Gaming Forums => General Gaming => Topic started by: BlackNMild2k1 on March 03, 2012, 01:54:41 AM
Title: Valve's PC Console “Steam Box"! For the Price of Building It Yourself.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on March 03, 2012, 01:54:41 AM
Valve said to be working on 'Steam Box' gaming console with partners, could announce at GDC Apparently taking on AppleTV and all the consoles in one fell swoop http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/2/2840932/exclusive-valve-steam-box-gaming-console
Quote
According to sources, the company has been working on a hardware spec and associated software which would make up the backbone of a "Steam Box." The actual devices may be made by a variety of partners, and the software would be readily available to any company that wants to get in the game.
Adding fuel to that fire is a rumor that the Alienware X51 may have been designed with an early spec of the system in mind, and will be retroactively upgradable to the software.
Apparently meetings were held during CES to demo a hand-built version of the device to potential partners. We're told that the basic specs of the Steam Box include a Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GPU. The devices will be able to run any standard PC titles, and will also allow for rival gaming services (like EA's Origin) to be loaded up.
Part of the goal of establishing a baseline for hardware, we're told, is that it will give developers a clear lifecycle for their products, with changes possibly coming every three to four years. Additionally, there won't be a required devkit, and there will be no licensing fees to create software for the platform.
We're hearing that a wide variety of USB peripherals will be compatible with the boxes, though it will likely ship with a proprietary controller. It's possible that the controller will even allow for swappable components, meaning that it can be reconfigured depending on the type of game you're playing. Think that sounds odd? Well Valve filed a patent for such a device last year.
More at the link including the patent with pics of the valve patented swappable function controller.
Next Gen just became that much more interesting.
Is it still possible that Valve has anything to do with the Wii U online assuming this was true? Or maybe working with Nintendo on Wii U online is what inspired them to take this step in the first place?
What do you guys think about a Steam Box next to your TV?
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Morari on March 03, 2012, 03:19:31 AM
No thanks, I already have a Steam Box next to my television.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: S-U-P-E-R on March 03, 2012, 03:43:04 AM
No thanks, I already have a Steam Box next to my television.
This was my exact first thought too.
core i7+nvidia is delicious but why buy a SteamBox instead of a PC or one of the other consoles? Does Valve have some sort of interesting hook or the cojones to make something like Left 4 Dead 3 a Steambox exclusive?
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Morari on March 03, 2012, 04:01:20 AM
I don't see how they would make anything a Steambox exclusive. The way this conjecture is going, it simply sounds like a Valve-branded mini tower. It'd just be running in kiosk mode on top of Windows (or Linux) with Steam defaulted to big-screen mode. As is, the open nature of the platform would be the only real selling point in comparison to a traditional set top console.
The best one could hope for is that this would simply set a minimum benchmark for developers to strive toward. Really though, I can't imagine that Valve would be able to sell such a device cheap enough to truly make it a viable alternative to a real PC. Don't forget, we already all have HDMI outputs and USB gamepads.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 03, 2012, 04:25:53 AM
Does this count as a console or a computer? If its the later, that's great. I've been needing to get a new PC to be able to keep up with new and upcoming PC games which my current PC can't handle, and something like this would make figuring out what to get a no brainer. I don't think it should be spun off as a new separate platform, though. The console market is arguably too oversaturated as it is with the three players it already has.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Lithium on March 03, 2012, 05:22:16 AM
if this was the same price as a console it might be worth it to use as a home theatre pc/ gaming rig. assuming you could set XBMC on it. I already have a HTPC anyways though.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Spak-Spang on March 03, 2012, 06:15:04 AM
You know what would be an awesome hook. Having a Steam Box that basically allowed any console, computer, to play Steam games through whatever device and television you hook it up to.
Basically, it is a box that could help emulation of a game...or rather a game to be played and scaled to the console or computer it is plugged into.
I dunno if that is at all possible, but it would be awesome.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Shaymin on March 03, 2012, 06:34:38 AM
I once told someone that I thought in 10 years, the big names in "console" gaming would be Nintendo, Sony and Valve with Microsoft shifting full time to phone development.
Just as planned?
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on March 03, 2012, 10:08:19 AM
No thanks, I already have a Steam Box next to my television.
This was my exact first thought too.
core i7+nvidia is delicious but why buy a SteamBox instead of a PC or one of the other consoles? Does Valve have some sort of interesting hook or the cojones to make something like Left 4 Dead 3 a Steambox exclusive?
Valve Steam Box w/ FREE copy of Half Life 3/episode 3 included in the box.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Ceric on March 03, 2012, 10:20:17 AM
This sounds like a traditional Microsoft play done by Valve.
Microsoft historically did Certification programs. Take Phone 7 as a recent example. Develop clear minimum specs and input guidelines and have someone else actually make the hardware.
