Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney throws shade at Valve / Gabe Newell for Steam Deck pricing

Outspoken Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has recently taken to social media to throw shade at Valve / Gabe Newell over the new Steam Deck pricing. Sweeney hasn't exactly been a fan of Valve for some time, especially in recent years with the launch of the Epic Games Store.

Writing on X/Twitter, Sweeney said:

"Everyone’s being too harsh here. There has been a significant rise in the cost of components that Steam customer spending ultimately funds, and economic trends have created severe disruptions in the component parts supply chain for megayachts."

For those who don't get the reference, Valve co-founder Gabe Newell has a bit of a love of super expensive yachts, going so far as to actually acquire the custom yacht building company Oceanco back in 2025. Newell also owns multiple rather expensive superyachts.

Not to stand up for Valve directly here but just to make a point (because we all know companies are not our friends) - but hold on a moment, isn't this the same CEO who forced over 1,000 people to look for work elsewhere after laying off a whole lot of people? Yes it is. Sweeney has also been quite vocal about support for generative AI, you know - that thing driving up prices of everything everywhere. So perhaps Sweeney is not exactly the best person to be throwing shade around like this.

Even with the price of the Steam Deck rising, it still ended up selling out again in multiple regions.