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Dbrand has confirmed that the Steam Machine Companion Cube, which amassed over 100,000 pre‑saves and opened for pre‑orders last week, will unfortunately no longer be produced.
This launch marked the second‑fastest selling item in Dbrand’s 15‑year history, trailing only the Switch 2 Killswitch. Despite months of development and countless hours of craftsmanship, the product never secured approval from Valve, which reached out after pre‑orders went live to inform Dbrand that it could not be sold.
Dbrand subsequently removed the listing and attempted to negotiate with Valve, but the lack of cooperation ultimately prevented the item from reaching the market, resulting in all orders being refunded.
At 3 a.m. on Monday, June 22, we launched the product. Overnight it surged to become the second‑fastest selling item in our 15‑year track record, trailing only the Switch 2 Killswitch.
Soon after, Valve’s legal team reached out, asserting that the Companion Cube is their intellectual property and that dbrand lacked a license. They demanded the immediate removal of the product and its promotional film. Their request was fully justified, and they communicated with clarity, fairness, and respect.
We complied, removed all assets, and filed an appeal. We inquired whether we could continue the project under proper licensing and Valve’s approval. They declined. Given our approach of creating first and seeking permission later, their response was reasonable.
The Reddit thread detailing this saga is fascinating. As a collector, I’m disappointed that this collaboration—fusing Valve’s iconic item with dbrand’s premium design—will never see the light of day.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why was the Steam Machine Companion Cube cancelled by Valve?
Valve declined to authorize the product because it is their intellectual property and Dbrand did not secure a license. Valve’s legal team requested the immediate removal of the product and its promotional material, which Dbrand complied with, leading to the cancellation.
What happened to customers who pre‑ordered the Companion Cube?
All pre‑orders were refunded. Dbrand removed the listing and refunded the full amount to each customer, as the product could not be legally sold.
Will Dbrand release similar third‑party accessories for Steam Machines in the future?
While Dbrand has not announced any new Steam Machine accessories, they remain committed to developing innovative products. However, they will likely seek proper licensing and approval from Valve before launching any future items to avoid similar cancellations.
News Source: Com
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