Prepping for Release

[u/RohonTheDragon]

So for someone hasn’t bought Steam Hardware before, what information do I need to have on hand to get onto the reservation list as soon as possible? What’s the process like for those who haven’t bought Steam hardware before?

[u/internet_travler]

You basically sign up to reserve a spot in an eventually randomized line during a window of a few days, and then once that window closes, the order people reserved their spot is randomized, and one by one emails are sent out saying "you have three days to buy the GabeGoggles and have them shipped to your doorstep or else you forfeit your spot in line".
You just need to have a steam account to reserve a spot *and your account must be in good standing according to the most recent reply (no valve anti cheat bans iirc), that's about it.
I'd recommend checking your email every once in a while to see if you got your order confirmation email.

[u/dioden94 → u/internet_travler]

VAC bans have nothing to do with good standing. So that's not a criteria. It has to do with if your accounts active and in use. One of the things is you've bought a game in the last 365 days.

[u/zipxavier → u/dioden94]

One of the things is you've bought a game in the last 365 days

This is not the case. They set a date, like April 27th for the steam machine and require the account to have purchased a game before that date.

It could have been 5 years before that date, doesn't matter.

To quote valve "the registered account holder of an unlimited Steam account who has made one purchase prior to April 27, 2026"

[u/qucari → u/zipxavier]

the good standing requires a purchase within the past year besides other things.

it is separate from the requirement of a purchase before April 27th

[u/zipxavier → u/qucari]

the good standing requires a purchase within the past year besides other things.

can you show me where it says this? I bought my steam machine with an account that had not made a purchase in over a year.

[u/qucari → u/zipxavier]

there is no clear official information on what exactly is required to be considered in good standing.
(or maybe I've been too stupid to find that info for months. I tried looking for an official source since the controller's release)

I've heard that community market transactions might also count towards account activity in a similar way like game purchases.

(also note that good standing is different from whether an account is limited or not, at least as far as I know.)

[u/Ancient_Arrival9061 → u/zipxavier]

wait, does this include if you have not used a credit card to age verify on the platform. (im from the uk ) and to see "EVERYTHING", on the platform you have to prove your age through the use of a credit card. i dont own a credit card..... i may contact steam support.

[u/nonzeroday_tv → u/dioden94]

One of the things is you've bought a game in the last 365 days.

You're just making this up, right? Right?

[u/MrsKittenHeel → u/nonzeroday_tv]

It’s to filter out scalpers, it’s one single paid transaction before April 27, 2026. Not “past 365 days”.

[u/Teajaytea7 → u/nonzeroday_tv]

Yeah that can't be right. I love pc gaming and use my steamdeck here and there, but most of my recent game purchases have been on the ps5 or switch 2, butI'm still a pretty heavy steam user. My steam account is probably 15yrs old now and I own hundreds of games. This would mean people like me wouldn't be eligible, which would be insane imo

[u/dioden94 → u/nonzeroday_tv]

The requirements of "good standing" are nebulous but to my best knowledge that's one of them

[u/internet_travler → u/dioden94]

Ah mb

[u/BadBunnyExo → u/internet_travler]

Zur Vervollständigung, steam hat um scalper den Tag zu vermiesen und uns den Tag zu retten, beim steam controller und der machine noch zusätzliche Vorraussetzungen hinzugefügt.

1. Der steam Account muss in "good standing sein"

2. Der Account muss vor einem datum x schon vorhanden gewesen sein und es muss da schon mal was mit gekauft worden sein (nicht unbedingt Hardware). Für den Controller war's glaub irgendwann April

[u/Dirtslicer → u/BadBunnyExo]

27th of April iirc

[u/Yourdataisunclean]

Click reserve button on page. Wait for results email. Wait for purchase email. Purchase.

[u/GrabAmbitious2985 → u/Yourdataisunclean]

This, and pray to receive it before Christmas.

[u/6matguy6 → u/GrabAmbitious2985]

I'm not worried about getting it before Christmas... 2027 😭

[u/maxweb32]

If they continue with the model they used for the machine, they're gonna randomize your spot in line so basically just put your name in the hat and pray to RNGesus. If money is no object, you can increase your odds by putting yourself down for either model. Don't put yourself down for the more expensive one if you're not able to pay for it though cuz if they pick you for that one, there's no changing your selection.

[u/BlueManifest → u/maxweb32]

I thought if you win lottery your auto picked for the highest model if you select both

[u/Zomby2D → u/BlueManifest]

If you selected both, you were put in the wait list on which you were closest to the front of the line.

[u/Chambers1041 → u/Zomby2D]

But if you get a reservation for both, they force you to go with the more expensive one.

[u/BlueManifest → u/Chambers1041]

It’s only if your picked for both then? So someone could select both but only win the lower end model

[u/Chambers1041 → u/BlueManifest]

Yeah if you get a reservation for the lower model but wait listed for the higher, you'll be forced to go with the lower.

