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Cake not included.<\/p>\n
Anthony Karcz<\/p>\n
Dbrand, the gaming accessories company that\u2019s never one to shy away from whimsy, has done the obvious thing and created a case that converts the new Steam Machine into a Weighted Companion Cube from Portal, one of the most popular games Valve has ever released. <\/p>\n
With the launch of the Steam Machine only hours away (as per the rumor mill), dbrand has opened up orders for their Weighted Companion Cube case. Teased last year, it will finally start shipping later this month. The Cube does not speak and it definitely isn\u2019t recommended that you use it in Portal experiments, but it will encase your newly-acquired Steam Machine in a perfect facsimile that\u2019s created with the thoughtful details we\u2019ve come to expect from dbrand. <\/p>\n
Are You Still There?<\/p>\n
Your new best friend<\/p>\n
dbrand<\/p>\n
Installation of Valve\u2019s Cube in dbrand\u2019s Cube is simple. Use the included Allen key (which thankfully stores in the case itself) to pop off the back, slide in the Steam Machine, replace the rear frame (which is open so as not to turn your Companion Cube into a final resting place for your Steam Machine) and you’re done! <\/p>\n
The tolerances are tight, but then that’s expected, you wouldn’t want the Steam Machine rattling around in the case. What I really appreciate is the company’s dedication to making sure the install experience is flawless. After they got their sample Steam Machine, they discovered that there was an issue with the soft silicone rails marring the surface, so they immediately changed up the manufacturing process to eliminate the issue. <\/p>\n
Play Puzzles & Games on Forbes<\/p>\n
Ports for any and all inputs<\/p>\n
dbrand<\/p>\n
In addition to the large rear opening, you can reverse the feet on the bottom of the Cube to give the case a little extra clearance, allowing maximum airflow to the ventilation cutout on the bottom. The front of the case is also removable but you don’t have to resort to prying the face off in order to access the I\/O ports in the front or see the LED indicator: there are convenient cut-outs for everything. <\/p>\n
And on the shelf\u2026it looks like the best gamer accessory you never knew you needed. It’s instantly recognizable by any fan of the Portal games and comes with fun extras. Well\u2026if you pick the correct edition, that is. <\/p>\n
The Cake Is (Not) a Lie<\/p>\n
There are two versions of the Weighted Companion Cube case. The standard edition is $129 and ships in late July. <\/p>\n
For this experiment you’ll be using your Steam Controller as a Portal gun<\/p>\n
dbrand<\/p>\n
In addition to the perfectly rendered Cube, the standard edition comes with a base that resembles a Super Button from the game. It\u2019s not quite as big as pictured in the promo materials on the site<\/a> but roughly the same diameter as the Cube. It also comes with a Test Chamber skin for the Steam Controller and a “cake-colored” microfiber cloth. And the packaging itself folds out and becomes a Test Chamber diorama. <\/p>\n Finally, packaging that you won’t throw away.<\/p>\n dbrand<\/p>\n Even the exterior box gets in on the bit, with safety illustrations and a “Cannot Speak” warning\u2026just in case your extreme isolation has you attributing the voices in your head to your trusty Weighted Companion Cube. <\/p>\n If $129 is a little too much or you\u2019re only interested in the Cube case itself, there\u2019s a “Poverty Edition” for $30 less that ships in October. It doesn\u2019t include the skin, stand, microfiber cloth, or diorama packaging, you monster. <\/p>\n I\u2019ve seen early renderings of other Steam Machine cube skins and covers that left me underwhelmed. This whole-system conversion makes the Steam Machine even more fun and turns a featureless black cube into a functional gaming diorama. The attention to detail is impressive and if you’re a fan of the series, it’s almost certainly going to trigger happy (and frustrating) memories. <\/p>\n Pre-orders for the Steam Machine Companion Cube case are live now and will ship by the end of July. <\/p>\n