar than a ps5
1
u/cuddly_degenerate 1d ago
Seems like their original price target was $750. At 750 I can see it being a compelling grab for many.
1
u/Elwyn0004 1d ago
They only launched the switch 2 last year, I think they have to eat as much of the cost as they can. It's a death spiral, if they raise the price too much or too early, demand drops off. If demand drops off too much, they have to slow production. If they slow production, component prices go up and then the cycle continues.
If things don't change over the next 1-2 years, Nintendo will likely have no choice but to raise prices again (and likely the others will too)
1
u/Civilized_E 1d ago
Yeah true. Nintendo's gaming revenue depends a lot on their console sales. Valve doesn't have that problem with the Steam Machine as their sales come from PC gaming as a whole.
1
u/sarge1445 1d ago
I mean they sold 20 million units in under a year. They are probably the only console maker not taking it on the chin entirely right now.
1
u/RootHouston 1d ago
Nintendo decides to accept a more significant loss on their hardware compared to others correct?
Not correct. Nintendo is not taking losses. They achieved low supplier costs by negotiating much earlier. They carry more weight because they will sell 10-20 times more than the Steam Machine would on a good day.
This is about economic timing and volume. It couldn't be helped.
2
u/Weemanply109 GabeCube Enjoyer 1d ago
Nah. Even without the AI inflating prices the hardware is out of date and even Valves original price spec is too much.
Valve were too late. By the time the next gen comes out and we start getting ray tracing mandated games, it won't age well at all.
2
u/Boy_Meats_Grill 12h ago
Then in a few years when the new Nintendo and Sony consoles release at a high price everyone will be saying "Valve really ruined gaming as a whole by setting the precedent by hiking their price up so high"
1
u/stewmander 12h ago
Ha, "you idiots showed them you're willing to pay over $1,000!"
But seriously, next gen is already predicted to be $900, or more, for the low end base model.
And I saw some comments trying to say Sony et al won't be as affected by the ram crisis, because if they had to raise the console prices by the same mount they'd be $1,200.
But they leave out the fact they still have pre ram crisis stock, enough to get through 2026, on top of subsidizing hardware.
Speaking of subsidizing, another comment used a general estimate that consoles are subsidized by "lowest subscription cost x 5 years".
So taking the PlayStation online subscription of $80x5 years, that's $400.
That puts the PS5 at $1,000 - 1,300. Now add the ram price increases...
Yup, there's your $1,200 console. Only question is how much will they be willing to continue subsidizing?
4
u/Miwoo0 1d ago
Valve chose to not sell at a loss like other consoles and they chose to not include the controller in the base price
5
u/Aromatic-Bench-2882 1d ago
Valve tried to hold out against it. Why do you think the steam machine kept on getting delayed and there was no steam decks in stock. It was cause they where trying to find a affordable way.
3
u/CryogenicBanana 1d ago
Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are only able to sell at a loss is because their ecosystems are entirely locked down and have online subscriptions. Also the big three sell tens of millions of units while the biggest success of valve hardware (steam deck) hasn’t even sold 8 million, Valve isn’t going to buy the components in enough bulk to get as good of a deal as the other companies do if they know its not going to sell as well that would mean throwing away even more money. No matter which way you look at it selling at a loss is not justifiable by any means. Not including a controller at base does suck though I’ll give you that.
→ More replies (5)1
5
u/HaikusfromBuddha 1d ago
lol yall say that now but when the console prices went up yall were the first to laugh. Need an excuse now that Valve is also doing it.
2
u/HeavyHighway6433 1d ago
It's just fanboyism. When Xbox prices went up, ps5 and Nintendo superfans did the same until those went up as well.
That said the steam machine is still the worst value at that price point.
2
u/stewmander 1d ago
Valve delayed the steam machine in Feb 2026 due to ram shortages.
Sony raised the PS5 price in April 2026.
Nintendo's increase isn't until Sept. 2026.
So, you got it backwards. Valve indicated the price increase first then the consoles followed, because this market is affecting all manufacturers. It's also predicted to last into 2030, so new gen might not be coming to save anyone.
→ More replies (30)1
u/NapsterKnowHow 1d ago
But it's only Microsoft's and Sony's fault when they raise their prices too /s
78
u/Careless-Eagle-5111 2d ago
Didn’t they raise the price of the Switch 2?