I can see computers starting to show up with Steam Certification. Which means the meet or exceed the minimum specs set by Valve. This will help PC game developers point toward a common standard.
Something like this will be all about the User Interface. Why would I want to use this Steam Box instead of a PC?
That is the ultimate question they need to answer and UI will be how they answer that. Most PC games in general just need the inputs that the PC offer. I only see this having Middling success.
A Steam Handheld would be more interesting.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 03, 2012, 10:24:45 AM
Most of the PC games I care about are things I wouldn't want to play on a TV, like Civilization. I'd rather just have a real console with its own exclusives and a full-fledged PC than some kind of hybrid that misses out on the advantages of each platform.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Ceric on March 03, 2012, 10:31:08 AM
Most of the PC games I care about are things I wouldn't want to play on a TV, like Civilization. I'd rather just have a real console with its own exclusives and a full-fledged PC than some kind of hybrid that misses out on the advantages of each platform.
Agree
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 03, 2012, 11:08:07 AM
I wouldn't mind playing civilization on a console as long as it let you use a mouse and keyboard and let you make and use user mods. The SNES version of Civilization used the SNES mouse from Mario Paint, so it was every single bit as Civilization on PC, and even better because the SNES version had better graphics.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 03, 2012, 11:19:40 AM
The interface for Civ would have to be completely reworked to be playable on a TV while sitting on a couch more than a couple feet away, even with a mouse and keyboard.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: ShyGuy on March 03, 2012, 12:50:32 PM
So much for the next Xbox.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Morari on March 03, 2012, 01:37:38 PM
On the plus side, it'd be a lot easier to run games on your average television. The resolution on those things are so low, you'd barely need any power. :P
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Kairon on March 03, 2012, 01:44:21 PM
Valve entering the field with a sort of convenient-lanbox-console would be a MAJOR game changer, and a HUGE threat to both MS and Sony since they'd probably be competing fiercely for the same demographics. Of course, if a steambox and rumors of Sony's PS4 being virtually a pc dovetail... then that'd be even more amazing, and a pretty awesome partnership by Sony I'd think.
Nintendo, of course, would also be severely challenged, but insulated a little bit more by their exclusive first-party development and wider consumer range.
Since a proposed steambox probably wouldn't support motion control or a Tablet Controller, it's stuff like this that shows just how important exclusive hardware/interface features, which some call "gimmicks", can be.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: TJ Spyke on March 03, 2012, 01:47:42 PM
It sounds like this proposed Steam Box would be little more than a PC that can't do anything but play Steam games. So it would be a niche product.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Kairon on March 03, 2012, 01:52:29 PM
This sounds like a traditional Microsoft play done by Valve.
Microsoft historically did Certification programs. Take Phone 7 as a recent example. Develop clear minimum specs and input guidelines and have someone else actually make the hardware.
I can see computers starting to show up with Steam Certification. Which means the meet or exceed the minimum specs set by Valve. This will help PC game developers point toward a common standard.
Something like this will be all about the User Interface. Why would I want to use this Steam Box instead of a PC?
That is the ultimate question they need to answer and UI will be how they answer that. Most PC games in general just need the inputs that the PC offer. I only see this having Middling success.
A Steam Handheld would be more interesting.
You could say the same thing about any game system. Why have a game system at all when a PC plays games just fine? Hey, people are using that same argument regarding the "handhelds vs smartphones" debate.
In my opinion, the main reason to own a console is for the 1st-party games and other exclusive titles. A Valve console most likely wouldn't have any exclusive games, since Valve puts their games on pretty much every device that can play them.
Wouldn't it be a conflict of interest for Valve to support game consoles and their own Steam service?
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Kairon on March 03, 2012, 02:11:20 PM
In my opinion, the main reason to own a console is for the 1st-party games and other exclusive titles. A Valve console most likely wouldn't have any exclusive games, since Valve loves putting their games on practically any device that can play them.
Yeah, I agree. That's why I think a development like this would threaten console makers more if they've traditionally shared much the same demographic/genres/titles as the big games on steam. I mean, which platform do you think people will buy Left 4 Dead III on now? Or Bioshock Infinite + 1? Or all those indie games like Limbo?
Like you said, a strong first-party library and additional exclusive games for other reasons would slightly inoculate a console maker against this competition, as well as broader-based demographics and unique interface experiences.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Kairon on March 03, 2012, 02:13:19 PM
Is it still possible that Valve has anything to do with the Wii U online assuming this was true? Or maybe working with Nintendo on Wii U online is what inspired them to take this step in the first place?
Didn't Valve get Steam or something working on PS3? Maybe that's where they're coming from... in my mind it makes a lot of sense, maybe too much sense, if the PS4 and steambox were the exact same thing.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Caliban on March 03, 2012, 03:41:52 PM
Didn't Valve get Steam or something working on PS3?
