JAKARTA — Steam Machine skin fans can now preorder dbrand’s Companion Cube-themed version, and it is not cheap: the lowest-priced package starts at US$99.95, while the full version goes up to US$129.95. The accessory is designed to wrap Valve’s Steam Machine in the iconic cube from Portal, according to Android Authority, which cited information from dbrand.
The product draws attention for more than its decorative appeal. dbrand has built it as a full 3D enclosure made from polyurethane and polycarbonate, with details that closely echo the Companion Cube. So this is not a sticker. Not a vinyl wrap, either. It is a physical “shell” shaped to match the device.
For PC users who want to bring gaming into the living room, an accessory like this sells two things at once: style and fandom identity. Valve only recently announced the Steam Machine as a new console-PC device, and the arrival of third-party accessories from companies like dbrand suggests the living-room gaming market is still very much alive. Expensive? Yes. But this market often moves through products that make people stop, stare, and say, “Okay, I want that.”
Steam Machine skin that is not just a decal
dbrand calls the product a Companion Cube skin, but that label feels too simple. It is built as a 3D shell, not a thin layer you stick on the chassis. The material choices are meant to recreate the look of the cube from Portal, the first-person puzzle game from Valve that still has a loyal fan base.
What stands out is that the design still thinks about function. It includes cutouts for airflow, adjustable-height feet, a removable top for the front I/O ports, and a pass-through strip for the Steam Machine’s illuminated LED bar. So this is not just a cute object meant for a shelf.
That matters. Plenty of gaming accessories stop at aesthetics. Once installed, the device runs hotter, ports get covered, or cables become messy. dbrand appears to have avoided that trap on purpose. It is selling character without sacrificing everyday use.
At this point, the Companion Cube works like a bridge between gamer nostalgia and modern hardware. Valve has a long history of instantly recognizable design, while dbrand thrives on hobbyist buyers who like rare, expensive, and limited-edition products. That combination usually works.
Price, bundles, and shipping dates
For buyers who want the most basic version, dbrand is offering a package it calls the Poverty Cube for US$99.95. This package includes only the cube itself. No extras. No diorama. No premium add-ons that turn the box into a collector’s item.
If buyers want the full version, they need to pay US$129.95. That package is far more elaborate: it includes a special box that opens into a Test Chamber diorama, a button stand for displaying the cube, a suede cloth with a cake motif that dbrand says is authentic, and a Steam Controller skin with a Test Chamber theme.
The US$30 gap is not small for an accessory, especially on top of the price of the main device. But this kind of pricing is familiar in the PC peripherals world. There is a base version for people who just want in, then a full package for collectors chasing the complete experience.
dbrand is taking preorders on its website now. According to the company, the deluxe package is scheduled to ship in September, while the basic version follows in October. That means buyers will not have to wait long after the Steam Machine itself; the accessory is set to arrive first.
Why accessories like this sell fast
According to dbrand, preorder demand has moved faster than expected. That is a simple sign that Valve has again sparked market curiosity. And once a Valve product develops a strong identity, fandom-heavy accessories often follow.
The Companion Cube also carries strong symbolic weight. In Portal, the cube became an emotional icon because it felt “alive” to players, even though it was just a puzzle object in practical terms. Many gamers still remember that detail. So when dbrand turns it into a Steam Machine shell, nostalgia does part of the selling.
For readers, this tells a bigger story about where the home gaming hardware market is heading. Console-PC devices like Steam Machine are not sold on specs alone. Their value also comes from ecosystems, accessories, and a design language that looks good in the living room. That is where brands like dbrand see an opening.
Valve has not widely released full sales details for the device in the materials shared, but the accessory makes one thing clear: interest in Steam Machine does not stand alone. There is a market waiting for the device, and another market ready to sell add-ons around it.
Steam Machine skin and the road ahead for living-room gaming
Steam Machine is not a new idea. Valve has long experimented with living-room gaming hardware, and this time it is returning with a more mature approach. The Companion Cube accessory sends an added message: gamers are not only buying a machine, they are also buying a visual experience.
In the living room, looks can matter almost as much as performance. People want a device they can place next to a TV without it looking like office equipment. That is why strongly themed accessories like this can find an audience. Functional on one side. “This is mine” on the other.
For Indonesia, products like this may not become mass-market items because of price and shipping costs. But the trend behind it still matters. It shows how modern gaming ecosystems move: core hardware, premium accessories, then a community that helps build the product’s identity.
If dbrand’s preorder momentum holds, then Steam Machine is no longer just a Valve experiment. It is starting to enter the territory of something people want to display, discuss, and, of course, buy—especially those who know exactly why the Companion Cube still matters to gamers.
Quick summary: The Companion Cube accessory for Steam Machine is now available for preorder, with prices starting at US$99.95 and the deluxe version scheduled to ship in September. dbrand built it as a functional 3D enclosure, not just a sticker. Faster-than-expected preorder demand suggests Valve’s device has real market appeal.
Short FAQ:
Q: How much does the Steam Machine skin cost?
A: US$99.95 for the basic package and US$129.95 for the full version.
Q: When will it ship?
A: The deluxe package starts shipping in September, and the basic package in October.
Q: Where did the information come from?
A: Android Authority reported the preorder details from dbrand.
📝 Leave a Comment
Comment as . Reviewed by an admin before it appears.