Steam Hardware Getting Dedicated Section at GameStop

Valve has announced partnerships with major global retailers GameStop (US), GAME (UK), and EB Games (Canada) to create dedicated "Steam Sections" at physical stores later this fall. These sections will showcase all Steam Hardware devices launching on November 10, including the Steam Controller, Steam Link, and Steam Machines. A "variety" of prepaid Steam cards (sales of which have risen every year since they were introduced three years ago, Valve says) will also be featured.

For the holiday season, GameStop, GAME, and EB Games will be the "exclusive non-digital retailer" for Steam hardware. "GameStop, GAME UK, and EB Games are leading retail destinations for core gamers and early adopters," Valve's Gabe Newell said. "Creating a 'store within a store' across North America and the UK is a significant win for getting the first generation of Steam Hardware products into gamers' hands."

The special preorder campaign for Steam Hardware at these brick-and-mortar stores that allowed users get the devices 30 days early "sold out in less than a month." Everyone who preorders now through November 10 gets free copies of Rocket League and Portal 2.

GameStop merchandising executive Bub Puzon said the retailer expects "strong demand" for the Steam Hardware products.

Pricing for Steam hardware is as follows:

• Steam Controller -- $50
• Steam Link -- $50
• Steam Controller + Link Bundle -- $100
• Steam Machines -- Pricing varies by manufacturer