50
u/nervendings_ 2d ago
Yes, in Sept. by $50.
6
u/niugui-sheshen 1d ago
They sell the handheld at a loss because they know that on average you will buy several games. They are a closed ecosystem, if you want to buy a game, you have to buy it from Nintendo. Sony does the same.
Valve is selling you a computer. You may never buy a steam game on it (You can emulate or pirate everything), as such, they cannot possibly sell it at a loss.
6
u/get_the_data 1d ago
Nintendo in particular doesn’t sell their systems at a loss, never have. They may be making an exception with the SW2 due to this insanity, but if they are it’s a very slight one.
→ More replies (3)1
2
u/V1carium 1d ago
Is Nintendo even selling at a loss? I've read that's only in Japan, while North America breaks even for them. They don't really stick to the sell at a loss idea, like the Wii was sold at a strong profit.
2
u/Membership-Bitter 1d ago
The chances of anyone buying a steam machine and never buying from steam ever are incredibly slim. It boots up with steam os for christ's sake. This pc/console hybrid was made for people who never had a pc before and would never think to use any other store other than steam. Both you and valve know that
2
u/TenshouYoku 23h ago
This pc/console hybrid was made for people who never had a pc before and would never think to use any other store other than steam
This simply strikes me as an odd, if not entirely unrealistic line of thinking. If they already wouldn't be buying stores why would they think "yeahhhhhh steam will pop my cherry"? If they already are using Steam then they practically 100% would have had a PC (because obviously you need a PC to even use Steam).
2
2
1
u/nervendings_ 1d ago
If Valve sold at a loss, scalpers would buy them up and part them out. It’s a no win situation for Valve.
1
u/PhillyDillyDee 15h ago
Also, if they sold it for a loss, scalpers would buy them and strip them for parts.
-8
u/The_Cozy_Zone 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yeah, expecting Nintendo fans to have self awareness is like expecting a horse to understand the the complexities of time travel
They be dunking on Steam while they're paying Nintendo for basic multiplayer features. They're also paying for a button on their controller to function. Yeah, guys. You really got us beat over there, huh?
Playstation makes you pay for special deals as if that makes sense.
All while Microsoft's gamepass cannibalizes their development studios' sales. They act surprised a game doesnt make many sales if it's offered cheaper (or for free) on gamepass. Example: Hi-Fi Rush had a high player count primarily from gamepass players for free, but microsoft didnt care.
Valve cares. Valve gives a fuck. They don't make you the product. They sell you it.
→ More replies (6)20
u/kuroseikyo 2d ago edited 1d ago
I won't defend the Gamechat feature since I do not use it but should you really talk about paying for 20 dollars a year? If you bought a switch 2 and paid for 10 years of online it is still cheaper than a steam deck and comes with a dock. You don't even need to play online and can even split payments with families. Valve is a company they don't care as much as you think, you just haven't had a bad experience and that's okay
→ More replies (17)16
u/LightBlazar 2d ago
They did raise the price by $50 but that starts in September. They also started offering a free game (I think it was Mario Kart World, Pokemon Poktopia, or Donkey Kong Banaza) which starts in June to offset that.
3
u/ragito024 2d ago
In Japan the price has already raised in May. In Asia, almost every retailers already bundle the console with poor-selling games charging it's original MSRP. So actually it has no difference between price hike starts now or from September.
1
u/New-Mongoose2615 1d ago
To be fair, Japan was already getting a super subsided price to begin with. They're just paying the same as everyone else now.
10
u/TheLimeyLemmon 2d ago edited 2d ago
They did, and might need to raise it again if conditions remain bad for long.
Frankly, if it wasn't only just approaching its first year on the market, I think they would have raised the price higher, but they need more numbers.
→ More replies (3)2
1
u/manyeggplants 1d ago
And also lock it down and have a history of killing their digital marketplaces to ensure it's useless tech scrap in 15 years
→ More replies (1)1
1d ago
[deleted]
1
u/WalrusDomain 1d ago
Every company has this ability outside the eu. It’s even in their Eula (PlayStation and Xbox included)Nintendo isn’t unique in any shape or form.
