Poll: What will the release of Steam Machines mean to you?

[Dr. Pepper Unlimited]

It means absolutely nothing to me. I have my PC, my steam account and terabytes, upon terabytes, upon terabytes of games I haven't even touched yet. I see no reason for another product to spend my money on.

 

[Rob Robson]

None of the above... I'm building my own steam box to my own specs:

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Lofty/saved/2T0Y

I already have a GPU and 500W PSU that I am going to use.

Would that not fit under the category of putting steamOS on a PC?

A purpose built PC, with steamOS on it hooked up to your TV *IS* a steam machine after all, with the possible disadvantage that there may not be awesome drivers unless you choose hardware that is on valve's list of ideal components. I would assume that valve will deal with Nividia etc to get them to make great drivers for linux for the hardware specs that are recommended, but I wouldn't count on awesome linux drivers for everything, at least not at launch of steam OS.

I think this will be an advantage of Steam machines over PC. It lets devs optimize for specific hardware, in a similar way that they do for consoles.

Edit: This is some good data guys, it seems that about 60% of gamers (at least forum users on the escapist gamers) are not interested in the slightest in this, which is, I think, to be expected. Most gamers already have some kind of kit to play games on, after all, they are gamers... lol.
However, it seems that there are some of us that are interested in this because of the OS, or else the controller, or else because we need an upgrade anyway and don't like the look of the new consoles and/or don't want to build a PC ourselves.
After all, this is essentially a fancy prefab in a cool box that comes pre bundled with SteamOS on it, along with one of the cool new controllers (or a controller from the depths of hell, however you see it).
It also seems that there are some people that are happy to see a push away from windows in the PC sphere. I really hope that Valve makes this OS of theirs a full OS, meaning that I can put a linux word processor, browse the web, use photoshop for linux, browse files, have a desktop, etc, because then there wouldn't really be any disadvantage in changing over completely to Steam OS.

Nah, because when you say "PC", console people with no clue about PCs think "big black box" rather than "tiny box for under the TV", and that's why SteamBox is a great term, because it refers to a small PC much more powerful than a console to play games from the TV.

Previously we had "HTPC" which refers to underpowered media PCs.

The whole point about the SteamBox is to make console people understand that there is a PC that has made all the advantages they thought they had it's own with more games, more flexibility, less hassle and more power.

 

[CriticalMiss]

I haven't looked in to it all that much but I am waiting to see if I can use a Steam Machine through my laptop monitor rather than through a TV. Since I don't own a TV any more I don't really want to buy one to play PC games. If it is a requirement then I might as well get a desktop PC with comparable specs and load SteamOS on to it instead, might even save a few quid.

 

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

I haven't looked in to it all that much but I am waiting to see if I can use a Steam Machine through my laptop monitor rather than through a TV. Since I don't own a TV any more I don't really want to buy one to play PC games. If it is a requirement then I might as well get a desktop PC with comparable specs and load SteamOS on to it instead, might even save a few quid.

Presumably it would be worth your while to just get a cheap LCD monitor rather than through a laptop monitor... it is a PC so i don't see why you wouldn't be able to use the video out HDMI to attach to your laptop monitor tho... if your laptop is capable of that anyway. A steam machine *is* a PC, small form factor, and with steamOS preinstalled instead of windows, but it can do ANYTHING a PC is capable of.

Steam Machine seems like a very poor investment on Valve's part.

The console space is already pretty locked in at the Big Three, and I'm pretty sure current Steam users have no incentive to purchase one seeing as... well, they already have a "Steam Machine."

Its release means absolutely nothing to me.

Where you are wrong here is that valve isn't trying to make a console... it is trying to make PCs more compatible with the living room. Valve isn't trying to get existing Steam users to buy steam machines, if even a fraction of those users install steamOS on their machine it is a win for Valve. as we can see from the poll, about 15% of gamers here are keen on that option, which might seem small, but think about how many PC gamers there are... 15% is a HUGE amount of people. Admittedly most will probably keep using windows concurrently.

Valve is trying to get more people using steam, less people using windows, more people using Linux, more hardware drivers for linux made, more games for linux, and perhaps even sell a few prebuilt low-form-factor steam machine PCs to people that just want to jump into the living room market.

And saying that the console space is locked in at the 'big three' is ridiculous. Valve loses almost nothing by releasing Steam Machines and SteamOS, aside from dev time, but are Virtually Guaranteed success in at least some of the areas above. Because of Steam's existing linux library, Valve's own catalogue of games, and valve's clout with other Devs (many of which have gone on record already saying they are developing for linux), Steam machines are guaranteed to have a WAY BIGGER launch lineup than the PS4 or XBone will have even by the time Steam Machines release.

