Longtime Valve employee, Greg Coomer, praised the quality and success of Nintendo's Switch OLED and insinuated its influence on the company's decision to create the Steam Deck OLED.


Valve Praises Nintendo's Switch OLED Post Steam Deck Reveal

It's not often you see a tech firm praise a rival's product. But that's just what happened post the reveal of Valve's brand-new Steam Deck OLED on Thursday. Greg Coomer, a seasoned employee and product designer at Valve, expressed his admiration for Nintendo's Switch OLED in an interview with The Washington Post.

Coomer stopped just shy of attributing inspiration for the Steam Deck OLED to the Switch OLED. However, he suggested that Nintendo's updated console had shown that there was a significant market interest in such a product. Commending the Switch OLED's screen quality, Coomer commented, "[The Switch OLED] definitely showed people that the fidelity of an OLED screen is just generally higher."

Valve's offices are teeming with Switch OLED consoles, which just goes to show the enthusiastic appreciation they have for the product. Coomer went on to say, "It's just a great product from Nintendo that makes a ton of customers around the world super happy."

The new Steam Deck, set to be available on November 16th, boasts an HDR OLED screen, which provides a stunning and immersive gaming experience. Further enhancements include improved battery life by 30-50%, and the implementation of a new Wi-fi 6E card which allows for faster Wi-Fi downloads. In addition, it's also 30g lighter than the original model and includes a bigger fan that will assist in keeping internal temperatures in check.

Despite these upgrades, visually, the Steam Deck OLED retains a striking resemblance to the original model. An exception is the Limited Edition version, which adopts an eye-catching black and red design.

Looking to the future, Valve indicated that the Steam Deck 2, which could still be two to three years off, will likely be a "next generation" power upgrade.

For gamers, this surge in high-quality handhelds means an enriched gaming experience, no matter where you are. Whether you're lucky enough to own both Nintendo's Switch OLED and the new Steam Deck from Valve or are simply interested in the best games available in these platforms, the selection is vast and varied.

For the Switch, there is an expansive library of games that cater to various preferences. From thrilling adventures to puzzle-solving exploits, there's something for everyone. Regarding the Steam Deck, whether you enjoy action-filled FPS games or prefer strategic RPGs, the Steam Library caters extensively to your interests.

The arrival of these advanced handheld devices has forever altered the gaming landscape. Their significant benefits, such as portability and high-quality visuals, have caused a shift in how we perceive and experience gaming, primarily due to the likes of Nintendo's Switch OLED. With firms like Valve taking note of its success and moving in a similar direction with their products, it stands testament to the Switch OLED's impact on the industry.

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Adam Devine

Hey, it's Adam Devine here! When I'm not out and about, you can bet I'm either casting a line, hoping for the biggest catch, or lounging at home, delivering some epic fatalities in Mortal Kombat. Life's all about the thrill of the catch and the perfect combo move. Whether I'm battling fish or virtual foes, it's all in a day's fun for me. Let's get reel and play on!

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