Yes. With the release of Portal 2.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: broodwars on March 03, 2012, 04:04:06 PM
I really don't see the point to this, assuming this actually happens. I really dislike PC elitists, but this just sounds like a Steam-only PC with all the features removed that make PCs worth having to me. Everything it does, a decent PC can already do (including hook up to a TV via HDMI). And as much as I like the Portal series, I don't see Valve as a strong enough 1st party developer to sell the "console". There just isn't enough variety in what they produce. Besides, the home console market is already struggling to support 3 competitors, and I don't see how it supports a 4th that has almost no reason to own it.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Stogi on March 03, 2012, 04:23:36 PM
I wouldn't be so quick to shun away the idea. It all comes down to the price. If this thing is drastically cheaper than a full-fledged PC then it will be popular simply because it is a cheap computer.
I personally would buy one, especially after the hacking community opened it up. This could potentially replace my Apple TV and allow me to play some games I couldn't otherwise.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 03, 2012, 04:26:46 PM
I really don't see the point to this, assuming this actually happens. I really dislike PC elitists, but this just sounds like a Steam-only PC with all the features removed that make PCs worth having to me. Everything it does, a decent PC can already do (including hook up to a TV via HDMI). And as much as I like the Portal series, I don't see Valve as a strong enough 1st party developer to sell the "console". There just isn't enough variety in what they produce. Besides, the home console market is already struggling to support 3 competitors, and I don't see how it supports a 4th that has almost no reason to own it.
This isn't a console. What it is essentially is just a standardized PC. It is going to be running windows and/or linux so you should be able to run Firefox or an office program or whatever else you use on a computer on this thing. The problem with PC gaming is there is such a large amount of components by such a large number of manufacturers which results in a large amount of hardware configurations, which is problematic for developers. Something like this which creates a unifed standard of sorts which makes things easier for both developers and consumers alike. As Morari pointed out, this sets a minimum bar which developers can target their games towards. People can still get a more high end PC, but this would be the baseline. Another advantage is this should hopefully be more affordable. Maybe it can be priced at $299 instead of 3 times more than that.
Again its not a console, but its a PC which has the console advantages of standardized hardware and (I'm hoping) an affordable price tag.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: tendoboy1984 on March 03, 2012, 05:14:58 PM
This isn't a console. What it is essentially is just a standardized PC.
But that's basically what a console is. For a more specific example, remember the 3DO? Same basic concept. Also the Xbox 360 and PS3 use custom PC components, and the Xbox 360 was designed to make porting from the PC easier for developers.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Kairon on March 03, 2012, 05:29:37 PM
I don't think of this as exactly a console, but more a lanbox (standardized unit made up of off-the-shelf pc parts in a small form not designed to be opened/upgraded) that out of the box comes with tv outputs, cables, a controller, and with access to downloadable games that are designed for TV output.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Shaymin on March 03, 2012, 06:18:40 PM
It sounds like this proposed Steam Box would be little more than a PC that can't do anything but play Steam games. So it would be a niche product.
A niche that covers practically every genre of gaming short of party games. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Steam_games)
Also, I want Valve in the console space if it means they'll bring Steam sales along for the ride. Anything to bring the cost of gaming down.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: TJ Spyke on March 03, 2012, 06:21:28 PM
Niche because anyone who wants Steam can already afford a PC that can play the games on the service. You could get a PC that plays most Steam games for $500, and it would be much more functional than this Steam Box.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: SixthAngel on March 03, 2012, 07:14:53 PM
This is interesting and it might have a chance. It has a standard input but the question is if the other problems can be fixed.
Computer games don't really push specs anymore since games are designed for the console audience first so they don't have to be worried about games getting too advanced for the specs for many years.
Will it be easy to plug and play or will I have to go through windows on my controller to play a game? Will this even matter with the terrible regular controller navigated menu system the xbox has being acceptable to people?
With the rise of multiplatform games and the increasing irrelevance of more power this could make a big dent in the market that can download all their games. I won't be buying it though because I already have a steam box that I typed this message with.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 03, 2012, 07:21:51 PM
If anyone could pull something like this off, it's Valve. It really depends on what price they could get it down to and how well they could design the front-end to make it streamlined without losing too much functionality.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Morari on March 03, 2012, 07:30:02 PM
Steam has had a "Big Picture" mode for quite some time now. Source (http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/thebigpicture.php).
Price shouldn't be much of an issue given the listed specs. If people are willing to mortgage their house for a PS3, I doubt Valve will have much issue with a $300-$400 PC. That's the kicker that everyone seems to be overlooking. It's ultimately just a branded PC. It's not a console. It's claerly targeted at console gamers, but it doesn't sound like it would be anything akin to the locked down ecosystems they're used to. Everyone already owns a PC, and upgrades it every few years. You pretty much have to have one, so why not spend just a little bit more to get one with a "Steam Ready" sticker on it and replace that old console at the same time?
