Just days after the recent Fremont leaks, Valve filed a new Steam trademark, which many believe could be the official name of the company's rumored home console competitor. Steam's parent company, Valve, is also reportedly working on several video game-related hardware projects, making this new business move even more intriguing.
According to recent leaks and speculation, Valve could be developing at least three new gaming devices, codenamed Deckard, Roy, and Fremont. Deckard is believed to be a next-gen VR headset, a sequel to the Valve Index. Roy appears to be a new controller design, reportedly intended for Deckard. And Fremont is thought to be a "PC Box" aimed at competing with current-gen home consoles.
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Valve's Rumored PC Box Could Be Called 'Steam Frame'
On September 3, legal documents revealed that Valve filed two instances of the “Steam Frame” trademark: one for computer game consoles and another for computer hardware and peripherals. This led many to believe that Steam Frame could be the official name for the rumored device previously known as Fremont. Supporting this theory, a recent Geekbench leak revealed the specs of upcoming Valve gaming hardware, with leakers suggesting it will be a TV-focused device built around the core structure of a gaming PC. Many now believe the leaks and the new trademark are likely connected.
Another theory is that Valve could use Steam Frame as an umbrella name for its gaming ecosystem, reportedly including a new device, a set of controllers, and a next-gen VR headset. Some also suggest that "Frame" would fit a virtual reality headset, making Steam Frame a probable title for the rumored Valve Index sequel. It's also possible the company may never use this trademark, as it previously did with Neon Prime, which was later changed to Deadlock. Tech companies often file trademarks without ever applying them to products, and Valve is no exception.
Whatever the case, the timing of Valve's move is notable. Microsoft is entering the handheld market with its upcoming ROG Xbox Ally, PlayStation 6 is rumored to have a handheld edition with docking support, and the Nintendo Switch 2 already dominates much of the handheld market. With all these companies seemingly targeting Valve's market share, it makes sense for Valve to respond with a PC-based device that could rival home consoles. In the coming months, it will be interesting to see Valve's plans for the Steam Frame trademark and whether it ties to the rumored Fremont device.
