Print a Companion Cube case and transform your Steam Machine today

Just weeks after dbrand confirmed it had to cancel its Steam Machine Companion Cube case after failing to secure permission to use Valve's intellectual property, the community has stepped in with its own solution. A 3D printing enthusiast has created an unofficial Portal-inspired Companion Cube case that anyone with a compatible printer can make at home.

Created by Printables user Jaron, the Steam Machine Companion Cube Case is a free fan project designed specifically for Valve's Steam Machine. According to a post on X, the model was built entirely from scratch over the course of three weeks, using only publicly available images of dbrand's canceled design as reference.

The timing is certainly interesting. While dbrand's version was an unlicensed commercial product that ultimately couldn't move forward because it relied on Valve's intellectual property, Jaron's design is distributed free of charge and is explicitly not licensed for commercial use. Whether that difference is enough to keep lawyers away remains to be seen, though it certainly puts the project in a very different category.

The case has also been designed with practicality in mind. It doesn't obstruct any of the Steam Machine's existing ventilation, while the familiar Aperture Science logo on the front doubles as an additional air intake to help improve airflow to the system.

Jaron has published detailed printing and assembly instructions alongside the files, making the project accessible even to users with single-extruder 3D printers. Everything required to build the case is available through Printables, allowing Steam Machine owners to recreate the iconic Companion Cube aesthetic without waiting for an official accessory that now seems unlikely to ever exist.

If you've already picked up Valve's Steam Machine and were disappointed by the cancellation of dbrand's case, this fan-made alternative could be the next best thing. Just keep in mind that, as Jaron notes, the project is not affiliated with Valve or Steam and doesn't include any official game assets - it's simply a community-made tribute inspired by one of gaming's most recognizable cubes.

As always, for the latest news on Steam hardware, community creations, PC gaming accessories, and developments across the gaming industry, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.