Razor and Alienware have both had similar ideas in the past. They both failed due to insane price points... and Alienware just generally sucking. :P
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 03, 2012, 07:36:14 PM
But with it being Steam, you could have people who'd buy this in addition to a PC, and you'd be able to play the games on both. If they're smart maybe they do a partnership with Google for their Google TV stuff on it in addition to Steam for a ready to go out of the box game system and media center.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: SixthAngel on March 03, 2012, 07:38:55 PM
Steam has had a "Big Picture" mode for quite some time now. Source (http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/thebigpicture.php).
Price shouldn't be much of an issue given the listed specs. If people are willing to mortgage their house for a PS3, I doubt Valve will have much issue with a $300-$400 PC. That's the kicker that everyone seems to be overlooking. It's ultimately just a branded PC. It's not a console. It's claerly targeted at console gamers, but it doesn't sound like it would be anything akin to the locked down ecosystems they're used to. Everyone already owns a PC, and upgrades it every few years. You pretty much have to have one, so why not spend just a little bit more to get one with a "Steam Ready" sticker on it and replace that old console at the same time?
Razor and Alienware have both had similar ideas in the past. They both failed due to insane price points... and Alienware just generally sucking. :P:
With the xbox we pretty much have a branded PC. Nearly every one of its big games came from pc devs and now they are nearly all multiplat as well. If it can be simple enough for the console audience it becomes a viable alternative to the large amount of people who don't know dick about pcs and would normally be scared away. Also, most people do not upgrade their pc every few years. Most use it until it dies or refuses to run something important. The fact that people don't like to upgrade a lot has been one of the biggest selling points of consoles for a while.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Morari on March 03, 2012, 08:58:25 PM
I'd hardly call the Xbox a branded PC. It's about as locked down as you can get and as such is very clearly a console. The hardware may be similar to a (low end) desktop, but that's really about it. The Xbox succeeds in bridging the gap because of the Microsoft's programming API. In theory, you should be able to code freely between the Xbox and PC due to that. It's not a new theory, and is in fact one of the biggest reasons things like DirecX and OpenGL ever took off to begin with. Why code for every individual little piece of hardware when you can instead stand atop a shared framework?
Reports have consistently shown that most people purchase a new PC every 3-5 years. That's about the same life cycle as any console. Having worked in the tech industry myself, both in sales and support roles, I can attest to this fact at least as anecdote.
Most people aren't scared away by the prospect of buying a PC, they're just lazy about it. If consumers were truly as overwhelmed as marketeers wanted to make them seem, no one would ever bring themselves to purchase a smart phone. Talk about convoluted, from the market and selection, right down to the billing and software.
Obviously we're simply stipulating on rumors here. That said, Valve could of course offer a front end that highlights Steam itself. They could easily work in some sort of HTPC capabilities. They could even offer access to competing programs like Origin (shudder). I don't think that's what is being hinted at however. I think you're more likely to see a combination of baseline hardware that will be "Steam Ready" or some such other branding. Multiple companies will be able to make these machines, and even make better ones... so long as it meets a minimum specification. Think of it like what the Games for Windows spec was supposed to be, but taking the route of hardware instead.
The real kicker will simply be marketing. It will be marketed toward console gamers. It'll be sold at store alongside set tops and consoles instead of laptops and towers. People will associate it with their living room instead of their office. So far, it sounds like that will be the only real distinguishing factor. Marketing. Of course, we'll have to wait until a real announcement comes. Still, it's always fun to speculate about things.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: tendoboy1984 on March 03, 2012, 09:33:39 PM
I don't think of this as exactly a console, but more a lanbox (standardized unit made up of off-the-shelf pc parts in a small form not designed to be opened/upgraded) that out of the box comes with tv outputs, cables, a controller, and with access to downloadable games that are designed for TV output.
You just described a console. :)
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Shorty McNostril on March 03, 2012, 09:53:14 PM
I'm assuming if this is indeed true, that the long awaited steam support for Wii U will be extremely unlikely.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Tamazoid on March 04, 2012, 01:23:41 AM
But that's basically what a console is. For a more specific example, remember the 3DO? Same basic concept. Also the Xbox 360 and PS3 use custom PC components, and the Xbox 360 was designed to make porting from the PC easier for developers.
The 3DO did not play PC games or software, so its no where near the same thing. With this steambox you don't have to pay licensing fees to Valve in order for your software to run on it. You may have to pay them to get your software to run on their Steam service, but that's also true on any other PC.
The Steambox doesn't just use PC components, it literally is a PC which will be running windows and/or Linux. I don't know why that part is so hard for some people to understand. This is not a new console or platform, its just a PC with Steam pre-installed.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Shorty McNostril on March 04, 2012, 02:41:05 AM
If this box is not designed like a companion cube then I will disown them.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Morari on March 04, 2012, 03:47:13 AM
If this box is not designed like a companion cube then I will disown them.
