Following Valve’s announcement today of several new hardware products—including the Steam Controller, Steam Machine, and Steam Framework, all set to launch next year—Xbox head Phil Spencer responded almost immediately.
He said:
"When players and developers have more ways to play and create—especially on open platforms—the games industry moves forward. Expanding access across PC, console, and handheld devices reflects a future built on freedom of choice, which has always been at the core of the Xbox vision. As one of the largest publishers on Steam, we’re glad to see players gaining more cross-platform options. Congratulations on today’s announcement!"
Spencer’s generous response is notably gracious—particularly considering that Valve’s new devices are expected to hit the market well before Microsoft’s next-generation plans (rumored to debut as early as 2027). Although Valve has yet to reveal pricing, the new products may compete directly with Microsoft and Xbox’s roadmap. The hardware landscape is heading into an exciting stage of development.