Transform Your Steam Machine into a Companion Cube: DIY Guide Inside!

In a bid to transform the Steam Machine into a unique gaming companion, the recent efforts of 3D printing enthusiast Jaron have taken center stage. After dbrand was forced to retract its Companion Cube casing due to Valve’s intervention, Jaron stepped in to offer fans an alternative. With weeks of CAD design work, he has created a customizable, Portal-themed case for the Steam Machine that fans can 3D print themselves. This innovative project features the iconic Weighted Companion Cube adorned with heart symbols as well as a variant that includes the Aperture Science logo, making it a delightful addition for any Portal aficionado.

The casing is composed of several panels that combine to create a cohesive design. These panels are bolted together, while decorative pieces, frame components, and other smaller elements are glued in place. Jaron has cleverly employed magnets to secure the removable front cover and the SD card slot cover. Importantly, this custom design is crafted to slide over the Steam Machine without obstructing any of its ventilation openings, although Jaron admits he has not conducted extensive temperature tests to verify this claim.

DIY Over Commercial Accessories

This project is not just limited to advanced 3D printers; even standard printers capable of handling one plastic color at a time can bring this project to life. For those working with single-color printers, certain sections will require the printing process to pause, allowing for a material switch to produce the desired color variations. Printers equipped with multi-color systems significantly ease the creation of these assorted elements.

In addition to the printed parts, assembly requires a number of components, including screws, heat-set inserts, magnets, and super glue. For those who might feel intimidated or uncertain, Jaron has generously provided several instructional videos on Printables, illustrating the assembly of the individual components and the complete casing.

Jaron emphasizes that this is an unofficial project created entirely from scratch, without utilizing any official game assets or affiliations with Valve or Steam. By doing so, he clearly delineates his fan project from dbrand’s commercial Companion Cube casing. The latter had launched a product without a proper license from Valve and began accepting pre-orders. When Valve’s legal team demanded the removal of the product and its promotional content, dbrand was compelled to cease sales and refund customers. Even a subsequent request for a license was denied by Valve.

In our testing, the Steam Machine impressed with its compact design, user-friendly interface, and quiet operation, showcasing the flexibility of a Linux PC. However, it fell short in terms of graphics performance relative to its high price tag, disappointing many gamers who expected more robust capabilities.