Ha! That would actually make it appealing. It could just as easily be marketed as the "Steam Companion Cube" at that point.
GabeCube? :P
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: BranDonk Kong on March 04, 2012, 09:41:34 PM
The original XBox was very similar to a PC, but the 360 not so much. The original XBox had a BGA 733Mhz Celeron processor and (essentially) a GeForce 3 GPU, and the controller ports were just fancy-fied USB ports. Of course everything that USB ports now, but that's more of a conformity than it is a sign that something is like a PC.
Anyway, PCs are so hard to fit into any definite category now, so it really isn't easy to say that something is "just a PC" or "is not a PC." Lots of things run Linux (for instance, every Android phone and tablet), but they aren't necessarily PCs. There are many HTPCs that use "non-standard" parts, but that doesn't make them a console.
The point is, I really have no point, and I'm just trying to make this more confusing. If it is running any type of PC operating system, then it would have to be Windows, however.
My guess, if it actually exists, is that it won't be anything like what people have been saying, and it will be either a Tegra 3 or Snapdragon 4 based piece of hardware, with maybe 4GB RAM and a huge hard drive, and will run a highly customized version of Android 4.0 (without access to the Market, and won't even use a GMail account)...but that's just my guess.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Spak-Spang on March 04, 2012, 10:02:45 PM
Actually, I can see this working great as creating a standard for gaming consoles.
Right now, I can imagine that it is difficult for developers of computer games to know what low end baseline hardware they should support for their games. Yes, they can develop games that you can turn certain features off to make it run on lower models, but wouldn't it be better to have a cleanly defined base line.
This is where Steam box is useful. If Steam comes out and says here is the baseline specs of power your games must play under to be on Steam Box certified, then developers know what to shoot for. Gamers know that games one Steam will be capable of running on their Steam box computer....or Steam certified computer, because there is now a standard. If Steam really wanted to push it they could even set up a high end standard for the games...but that is purely optional and not necessary. Default game settings would just be at the Steam certified level.
Then Steam can make an pledge to developers and gamers...this standard default level will be kept for 4-5 years. All games on Steam must be playable at that level or it will not be offered on Steam.
The same could be done with the controller. The games must have a control option to support the default controller. Then Steam can partner with a controller company to make official Steam box compatible controllers, keyboards, mouses, ect...
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: BranDonk Kong on March 04, 2012, 10:10:22 PM
What if the Wii U is the Steam Box?
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: tendoboy1984 on March 05, 2012, 12:44:43 AM
Actually, I can see this working great as creating a standard for gaming consoles.
Right now, I can imagine that it is difficult for developers of computer games to know what low end baseline hardware they should support for their games. Yes, they can develop games that you can turn certain features off to make it run on lower models, but wouldn't it be better to have a cleanly defined base line.
But that's basically what a console is for.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Spak-Spang on March 05, 2012, 01:04:37 AM
Yes, and it is the one advantage the console market has over the computer market...what if Valve is trying to take that advantage away and make computer gaming easier to be mainstream?
Valve could be following Apple's strategy build the infrastructure and apps (games) first and then launch the hardware which people will want to play it. Steam now already has the games and support it needs to make a launch like this a success...now it just needs the right device, marketing and a good controller.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Morari on March 05, 2012, 10:07:33 AM
It sounds like if anything, it'll be more akin to an Android environment than Apple's. Valve may be manning the store, and developing their own software, but they won't be making any of the hardware. It'll be open for any manufacturer, so long as it meet's the baseline specs.
Thankfully they already have access to the best input device for gaming... a mouse and keyboard. ;)
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Ian Sane on March 05, 2012, 02:30:26 PM
If Steambox games are literally PC games that you can play on your PC, then this is a pretty unnecessary product. That means it is a restricted PC. If Steambox games are only compatible with Steambox then this is a console. Yeah, the Xbox was essentially a PC in terms of parts but it wasn't because Xbox games were Xbox games. You couldn't put your Xbox copy of Halo, put it in your PC's disc drive and it worked. That's what makes something a console - the games are only compatible with the console.
If Steam is merely going for some standardized benchmark for PC games, I don't think it is going to work. One thing to note is that the closed approach of consoles is trading safety for freedom. You don't get some unplayable bugfest like Big Rigs on a console. Yes, there are terrible console games but the licencing structure doesn't allow unplayable broken games. PCs have that sort of anarchy where you can get swindled into buying that kind of broken junk. But PC gamers know that and that is just something they take the risk on in exchange for the freedom to customize their hardware and make mods and stuff like that.
If this has no licencing structure like a PC, what is stop someone from making a virus and selling it as a "game" or to sell some crap like Big Rigs? A console gamer doesn't want that **** and a PC gamer will tolerate that if he can customize things to deal with such issues. Steambox would be locked up tight like a console but without the quality control. That doesn't sound very appealing. It's the worst of both worlds.