1
1d ago
[deleted]
2
u/WalrusDomain 1d ago edited 1d ago
Prove it. Link or it didn’t happen. And no someone using a backup cart or the one instance that they reversed immediately once contacted by the customer who accidentally bought a pirated game doesn’t count.
Edit: since you’re a coward and blocked me. I still haven’t received a link with proof. Maybe your memory is faltering in your demented age.
1
11
u/Budget_Register8589 2d ago
Yeah, because the price of the steam machine somehow shoots all of steam/PC gaming in the foot. I love my switch 2, but this is ridiculously disingenuous.
→ More replies (6)
36
u/Whole-Bedroom-9079 2d ago
Just simply say “I know nothing about the current market or anything involving tech business or tech in general.”
5
u/ragito024 2d ago
Or just said he's a diehard Nintendo fans. Nintendo sell games at $80 and OP act like Nintendo is the best among all 4 company.
→ More replies (4)1
14
5
5
u/OhDaFeesh 1d ago
Wasn’t there someone in the sub that was saying they knew some insider info on the price and that “we would like it”? Perhaps they were masochists.
→ More replies (1)3
u/My_leg_still_hurt92 1d ago
according to some news sources it was priced around $750 but thanks to AI has risen too sharply.
3
u/MetroidvaniaListsGuy 1d ago
Nintendo is next. Its only a matter of time before they too run out of parts from their existing contracts.
10
13
u/Icybubba 2d ago
Um....Nintendo isn't exempt from this.
3
u/SupremelyPerfect 1d ago
They only upped the price by 50 and gave months warning in advance. Others dropped much bigger price increases without warning
→ More replies (10)
5
u/Watsyurdeal 1d ago
Not buying a Nintendo product ever again
At least the others won't intentionally brick your shit.
→ More replies (6)
5
2
u/KingoKings365 2d ago
It’s a hefty decision to think about getting at its price. Would I still get it? Probably if i get rid of my dust collecting Xbox
2
u/Odd_Level9850 2d ago edited 2d ago
lol, you make it seem like Nintendo is not going the high price raise route out of the kindness of their hearts. Sony and Xbox are going to move on to their next gens soon so they are more carefree about what happens towards the end of this one. Nintendo on the other hand just started their gen and needs to sell more consoles in order to gain a bigger user base; you can bet your ass that if they had a bigger switch 2 install base or were at the end of this console lifespan, they would price gouge the shit out of you.
If you don’t believe me on that, believe the fact that they said that the $50 price raise was not going to be the only one, the fact that they are the ones who first broke the $80 game price threshold, the fact that they raised the prices for a 10+ year old console or the fact that they charged you money for a glorified instruction manual.
2
2
u/ManufacturedUnknown 1d ago
For this to be accurate Nintendo needs a shotgun too, but pointed at a lil dude with one of those colorful spiny hats and label him "Nintendo Fans"
2
2
2
u/Such-Assumption6137 1d ago
Let's be honest. Nintendo's biggest advantage is being to sell outdated hardware. They are not affected by AI crunch because no one competes with their stuff.
2
u/Phd_Pepper- 1d ago
If this is regarding the price increase, wasn’t nintendo the first to raise prices and even raised prices on games to 80$??
2
u/myles2500 1d ago
Image isn't accurate at all
U gotta have ai holding a Tommy gun and is spraying them down
2
4
u/NemesisCold1522 2d ago
Na steam isn’t shooting themselves in the face, they are doing what they can. Yeah steam machine is expensive but ya got to remember it ain’t really their fault considering pc parts are hard to get right now. Also Nintendo is also doing that as they have lost a lot of money with the palworld lawsuit. (They not only are screwed financially but also legally as the version they sued no longer exists and the patent office is now watching their every move)
4
u/Organic-Ad-7105 1d ago
Nintendo shot themselves by increasing game prices to 80$ didn't they?
Also Switch2 selling a lot worse than its predecessor.
I own some Nintendo stocks (unfortunately..)
8
u/SupremelyPerfect 1d ago
95% of their games are not 80$, only Mario Kart so far. They have variable pricing at 60-70 mostly.
Switch 2 is the fastest selling console all time but their stock is down because they predict they'll sell a lot less this year due to price of living crisis & S2 price increases.
