**Breaking News: Valve Issues Urgent Recall on Steam Deck Units Following Software Malfunction**
**DATE:** [Current Date]
**LOCATION:** Bellevue, Washington, USA
**WHAT:** Valve Corporation, the video game developer and digital distribution company, has issued a mandatory worldwide recall for a specific production batch of its handheld gaming computer, the Steam Deck.
**WHO:** The recall affects approximately 12,000 Steam Deck units, identified by serial numbers beginning with "V003" and "V004," manufactured between October 2023 and January 2024.
**WHEN:** The company made the announcement earlier today, following an internal investigation that concluded early this morning.
**WHERE:** Affected units have been distributed to consumers in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Valve has instructed all retailers and authorized resellers to immediately cease sale and display of the affected models.
**WHY:** A critical firmware error has been detected in the system's power management chip. Valve confirms that the bug can cause a hardware-level failure during low-power states, resulting in permanent battery swelling and potential fire risk. The company stated: "While no injuries have been reported, the potential for thermal runaway is unacceptable."
**HOW:** Valve is urging all customers with affected serial numbers to immediately power down their devices and disconnect them from any power source. The company is offering a full replacement or refund, with expedited shipping for replacement units within 72 hours. A dedicated microsite has been launched for recall processing, and a patch for unaffected units is expected within the next 48 hours. This marks the first major hardware recall in the Steam Deck product line since its initial launch in 2022.