Oh and best controller for games: the OPTION to have a mouse, keyboard, controller, motion control waggle wand, lightgun, Atari style paddle controller, etc. Different games work better with different setups so you offer the option and let each game use what works best instead of shoehorning it in to one standard.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Stogi on March 05, 2012, 03:13:59 PM
This product appeals solely towards console gamers who want to get in on PC gaming, but don't have the means or simply don't want to deal with the hassle of PC gaming (and yes, there is a hassle).
This, honestly, appeals to me.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: TJ Spyke on March 05, 2012, 07:03:12 PM
This product appeals solely towards console gamers who want to get in on PC gaming, but don't have the means or simply don't want to deal with the hassle of PC gaming (and yes, there is a hassle).
This, honestly, appeals to me.
I could go to Best Buy, spend $400 and get a PC that will play almost all PC games. Pretty much the only ones you can't are the super high end games designed specifically for $2,000 computers (like Far Cry when it first came out). That would not change with this.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 05, 2012, 07:11:58 PM
The more I think about it, the more this appeals to me. I use a Mac, which limits the amount of PC games I can play without hassle. I don't need a full PC, because the only thing I'd want to do with it is play games; everything else I can already do with what I have. Depending on price and how open it is to non-Steam games this might be right up my alley.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Morari on March 05, 2012, 07:52:08 PM
I could go to Best Buy, spend $400 and get a PC that will play almost all PC games.
Bingo. PC gaming isn't the esoteric money-pit that it was in the 1996. Even the bottom of the barrel prefab PC will outperform any console on the market if you slap a sub-$100 video card into it. Honestly, after having experienced the Xbox360's interface, I can't understand how anyone could claim that PC gaming is a hassle. :P
Again though, I think that a Steam Box would primarily be setup as a baseline goal for developers. In that sense, it would help to keep people from purchasing games that their hardware simply will not play. Because for some reason, people are currently too stupid to look at the recommended system requirements, or even the Windows System Rating.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Ian Sane on March 06, 2012, 12:09:08 PM
PC gaming has become more affordable now that I am less interested in PC gaming. PC game exclusives have become much less common. Most of the big titles are on consoles now. Hell the developers design the game with the consoles in mind and the PC version is more the afterthought. PC gaming isn't the money pit it was in 1996 but back then I was a PC gamer, until my Dad's PC ceased to be powerful enough to run the current games. Back then console and PC games were more or less mutually exclusive so it really made sense.
If you get a Steambox, how many games are you going to play that you can't find on the other consoles? Now that this concept is affordable, it is less useful.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 06, 2012, 01:22:01 PM
If this has no licencing structure like a PC, what is stop someone from making a virus and selling it as a "game" or to sell some crap like Big Rigs? A console gamer doesn't want that **** and a PC gamer will tolerate that if he can customize things to deal with such issues. Steambox would be locked up tight like a console but without the quality control. That doesn't sound very appealing. It's the worst of both worlds.
The hardware is open and license free, but the actual Steam service which is bundled and preinstalled is not. So its actually sort of the best of both worlds. According to the article the Steambox allows rival online platforms like EA's Origin to also be installed on it. So rival online platforms can coexist on the same machine. In order to get a game on either Steam or Origin a game would have to be licensed, and that is where the quality and playability of a game will be enforced. Any software can run on the hardware, but to run on Steam/Origin licensing has to be done.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: SixthAngel on March 07, 2012, 06:56:59 PM
Again though, I think that a Steam Box would primarily be setup as a baseline goal for developers.
The baseline already exists in the form of consoles that are now used a baseline for most developers and surely will in the future. The Steam Box is aimed at the consumer to make their experience easier and allow them to get the baseline security of a console through a pc now that graphics aren't being pushed as much, pc prices are cheaper and there isn't much need to upgrade.
The big question with this is how it will change Steam itself. Will Steam not carry whatever game is the Crysis of the future because it won't run on the steam box that was released years beforehand? Will Steam have areas for every different Steambox that will only have every compatible game? That could get complicated for Valve very quickly with their open policy about making these things.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on March 07, 2012, 09:15:25 PM
I assume that the steam box being the baseline would mean that at the time of release, every game should have a minimum setting that will run on it. And every game moving forward would aim for that minimum setting until steam box 2.0 is released and becomes the new minimum standard for the next few years.
All newer games(post Steambox2) will prompt you to upgrade to Steambox2.0 if you don't meet the new minimum standards.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: SixthAngel on March 07, 2012, 10:43:02 PM
I assume that the steam box being the baseline would mean that at the time of release, every game should have a minimum setting that will run on it. And every game moving forward would aim for that minimum setting until steam box 2.0 is released and becomes the new minimum standard for the next few years.
