In the dynamically evolving world of gaming hardware, one of the hottest controversies of 2026 centers on leaked pricing details for the upcoming Steam Machine — Valve’s next-generation gaming hardware rumored to compete directly with the PlayStation 5 (PS5). As gamers, analysts, and investors digest these leaks, one thing has become clear: the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 conversation is shifting expectations on cost, performance, and the future of console and PC hybrid gaming.
This four-part series will break down 7 shocking facts revealed by the Steam Machine price leak, analyze how they compare to Sony’s PS5 offerings, and explore the broader implications for gamers and the industry. In this Part 1, we’ll establish context — the Steam Machine’s positioning, the origin of the leaks, how pricing trends have evolved in 2026, and the first two shocking price leak facts that have rocked the market.
What Is the Steam Machine — A 2026 Reimagining
The Steam Machine is Valve’s much-anticipated hardware platform designed to bridge traditional console simplicity and PC gaming flexibility. Unlike earlier concepts that faltered in the 2010s, the 2026 Steam Machine is a fully modern gaming device, featuring:
A custom high-performance CPU/GPU optimized for SteamOS gaming
Deep integration with the Steam ecosystem, cloud saves, and community features
Cross-play capability with PC titles
Hybrid mode for docked and portable gaming
Where the PS5 focuses on Sony’s curated PlayStation ecosystem, the Steam Machine promises access to the full breadth of Steam’s massive game library, dynamic hardware compatibility, and open-platform flexibility.
External Reference: Valve Steam Deck ecosystem overview
The price leaks that surfaced in early 2026 have ignited discussions not just about price differences vs PS5, but what they imply for gaming accessibility, hardware strategy, and competitive positioning.
Why the Price Leaks Matter
In gaming hardware, pricing is more than a number — it’s a strategic lever affecting:
Consumer adoption
Profitability for manufacturers
Market expansion or contraction
Competitive positioning
Retail and supply chain strategies
That’s why the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 has become such a potent topic.
Historically, pricing leaks have influenced buying decisions, stock market reactions, and even forced revisions from manufacturers. See how previous leaks impacted hardware launches (e.g., Nintendo Switch pricing before launch) for context on the stakes.
External Reference: How console pricing shapes gaming markets
Overview of the PS5 Price Landscape in 2026
Before diving into Steam Machine leaks, it’s important to understand the current PS5 pricing environment (all prices approximate global equivalents in 2026):
| Model | Launch Price | 2026 Estimated Retail |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 Standard | $499 USD | ~$449–$499 USD |
| PS5 Digital Edition | $399 USD | ~$369–$399 USD |
| PS5 Pro | $599–$649 USD | ~$599 USD |
The PS5 maintains strong market penetration worldwide, with sustained demand driven by:
Exclusive titles (Horizon, God of War franchises)
Strong brand loyalty
Backward compatibility
Aggressive discounting in key markets
Sony’s pricing strategy balances premium hardware value with periodic promotions to maintain unit sales while protecting margins.
Shocking Price Leak Fact 1: Steam Machine Base Model Undercuts PS5 by $150
The first shocking revelation from the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 is the base Steam Machine model is rumored to be priced around $349 USD, significantly lower than the PS5 Standard ($499 USD).
This leaked entry price has stunned analysts and gamers alike for several reasons:
Why This Matters
Direct Value Competition: A $349 entry places Steam Machine aggressively below the PS5 in pricing tiers, forcing value comparisons rather than feature comparisons.
Economies of Scale: For Valve to price so low, the hardware must be either subsidized or built with highly optimized cost engineering — similar to what we saw with the early Xbox Series S strategy.
Market Expansion Strategy: A lower price point could attract price-sensitive gamers, especially in markets where console price elasticity remains high.
Potential Impacts
Lower barrier to entry vs PS5 could force price adjustments from Sony or promotional pressure on retail partners.
Developers might prioritize enhanced optimization for Valve’s platform if a broad install base materializes.
Cloud gaming and subscription services (e.g., Steam Premium) gain leverage as monetization layers.