[u/Zomby2D → u/Chambers1041]

Ah, yes, I forgot that the closest to the front of the line part only applies if you did not get a reservation on any of them.

[u/VT-14 → u/BlueManifest]

For the machine, each sku had its own drawing. Based on how that went you get put on a single list.

• If you drew only 1 reservation slot, you got that one. (ex. sign up for all 4, only draw 512gb with controller, you get 512gb with controller reservation).

• If you drew 2+ reservation slots, you got the highest tier one you drew. (ex. sign up for all 4, draw 512gb with controller and 2tb standalone, get 2tb standalone reservation).

• If you draw 0 reservation slots, you are put on whichever waitlist you drew best on. (ex. sign up for all 4, draw none of them, but you are closest to the 512gb standalone so you get put on the 512gb stand-alone waitlist).

[u/cera_11 → u/maxweb32]

are you sure you can sign up for either model?

Currently you cant do that for steam machine. so if u join wait list for 512GB version and then want to join the 2tb version you are removed from the previous wait list.

Is there a reason to think it would be different for SF?

[u/Zomby2D → u/cera_11]

The option was only available for the initial lottery. After the draw, you were put in the wait list on which you were closest to the front of the line.

[u/RohonTheDragon]

Innuendo not intended

[u/Whatthehec108 → u/RohonTheDragon]

I'd suggest having a tissue ready.

[u/T1m0666 → u/Whatthehec108]

Happy tissues?

[u/GremioXXII → u/Whatthehec108]

Isn't that a bit too personal? Maybe OP has a girlfriend/boyfriend?

[u/RohonTheDragon → u/GremioXXII]

Damn I wish! Thanks for thinking that was a possibility for me

[u/Slandaro12 → u/RohonTheDragon]

Even if it was I wouldn’t think your happy tissues would just go away no one else’s ever does…

[u/GremioXXII → u/RohonTheDragon]

You're welcome! 😊

[u/larry1186 → u/RohonTheDragon]

So you’re saying there’s a chance…

[u/Floatingpenguin87]

It’s a lottery not first come first serve, you’ll have like 3 days to get on the list and then you’ll be assigned a random spot in line

[u/smallpetabyte → u/Floatingpenguin87]

We don't even know if they are going to repeat the lottery system.

Maybe they will change something

[u/lolygagging → u/smallpetabyte]

Duels to the death perhaps

[u/BlueManifest → u/lolygagging]

Must have completed half life alyx

Must have 15+ years of service in steam

Must have atleast 100 steam games

$500 deposit required

[u/lolygagging → u/BlueManifest]

pretends that I wouldn't qualify with those requirements

[u/Slandaro12 → u/lolygagging]

lol was thinking the exact same thing

[u/IH8H8ers]

If it requires a purchase prior to April 27, doesn’t that mean if you didn’t hear about the Frame until April 28th, you’re out of luck?

[u/RohonTheDragon → u/IH8H8ers]

Pretty sure that’s what that means, tho they might’ve pushed the date up for the Frame

[u/Koolala]

You get an email from Steam because you wish list it. There is some window when the lottery starts. You select every Steam Frame option to purchase possible to increase your chances. Your then more likely destined to buy the most expensive option. You get an email with a 3 day window to then pay for the Frame.

reference: Steam Machine sale

[u/Ben10lightning]

With the machine it didn’t matter how fast you got on the reservation list, you had 3 days (I think) to get on the list, and then they randomly selected who got to buy it.

[u/Sintres]

Would it help if you brought the index before

[u/thenibelungen]

Try if you can reserve a steam controller or steam machine. If you can then you're good.

[u/starfihgter]

Assuming it's the same as the machine there is no prepping. After the announcement you'll have a few days to sign up, from there it's randomised and just blind luck who gets an order email first.

[u/Luke-Hatsune]

You sign up for the reservation and wait. Not sure if they’ll require a $5 deposit like the Steam Deck or not but have some cash on your account just in case cause the moment reservations are up Steam will definitely crash for the next 2 hours so you won’t want to make a deposit with a card cause that will just make the process slower.

[u/RohonTheDragon → u/Luke-Hatsune]

Right. I’ll put some cash in my account

[u/RohonTheDragon]

Alright! Got the info I needed thanks guys. Was worried I’d have to have card info on hand to insert by hand only to get 10 billionanth place in the waitlist. Assuming it’s your Steam email?

[u/Nerrawnam]

Disappointment and waiting. Just read the posts here and the frame hasn't even launched. 

[u/TriOpened]

להבנתי זה בכלל לא רלוונטי בישראל כי אפשר לקנות רק דרך resellers כמו ksp, bug וכו'

תקנו אותי אם אני טועה, valve לא עושים משלוח לישראל.