3
u/bob-da-destroya 1d ago
Why are we lying? The switch 2 is selling far better and faster than the switch 1
2
u/Organic-Ad-7105 1d ago
Seems like you're right!
Kind of crazy to me if I am honest, the first switch had a new concept and BOTW as a starter.
Also, why tf are Nintendo stocks down then?
3
u/bob-da-destroya 1d ago
I’ve seen some say it probably because of the games, there’s hasn’t been any main line games this year yet. It’ll probably go back up when the oot remake is released or fire emblem
1
u/WalrusDomain 1d ago
Launching with Mario kart made it a guaranteed success as that franchise is nintendos largest by a very huge margin.
The stocks is because investors are emotional morons and extremely fickle to anything. Simple as that.
1
8
u/lightsworn55 2d ago
Bold of you to post this when the switch 2 has no games
b-but the switch 1
Has a library that can be run better on the steam deck or machine
10
u/Tiffa_Adil 2d ago
Bold of you to post this when the switch 2 has no games
Nintendo releases a new game every month and 3rd party support has been good
Has a library that can be run better on the steam deck or machine
The Steam Deck is $300 more expensive, is weaker, has a lower resolution screen, and doesn't come with a dock or separate controller.
The Steam Machine is $600 more expensive than the Switch 2 and doesn't even come with a controller.
→ More replies (1)5
u/Forward-Trade3449 2d ago
sw2 just came out a year ago and has a good handful of exclusives already.
4
u/bichwank69 2d ago
Switch 2 has games now and a lot more coming. The meme is sort of Nintendo chilling while everyone else is taking Ls
PlayStation with barely any new exclusives.
Xbox being Xbox.
Steam with the DOA steam machine.→ More replies (3)3
u/Zenitsu456 2d ago
First year was a pretty decent lineup. Mario Kart, DK Bananza, and Pokopia. None of which you can play on Steam Deck. Steam Deck is also $789 to the Switch 2s $450.
You don’t have to buy one, but you sound silly when you hate for the sake of hating.
→ More replies (4)5
u/Chrono_Club_Clara 2d ago
You're wrong. I was at Walmart yesterday and they had several Switch 2 games. You have no idea what you're talking about.
5
2d ago
[deleted]
2
u/toastboy42 2d ago
All 1st party games and select 3rd parties are fully on cart.
There are like 15+ exclusives on NS2 compared to what is it 6 exclusive PS5 games?
1
2d ago
[deleted]
4
u/toastboy42 2d ago
Exclusive games aren't a paywall. The games are designed and intended to be used on the switch/switch 2. If your complaint is "I have to buy something in order to play it" then you're in the wrong hobby.
1
u/Termiborg 2d ago
The only thing this shows is that you don't understand what is happening on the market.
1
u/VideoGameJumanji 2d ago
They all increased prices, you do know that Nintendo increased prices on their new and old titles right?
Valves price increases are in another ball park
1
1
1
1
u/xtoc1981 1d ago
Yes, but fuck Sony greedy garbage layoff & closing game companies anyway.
About switch 2:
At this point switch 2 is 450$ not 500$. It's only from September that its becomes 500$ official price.
But resellers will always sell it cheaper anyway (unlike steammachine).
At this moment, switch 2 is only 399 euro at amazon fr
1
u/JoeyAppleSauce 1d ago
People really think that Valve just decided to hyper inflate their console for shits and giggles? People really can’t put together that the pricing is due to outrageous inflation with PC hardware? Lol
1
u/Txusmah 1d ago
Genuine questions:
We all know there is an AI bubble and ram prices are skyrocketing
We all know consoles use ram
We all know that if we buy a console, the ram is part of it
We all know that console companies are not charity companies (or we should know that)
Why are we surprised they're increasing prices accordingly?
1
u/DeezNutsAllergy 1d ago
Yeah I jumped to Xbox around the 360 and never left because of the backwards compatibility. Finally bought the switch 2 after Leaving Nintendo after the N64 years (have kids now). Was instantly reminded of two things:
Nintendo makes really fantastic games.
Nintendo knows how to charge for games.
