All articles tagged with #dbrand
Valve intervened legally, leading Dbrand to cancel its Portal-themed Companion Cube external shell for the Steam Machine and destroy all produced units; Sean Hollister photographed the device up close before cancellation, and CEO Adam Ijaz said there was no plan B.
Dbrand unveiled a Companion Cube/Portal-inspired Steam Machine wrap without obtaining a Valve license. Valve demanded an immediate takedown, pre-orders were refunded, and the project will not ship. Valve also offered design docs for the Steam Machine’s magnetically attached front plate for DIY recreations.
Dbrand released a Companion Cube–themed Steam Machine case without Valve's permission, shipped samples for press, and after Valve demanded takedown and proper licensing the product and its launch film were pulled and refunds issued; the episode recalls the company's history of hardware controversies.
Dbrand's Portal-inspired Steam Machine Companion Cube was removed after Valve asserted IP rights and denied a license; refunds are being issued to customers. After seven months and thousands of hours of development, Valve's takedown ends the project, with Dbrand publicly explaining the licensing misstep and Valve's rights over its IP.
Valve demanded that Dbrand take down its Portal-themed Steam Machine Companion Cube and denied permission to license the product; in response, Dbrand is refunding all preorders and has removed the item, apologizing for building without Valve approval.
dbrand removed its Portal-themed Steam Machine enclosure after Valve stated they did not have a license to use Portal IP. Refunds are being issued to customers, and Valve declined to license the project, underscoring the importance of IP clearance before bringing licensed hardware to market.
Dbrand opened preorders for its Steam Machine Companion Cube ahead of Valve’s price and release reveal, but the product listing has disappeared and a teaser video was made private, with Valve and Dbrand not replying to comment; Reddit noted the removal.
Rock Paper Shotgun reviews Dbrand's Companion Cube case for Valve's Steam Machine, noting it’s oversized and pricey yet impressively well-made, with clever materials and fit. The base case is $100 (ships in October) and a $130 deluxe option adds Aperture packaging and extra swag, offering solid airflow and build quality despite being an in-joke for Portal fans.
dbrand has opened pre-orders for the Portal-themed Steam Machine Companion Cube, a full enclosure (not the machine itself) priced at $129.95, with a cheaper $99.95 “Poverty Cube” shipping in October. The set includes a Steam Controller skin and themed packaging, and is designed to fit two height profiles with unobstructed airflow and a removable front panel. Valve’s Steam Machine release timing remains unconfirmed, but the accessories are expected to ship in tandem with the launch window.
dBrand has released two shell options for the Steam Machine: the premium Companion Cube ($130, ships late July) and the Poverty Cube ($100, ships in October). The shells use polycarbonate and polyurethane, include front-panel magnets for easy removal and vent access, and the Companion Cube bundles extras like a Test Chamber Diorama, Red Button stand, microfiber cloth, Collector’s Edition box, and a Portal-themed Steam Controller skin. Pre-orders are live on dBrand’s site (affiliate links). A full hands-on review will follow once the Steam Machine arrives.
dbrand has launched a new 'Sketch 2D' skin design that gives devices like the Pixel 10 a cartoon-like appearance, available for around $25, and is also running a contest where customers can win a Galaxy Z TriFold by placing an order or mailing a ballot before January 3.
Dbrand has released new skins that allow Android devices to match the vibrant Cosmic Orange color of the iPhone 17 Pro, expanding their customization options across various gadgets including smartphones, laptops, and gaming hardware, in response to the popularity of the color.
Dbrand has acknowledged a poor response to complaints about its Killswitch Joy-Con grips detaching from the Switch 2 and will send replacements while working on design tweaks to prevent future issues, emphasizing that users should be able to hold their consoles freely without causing detachment.
Dbrand admitted its initial response to the Joy-Con detachment issue caused by its Killswitch accessory was poor and has now taken full responsibility, offering replacements to all customers and exploring redesign options to fix the problem.
Dbrand has apologized for its poor response to complaints about its Switch 2 Joy-Con grips detaching easily and has committed to providing free replacements and developing improved designs, including a new version that aims to fully resolve the issue, with an update expected by July 10.