Valve has announced that the Steam Deck handheld gaming device will be delayed. It was initially expected to begin shipping in December, but because of "global supply chain issues," units won't actually begin going out until February 2022.
"We did our best to work around the global supply chain issues, but due to material shortages, components aren’t reaching our manufacturing facilities in time for us to meet our initial launch dates," Valve said.
"Based on our updated build estimates, Steam Deck will start shipping to customers February 2022. This will be the new start date of the reservation queue—all reservation holders keep their place in line but dates will shift back accordingly. Reservation date estimates will be updated shortly after this announcement."
Valve said that it will continue to "improve reservation dates based on the new timeline," and will update with new information as it becomes available. Expected shipping times based on your order date (Steam Deck reservations placed now are currently expected to begin shipping sometime in the second half of 2022) will be posted on the Steam Deck web page.
Valve also confirmed that everyone who made a reservation to preorder a Steam Deck will maintain their place in the virtual line: "Everyone is shifted back to the new timeline and you will still get a message to make your purchase in the same order you reserved."
