Author Topic: So Steam Machine still a real thing? (Read 13402 times)

marvel_moviefan_2012 · « **on:** January 22, 2015, 02:47:17 PM »

I was trying to find news on this today while at work, pretty bored with all the State of the State **** and that stupid football story, anyways I was noticing that apparently something big is supposed to happen at GDC coming soon?

Anyone remotely interested in this stuff at all, still, ever?

Triforce Hermit · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2015, 06:26:09 PM »

I don't know, but it still is in development from what I know. They never cancelled. The controller supposedly ran into some trouble in development though.

I still don't understand what Steam Machine. Isn't it supposed to be Valve's OS or something?

ShyGuy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2015, 07:25:51 PM »

If it means more games for Steam on Linux, I'm all for it.

NWR_insanolord · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2015, 07:59:46 PM »

And if it means more Steam games for Linux it'll likely also mean more Steam games for Mac, so I'm definitely onboard as well.

Soren · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2015, 09:37:45 PM »

Quote from: NWR_insanolord on January 22, 2015, 07:59:46 PM

And if it means more Steam games for Linux it'll likely also mean more Steam games for Mac, so I'm definitely onboard as well.

Ditto.

marvel_moviefan_2012 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2015, 03:42:15 PM »

Insanlord you being a Nintendo supporter makes sense now, you like to root for the underdog don't you? I am only hopeful for Steam Machine because I want a dedicated gaming computer that looks and runs like a console but is powerful enough to play the major PC games without having to have all the extra BS Windows forces on you. Plus they remind me of Amiga in a weird way and I am all for that.

Ceric · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2015, 03:42:56 PM »

I never got why people loved the Amiga so much.

marvel_moviefan_2012 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2015, 03:46:12 PM »

at the time, it was different that was why I liked it. But I never had one I only had Commodore 64 and 128, I wanted an Amiga but never got one.

Caliban · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2015, 11:56:39 AM »

Build your own? Linux is free, and you can just install Steam like you would on a Win/Mac system. That's what I did, and running it on Xubuntu. My system: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/Caliban/saved/pRbwrH

Ceric · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2015, 12:36:38 PM »

Interesting tool. My Computer cost $1,335 when it was built in August 2012. Now its worth ~$800 if you built the same machine today.

ejamer · « **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2015, 01:28:50 PM »

I'm still interested in one and will continue to Humble Bundle my way to a library of games - just not interested in paying $1000 for the hardware. When I can get Steam on the living room TV with a dedicated box for under $300, sign me up.

marvel_moviefan_2012 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2015, 02:18:15 AM »

Quote from: Caliban on January 28, 2015, 11:56:39 AM

Build your own? Linux is free, and you can just install Steam like you would on a Win/Mac system. That's what I did, and running it on Xubuntu. My system: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/Caliban/saved/pRbwrH

You missed the point, build your own PC gaming is not the same as a dedicated console. The appeal of Steam machine is not just the OS or the software its getting a dedicated gaming rig built into a console without the hassle of building your own and installing a shitty port of Linux.

Steam machine was supposed to be a gaming PC in a box, just plug n play PC gaming made simple. There is a reason I don't PC game much, its a nightmare and Steam OS was supposed to fix that. But its not just the OS its also the hardware.

ejamer · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2015, 07:12:04 AM »

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012 on January 29, 2015, 02:18:15 AM

Quote from: Caliban on January 28, 2015, 11:56:39 AM
Build your own? Linux is free, and you can just install Steam like you would on a Win/Mac system. That's what I did, and running it on Xubuntu. My system: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/Caliban/saved/pRbwrH

You missed the point, build your own PC gaming is not the same as a dedicated console. The appeal of Steam machine is not just the OS or the software its getting a dedicated gaming rig built into a console without the hassle of building your own and installing a shitty port of Linux.

Steam machine was supposed to be a gaming PC in a box, just plug n play PC gaming made simple. There is a reason I don't PC game much, its a nightmare and Steam OS was supposed to fix that. But its not just the OS its also the hardware.

PC gamers always miss this point.

When it comes to gaming, I want convenience, not power. I'm ok playing relatively simple games if it's something I can do easily from the comfort of my couch. Building a gaming PC is a hassle: research would be required to know what to buy, then to find the best locations for purchasing parts, then finding time to assemble, then hoping that it works for the games I want to play.

Yes, that could be done. No, I'm not keen enough to spend the effort/time required. Wasn't that the whole point of the Steam Machine concept: to get rid of any barriers to entry?

Ceric · « **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2015, 09:26:47 AM »

No PC Gamers get it fine.

If you want to PC Game you either do the leg work or pay the premium for a pre-built box.
If you just want to game then you buy a Console or Handheld.

