Valve is Reportedly Working on a New Handheld Platform

GAMEFINITY.ID, Salatiga – Software and hardware company Valve is now reportedly trying to re-enter the gaming platform competition.

On Tuesday, SteamDB operator Pavel Djundik see changes in the Steam application programming code, where the code points to a new device named “SteamPal.” This name is a derivative of the programming code found earlier, “Neptune“. The name began to appear in September last year through the identification code string “Neptune Optimized Game“.

At first, the inventors of the string code thought the “Neptune” project itself was related to the controller and was thought to be a new product from Steam Controller. However after the SteamPal string was leaked, various codes were found and referred to “Quick Access Menu” and “Power Menu” made the inventors of the code pretty sure that Valve was making a new handheld console.

SteamPal = Switch PC Version?

A few hours after the SteamPal code leaked, the website ArsTechnica confirmed that there was a handheld project that was being worked on by Valve. ArsTechnica stated that the design of SteamPal will be similar to that of the Nintendo Switch.

In recent years, the concept of the Handheld PC has been hotly debated. In early 2021, Alienware launches its first Switch-like gaming PC , but the device is only a mere prototype and has not been produced commercially.

Various Chinese startup companies have also created Handheld PCs such as GPD Win and Aya Neo. This Handheld PC from China uses the basic Windows system and is assembled using ultramobile hardware that is usually used in Notebooks.

SteamPal Design Leaks

According to ArsTechnica, SteamPal will use the same method as Chinese Handheld PCs whose processors will most likely come from Intel or AMD. This is quite reasonable considering the ability of mobile processors is now very capable through the Intel Iris Xe and AMD Vega iGPUs.

In addition, the prototype design from SteamPal will also refer to the Nintendo Switch, but with a slightly larger size. SteamPal will also be equipped with a controller designed similar to the Switch and screen sensitive touch screen.

For connectivity, so far it has only been confirmed that SteamPal will provide a USB Type-C plug. In addition to charging or data transfer, the SteamPal USB Type-C can also be used to connect the console to a monitor or a wider screen, like the Nintendo Switch.

Official information about SteamPal is expected to be announced at the end of 2021, after previously Gabe Newell gave a little hint about Valve’s new console in an interview in New Zealand. In addition, Gaben also announced that Valve is producing various games in 2021.