If you look at the 3 console manufacturers, you’ll notice a pattern. Switch OLED was announced 3 months before release. Ps4 pro was announced 2 months before its release. Xbox one x was announced 5 months before release.
The steam deck OLED? 7 days
The reason that manufacturers give consumers at least a couple months before a release of a new device is so they can feel they made an informed decision on their purchase, and not feel burned when the next iteration is released. No, the device they currently have doesn’t lose inherent value to them. However, knowing that the next thing is coming out in just a couple weeks could make informed consumers hold off for the sale of the now outdated model.
Also inb4 people say “but it’s not a console…”, PC manufacturers have pretty consistent hardware release schedules as well, so the comparison stands.
The fact is this is an established norm for other manufacturers and that valve went against just comes across as anti consumer. And I think that just surprised a lot of people since Gabe’s whole “piracy is almost always a service problem…” Take and the return policy on games make the company appear as super consumer centric, however this release feels out of character.
I’ll push back, the major console manufacturers are pretty universally regarded as anti-consumer. I see any break from their established norms as a grassroots effort to stand out, and provide quickly and efficiently to an eager consumer base. I personally feel 7 days is more than enough time to come to an informed decision regarding the ultimate purchase/abstinence from said purchase, and lands the product within the perfect window for the holidays. I’m assuming they shaved this as close to the teeth as they could, to the moment they knew they would be able to provide an actual product in time, given the extremely low quantity being released. Considering the low stock, and the quick announce to release window, logic would suggest this was a much quicker than normal process, that ultimately addresses some of the major wants from the community in a way that is just that, quick.
I’m here for it.