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This would hardly be competing with the likes of the big 3.
Since in the end it would be nothing more than a easy PC set up to a TV.
Since i'm assuming they'd want to keep steam itself playable.
All this would add is something on game retail boxes or on the download saying "Playable on the Valve Box', for dumb people who don't know how to use specs
Since in the end it would be nothing more than a easy PC set up to a TV.
Since i'm assuming they'd want to keep steam itself playable.
All this would add is something on game retail boxes or on the download saying "Playable on the Valve Box', for dumb people who don't know how to use specs
The OnLive route makes much more sense as in four year or so, it won't be able to play any new Steam games. Unless they intend to roll one out every year like the iPad. In which case why switch from PC?
*Only compatible with SteamBox v3.0 and up!
*Only compatible with SteamBox v3.0 and up!
I don't see any reason why I could possibly want one of these when I have a PC capable of playing Steam games?
Gabe Newell can proceed to take even more of my money. Enable full cross platform sharing with the PC version for currently owned games as well as multiplayer and friends list. While you're at it throw in plain old USB 2.0 ( and 3.0 ) ports that can support some mouse and keyboard tomfoolery and the line between PC and console gamers will start to dwindle. The PC gamers with put out their pipes and remove their fez's while the console gamers will turn their backwards hats forwards and unpop their collars and perhaps we can all get along.
What a beautiful dream.
What a beautiful dream.
And it would inherit all the flaws of PC-gaming as well. That i7 and "NVIDIA GPU" aren't going to last forever in terms of performance. While interesting, if a user itself has to play with the settings in order to get a playable framerate a few years from release of this "console", it's really nothing more than a PC, now isn't it? Unless the games are all pre-optimized to run on this box.
If Valve puts out a console and runs it the same way they run their PC service, I think it would be one of the finest consoles on the market. I imagine it would essentially be like OnLive; just a console extension for digital gaming. I suppose it could do physical copies of games as well, but that would seem a regressive move on their part. Isn't the industry wanting to move away from physical retail? The way that Gamestop is starting to push DLC sales, you would think so.
From the patent:
"2. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the first socket is shaped such that the first socket is suitable for manual insertion and removal of a trackball."
...this will not end well.
"2. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the first socket is shaped such that the first socket is suitable for manual insertion and removal of a trackball."
...this will not end well.
On-Live is actually a really good idea. Once they get more companies to sign on, it will really take off and could easily be a major player it the console wars.
@NickCull: I can imagine they would tout it as the world's first all digital console. While I complained I do am interested in the idea of Valve releasing it's own console, yet skeptical. It being the PC-market with it's wiiide range of recommended specs of running certain games well. If you can't change the hardware, you can't run newer releases optimally. If you *can* change the hardware, it's nothing more than a PC. But Valve is clever, so a curious one is me!
I can see it as a way to bring people into PC gaming through a cheap means. It might be alright, but I'll stick with my PC, thankyouverymuch.
If it was for OnLive the specs would be a lot lower than a Core i7, 8GB RAM and nVidia GPU. OnLive only needs to decode the video, so a smartphone CPU and GPU would be more than enough.
I already have a steam box. I'm currently using one of it's amazing browsers and the pandora app, as well as cross-game chat.
@Forsakeneyes
I thought about that too. One of the reasons consoles remain popular is because of the developers' gaming optimizations specifically for that game to work on that console. Valve would have to make one hell of a sophisticated machine to prevent something like that to happen, or I guess get developers to specifically develop a version FOR their console, though that seems to start getting a bit convoluted.
I thought about that too. One of the reasons consoles remain popular is because of the developers' gaming optimizations specifically for that game to work on that console. Valve would have to make one hell of a sophisticated machine to prevent something like that to happen, or I guess get developers to specifically develop a version FOR their console, though that seems to start getting a bit convoluted.
It could work, but Valve would have to find a way to differentiate it from "a PC that has Steam installed" aka "any gamer's PC ever"
It's a box with an XBox 360 wired controller in it and a piece of paper that says "Go to Steam.com" - $299.99
Hmmm, I don't know about this. The specs sounds like a pc, but I'm hoping it will be a console. Valve is doing good on PC, why try to go out of their comfort zone? The gaming world is risky business nowadays.
Also, Doug rocks. I love the 90's.
Also, Doug rocks. I love the 90's.
