Dbrand’s Epic Fail: Companion Cube Case Canceled After Valve Intervention
Dbrand, known for its unique PC and mobile accessories, has hit a major bump in the road with its recently launched Steam Machine Companion Cube case. The company has decided to cancel all sales and issue refunds after realizing they never got the green light from Valve to create it in the first place. Talk about a facepalm moment!
In a candid Reddit post, Dbrand revealed that the Companion Cube case was swiftly removed from their website and won’t be making a comeback. What started as a playful joke following the reveal of the Steam Machine turned into a full-blown project, fueled by genuine consumer interest. But amid all the excitement, they completely forgot to ask Valve for permission before diving headfirst into development.
According to Dbrand, they poured over a thousand hours into engineering the case, even crafting 44 sets of injection molding tools. Yet, despite the hard work, they found themselves losing money on every $99 (approx. Rs 27,520) sale of the so-called “Poverty Cube.” In their minds, this was more than just a product; it was a passion project that united their team. Sadly, pride doesn’t equate to permission.
After kicking off pre-orders on June 22, the case quickly became the second fastest-selling item in Dbrand’s 15-year history. However, this surge in interest eventually caught Valve’s attention, prompting their legal team to step in. They informed Dbrand that the Companion Cube is their intellectual property and requested an immediate takedown of the product. Dbrand acknowledged Valve’s rights in the matter, stating that their response was fair and respectful.
In a last-ditch effort, Dbrand sought permission from Valve after the fact, only to be told no. The company admitted that their approach of creating first and asking later was misguided. They reflected on this experience, acknowledging that they should have taken the time to ask for authorization from the start.
It’s not every day you see a company own up to its mistakes so publicly, especially one with Dbrand’s level of experience. But in this case, they’ve shown that even established brands can slip up. As one Reddit user put it bluntly, “You guys are stupid, you know that?” To which Dbrand simply replied, “Yes.”
While Valve emphasizes that the direction for the Steam Machine should be “the cheaper the better,” a price drop isn’t expected anytime soon. It’s a classic case of learning the hard way in the gaming industry!
Note: PKR figures are approximate, based on a rate of Rs 278.00 per USD. Exchange rates fluctuate — please check the latest dollar rate for exact pricing.