On November 16, Valve will let people buy a brand new Steam Deck OLED Restricted Version mannequin, which options all of the upgrades of the bottom OLED model of the transportable PC, however with some additional beauty particulars, too. And to assist people truly get an opportunity to purchase this factor, Valve is implementing some safeguards to gradual or cease bots and resellers from shopping for all of them up immediately.
A few 12 months after its preliminary launch, Valve’s Steam Deck transportable PC is getting an improve. Whereas it’s not a full-on Steam Deck 2 (that’s coming…at some point) this new OLED mannequin sports activities some much-appreciated enhancements, together with an even bigger battery and a stunning new OLED display screen. As you may think about, lots of people are enthusiastic about this new model of Valve’s standard handheld. And a few need to purchase the pricier Restricted Version mannequin, which comes with all of the upgrades present in the usual Steam Deck OLED, plus a flowery translucent physique and additional colourful particulars, like orange vents and thumbsticks. However individuals are additionally rightfully apprehensive that—as with most costly, limited-edition {hardware}—resellers and bots are going to gobble up the gadget earlier than most individuals get an opportunity to purchase it. Fortunately, Valve has a plan that may assist decelerate these dastardly fiends.
On November 14, Valve posted on X (previously Twitter) that the Restricted Version Steam Deck OLED shall be obtainable to buy on November 16 at 10 a.m. PST within the US and Canada. And it confirmed that it was implementing some rules and criteria to “reduce bots and resellers” shopping for up all of the Restricted Version units.
To purchase the brand new Restricted Version variant of the Steam Deck, you first have to be in america and Canada. Your Steam account have to be in “good standing,” too. You’ll additionally must have made a purchase order on Steam earlier than November 1, 2023. Lastly, accounts can solely purchase one unit every.
“We see the Restricted Version mannequin as an experiment (each when it comes to studying how one can pull it off, in addition to gauging buyer demand),” posted Valve in a follow-up tweet. “We’re hopeful that individuals are enthusiastic about this launch, and if we see excessive demand it should give us confidence to do extra colorways sooner or later.”
Valve also confirmed that after the Restricted Version Steam Decks promote out, that’s it. The corporate doesn’t plan on producing anymore.
Whereas many had been completely happy to see Valve attempting to decelerate bots and resellers, others had been pissed off that the corporate behind Steam wasn’t doing extra. As some identified, there are many bot accounts and resellers who will nonetheless be capable of purchase up Restricted Version Steam Decks. For instance, there are bot and reseller accounts on Steam within the US that continuously purchase video games and DLC on sale to remain energetic and look genuine, so these accounts will not be locked out of buying a brand new Steam Deck at launch. Maybe Valve sooner or later ought to add a rule about playtime necessities and account age to additional decelerate bots.
Whereas I want Valve had applied just a few extra guidelines or checks, it’s nonetheless higher than what we often get with new {hardware} releases the place retailers simply say “It’s obtainable!” and chaos ensues.
The Steam Deck OLED launches tomorrow, November 16. Listed here are the costs and variations of the gadget:
- $549 – 512 GB Steam Deck OLED
- $649 – 1TB Steam Deck OLED
- $679 – 1TB Steam Deck OLED Restricted Version
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