Considering that both the Steam Controller and Steam Machine ship via a reservation system on the Steam store, we can only expect the upcoming Steam Frame to follow suit. According to new information from reliable data miner and leaker Brad Lynch, this “actually seems” to be the case, with the reserve and queue system apparently already implemented in the Steam backend.

More and more Steam Frame leaks, rumors, and speculation continue to surface online ahead of its launch. Time is dwindling if Valve wants the new VR headset ready within the summer release window it promised a few months back. Both the Steam Machine and Steam Frame were announced for this summer, and while the former is available, we’re still waiting for the Frame.

Steam Frame reservations appear to be coming

Brad Lynch shared a screenshot of what looks like a reservation email template, currently defaulting to the Unix epoch (January 1, 1970, UTC) as a placeholder date. Presumably, it shows the day prior due to a local time zone conversion, as the leaker is based in the United States. In any case, while the reservation isn’t live, the reservation system is reportedly in the backend and ready to go.

Valve also uploaded several Steam Frame packages recently, as found on SteamDB, suggesting launch is just around the corner. Previous rumors were pointing to an official announcement during Labor Day on Monday, but that ship has now sailed. A leaker by the name of GogoXR claims Valve won’t be announcing anything this week, but we won’t be waiting “too long” for a launch.

For the previous two hardware launches, Valve has used randomized reservations to deter bots and scalpers from snapping up all the units, all the while prioritizing Steam accounts in good standing. We can probably expect a similar strategy with the Steam Frame. In regions that must buy hardware outside of the Steam store (such as Asia), units will likely ship on a first-come, first-served basis. Just earlier today, partnered retailer Komodo Station restocked the Steam Controller for the fourth time.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.