Back in 2015, when the original Steam Machine was unveiled, it was set to revolutionize the gaming landscape. The hybrid of a console and PC generated a considerable buzz, yet various issues hindered its success. Subpar performance drove gamers back to traditional PC setups, while its steep price tag led Valve to sell fewer than 500,000 units. Nevertheless, the Steam Machine cultivated a dedicated fanbase, many of whom have been eagerly anticipating a sequel. It seems that this much-anticipated follow-up may finally be on the horizon.
A Reddit user known as u/coolbho3k discovered a mention of the Fremont project within the Steam Deck kernel. While the code doesn’t specify the exact nature of the Fremont device, it alludes to a platform identified as AMD Lilac. This platform has appeared on Geekbench, where it outperforms the Steam Deck by a notable margin. If Fremont turns out to be another handheld, it could leave the Steam Deck behind, leading many to speculate it might be a TV box or set-top unit, a theory supported by Tom’s Hardware.
The Lilac reference is not new; it was first identified over two years ago, suggesting that Valve is not the only company interested in this chip.
Notably, there has been mention of HDMI-CEC, which is usually not associated with handheld devices. This specific type of CEC is frequently connected to Google hardware, particularly Chromebooks, due to its driver. This has prompted u/coolbho3k to speculate on the possibility of Google’s involvement in the development process.
If Fremont indeed represents a new Steam Machine, it may introduce streaming capabilities akin to those found in the Nvidia Shield. Should Google and Valve collaborate to integrate ChromeOS into the platform, users could potentially enjoy both ChromeOS and SteamOS, as well as access to the Google Play Store.
At this stage, all of this remains speculative. Until Valve releases an official announcement, we can only make informed predictions regarding the hardware. The inaugural Steam Deck was revealed at CES in 2014, following a similar timeline. With CES 2025 approaching quickly, it’s the perfect opportunity for Valve to unveil a successor. Additionally, a recent leak indicating that Valve is developing a follow-up to the Steam Controller supports the notion that exciting new developments may be underway.
