Dbrand has officially launched a new collection of 51 custom skins for the Steam Machine, following a high-profile legal dispute with Valve over an unlicensed Portal-themed “Companion Cube” case. The new lineup offers a wide range of aesthetic options, aiming to fill the void for third-party hardware customization after the previous product was pulled from the market.
Key takeaways
- Dbrand released 51 new skins for the Steam Machine, including nine exclusive designs.
- The launch follows the cancellation of an unlicensed Companion Cube case due to a cease-and-desist from Valve.
- Skins are available in three tiers: Essential (faceplate), Deluxe (full body), and Everything (including controller).
- Pricing starts at $17.95, with shipments expected to begin in late August.
The aftermath of the Companion Cube debacle
The release comes just weeks after Valve issued a cease-and-desist notice regarding Dbrand’s unlicensed Companion Cube case. While the accessory had quickly become one of the company’s fastest-selling items, the lack of official authorization forced an immediate halt to sales. Dbrand has since leaned into its reputation for irreverent marketing, framing this new collection as a “totally legal” path forward for users looking to personalize their hardware.
A variety of customization options
The new collection features 51 total designs, with nine created specifically for the Steam Machine’s unique form factor. These include playful aesthetics such as “Basketbox,” which mimics a basketball, “Terminal,” “Flat Earth,” and “Package,” which resembles a worn shipping box. The remaining options are pulled from Dbrand’s existing library of textures, including carbon fiber, swarm patterns, and various pastel colors, allowing for a high degree of personalization.
Pricing and market availability
To accommodate different levels of customization, Dbrand has structured the skins into three distinct pricing tiers. The Essential Kit, covering only the faceplate, starts at $17.95. For those looking to cover the entire device, the Deluxe Kit starts at $34.95. The Everything Kit, which includes a matching skin for the Steam Controller, is priced starting at $44.95. The company expects to begin fulfilling orders in late August, marking a significant step in establishing a third-party accessory ecosystem for Valve’s hardware.
Via Dbrand