Valve has finally opened Steam Machine reservations, and like clockwork, scalpers have already taken to eBay to sell the new tech for more than double its retail price.
VALVe knows who is buying a console. Just lock it to this person’s account for 90 days and the problem of the scalpers is gone. Sure enough, some people will be having issues as they have lost access to their account. Realistically, this will be a small number which can be addressed by VALVe support
This would require selling a locked down device. i.e. one where you couldn’t install your own OS. The fact that they don’t do this is one of the big selling points (for me anyway)
They could preload the purchasers account then to resell it they have to open the product and remove the account and then it’s an open box product and can’t be sold as new or they don’t open it and scalpers accounts exposed.
VALVe knows who is buying a console. Just lock it to this person’s account for 90 days and the problem of the scalpers is gone. Sure enough, some people will be having issues as they have lost access to their account. Realistically, this will be a small number which can be addressed by VALVe support
This would require selling a locked down device. i.e. one where you couldn’t install your own OS. The fact that they don’t do this is one of the big selling points (for me anyway)
My idea clearly had a logical flaw. You are very right.
Just VAC ban them instead
How do you know the machine has been scalped? You could gift it to someone and never use your own account on it
They could preload the purchasers account then to resell it they have to open the product and remove the account and then it’s an open box product and can’t be sold as new or they don’t open it and scalpers accounts exposed.
Yeah but how hard is it to spin up a burner steam account?
Valve requires a purchase to reserve. So each burner costs them money. It’d be more work for valve though.