Don't need 5 threads;
https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/discussions/forum/10/682986292644976509/
https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/discussions/forum/10/682986292644976982/
https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/discussions/forum/0/682986292644977153/
https://psteamcommunity.yuanyoumao.com/discussions/forum/11/682986292644977247/

Anyway;

引用自 D3ATHAWAIT5：

but the reported strategy of pricing it like an entry-level PC ($800+) is a critical error that risks massive sales volume.

The final release price likely reflects all of the hardware and manufacturing involved, which is not a mistake.

引用自 D3ATHAWAIT5：

Steam Deck user base is highly likely to buy the Steam Machine, but only if it's priced like a comfortable living-room console.

The price will be fair but will have to be profitable. The deck was "painful" to sell, but the other models were more profitable.

引用自 D3ATHAWAIT5：

You lose nothing by pricing the hardware lower to capture this volume.

They're not going to go into the negative per unit so people can buy them cheaper. Anyone that wants it enough that can afford it will likely do so. The small form factor is an advantage for a lot of people.

引用自 D3ATHAWAIT5：

If you price high, you scare away your loyal base

It's not just for the loyal base, it's for anyone and everyone wanting an affordable small form factor PC.

It may be easier to just ask; what price do you personally want it to be?

引用自 D3ATHAWAIT5：

Team, I'm extremely excited about the new Steam Machine, but the reported strategy of pricing it like an entry-level PC ($800+) is a critical error that risks massive sales volume.

You've made this claim based on what expertise and data? And you know, the Steam Machine is an entry level PC... trying to imagine the Steam Machine as something else is a flawed premise.

引用自 D3ATHAWAIT5：

1. Platform Loyalty is Real: The Steam Deck proved that users are sticky. Steam Deck owners significantly increase their purchasing on Steam, often repurchasing games they already own elsewhere to gain the superior Steam/SteamOS integration, like Steam Input and Community Hubs.

LOL, no. Users sticking with Steam isn't some new phenomena due to the Steam Deck. Steam wasn't hemorrhaging users until the Steam Deck came along. Do you really think Value doesn't understand their own platform, because you're 'splaining like they don't understand their own platform and have no idea what users do or how much revenue they generate.

I think Valve knows. They're one of the most profitable companies per employee on the planet. How much dumb luck and failing upwards do you think explains that?

引用自 D3ATHAWAIT5：

3. The Bottom Line: You lose nothing by pricing the hardware lower to capture this volume. You gain everything by securing those users in your ecosystem. If you price high, you scare away your loyal base and lose the chance to convert the $50 billion console market.
Please prioritize long-term platform growth and market share by pricing the Steam Machine competitively with current-generation consoles. It’s the only way to convert the mass market.

So you're theory is that Valve taking a loss by selling the hardware below costs is losing nothing?

I mean really, do you think Valve is run by a bunch of clueless nitwits that have no clue about the gaming industry, PC games, or running the most dominant PC gaming platform for the last 22 years? And you're here to save them from themselves with all your expertise and unearned confidence?

Microsoft and Sony may sell their consoles at a loss. But counter point, Nintendo doesn't, and they do just fine. Not everyone is going to buy a Steam Machine, but a majority of people are running less powerful hardware and between people who want the machine for whatever reasons and people who might consider it as an option versus buying some other prebuilt, I think maybe your FUD and and all or nothing arguments might be missing a lot of information you feel comfortable assuming or guessing. Problem with that is you're usually going to end up at faulty and useless conclusions.

引用自 D3ATHAWAIT5：

Team, I'm extremely excited about the new Steam Machine, but the reported strategy of pricing it like an entry-level PC ($800+) is a critical error that risks massive sales volume.

I think there's probably some variation in what the definition of "entry level PC" means. Some people might see that and assume that because their PC was $2000, that means the Steam Machine will be expensive. Let's look at the facts:

• YouTuber "MooresLawIsDead" (Former engineering account manager who used to perform these kinds of estimates for a living), performed a detailed bill of materials estimate on the Steam Machine and came up with around $425. That's including the current inflated prices of DRAM and SSD chips. That most likely reflects Valve's basic price of the components, and factors in things like bulk pricing and whatever deal Valve may have made with AMD.
  