This first leaked fact alone has sparked deep analysis across gaming forums, investment research, and supply chain projections.
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Shocking Price Leak Fact 2: Premium Steam Machine Variant Rivals PS5 Pro Pricing
In contrast to the budget entry model, the second shocking price leak fact in the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 debate is that Premium Steam Machine variants — equipped with higher RAM, expanded SSD, and advanced cooling — are rumored to cost up to $699 USD.
This positioning places the top Steam Machine above the PS5 Pro, raising questions about:
Feature to Price Justification: What performance or ecosystem advantages justify a higher retail price than Sony’s premium offering?
Consumer Segmentation: Are high-end gamers willing to pay more for Steam Machine hardware, or will they prefer custom PC builds?
Performance Benchmarks: Leaks indicate the Premium model may boast GPU performance closer to mid-range gaming PCs than console class.
Strategic Implications
Price Anchoring Above Competitors: By having a premium SKU above PS5 Pro, Valve may be signaling confidence in its modular hardware future upgrades and hybrid PC/console appeal.
Revenue Mix Diversification: Higher-priced units could subsidize lower-priced base models while expanding overall revenue per install.
Retail Channel Strategies: A tiered pricing strategy could accelerate adoption in different segments — entry-level, mainstream, and enthusiast.
This dual-tier shock — a low entry price and a high-end premium SKU — complicates the traditional console pricing model where hardware is a loss leader subsidized by software sales.
How These Two Leaks Shift the Narrative
Taken together, these first two facts from the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 illustrate a fundamental strategic difference:
| Strategic Angle | Steam Machine (Leak) | PS5 (Market Reality) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Price | ~$349 USD | ~$499 USD |
| Premium Price | ~$699 USD | ~$599 USD |
| Price Range | Broad ($349–$699) | Narrower ($399–$599) |
| Hardware Positioning | Budget to Premium | Standard to Premium |
| Value Disruption | High | Moderate |
This dynamic suggests that Valve may be pursuing a multi-segment disruption strategy rather than a singular price point approach.
Early Reactions From Analysts and Gamers
The price leaks have already produced notable reactions across:
Gaming communities: some argue Valve is risking margin for market share, while others view the approach as an aggressive entry play.
Analysts: some price the Steam Machine hardware against projections for software and subscription revenue, calling the model “loss-leading but strategically potent.”
Retailers: preliminary indications suggest retailers are recalibrating inventory expectations for holiday 2026 launches.
Key questions being asked include:
Can Valve sustain a low entry price without eroding profit margins?
Will Sony pre-emptively revise PS5 pricing or bundle promotions?
How will exclusive titles and ecosystem lock-in affect consumer choices?
External Reference: Console Market Dynamics
What’s Next in This Series
In Part 2, we will explore the next two shocking facts from the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5:
Fact #3: Leaked regional pricing anomalies across Europe, Asia, and emerging markets
Fact #4: Subscription bundling strategies tied to hardware pricing
These leaks go beyond headline numbers and speak directly to market segmentation, revenue models, and long-term sustainability.
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Shocking Fact 3: Regional Steam Machine Pricing Is Far More Aggressive Than PS5
One of the most unexpected findings in the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 discussion is how differently Valve appears to be pricing the Steam Machine across global regions.
The Leaked Regional Pricing Breakdown
According to multiple supply-chain and retailer-adjacent leaks, Valve is reportedly planning regionally optimized pricing, rather than a near-uniform global MSRP. Approximate leaked pricing suggests:
| Region | Steam Machine (Base) | PS5 Standard (Avg. 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| North America | ~$349 USD | ~$499 USD |
| Europe | ~€369 | ~€549 |
| Latin America | ~$399 USD | ~$599+ USD |
| Asia (selected markets) | ~$329 USD | ~$479–$529 |
| Africa (import-adjusted) | ~$429 USD | ~$649+ USD |
These differences matter because price elasticity varies dramatically by region.