All newer games(post Steambox2) will prompt you to upgrade to Steambox2.0 if you don't meet the new minimum standards.
But there will be many steam boxes because any company can make and sell one so the specs will differ. Presumably this means that they have to have a baseline power but it will change their compatibility with future games. While they will both work with the vast majority of games a future Crysis could work on one but not the other. This will mean either different store fronts, not selling the games that don't work, hiding the games from some systems that can play it, or making it buyable for systems that can't destroying the console simplicity.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on March 07, 2012, 11:12:36 PM
Any manufacturer will be able to make it, but they will still have to adhere to the minimum standard set.
So if that turns out to be a (possibly fictional info for point making purposes ahead) AMD HD4500 and it's equivalent Nvidia Gforce X350 both with 512MB ram, dual core 2.5Ghz CPU & 2GB DDR3 1333Mhz RAM, it still has to have a GPU of that level or better with a CPU at that level or better with that amount of that type of RAM or better and all games aimed at Steam will aim at those specs at minimum. So I don't really see the problem.
If a manufacturer doesn't meet that minimum spec, then they can't license the name Steam Box. Some manufacturers might aim for the high end user with the Steam Box Platinum that has 16GB RAM w/ an 8core CPU and dual GTX580's that runs every game at full res with updated texture packs at 120fps while others may aim for the low end minimum spec user.
But even with the rumored specs "Steam Box include a Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GPU" I don't see it not being able to run just about every game at some acceptable level for quite a long time (especially since the games will be designed with that minimum spec in mind). Even the highest of the high end games in 2016 will still run just fine on that machine assuming the GPU matches the rest of the specs. It just won't run in 4k @ 120fps like you might play on your specced out 2016 PC.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: SixthAngel on March 08, 2012, 11:10:20 AM
Any manufacturer will be able to make it, but they will still have to adhere to the minimum standard set.
I said this. My point was about future compatiblity with high end games. There will come a time when some steam boxes will play some new games but others won't. Due to the fact that a lot of devs aren't pushing graphics this could be some time but releasing a Steambox 2.0 does not alleviate the problem that some steamboxes will play the new games while some will not.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Stogi on March 08, 2012, 02:08:46 PM
Point goes to SixthAngel.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: ejamer on March 08, 2012, 02:11:37 PM
Frankly, I don't really like this idea. Based on the speculation that I've seen surrounding it, there are just too many things that don't really make sense. Is it a PC or gaming machine? Going half-and-half seems like a tough sell that will disappoint on both ends. Then again, I'm not really a PC gamer and have very little interest in changing that.
Maybe there really is a sizeable market that wants to play Steam games and feels bad about not having the PC know-how?
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on March 08, 2012, 09:19:47 PM
Any manufacturer will be able to make it, but they will still have to adhere to the minimum standard set.
I said this. My point was about future compatiblity with high end games. There will come a time when some steam boxes will play some new games but others won't. Due to the fact that a lot of devs aren't pushing graphics this could be some time but releasing a Steambox 2.0 does not alleviate the problem that some steamboxes will play the new games while some will not.
And it will have a cycle just like a console/pc where you will be prompted to upgrade. Steambox 1.0 will not last forever, and it's not intended to, as I think I already addressed in the previous post. Future High end games will still have a minimum setting and that will be what the Steambox is rumored to be at now. Even in 2016 (I'm repeating myself) the highest of the high end would still be able to run fine on the rumored specs of the Steambox so I do not see the issue.
edit: And just for the record, I'm not for or against a Steambox, because I already have a computer hooked up to my TV and therefore don't care. But this product wouldn't be directed at me and I am aware of that.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Lithium on March 08, 2012, 11:49:59 PM
Well it ain't happening anyways http://kotaku.com/5891697/shooting-down-rumors-valve-says-theyre-not-making-a-game-console-any-time-soon (http://kotaku.com/5891697/shooting-down-rumors-valve-says-theyre-not-making-a-game-console-any-time-soon)
Quote
Lombardi refused to flat-out say that Valve isn't working on a console. When I posted it to him this way—"What you're saying is, there's definitely nothing coming any time soon, nothing at GDC or E3, but what you're not ruling out is the possibility that, hey, maybe some day Valve would make hardware," he said, "I think that's accurate."
Quote
UPDATE: Some readers speculated that Lombardi was dancing around the possibility that Valve might be partnering with other hardware makes who would be shipping a possible Steambox. I double-checked with Lombardi. Whether we're talking about Valve making hardware or partnering with others, nothing like that is happening any time soon, he said.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: ShyGuy on April 25, 2012, 12:32:47 PM
Looks like Steam is coming to a new platform though: Linux http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=valve_linux_dampfnudeln&num=1 (http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=valve_linux_dampfnudeln&num=1)
I think this will make it easier for them to port it to Android. Maybe the steam box of 2014 will run Linux.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 25, 2012, 09:48:10 PM
Hopefully this will lead to more Mac games on Steam, because OS X and Linux are fairly similar so there would be a bigger market for ports.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: ShyGuy on December 08, 2012, 01:38:38 AM
BUMP
I'm in the Steam for Linux Beta. I have 15 games available on Linux, not shabby. Thanks Humble Bundles!
