Why isn't the Steam Deck sold in retail stores?

[Faster With Feeling]

Why isn't the steam deck available in retail stores but only online?

[Mailer]

They are, actually; just not in most countries outside of East Asia:
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2023/04/steam-deck-hitting-retail-stores-in-japan-from-april-29th-south-korea-to-follow/

Probably because Japan and similar countries have a different stigma of PC gaming, so this is the only method that makes sense of introducing them there.

As for why they don't do it elsewhere well... I mean ordering one from the Steam Store is just really easy and convenient, unless you live in an uncovered region like Australia?

[Faster With Feeling]

Originally posted by Mailer:

They are, actually; just not in most countries outside of East Asia:
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2023/04/steam-deck-hitting-retail-stores-in-japan-from-april-29th-south-korea-to-follow/

Probably because Japan and similar countries have a different stigma of PC gaming, so this is the only method that makes sense of introducing them there.

As for why they don't do it elsewhere well... I mean ordering one from the Steam Store is just really easy and convenient, unless you live in an uncovered region like Australia?

Puts hand up.......

Yeah Australia back end of everywhere

[Mailer]

Originally posted by The Cereal Killer:

Originally posted by Mailer:

They are, actually; just not in most countries outside of East Asia:
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2023/04/steam-deck-hitting-retail-stores-in-japan-from-april-29th-south-korea-to-follow/

Probably because Japan and similar countries have a different stigma of PC gaming, so this is the only method that makes sense of introducing them there.

As for why they don't do it elsewhere well... I mean ordering one from the Steam Store is just really easy and convenient, unless you live in an uncovered region like Australia?

Puts hand up.......

Yeah Australia back end of everywhere

Ah, yeah, sorry to hear that. You could look at other parties like Amazon maybe, but I don't know how else to help you there. Since people might be upgrading their LCD models to OLED right now, this is a good chance to communicate a second-hand deal though. You could try looking for something like that.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Valve has not said anything about bringing it to Australia since they had issues getting the Index stocked reliably after a year from when they partnered with EBGames.

I don't have high hopes for its availability in Australia.

[Faster With Feeling]

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Valve has not said anything about bringing it to Australia since they had issues getting the Index stocked reliably after a year from when they partnered with EBGames.

I don't have high hopes for its availability in Australia.

:summercat2023:

I had never even heard of a Steam Index you think they'd make a more catchy name for their stuff but also seems pretty niche

[Bad 💀 Motha]

They still have EBGames in AU. Check there. As in like US/CAN you can get Steam Deck through GameStop

[Faster With Feeling]

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

They still have EBGames in AU. Check there. As in like US/CAN you can get Steam Deck through GameStop

We do have EB Games but haven't shopped there in like ages

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

They still have EBGames in AU. Check there. As in like US/CAN you can get Steam Deck through GameStop

Nope. Just the Ayaneo in Australia. Only North American Game Stops sell refurbished Decks.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

But yea if you are looking to buy Steam Deck OLED models; they won't be available anytime soon outside of their website.

[Haruspex]

You can buy used ones in Gamestop.

Valve doesn't yet have the production capacity to create enough overstock to fill store shelves. (Except in East Asia.)

[PopinFRESH]

Originally posted by Haruspex:

You can buy used ones in Gamestop.

Valve doesn't yet have the production capacity to create enough overstock to fill store shelves. (Except in East Asia.)

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

But yea if you are looking to buy Steam Deck OLED models; they won't be available anytime soon outside of their website.

As cSg|mc-Hotsauce noted, GameStop/EB Games in US & Canada are not the same entity as EB Games in AU. Those options aren't available in AU.

And EB Games has been the distribution partner Valve has used for hardware sales in AU previously but I'm guessing EB Games is being dumb about some aspect of contracting them for Steam Deck distribution.

Originally posted by The Cereal Killer:

Originally posted by Mailer:

]...I mean ordering one from the Steam Store is just really easy and convenient, unless you live in an uncovered region like Australia?

Puts hand up.......

Yeah Australia back end of everywhere

It's because you guys are upside down ;)

Valve hasn't figured out implementing a 180° display orientation yet