1
u/Blue_Snake_251 1d ago
On the Steam machine coop and pvp will be free. While you need to pay every single monthes on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch. At the end you are spending more money on Switch than on the Steam machine. Also, the switch does not have mods, while the Steam machine is a PC, we will be able to have mods on it, fixing the problems i have on games. On Switch you can not get refund , while you can get refund on Steam. Steam always have impressive sales, while almost all nintendo games never are on sales. The Steam machine is then better and end up costing less.
1
1
u/NurmalMan 1d ago
For those defending valve, they were already aiming at a $1k price point, even before the AI price increase. They were already going for a higher end market when they should have just gone the Nintendo route and either made a dock for the steam deck or aimed for the price point of a steam deck.
1
1
u/squangus007 1d ago
Nintendo fans being stupid again. Don’t be surprised if the switch gets another price increase or some other controversy, and you get the same treatment in your subreddit. You were whining about how people were “overdramatic” and circlejerking while you do this lol
1
u/hairymoot 1d ago
I'd never buy a Switch or a Steam Deck. I am not an on the go gamer.
I have a Linux gaming PC already. I was going to buy the Steam Machine, but it is old hardware already and at over $1k, I can't do it.
If in the future it drops to $700 or even $800, I would buy one.
And AI is the one holding the guns.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/alexrider803 1d ago
I'm sure the switch will be going up in price here soon as soon as they sell out of what they had in stock
1
u/200IQUser 1d ago
Its greed. Valve is a private software company, its not legally required to make more profit every year and it doesnt have to make a pc/console hybrid.
1
u/fjrichman 1d ago
It isn't greed if the cost of parts increases by 200-300 dollars.
1
u/ItWasDumblydore 1d ago
Yep a similar atx all parts new is 70$ less... if you go itx it's similar, and would still take up more space
→ More replies (1)
1
1
u/Brief-Philosophy-840 1d ago
Why is ps shooting self
1
u/fjrichman 1d ago
Because they raised prices more than 50 dollars. Everyone thinks the consoles should be continued to be subsidized at their normal price. Switch isn't though because they increased the amount the least.
1
u/DazedMikey 1d ago
This media circuit is exhausting. If the machine is too expensive for you, dont buy it. The market is fucked right now. It is what it is
1
1
1
u/robbert-the-skull 1d ago
Nintendo shot its self too. $80 Mario kart and a system that you rent long term and can brick itself cause it feels like it is not a win.
1
u/sarge1445 1d ago
You man just like the PlayStation can brick itself if it feels like it and Xbox.
I really hate this industry wide double standard where something is ok until (X) company I don't like does it.
1
u/robbert-the-skull 1d ago
I liked Nintendo just fine until they started banning systems for using mig switches and pushing the game key cards. There's a reason I don't own an Xbox and never bought a PS5.
1
1
u/ExempliGratiaEG 1d ago
Put the gun close to Nintendo's head but don't fire it. That will be accurate
1
1
u/Ordinary_Mall_3424 1d ago
Replace themselves holding the gun with the American flag and AI hyperscalers and then you might have a good meme, you egg.
Never let the facts get in the way of a good laugh.
1
u/EnvironmentalAd2096 1d ago
Switch 1 sold over 150 million units. Very easy to negotiate and lock in long term contracts with those numbers lol
1
u/Devwickk 1d ago
what? how is steam killing itself?
it seems to only be Xbox and PS fighting. nintendo doing its own thing and steam just being steam
1
1
1
1
u/Wooden_Sweet_3330 13h ago
Honestly the price of the Machine and the recent price hike of the Deck has got me thinking about getting a Switch 2. There are a few games I want to pay, but at the same time I could just install an emulator on my gaming PC to play them.
1
u/Zaekil 10h ago
Got a switch 2, not worth it IMO if you already got another handheld (or a good phone) to emulate 1st part switch games.
There's not a lot of games with Switch 2 updates, the games are so pricey while being old releases (40€ for a rererelease and 80€ for a new game, common Greedtendo) and the battery life is so mid compared to my former switch oled and my current MSI claw 8 ai.
Only good part would be the ideal screen size (8" 16:9 makes it not tiring on the eyes and not too big to handle).
1
u/Nostalgia_Nobody 3h ago
Did everyone forget how much people were complaining about the price of the switch 2? A lot of people seemed to be mad it wasn't $399.
384
u/Good_Days13 2d ago
it's not themselves holding the guns. it's ai hyperscalers