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If you take the name Valve out of the article, would anybody actually be interested? No. Valve can do things nobody else can get away with.
I would definetly be interested in this. So far Valve and Steam have never led me astray so I would be optimistic if this went ahead.
This is basically a PC with a valve sticker on it. An entry level i7 would cost more than double an xbox and that is not including the 250$ gtx 560 ti graphics card that woudl be required to make it a worthy upgrade.
50$ for 8 gigs of ram and you are already hitting 600$ and you haven't even considered the case, mobo, fan, and cpu cooling.
It will not be the price of a console - it will be the price of a computer. The reason consoles are cheaper is because of the licensing fees. They can sell the consoles themselves at a loss and make up for it with software.
Also they state it will run all pc games. Meaning the operating system will be windows. The fact it can run other distribution sources only furthers the point this is nothing different than a PC with a valve sticker on it..
This concept of a "console" is nothing but sensational media. I'm sick of hearing this story and then having the valve fanboys proclaim it's the second coming of Jesus and praising their beloved company.
Razor stated the same thing about a set standard for an upper level pc. They were condemned greatly for this and everywhere you look on the internet its nothing but flaming going on within the articles comment section. Granted they decided to go really high level specs. But to be honest so is valve if they are truely going for 8 gigs and an i7.
there is no reason to go higher than an i5-2500k. The difference is hyper threading - which no current video games support in a functional manner. (and I should hope they know this considering PC games are kind of their business...) And if its some form of future proofing then they should also realize that you probably wont see working hyperthread support that is beneficial for 5-10 years...
The only thing remotely "console" about any of this is the "controller" aspect. And even that isn't exclusive to consoles. PC gamepads are everywhere and in more shapes than even consoles get (with joysticks and ball rollers etc etc).
And also I can go find a quote where gabe said they would rather leave hardware to the people who specialize in it.
Pretty sure IndustryGamers.com had the quote.
50$ for 8 gigs of ram and you are already hitting 600$ and you haven't even considered the case, mobo, fan, and cpu cooling.
It will not be the price of a console - it will be the price of a computer. The reason consoles are cheaper is because of the licensing fees. They can sell the consoles themselves at a loss and make up for it with software.
Also they state it will run all pc games. Meaning the operating system will be windows. The fact it can run other distribution sources only furthers the point this is nothing different than a PC with a valve sticker on it..
This concept of a "console" is nothing but sensational media. I'm sick of hearing this story and then having the valve fanboys proclaim it's the second coming of Jesus and praising their beloved company.
Razor stated the same thing about a set standard for an upper level pc. They were condemned greatly for this and everywhere you look on the internet its nothing but flaming going on within the articles comment section. Granted they decided to go really high level specs. But to be honest so is valve if they are truely going for 8 gigs and an i7.
there is no reason to go higher than an i5-2500k. The difference is hyper threading - which no current video games support in a functional manner. (and I should hope they know this considering PC games are kind of their business...) And if its some form of future proofing then they should also realize that you probably wont see working hyperthread support that is beneficial for 5-10 years...
The only thing remotely "console" about any of this is the "controller" aspect. And even that isn't exclusive to consoles. PC gamepads are everywhere and in more shapes than even consoles get (with joysticks and ball rollers etc etc).
And also I can go find a quote where gabe said they would rather leave hardware to the people who specialize in it.
Pretty sure IndustryGamers.com had the quote.
I like this, the blurring line between pc and console, to have a system with more capabilities than current consoles, a superior and free networking/online system and having steam's vast library readily available to play on your living room tv (without having to move your tower by the tv like I do sometimes), fuck yes please!
I guess every company deserves a terrible idea.
It isnt a console, it sounds more like a low end pc that comes pre loaded with steam.
Portal 2 sold 4 million on consoles and now they want to do away with that and go solo?
It could ruin them
It isnt a console, it sounds more like a low end pc that comes pre loaded with steam.
Portal 2 sold 4 million on consoles and now they want to do away with that and go solo?
It could ruin them
If I would support anyone in an all digital era, it would be Valve. Can you imagine what their competition would do to Sony, MS, and Nintendo?