• Valve props the Steam Machine up beside the Steam Deck, and the Steam Deck had aggressive pricing aimed at getting as many people using it as possible.
  
• The Steam Machine is using binned, mobile hardware, which they're able to get for much, much cheaper than you or I could buy components off the shelf. Most attempts at putting together an equivalent, small form factor PC come up north of $900. Valve is most likely aware that they need to come under this in order for the Steam Machine to make any sense at all.

I think if they want to push for the aggressive, "painful" kind of pricing strategy that they used with the Steam Deck, we may be looking at between $450 and $500. Something between $500 and $600 would still be competitive while giving Valve a bit more breathing room on the price. North of $600 would be if Valve is pushing to earn reasonable profit per unit, and considering their strategy with the Steam Deck, I personally don't think that's the case. They want people to enter the Steam ecosystem, where they'll continue to spend money by purchasing games.

There's also a supposed leak for a bundle price of $1200 that includes the Steam Machine, controller, and Steam Frame. If the Steam Frame is aiming for Meta Quest pricing, rather than Valve Index pricing, this lines up. $600 for a Steam Machine paired with a controller, and another $600 for the Steam Frame, placing it in spitting distance of the Meta Quest.

We'll find out soon enough.

引用自 D3ATHAWAIT5：

Team, I'm extremely excited about the new Steam Machine, but the reported strategy of pricing it like an entry-level PC ($800+) is a critical error that risks massive sales volume.
The fear of users buying games on other storefronts (due to the open platform) is the wrong concern when looking at your core audience:

Entry-level PCs are not priced at $800+, hell even my mid-range wasn't even $800. The critical error here is not doing enough research. Your second sentence makes no sense because you indicated no one would be buying the Steam Machine due to this imaginary price point. Even if they did buy a Steam Machine at the price point, why would Valve care, they bought the machine, Valve made money, they let you do what you want, not the other way around.

引用自 D3ATHAWAIT5：

1. Platform Loyalty is Real: The Steam Deck proved that users are sticky. Steam Deck owners significantly increase their purchasing on Steam, often repurchasing games they already own elsewhere to gain the superior Steam/SteamOS integration, like Steam Input and Community Hubs.

Platform loyalty sounds like a disease that needs to be treated. Steam Deck as good as it may be isn't a superior platform, it is a convenient portable platform that acts as both PC and console. The specs are fair, however; you're not going to rock any game at 1440p 60fps or higher. Heavier games will not hit 1080p 60fps, however; 1080p 40fps is still reasonable.

引用自 D3ATHAWAIT5：

2. Guaranteed Revenue: Your existing Steam Deck user base is highly likely to buy the Steam Machine, but only if it's priced like a comfortable living-room console. These users already have massive libraries and ingrained buying habits with Steam, which generates an estimated $16.2 billion in software revenue this year.

Why would they buy a Steam Machine? They have a Steam Deck! They may sit out the Steam Machine in favor an enhanced version of another Steam Deck. A Steam Deck with upgraded specs. You're also being insulting by saying that consumers have ingrained buying habits as if the people are brainwashed. Where are you getting your revenue information from?

引用自 D3ATHAWAIT5：

3. The Bottom Line: You lose nothing by pricing the hardware lower to capture this volume. You gain everything by securing those users in your ecosystem. If you price high, you scare away your loyal base and lose the chance to convert the $50 billion console market.
Please prioritize long-term platform growth and market share by pricing the Steam Machine competitively with current-generation consoles. It’s the only way to convert the mass market.

I feel like you're just trying to get them to sell the Steam machine low enough so you can purchase the Steam Machine for yourself. You didn't actually do any consumer study at all.

Valve doesn't need consumer help when it comes to marketing and research. Hell, their pitch for the hardware alone with the video provided was enough to sell me on some of the products even without the pricing. Why? I know that Valve knows what we want when it comes to these products.

The reason is because the already dabbled in the market before with a Steam Controller and different types of Steam Machines. Those failed, and they learned from their mistakes.

I love it when people who want to purchase a device consider the price to be a "critical error".