Sony’s PS5 pricing, while regionally adjusted, remains relatively premium across most emerging markets due to import duties, logistics, and currency volatility. Valve, by contrast, appears willing to sacrifice margin to gain global install base.
Why Regional Pricing Is a Strategic Weapon
This regional disparity explains why the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 conversation has intensified in emerging markets.
Key strategic advantages include:
Faster adoption in price-sensitive regions
Expansion of Steam’s ecosystem beyond traditional PC hubs
Long-term software and service monetization
For many consumers outside North America and Western Europe, the PS5 remains aspirational rather than accessible. A cheaper Steam Machine could become their primary gaming platform.
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The PS5 Regional Pricing Constraint
Sony faces structural limitations:
Higher manufacturing costs
Reliance on physical distribution and retail
Greater exposure to tariffs and taxes
This limits how aggressively Sony can adjust PS5 prices without eroding profitability.
Valve’s digital-first ecosystem gives it pricing flexibility Sony lacks—a core reason why the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 signals a potential long-term shift.
Shocking Fact 4: Subscription Bundles Are Embedded Into Steam Machine Pricing
Perhaps the most disruptive revelation in the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 is that hardware pricing may be bundled with subscriptions and digital benefits, fundamentally altering how consumers perceive cost.
What the Leaks Suggest
According to multiple reports, early Steam Machine buyers may receive:
6 to 12 months of Steam subscription benefits
Free access to select AAA and indie titles
Enhanced cloud saves and performance features
Discounts on future game purchases
While not officially confirmed, these bundles appear to be priced into the hardware, not offered as optional add-ons.
Hardware-as-a-Service Strategy
This signals a shift toward Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) — a model already familiar in smartphones and enterprise tech.
Instead of asking:
“How much does this console cost?”
Consumers are encouraged to ask:
“How much value do I get over time?”
In this framework:
Lower upfront hardware margins are acceptable
Recurring revenue becomes the core driver
Ecosystem lock-in strengthens over time
Sony’s PS Plus subscriptions offer value, but they are not tightly integrated into PS5 pricing in the same way these Steam Machine leaks suggest.
Why This Changes the PS5 Comparison
When subscription value is factored in, the effective cost of the Steam Machine drops even further.
For example:
$349 Steam Machine
Includes ~$120 worth of subscription benefits
Effective first-year cost: ~$229
The PS5, by contrast:
$499 console
PS Plus subscription sold separately
This pricing architecture dramatically shifts the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 value equation.
External reference: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gaming-subscriptions-analysis
The Ecosystem Effect: Why Valve Can Do This
Steam’s Marketplace Advantage
Steam already controls:
The largest PC game storefront
One of the most mature digital payment ecosystems in gaming
A massive user base accustomed to frequent spending
This allows Valve to:
Monetize users gradually
Offset hardware losses through software sales
Leverage dynamic pricing and discounts
Sony, while powerful, relies more heavily on exclusive content sales and physical-digital hybrids.
Long-Term Revenue vs Short-Term Margin
Valve appears to be optimizing for:
Lifetime user value (LTV)
Ecosystem expansion
Platform dominance
Sony optimizes for:
Hardware sustainability
Premium brand positioning
Exclusive IP monetization
This strategic divergence is at the heart of why the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 is so important—it reflects two different visions of gaming’s future.
Market Reaction to These Leaks
Gamers’ Perspective
Gamers are increasingly framing the debate as:
Value vs exclusivity
Flexibility vs simplicity
Open ecosystem vs closed platform
In many online discussions, price-sensitive users view the Steam Machine as a gateway device—their first step into high-performance gaming.
Developers’ Perspective
Developers see opportunity:
Larger global install base
Unified PC-console development pipeline
Reduced platform fragmentation
If the leaks hold true, developers may increasingly prioritize Steam Machine optimization.
Retail and Distribution Signals
Retailers are reportedly preparing for:
Higher Steam Machine volume, lower per-unit margin
Strong digital attach rates
Reduced reliance on physical media
This favors Valve’s strengths and puts pressure on traditional console retail models.
