Valve’s Steam Machine Faces Scalping Surge Ahead of Launch

Even before hitting store shelves, Valve’s Steam Machine is already being flipped for staggering markups—raising tough questions about hardware accessibility in an era of limited supply.

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A Launch Overshadowed by Scalping Before Release

Valve’s Steam Machine, scheduled to launch on June 29, 2026, has already become a hot commodity on secondary markets. Despite not having shipped a single unit, reservation slots are being listed on eBay for jaw-dropping prices—ranging from approximately $1,600 up to $3,500. That’s nearly three times the official starting price of $1,049 for the 512GB model and $1,349 for the 2TB version.

Valve’s Randomized Reservation System: Intent vs. Outcome

In anticipation of high demand and scalping risks, Valve implemented a randomized reservation system. Users needed a Steam account in good standing, at least one prior purchase made before April 27, 2026, and were limited to one reservation per household. Valve also cross-checked payment methods and addresses to deter duplicates. However, despite these safeguards, scalpers have found ways to monetize the system by reselling confirmed slots at inflated prices.