Looks like the Steam Deck's supply issues have been resolved by Valve, as preorders for the handheld have finally opened up in Asia.
A Steam Deck handheld gaming console, taken on August 26, 2021.
As reported by GameSpot, Steam Deck preorders are now open in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. This news follows Valve's news that they've increased the production of the Decks, though the new preorders are not expected to impact the current timelines for those located in North America, the UK, and the EU.
What that means is that even if Steam Deck preorders have opened up on the other side of the world, you (as a European, British, or North American user) will not see your shipping date change. For example: if your Deck is expected to ship out in Q3 or Q4 2022, then you'll still get it by then. No changes whatsoever. So don't be incensed, alright?
As for the pricing in these regions, here they are as shared by The Verge:
- Japan: ¥59,800 (64GB model); ¥79,800 (256GB model); ¥99,800 (512GB)
- Taiwan: Starting at NT$ 13,380
- Hong Kong: Starting at HK$ 3,288
- South Korea: Starting at KRW 589,000
Valve's Asian distribution of Steam Deck preorders will be handled by Komodo. Aside from that, the Deck is also expected to make an appearance at Kyoto's BitSummit, as well as the Tokyo Game Show in September. These two events are Valve's dedicated showcases.
Either way, the Deck could actually be a success in Japan because of the country's long-standing preference for handheld gaming. This is why home-grown Nintendo has been dominating the handheld gaming market for years - something that Valve should take note of.
The Steam Deck is proving to be a great investment for Valve as of this moment, as it proves to be a very capable handheld gaming device. Dozens upon dozens of games keep getting added to the console's Verified list (i.e. playable out of the box), including Insomniac's upcoming Spider-Man Remastered for PC. It's games like these that make the Deck a compelling purchase for gamers on the go.
Read Also: Rumored Returnal PC Version Indicates Steam Deck Support
Things Are Looking Up For The Steam Deck
Obviously, production ramp-ups on the Deck are a clear indication that the worst of supply issues plaguing game hardware is behind us. Valve's Steam Deck is no exception. It is not clear how the company managed this, but they were adamant that they've already "cleared up supply chain issues" and even managed to move the shipment of other folks' Decks up to Q3 (via GamesHub).
steam deck dock
But while this is good, you also have to consider that some hardware changes (most of them subtle) may have occurred. This could be indication that part of Valve's solution to supply chain issues is to tweak the Deck's hardware a bit. Don't worry about changes though, because it looks like newer models did improve on the launch versions.
As shared by PCGamesN, an owner of a newer Deck model said that a few problems have been fixed. This includes the "sticky" feeling on the face "B" button. The "Settings" and "Steam" buttons also have a more tactile, satisfying "click," and the handheld's haptic feedback has been improved (it might be no DualSense, but still).
Related Article: Steam Deck Tips And Tricks: How To Get The Most Out Of Your Handheld