It seems pretty close to the Windows version. I had one lockup, but it is still beta. It's also a little slow in some menus.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Morari on December 11, 2012, 02:15:34 PM
I haven't had any issues with the Steam client... yet. I've only tested a handful of games though, so take that as you will. On the bright side, Left 4 Dead 2 runs much better, even with nVidia's spotty Linux drivers. OpenGL FTW? :)
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: ShyGuy on December 11, 2012, 03:29:04 PM
Nvidia just did a couple driver updates with fixes in the past few months. I'm guessing they got pressure from Valve. Now if only they would open up their code for the Linux kernel programmers.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on January 06, 2013, 03:08:52 AM
Appears to be Linux based & possible appearance @ E3 2013
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: alegoicoe on January 06, 2013, 04:29:40 AM
Valve is just greedy
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: tendoboy1984 on January 06, 2013, 08:41:14 AM
So this "Steambox" is basically a PC disguised as a console (and vice versa).
And for those of you having problems with Nvidia GPU's, why not use AMD instead?
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: TJ Spyke on January 06, 2013, 12:25:35 PM
I think the very first rumors of the Steam Box even said it was essentially just a stripped down PC, so no surprise there. People who would want this likely already have the tech to play Steam on their TVs, so I don't see any mass market appeal for it.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: ShyGuy on January 08, 2013, 01:04:26 AM
The heathens at NeoGaf are giving it the Wii U treatment. At least they're consistent.
edit: if you're not familar with the hardware platform
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Do_What on January 08, 2013, 11:44:47 AM
I'm disappointed it isn't anything brand new. Xi3 was at CES last year showing this stuff off. I remembered seeing that exact design. It's impressive because they can but a good bit of horsepower in that little packaging and it's quite sturdy, but it's what it was always going to be and I'm not surprised, juts disappointed. I have a pc that runs windows and uses steam that is connected to my HDTV that I play games on as my primary gaming thing. Sure this packaging with valve's marketing muscle behind it can get into more outlets and be seen as more of a console, but it's just a PC, and at a grand a pop I'm not sure how excited that makes anyone.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Ceric on January 08, 2013, 01:02:45 PM
Hmmm... I'm wondering if I could get this for a cheaper price needing assembly. My son is 5 and I'm thinking its time for him to build his first computer.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Do_What on January 09, 2013, 05:10:17 PM
Oh you can get all the component parts and put it together cheaper.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: leahsdad on January 09, 2013, 07:31:33 PM
Hmmm... I'm wondering if I could get this for a cheaper price needing assembly. My son is 5 and I'm thinking its time for him to build his first computer.
5? That seems kind of young. My daughter is 6, going on 7 soon, and I don't think she's ready, though she watches with a lot of curiosity. I don't think I put together my first system until I was in high school, and I burned through mobo and processor because I was an idiot and didn't set the dip switches right.
Yup, remember when everything had to be set up with dipswitches? You kids and your "setting voltages through the bios." You're just spoiled.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: ShyGuy on January 10, 2013, 12:45:18 AM
Ah dipswitches. And jumpers! And 30 pin SIPPs! And IRQs, oh the dreaded IRQ...
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: pokepal148 on January 10, 2013, 01:38:45 PM
The more I think about it, the more this appeals to me. I use a Mac, which limits the amount of PC games I can play without hassle. I don't need a full PC, because the only thing I'd want to do with it is play games; everything else I can already do with what I have. Depending on price and how open it is to non-Steam games this might be right up my alley.
im planing a basic hometheater pc myself someday
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: Ceric on January 10, 2013, 05:28:14 PM
Hmmm... I'm wondering if I could get this for a cheaper price needing assembly. My son is 5 and I'm thinking its time for him to build his first computer.
5? That seems kind of young. My daughter is 6, going on 7 soon, and I don't think she's ready, though she watches with a lot of curiosity. I don't think I put together my first system until I was in high school, and I burned through mobo and processor because I was an idiot and didn't set the dip switches right.
Yup, remember when everything had to be set up with dipswitches? You kids and your "setting voltages through the bios." You're just spoiled.
I did all that and remembering which why the IDE cord went because they didn't have those notches yet.
But now a basic computer you don't need all that besides the processor and heatsink its just plugging things in and screwing the rest together. OS installation can be just clicking next till its done.
He can use a screwdriver and plug things. Now fully designing a system is another thing.
Title: Re: Valve Aims for One Console Future!? GDC Reveal of the "Steam Box"!?
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on March 13, 2013, 12:55:43 AM
