I hate how effective marketing techniques are on me. I like to believe I’m good at spotting them – I can usually see right through the tactics. But knowing what’s happening doesn’t stop me from falling right in line with the marketers’ plan. It just means I’m begrudgingly complicit, annoyed at both myself and the process.

When Pixie or I think about spending on something expensive and unnecessary, we’ll often run it by the other, seeing if they’ll convince us to hold off. It rarely works, it’s often more of a token effort so the other person can get excited too about the new gadget.

So, naturally, I asked Pixie if I really wanted a Steam Deck. His answer was even more enabling than usual:

mcphee: “Do I want a Steam Deck?”
Pixie: “100% yes.”
mcphee: “I mean, *should* I buy a Steam Deck?”
Pixie: “100% yes.”

And, with his blessing – along with every YouTube review I devoured screaming, “Yes, you need this!” – my curiosity spiraled into an undeniable need.

And, as it turns out, Valve just announced their Australian release was coming up ‘in November.’ Talk about convenient timing.

But then the real decision: which model to buy. Three versions are launching in Australia:

Here’s where I get irritated with the marketing. The mid-tier OLED model is classic decoy pricing – it’s positioned to make the top one look like great value.

I  do want an OLED display, so if my starting point is the middle model, that 1TB version is just $150 more. Seems like a steal to get those extras for $150, right? But is it worth $400 more than the base? Suddenly, without the mid-tier option to make it look reasonable, that would seem like a big leap.

I know I’m being nudged toward the top-tier model. I know exactly how it’s happening, and I still might (definitely will) end up going for it – frustratingly aware of the manipulation.

Anyway, it’s November now, and I’ve been refreshing the Steam Deck page for three days straight, just in case it’s ready to order. There’s no urgency, yet somehow, the longer it’s unavailable, the more I want it.

A week ago, I was curious. Now, I’m obsessed.