How Facts 3 and 4 Reinforce the Disruption Narrative
Together, these two facts show that the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 is not just about price—it’s about structural change.
Valve is leveraging:
Regional price elasticity
Subscription economics
Digital-first distribution
Ecosystem monetization
Sony remains strong, but more constrained by legacy console economics.
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Shocking Fact 5: Steam Machine Modularity Changes the Real Cost Equation
One of the most disruptive revelations tied to the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 is the indication that the Steam Machine may support partial hardware modularity—a concept almost entirely absent from traditional consoles.
What the Leaks Indicate About Modularity
According to hardware insiders and developer documentation leaks, the Steam Machine may allow:
User-upgradable SSD storage
Modular RAM expansion on select models
Replaceable cooling modules
External GPU support through high-bandwidth interfaces
While not equivalent to full PC customization, this represents a hybrid approach between console stability and PC flexibility.
Why Modularity Matters Financially
Traditional console ownership follows a predictable cycle:
Fixed hardware
6–7 year lifespan
Full replacement for next generation
The leaked Steam Machine design suggests a different model:
Lower-cost upgrades over time
Extended device lifespan
Reduced need for full replacement
This fundamentally alters the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 comparison.
A $349 Steam Machine that can be incrementally upgraded may ultimately cost less over 6 years than a $499 PS5 that must be fully replaced.
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Sony’s Fixed Hardware Constraint
The PS5’s closed hardware architecture ensures:
Predictable performance
Simplified optimization
Stable developer targets
However, it also means:
No mid-cycle performance upgrades
Storage expansion as the only major change
Full replacement required for generational leaps
This rigidity contrasts sharply with the flexibility implied by Steam Machine leaks.
Shocking Fact 6: Performance-Per-Dollar Leaks Favor Steam Machine
Beyond modularity, leaked benchmarks and internal testing data point to another uncomfortable truth for Sony: performance-per-dollar may favor Steam Machine hardware, especially at the base and mid-tier levels.
Leaked Performance Indicators
While final specs remain unconfirmed, leaked reports suggest:
Steam Machine GPU performance comparable to PS5 in rasterized workloads
Better CPU performance in multitasking and simulation-heavy games
Improved performance scaling through SteamOS optimization
Importantly, these gains appear at lower or equivalent price points, intensifying the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 debate.
Performance Where It Actually Matters
Many modern games are bottlenecked not by raw GPU power, but by:
CPU efficiency
Memory bandwidth
Storage throughput
OS-level scheduling
SteamOS’s Linux-based architecture is reportedly optimized for:
Faster shader compilation
Lower background overhead
Better performance scaling over time
This means Steam Machine performance could improve post-launch, whereas console performance is largely static.
PS5’s Strengths Still Matter
To be clear, the PS5 maintains advantages in:
Custom I/O architecture
Ultra-fast SSD integration
Highly optimized first-party titles
Sony’s exclusives are often optimized at a level third-party platforms cannot easily replicate.
However, for multi-platform games, the performance-per-dollar comparison increasingly favors Valve’s approach.
The Psychology of “Future-Proofing”
Why Perception Matters as Much as Specs
Gamers do not buy hardware based solely on benchmarks—they buy based on perceived longevity.
The Steam Machine leaks strongly signal:
Upgrade paths
Software-driven performance gains
Ecosystem continuity
This creates a powerful psychological advantage in the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 narrative.
The Cost of Being Locked In
For PS5 owners, future improvements depend on:
Developer optimization
Sony firmware updates
Eventual PS6 release
Steam Machine owners, by contrast, may expect:
Incremental upgrades
Backward and forward compatibility
Seamless transition between hardware generations
This perception reduces purchase anxiety—a critical factor in adoption.
Ownership Cost Over a 6-Year Cycle
Hypothetical Cost Comparison
Let’s compare a realistic ownership scenario:
PS5 Owner (6 years):
Console: $499
PS Plus (6 years): ~$360
Storage upgrade: ~$120
Total: ~$979
Steam Machine Owner (6 years):
Base hardware: $349
Included subscription value: ~$120
Optional SSD upgrade: ~$100
Optional RAM/cooling upgrade: ~$150
Total: ~$579
Even with upgrades, the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 cost difference is substantial.
