Steam Machine preorder emails sent as Valve runs randomized reservations

If you signed up for a spot in the Steam Machine reservation queue, check your email: notices for those selected in the first wave—and those who were not—have been sent. The author said they did not order a Steam Machine, summing up the reason as "Yowzah!" Game Awards host Geoff Keighley reported winning a reservation for a 512GB model.

Videogame deals poster Wario64, who also claimed a ticket, pointed out an added bonus: "Buying a Steam Machine can earn you at least 105 Summer Sale 2026 Trading Cards during the Summer Sale." Valve chose a randomized lottery instead of first-come, first-served.

People whose names are drawn have three days to complete the purchase for their selected unit or their reservation is cancelled and the next person in the queue gets the shot. Those who missed received an email noting that as the company works through the queue, cancellations may move them into a reservation and they will be notified by email if that happens.

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