It's much like anything else. If you want to remodel you bathroom you either do the research or pay the premium to have someone who knows how to do it.

marvel_moviefan_2012 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2015, 09:35:40 AM »

so what is the Steam Machine then a portapotty for the living room in your scenario? You are wrong the whole point of Steam Machine is to offer PC GAMES on a CONSOLE type device period. That is the selling point that is what make is different than what we already have. News flash, there are thousands of games on PC not available on consoles so some people want access to those games but not the hassle that accompanies buying them. That bathroom analogy is stupid it doesn't apply here. You were talking about remodeling a bathroom most people don't even do that you buy a house it comes with a bathroom or you don't buy that house.

ejamer · « **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2015, 09:51:04 AM »

Quote from: Ceric on January 29, 2015, 09:26:47 AM

No PC Gamers get it fine.

If you want to PC Game you either do the leg work or pay the premium for a pre-built box.
If you just want to game then you buy a Console or Handheld.

It's much like anything else. If you want to remodel you bathroom you either do the research or pay the premium to have someone who knows how to do it.

Ok, so where are the Steam Machines then? Are they still coming out, or has there been any progress with that initiative? Maybe they are already out and I just missed the announcement?

Paying a premium makes sense for some people. I'm hoping Steam Machines offer some form of entry level system that will only play less demanding games, because that's all I'm interested in anyway. But the real question ("So Steam Machine still a real thing?") isn't changed by my cheapness.

I am just curious if there have been release dates or official announcements or even any unofficial progress with the whole idea. It seemed like a few PCs self-branded themselves as Steam Machines a year or two ago, but the concept wasn't fully baked at that time and since then I've heard absolutely nothing about the idea. Is this going to take off, and we'll have annual Steam Machine updates and Smart TVs with built in Steam Machines? Or is it vaporware that will just fade out of the public consciousness?

Nothing recent has given me confidence that this is really going to happen - maybe there will always be that divide between PC gaming and convenience and I'll either have to give up or bite the bullet and buy in. I'm hoping that by E3 this year we'll have some kind of meaningful news...

Caliban · « **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2015, 09:59:34 AM »

A Steam Machine will exist to ease the introduction of PCs used with a TV to people that have only dealt with consoles, but it won't be that easy in the long run. You will have varying degrees of systems at your choice depending on how much money you want to spend, and ultimately you're still going to have to do research which system you're going to get. There are as of this time no minimum specs for a Steam machine aside from being able to run Steam OS, nor is there any assured quality when it comes to the components used on a pre-built Steam Machine. Further down the line you can upgrade some of the internals, yet once again you're going to have to do some research. Besides not all games are available for Steam OS/Linux. If you want to get a Steam Machine then be aware that it is a system for you to introduce yourself to PC gaming along with all its responsibilities.

Ceric · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2015, 10:57:48 AM »

The answer is yes and no.

There are essentially steam boxes out there,Alienware offering but, they are not running Steam OS and instead are using Steam in Big Picture Mode.

marvel_moviefan_2012 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 29, 2015, 12:12:06 PM »

not trying to be confrontational about it. What appeals to me about Steam Machine is it is a half way point, its more advanced than console gaming but not as advanced as real PC gaming. Specs might vary but the whole point was games were supposed to be scalable or at least that was how I understood it. If its just a PC in a box then there literally is no point to it at all. We already have PC in a box that is literally what Xbox was meant to be.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #19 on:** January 29, 2015, 02:17:45 PM »

It's literally a gaming PC, yet it's not as advanced as a gaming PC? The Xbox was not literally meant to be a PC in a box...even though all PCs are typically a PC in a box.

marvel_moviefan_2012 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2015, 04:47:03 PM »

Um dude whatever Microsoft's original intention was to make a "gaming PC for the living room" this is well documented I even just watched a documentary on Netflix where they discuss this at length. Xbox was intended to be a PC for the living room, it has morphed beyond that intention slightly but not far.

Soren · « **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2015, 07:56:14 PM »

So...what does everyone think?

http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamMachines/

Caliban · « **Reply #22 on:** March 03, 2015, 08:41:07 PM »

I just want more games to run on Linux, but their recent announcements should make some people happy, and I want to see some footage of Source 2.

marvel_moviefan_2012 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 03, 2015, 10:24:24 PM »

I think either that is old or the information is outdated because it says the cut off is October 2014, which has passed, unless I am reading it wrong.

Soren · « **Reply #24 on:** March 03, 2015, 11:17:23 PM »

God yes, my bad.

http://kotaku.com/valves-steam-machines-will-officially-launch-this-fall-1689283215

ejamer · « **Reply #25 on:** March 04, 2015, 08:50:09 AM »

Ah, that second link makes more sense. I didn't understand what you were getting at with the first post.