Software Spending Still Favors Steam
Steam’s aggressive discounting, seasonal sales, and dynamic pricing further reduce long-term cost:
AAA titles often discounted within months
Massive indie library
Regional pricing flexibility
Sony’s pricing remains more rigid, especially for first-party titles.
Developer Optimization Incentives
Why Developers May Favor Steam Machine
Developers follow incentives, and the Steam Machine’s leaked structure offers:
Unified PC-console build pipeline
Easier patch deployment
Less restrictive certification processes
This could lead to:
Faster updates
Better mod support
More experimental features
Such flexibility enhances platform attractiveness beyond raw pricing.
Risks and Trade-Offs Valve Must Manage
Despite the advantages, this model carries risks:
Fragmentation if modularity is poorly managed
Higher support complexity
Consumer confusion over configurations
Valve must strike a balance between flexibility and simplicity to avoid undermining its own strategy.
How Facts 5 and 6 Change the Narrative
Together, these revelations show that the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 is evolving from a purchase decision into an investment decision.
The key question becomes:
“Which platform offers better value over time?”
Increasingly, the leaked data suggests Valve may have the edge.
Key Takeaways
Modularity dramatically alters Steam Machine’s long-term value.
Performance-per-dollar leaks increasingly favor Valve’s hardware.
Perceived future-proofing plays a decisive role in buyer psychology.
Over a full lifecycle, Steam Machine ownership may cost significantly less than PS5.
These insights reinforce why the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 debate is one of the most important gaming hardware discussions of 2026.
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Conclusion: What the Steam Machine Price Leak vs PS5 Really Means for Gamers and the Industry
The discussion surrounding the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 comparison goes far beyond a simple numbers game. At its core, this debate represents a potential inflection point for the gaming industry—one where pricing, ecosystem control, performance expectations, and consumer behavior intersect in ways that could redefine how games are played, purchased, and experienced over the next decade.
Throughout this article, we have analyzed the most shocking Steam Machine price leak facts, contrasted them directly with the PS5’s pricing strategy, and explored the broader implications for gamers, developers, and platform holders. This conclusion brings those threads together to answer the most important question: Does the leaked Steam Machine pricing truly threaten the PS5’s dominance, or does it simply carve out a different lane in the gaming market?
Pricing as a Strategic Weapon, Not Just a Number
One of the most striking revelations from the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 comparison is how pricing has evolved from a cost-based decision into a strategic weapon.
Sony’s PS5 pricing reflects a long-established console playbook:
Sell hardware at slim margins (or even at a loss initially)
Recover profits through software sales, subscriptions, and exclusive titles
Lock users into a tightly controlled ecosystem
By contrast, the leaked Steam Machine pricing suggests a fundamentally different philosophy:
Higher upfront cost justified by PC-grade components
No mandatory subscriptions
No revenue sharing from game sales in the same way consoles operate
This divergence highlights that Steam Machine pricing is not meant to undercut the PS5 directly, but to challenge the very logic of console economics. Instead of asking, “Is it cheaper than a PS5?”, Valve appears to be asking, “Is it more flexible, open, and future-proof?”
Value Perception: Console Convenience vs PC Freedom
When analyzing the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5, it becomes clear that value perception differs dramatically depending on the type of gamer.
For mainstream players:
The PS5 still represents exceptional value
A relatively low entry price
Simple setup
Guaranteed compatibility and performance optimization
For enthusiast and hybrid gamers:
The leaked Steam Machine price may feel justified
Access to an enormous Steam library
Mod support
Backward compatibility spanning decades
Multi-purpose PC functionality
This split reinforces an important conclusion: Steam Machines and PS5s are not chasing identical audiences, even if they occasionally overlap.
Performance Expectations Redefine “Next-Gen”
Another key insight from the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 discussion is how performance expectations are shifting.