For that reason alone, I hope this is real.
For that reason alone, I hope this is real.
I could see this really working out. If games get optimized for "Steambox" specs, then it could last for at least several years. There's little difference between the overall architectures of a current-gen gaming console and a PC. It's just that games get optimized for consoles to make the best use of the available hardware. Maybe Valve could also take a page out of the N64 design book and allow you to basically add in a proprietary graphics card for better performance (think SLI or crossfireX).
It'll probably be pricey, but which consoles aren't when they're first released?
It'll probably be pricey, but which consoles aren't when they're first released?
There is no possible way its not a disaster if true.
1) DD only like steam is ok for an option, you can download steam free.
2) But when you have to pay for this box, and then buy dd only games? nobody is going to do that, ask the psp go
3) They would be cutting off there legs if they made valve games exclusive.
4) People already want to own real consoles, and most gamers have a good enough pc to at least run steam
1) DD only like steam is ok for an option, you can download steam free.
2) But when you have to pay for this box, and then buy dd only games? nobody is going to do that, ask the psp go
3) They would be cutting off there legs if they made valve games exclusive.
4) People already want to own real consoles, and most gamers have a good enough pc to at least run steam
@NickCull
I think the hardware issue could be resolved by making the console modular rather than fully customizable like a PC. So instead of allowing the user to install any of the hundreds of graphics card now on the market, the "Steam Box" would only allow a limited number of first-party, or licensed third-party, graphics modules. This way developers will be able to optimize for the console. This would be more difficult than optimizing for a monolithic console like the XBox but possible, as opposed to the virtual impossibility of optimizing for an amorphous PC.
Also, the customizability of the PC is not infinite. Theoretically I have had the same PC for over ten years, slowly upgrading it. But once in a while, the most recent time being in mid-2010, I had to replace most of the core and most expensive hardware. I wanted a new graphics card, but my motherboard had only PCIe 1.0. So I bought a new one with PCIe 2.0. But it also had only DDR3 sockets and a new CPU socket, so I had to replace those as well. Basically I bought a new computer, the only things remaining from the old one being my hard and DVD drives, the case and peripherals. On average I buy a new computer once per a console generation.
I think the hardware issue could be resolved by making the console modular rather than fully customizable like a PC. So instead of allowing the user to install any of the hundreds of graphics card now on the market, the "Steam Box" would only allow a limited number of first-party, or licensed third-party, graphics modules. This way developers will be able to optimize for the console. This would be more difficult than optimizing for a monolithic console like the XBox but possible, as opposed to the virtual impossibility of optimizing for an amorphous PC.
Also, the customizability of the PC is not infinite. Theoretically I have had the same PC for over ten years, slowly upgrading it. But once in a while, the most recent time being in mid-2010, I had to replace most of the core and most expensive hardware. I wanted a new graphics card, but my motherboard had only PCIe 1.0. So I bought a new one with PCIe 2.0. But it also had only DDR3 sockets and a new CPU socket, so I had to replace those as well. Basically I bought a new computer, the only things remaining from the old one being my hard and DVD drives, the case and peripherals. On average I buy a new computer once per a console generation.
Stealth: FOR THIS THING TO WORK, IT REQUIRES WINDOWS. BECAUSE PC GAMES ARE BUILT TO RUN ON WINDOWS.
ALL OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS NOW INVALID, BECAUSE NOW THAT MICROSOFT IN INVOLVED, THEY WANT IT TO DO ALL THE PC THINGS THAT PC'S DO.
THEY'RE FOR YOU ARE JUST BUYING A PC WITH STEAM PRE-INSTALLED ON IT, AND VALVE'S PROMISE THAT IF YOU BUY A GAME FROM STEAM TO PLAY ON THIS PC, IT'LL RUN WITHOUT A PROBLEM.
AND YES, I'M YELLING AT YOU.
ALL OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS NOW INVALID, BECAUSE NOW THAT MICROSOFT IN INVOLVED, THEY WANT IT TO DO ALL THE PC THINGS THAT PC'S DO.
