Submitted 2 weeks ago by subtex@lemmy.world to steamdeck@sopuli.xyz
https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck
Just noticed all models of the steam deck are marked as OOS now.
I know the LCD models were going but the other oled models were still good.
Did I miss any news about there being a freeze on the sales from Valve or any info about this?
All models are in stock in the UK
Sounds like tariffs in the US are to blame then
It could also be that inventory isn’t being replenished anywhere, and US runs out first because of highest sales volume in a given period.
Here in Germany / Europe the OLED models are still available.
Valve doesn’t have utterly huge manufacturing (or warehousing) capabilities the way MSFT, Sony, or Nintendo do.
They very likely just retooled the spaces they were using for the Steam Decks over into making Machines, Frames, new Steam Controllers.
As in, they probably just entirely stopped mfging new Steam Decks like… I dunno, 3 to 9 months ago?
The RAMpocalypse certainly isn’t helping, but I’d say its much more significantly due to Valve running basically a pretty small manufacturing capability compared to other … game-device makers.
Truscape@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
Rampocalypse is to blame. They’re simply not manufacturing any more units until memory prices drop (since raising prices on the SD would be a PR nightmare and they wouldn’t be able to eat the margins without that).
lordnikon@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Since its just the US only I think Tariffs might be to blame. Valve might be just waiting for another swing in the whims of the administration then bring another batch in. Valve can do that as they don’t have to worry about stock price tanking.
halcyoncmdr@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
There are two tracks of thought here.
The US Tariffs are raising the cost too high. So US inventory is not being restocked.
The DRAM constraints are raising the cost to manufacture too high. That affects both the RAM and SSD in the system. This would affect all manufacturing of the Steam Deck.
As for it only being the US, they’re not going to be shifting international inventory after already situating it in more local distribution centers and dealing with customs. So the question comes down to, are the international stores/distribution centers still being restocked, or is everything on hold and the US just happens to be the first to sell out?
PrinzKasper@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
Valve has an absurd amount of money, they could easily eat the loss if they wanted to.
Fecundpossum@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
There’s a reason valve has an absurd amount of money.
thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
The goal of any business is not to eat the loss, if its not important for survival. The Steam Deck is not crucial for operation of their business. Compared to consoles where its their only income (usually) and they depend on the number of sold units. Also compared to consoles, Valve is not in a position where they heavily compete on price and need to bring it down to price of competition.
In short, there is no need for Valve to eat the cost. It’s already a good price too.
artyom@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
Source?