The PS5 delivers:
Highly optimized, fixed-hardware performance
Predictable results across all titles
Exceptional exclusives built specifically for the console
The leaked Steam Machine specs suggest:
Raw hardware power closer to mid-to-high-end gaming PCs
Greater performance scalability
Potential for higher frame rates, resolutions, and customization
However, this comes with trade-offs. PC-style systems—even console-like ones—introduce:
Configuration complexity
Inconsistent optimization across titles
Greater reliance on user knowledge
Thus, the Steam Machine pricing reflects not just stronger hardware, but a different relationship between player and platform—one that assumes technical curiosity rather than plug-and-play simplicity.
The Ecosystem War: Closed vs Open Platforms
Perhaps the most significant long-term implication of the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 comparison lies in ecosystem control.
Sony’s ecosystem:
Carefully curated
Strong first-party exclusives
Deep integration with PlayStation Plus
Clear hardware-to-software pipeline
Valve’s ecosystem:
Open and decentralized
Massive third-party dominance
No exclusivity pressure
User freedom over storefronts, mods, and operating systems
If Steam Machines gain traction—even at higher price points—it could signal growing consumer appetite for open gaming platforms. This would not immediately dethrone consoles like the PS5, but it could pressure manufacturers to:
Loosen ecosystem restrictions
Improve backward compatibility
Reconsider subscription pricing models
The Role of Leaks in Shaping Market Expectations
The Steam Machine price leak itself plays a critical role in shaping public perception. Even if final pricing differs, leaks:
Anchor consumer expectations
Influence pre-launch narratives
Frame value discussions before official announcements
In this case, the leaked Steam Machine pricing has already reframed the conversation:
Steam Machines are seen as “premium alternatives,” not budget consoles
Comparisons with PS5 now focus on philosophy, not just cost
Gamers are questioning what they truly want from next-gen hardware
This alone makes the leak impactful, regardless of how accurate it ultimately proves to be.
What This Means for Developers
From a developer perspective, the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 debate also carries significant implications.
PS5 development offers:
Stable, predictable hardware
Easier optimization
Strong marketing support from Sony
Steam Machine development aligns with:
PC-first workflows
Broader hardware variability
Access to a global PC audience without platform gatekeeping
If Steam Machines succeed, developers may increasingly favor platform-agnostic design, reducing reliance on exclusive deals and embracing scalable engines that perform across PC-like systems and consoles alike.
Consumer Choice Has Never Been Stronger
Ultimately, the most important takeaway from the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 comparison is that gamers are winning.
Instead of one dominant vision of gaming hardware, the market is evolving into clearly defined choices:
Consoles like the PS5 for simplicity, exclusives, and value
PC-console hybrids like Steam Machines for freedom, performance, and longevity
Cloud and handheld platforms filling entirely new niches
The leaked pricing does not signal a threat to the PS5’s existence—but it does signal a more competitive, diverse gaming future.
Final Verdict: Threat, Disruption, or Complement?
So, do the 7 shocking Steam Machine price leak facts vs PS5 truly shake the industry?
The answer is nuanced:
Not a direct threat to PS5’s core market
Yes, a disruptive force in how gaming hardware is conceptualized
Absolutely a catalyst for broader innovation and consumer choice
The PS5 will likely continue to dominate mainstream console gaming. However, Steam Machines—if priced and positioned correctly—could redefine what a “console” even means.
And that, perhaps, is the most shocking fact of all.
Looking Ahead
As official announcements replace leaks, one thing is certain: the conversation sparked by the Steam Machine price leak vs PS5 comparison will not fade. It reflects deeper questions about ownership, freedom, value, and the future of interactive entertainment.
For gamers, the choice will no longer be about which box is cheaper—but which vision of gaming aligns best with how they want to play.
If you want to stay ahead of these shifts, explore more in-depth comparisons and next-gen hardware analysis on Tech Genius AI, and dive deeper into how emerging platforms are reshaping the future of gaming.
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“Recent Steam Machine price leaks suggest a potential shift in console competition, challenging the PS5 on both value and performance.”
– Aires Candido