THEY'RE FOR YOU ARE JUST BUYING A PC WITH STEAM PRE-INSTALLED ON IT, AND VALVE'S PROMISE THAT IF YOU BUY A GAME FROM STEAM TO PLAY ON THIS PC, IT'LL RUN WITHOUT A PROBLEM.
AND YES, I'M YELLING AT YOU.
Yeah I don't think the price could be console level with those specs, and I doubt valve has the billions in the bank to get it there.
This makes very little sense. Unless they manage to market it cheaply (and at that much RAM and no licensing fees I fail to see how they could) I don't see anyone who doesn't already want a gaming PC buying this.
I'm not saying I think it's a bad idea or that I don't want one (quite the contrary) but it makes very little sense if it's true.
I'm not saying I think it's a bad idea or that I don't want one (quite the contrary) but it makes very little sense if it's true.
@Stealh: AGAIN, FOR THIS THING TO RUN HALF LIFE 2, IT'LL EITHER REQUIRE WINDOWS OR MAC OS X.
SINCE APPLE IS A BUNCH OF BABIES, WHATEVER "CONSOLE" THIS THING IS, IT'S PRIMARY OS WILL BE WINDOWS.
SINCE APPLE IS A BUNCH OF BABIES, WHATEVER "CONSOLE" THIS THING IS, IT'S PRIMARY OS WILL BE WINDOWS.
@Harken ErkenBrack
I agree with everything you said, but it all depends on the price, which we do not know. I don't see how it could be under the $600 you cited, but who knows.
Also, the dollar sign, like the pound sign and unlike most other currency symbols, is placed before the number. I don't want to be a douche about it, just something I think you should know.
I agree with everything you said, but it all depends on the price, which we do not know. I don't see how it could be under the $600 you cited, but who knows.
Also, the dollar sign, like the pound sign and unlike most other currency symbols, is placed before the number. I don't want to be a douche about it, just something I think you should know.
@RockWallofMight359: Steam takes a cut for every game sold on their platform. So as much as this article disregards licensing fee's, it's not really true. They're already there, basically.
I thought and still kind of do this box will be a mini onlive like reciecer using your current computer and steam install as the server, so they'd be super cheap and a way to stream your stuff to a bigger screen
@Jawmuncher
"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."
.....Uhhh what exactly do you think the big 3s consoles are?
Essentially they are stripped down PCs for dumb/lazy people :P
What would make this freaking beyond awesome is if valve manages to create their own massively game compatible OS. That can run not only on their consoles but also on PCs and Mac and taking a tasty bite out of the Windows tax that comes with building your own PC and wanting to be able to play a wide selection of popular games.
They Use this to lead to their own OS that runs around $50 (more expensive than Mac but cheaper by far than Windows) and they will print money until the cows come home.
"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."
.....Uhhh what exactly do you think the big 3s consoles are?
Essentially they are stripped down PCs for dumb/lazy people :P
What would make this freaking beyond awesome is if valve manages to create their own massively game compatible OS. That can run not only on their consoles but also on PCs and Mac and taking a tasty bite out of the Windows tax that comes with building your own PC and wanting to be able to play a wide selection of popular games.
They Use this to lead to their own OS that runs around $50 (more expensive than Mac but cheaper by far than Windows) and they will print money until the cows come home.
I do see this failing in the console market. It's seems to be more of a custom built pc instead of a console. It's basically only going appeal to PC gamers, UNLESS it's priced in the $400 range.
Hope it doesn't happen. It's a bad idea. if Valve really wanted to sell hardware I think they'd be better off with proper PC hardware, branded for Valve.
Oh my god this is stupid! What do I need with ANOTHER console? I don't want to buy games for another system that I could just as easily get on another system. I don't want to have to setup ANOTHER username and password just to have access to features that another competitor already has that I'm using. I want all of MY games on a single platform, in a single place, with easy access.
I...oh. Wait. That was the whole "Steam vs Origin" thing. I bet if EA was bringing out a console, everybody would be bitching about it. Valve does it? Let's all circle jerk and cum over that pile of money we'll just shovel over to Valve.