It is really that much of a surprise? Since the beginning of last year they have stated on their Steamworks page that they were working on bringing Steam to the TV, no keyboard/mouse needed. http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/SteamworksBrochure2011.pdf
I'm in favor of what RocketKnight said. I could totally get behind a cheap accessible route to PC gaming, and I'm sure other console users feel the same, but I don't forsee many PC gamers jumping on this.
This could be very, very nice for gamers too stuck on their couches to try, say, a Total War title. Especially if Valve comes up with some fancy new controller archetype that works with full PC titles, as opposed to wireless keyboards.
What a dedicated Steambox would offer, I think, would be market penetration. Casual users who don't even know what Steam is may be inducted into its fold simply by seeing it on store shelves.
Plus, imagine the launch titles! "Play over 1600 games of all types from the storied history of the PC, Dreamcast, and more!"
What a dedicated Steambox would offer, I think, would be market penetration. Casual users who don't even know what Steam is may be inducted into its fold simply by seeing it on store shelves.
Plus, imagine the launch titles! "Play over 1600 games of all types from the storied history of the PC, Dreamcast, and more!"
@NickCull: Well, since most PC-games have plenty of settings (under the hood) to toy with, I'm pretty sure it's possible to optimize most games to run on that thing without having to modify the game significantly. But it still creates a difficult situation where one game looks fantastic, while the other is only playable at medium settings. PC-gamers are used to this but console-gamers expect a consistent experience. Interesting food for thought at least.
Eh, I dunno. This sounds lot like a PC trying to pass on as a console. I dont see point buying one when I could buy an actual PC.
It sounds like a small gaming PC. Valve is already working on a [url=http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/thebigpicture.php[Big Picture Mode[/url] for Steam that would let you control it all with a controller, so this would fit with that news.
I think it could work. It would still be a PC, basically. But it would make PC gaming more accessible and help it colonize the living room.
The big advantage: OPEN PLATFORM That alone would give it a huge advantage over regular consoles.
Valve has also been working with Razer on their Hydra motion controls. So some implementation of that technology, if only for GUI control etc, is a definite possibility.
I think it could work. It would still be a PC, basically. But it would make PC gaming more accessible and help it colonize the living room.
The big advantage: OPEN PLATFORM That alone would give it a huge advantage over regular consoles.
Valve has also been working with Razer on their Hydra motion controls. So some implementation of that technology, if only for GUI control etc, is a definite possibility.
Big Picture Mode
Stupid lack of a f*cking edit button. Seriously, why the hell do we still not have one?!
Stupid lack of a f*cking edit button. Seriously, why the hell do we still not have one?!
Interesting. I can understand people being skeptical, but we should have all learned by now that betting against Valve is a bad move. If they end up pulling if off, I have no doubt it will be excellent (like pretty much everything else they've ever touched).
Ive been sayin this for years. YEARS!!!
STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE
STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE
STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE
STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE
also
STEAM CONSOLE
STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE
STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE
STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE
STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE STEAM CONSOLE
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STEAM CONSOLE
If it's something like a PC that runs with a stripped-down x86 OS that can run all the games on Steam? Yeah, I can see that being successful. If it's just a Windows-Box? Ehhhh, don't really think that'll last very long.
lol @ this being too abstract for most D-Toid commenters
This is basically just a PC that they can sell with a controller to act like a PC or a console depending on how you want to use it. Its powered by Steam more or less. If you have a gaming PC then congrats, you already have a Steambox. If you don't, then this is meant to compete with Apple TV and the consoles. There's a strong possibility Sony might make the PS4 a Steambox too since this is really more of a spec than a hard and fast set of Valve produced hardware
Its not a traditional strategy by any means. Its something I've heard people say Microsoft should've done with the next XBOX. And its pretty damn cool
This is basically just a PC that they can sell with a controller to act like a PC or a console depending on how you want to use it. Its powered by Steam more or less. If you have a gaming PC then congrats, you already have a Steambox. If you don't, then this is meant to compete with Apple TV and the consoles. There's a strong possibility Sony might make the PS4 a Steambox too since this is really more of a spec than a hard and fast set of Valve produced hardware
Its not a traditional strategy by any means. Its something I've heard people say Microsoft should've done with the next XBOX. And its pretty damn cool
Would get if it can run everything that comes out on Steam in the next 4-5 years at max specs (very unlikely).
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