I'll wait to see how things actually turn out at the end of the year, but the news is exciting if accurate. In fact, unless there is some kind of real letdown a Steam Machine looks like a no-brainer next time I buy a new console.

My only notable concern remaining is Steam OS and the (relatively) limited number of Steam games and multimedia applications that support Linux.

Currently I own about 150 Steam games but only about 60 playable using Steam OS (source: https://steamdb.info/linux/). Suddenly having convenient access to 60 games is nothing to sneeze at, and the number missing is slightly misleading because it include many small pieces of content such as individual pinball tables, or episodic games. However, there are still a lot of highly desirable games in my account that Steam OS cannot play.

Additionally, Netflix support would be a meaningful selling point. I know there are many ways to get Netflix on a TV, but having access from a single device would be a boon.

azeke · « **Reply #26 on:** March 05, 2015, 12:32:08 AM »

This is literally the only thing i care about in this entire "Steam machine" thing:

Steam Link is a laughable proposition and sounds like a scam targeted at people who are oblivious about the fact all modern PCs can be connected to all modern TVs by the magical mythical device called HDMI cable.

Steam Lighthouse is just yet another VR wannabe cashing in on a new gimmick wave.

Steam Machine also not for me, considering i already own one (hint: it's just a PC) and it works for me just fine.

Now, steam controller is super interesting. I am a person who has major troubles with playing first person shooters on dual analog layout, and i really hope steam controller finally solves this conundrum -- providing both the precision or m/kb and comfortability of comfy couch gaming.

PS. You're all making PC gaming much bigger hassle than it is. With Steam's Big Picture mode it's basically a console already.

ejamer · « **Reply #27 on:** March 05, 2015, 05:43:54 AM »

Quote from: azeke on March 05, 2015, 12:32:08 AM

...
PS. You're all making PC gaming much bigger hassle than it is. With Steam's Big Picture mode it's basically a console already.

Existing PC gamers keep telling me this... but every attempt I've made to source a dedicated gaming PC for my living room without significant hassle (or huge cost) has come up short.

Console gaming is convenience gaming. If Steam Machines make PC gaming more convenient, they will find a market.

marvel_moviefan_2012 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 05, 2015, 05:02:06 PM »

Quote from: ejamer on March 05, 2015, 05:43:54 AM

Quote from: azeke on March 05, 2015, 12:32:08 AM
...
PS. You're all making PC gaming much bigger hassle than it is. With Steam's Big Picture mode it's basically a console already.

Existing PC gamers keep telling me this... but every attempt I've made to source a dedicated gaming PC for my living room without significant hassle (or huge cost) has come up short.

Console gaming is convenience gaming. If Steam Machines make PC gaming more convenient, they will find a market.

That is because PC gamers have gotten used to how difficult it is to build a PC from scratch so to them it is easy. Its like those race car guys who can build a car from scratch in their garage telling average Joe its easy to build a race car in your garage.

The actual buying and assembling of parts is not inherently difficult, it is rather time consuming though. The difficult part is finding drivers, tweaking the damn OS, downloading patches, configuring controllers with EVERY damn game. Its a major hassle.

If Steam Machine can basically reduce the entire process down to choosing the model or level you want then there is a market for that.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #29 on:** March 05, 2015, 07:43:01 PM »

It's not that difficult anymore. Basically everything is on Steam and supports XBox 360 (and Xbox One) controllers. I've been thinking about getting a gaming PC (can get a bitchin' machine for about $800)...but mainly so I can play Wii games at 4K 60FPS.

azeke · « **Reply #30 on:** March 05, 2015, 09:47:29 PM »

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012 on March 05, 2015, 05:02:06 PM

That is because PC gamers have gotten used to how difficult it is to build a PC from scratch so to them it is easy. Its like those race car guys who can build a car from scratch in their garage telling average Joe its easy to build a race car in your garage.

I never "built" my PC, also i only bought two PCs so far so obviously there is no way i could get accustomed to that.

Both times i got my PC, i came to the shop, looked over price list, checked the components that are somewhere in the top 5 in the category by price and then got my built PC a few hours later.

It's not that hard.

It's definitely pricey though. I usually work with 1 500-2 000$. High initial price is ofset somewhat by stupidly cheap steam prices but still i can understand if someone doesn't want to spend that much upfront.

Wah · « **Reply #31 on:** March 05, 2015, 09:50:56 PM »

I hope it's real!
Long live Valve
Down with Xbox and Playstation!
...
...
O.k Nintendo can live.

Wah · « **Reply #32 on:** March 05, 2015, 09:58:24 PM »

wow it is real,
http://au.ign.com/videos/2015/03/06/what-we-think-of-valves-steam-link-announcement-ign-conversation

News:

Author Topic: So Steam Machine still a real thing? (Read 13402 times)