I...oh. Wait. That was the whole "Steam vs Origin" thing. I bet if EA was bringing out a console, everybody would be bitching about it. Valve does it? Let's all circle jerk and cum over that pile of money we'll just shovel over to Valve.
I don't see how this could be viable, to be compatible with PC Steam games it would need to include a Windows License, raising considerably the price. Also, all the games would need to be playable with a controller, and I'm pretty sure 60%+ of the Steam library is composed of keyboard+mouse only games.
Still, I think that a "pre-built" computer by valve with a price point near to the next-gen consoles would be really nice.
Still, I think that a "pre-built" computer by valve with a price point near to the next-gen consoles would be really nice.
@Daxelman
And thats why the rumor is bogus.
Do you seriously think microsoft is going to help valve directly compete with itself?
And thats why the rumor is bogus.
Do you seriously think microsoft is going to help valve directly compete with itself?
As cool as that would be, not a chance.
If it's true, and it's not, but if it was I'd buy it in a heartbeat. the better graphics and games for PC and the simplicity of a console? Sign me up.
If it's true, and it's not, but if it was I'd buy it in a heartbeat. the better graphics and games for PC and the simplicity of a console? Sign me up.
If this is anything like their Half Life series we could expect a console in 20 years and games that have the Duke Nukem Forever development time.
@Noah Merriman
"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."
Nope.avi for one sad reason, the one company they need to sign on (Insert your ISP) is going to choke any service like OnLive to death with tiered bandwidth pricing schemes. Onlive might actually do wonderfully in as a service back three to five years ago when every ISP was cramming Unlimited usage down everyone throat.... they have since decided to change the definition of "unlimited"
Playing a game like Amnesia on Onlive surpasses the bandwidth required to actually download the whole game in a bit over an hour and a half...
"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."
Nope.avi for one sad reason, the one company they need to sign on (Insert your ISP) is going to choke any service like OnLive to death with tiered bandwidth pricing schemes. Onlive might actually do wonderfully in as a service back three to five years ago when every ISP was cramming Unlimited usage down everyone throat.... they have since decided to change the definition of "unlimited"
Playing a game like Amnesia on Onlive surpasses the bandwidth required to actually download the whole game in a bit over an hour and a half...
@RockWallofMight359
Yes essentially what Forsakeneyes said, There would no "upfront" licensing fees to develop a game for (whatever they might call their system) but they would be collecting a fee off the top of each game sale. Which makes it much more friendly for smaller developers to climb aboard, that in turn sticks it to publishers to some degree (which I like)
Yes essentially what Forsakeneyes said, There would no "upfront" licensing fees to develop a game for (whatever they might call their system) but they would be collecting a fee off the top of each game sale. Which makes it much more friendly for smaller developers to climb aboard, that in turn sticks it to publishers to some degree (which I like)
This is so asinine. I'm ashamed that destructoid would report on this.
It's simply conjecture based on Gabe's offhand comment that valve would make a system IF necessary.
Besides, Valve has always been partial to AMD and ATI so that makes the specs rather suspect.
It's simply conjecture based on Gabe's offhand comment that valve would make a system IF necessary.
Besides, Valve has always been partial to AMD and ATI so that makes the specs rather suspect.
Honestly, I doubt it will ever happen, but if it did, I'd definitely get one. Depends if I have a good or shitty computer at the time, though.
So many negative people!!! To all saying it's just a computer, any console is just a computer with a more limited OS, this will likely be no different in pc-ness to a 360 or ps3. As if it will be windows, that's just silly!!
@Scottyg, the ps3 and 360 are just as much 'gimped pcs'..
Bottom line: Valve have a headstart- money, market respect and functioning online marketplace. And they're not stupid. They will think this through and not release a half ass product that sells half assedly.
I believe in waiting and seeing, not crying that it's doomed.. especially not when it's valve.
@Scottyg, the ps3 and 360 are just as much 'gimped pcs'..
Bottom line: Valve have a headstart- money, market respect and functioning online marketplace. And they're not stupid. They will think this through and not release a half ass product that sells half assedly.
I believe in waiting and seeing, not crying that it's doomed.. especially not when it's valve.
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