The Steam Frame could be getting close to launch, with a leaked Valve email pointing to a pre-order reservation system that could go live this week.
The email, shared by dataminer Brad Lynch, reportedly says entries into the reservation system will be randomised on September 17. It doesn’t actually confirm when pre-orders will open, but Valve’s recent approach to the Steam Machine offers a possible clue: reservations opened three days before the lottery took place. If Valve follows the same schedule here, September 14 could be the day Steam Frame pre-orders go live.
That makes today worth keeping an eye on, although Valve hasn’t confirmed a pre-order date, price or release date for the VR headset.
The latest version of the leaked email also appears to settle some uncertainty around how reservations will work. An earlier version reportedly removed references to a lottery, but the wording has since returned, suggesting Valve plans to randomise the selection rather than simply letting everyone rush to buy one at a fixed time.
That’s potentially good news for buyers. Valve’s previous hardware launches haven’t always been kind to people trying to buy at launch, with scalpers previously snapping up Steam Controller stock. A randomised reservation system should at least make it harder for bots to dominate the initial supply.
There are a few other signs that the Steam Frame’s launch could be approaching. Backend package updates have reportedly been appearing, while a first-look video leaked on September 12 ahead of the review embargo. A prematurely uploaded ShortCircuit video has also added to speculation that more official details are coming soon.
If Valve does make an announcement today, 1pm EST/7pm CEST is one time fans are being tipped to watch, based on how the company handled the Steam Machine and Steam Controller launches. That could be when reservations open, with Valve potentially revealing the headset’s price and release date at the same time.
Komodo Station is another retailer worth watching, particularly for buyers in Asia. Valve’s own store covers much of the world, but its Asian distributor has previously leaked information about Valve hardware. Interestingly, it hasn’t announced its usual Monday-Tuesday restocks this time around.
For now, the September 14 date is still an educated guess based on Valve’s previous launch pattern, rather than a confirmed Steam Frame release date.
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