Edit: Price is going to make or break this, if they sell these things at cost of the parts, or even up to 10-15% more than that, its going to be a big hit, if they manage to somehow sell it cheaper than the price of amassing the parts yourself and building it (by bulk ordering presumably) Steam Machines will sell like MAD.

Edit: Edit: The more I think about it, Valve is the only company that could build PCs and sell them at cost to consumers and make a profit, because they can assume they will make the profit afterward on sales of steam games. SteamOS was necessary to do this because they needed to get away from the windows licensing fees to keep the cost down. I suppose that someone *could* pirate games on a steam box nearly as easily as on a PC, but I think the benefits of the steam controller bindings etc and the convenience based on the fact that the OS will be based around Steam would prevent most of this.

 

[antidonkey]

I'm very, very curious as to what exactly Valve has planned with the SteamBox. Currently, I have no desire to get one but will try to follow their development. My mind might change as more information is available but right now, it just seems gimmicky and doesn't really bring anything new or overly different to the table.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

As most have said, pricing is the key. If I can build one for cheaper and just install SteamOS on it, then I'll have my own SteamBox for TV-play... But then I already have a box I play games on Steam so, do I technically have a SteamBox already? Maybe.

 

[Dragonbums]

A steam machine *is* a PC, small form factor, and with steamOS preinstalled instead of windows, but it can do ANYTHING a PC is capable of.

So...why should I bother getting it? That still literally says' same thing different name.

Where you are wrong here is that valve isn't trying to make a console... it is trying to make PCs more compatible with the living room.

So why are half the comments supporting the Steam box all about bringing the "glorious" PC to us "stupid, dumb console gamers?"

Valve isn't trying to get existing Steam users to buy steam machines, if even a fraction of those users install steamOS on their machine it is a win for Valve. as we can see from the poll, about 15% of gamers here are keen on that option, which might seem small, but think about how many PC gamers there are... 15% is a HUGE amount of people. Admittedly most will probably keep using windows concurrently.

Not every single PC gamer is going to go to a steam box. Especially if Steam is already on their computer.

Also Steam has been getting pretty shitty about their policies relating to games. No thanks. I don't want a Steam OS.
So if Valve isn't trying to get Steam users on OS, than who the hell are they marketing to?

Especially when you said they are trying to get people away from Windows.

Valve is trying to get more people using steam, less people using windows,

The majority of the people using Steam, are also using Windows.

more people using Linux, more hardware drivers for linux made, more games for linux,

I find it pretty damn sad that Valve is doing all the marketing heavy lifting for Linux. If Linux even gave a rat's ass about advertising themselves than they would of done it by now.

The thing is, every computer uses some parts of Linux. Linux get's paid by Apple, and Microsoft to use those parts. They don't care to advertise the thing, or do they seem like they intend to in the future.

and perhaps even sell a few prebuilt low-form-factor steam machine PCs to people that just want to jump into the living room market.

Or they can just buy a console at that point.

And saying that the console space is locked in at the 'big three' is ridiculous.

But you just said that they aren't competing with consoles. So that would imply that yes, the console market is closed out.

Valve loses almost nothing by releasing Steam Machines and SteamOS, aside from dev time, but are Virtually Guaranteed success in at least some of the areas above. Because of Steam's existing linux library, Valve's own catalogue of games, and valve's clout with other Devs (many of which have gone on record already saying they are developing for linux), Steam machines are guaranteed to have a WAY BIGGER launch lineup than the PS4 or XBone will have even by the time Steam Machines release.

If the Steambox is basically Steam in a plastic case, than I think it's pretty unfair to claim it has any "launch" title line ups. That's like Nintendo releasing the Wii U slim and than stating "look at our launch line up!" yet all the games are just stuff you can get on your Wii U anyway.
Secondly, again, you say that Steambox isn't competing with consoles yet continously compare it to consoles.

if they manage to somehow sell it cheaper than the price of amassing the parts yourself and building it (by bulk ordering presumably) Steam Machines will sell like MAD.

You have an overwhelming majority of people who will not give two craps about the Steambox because their PC and/or consoles suits all of their needs. The only people who will buy this are those who are in need of a new PC

The more I think about it, Valve is the only company that could build PCs and sell them at cost to consumers and make a profit,

We have zero clue how much Valve will succeed. For one, they never made a PC before.

Two, you woefully underestimate the corporation titan that is Microsoft and Apple.

Secondly, only people within the gaming community knows what the hell Valve even is. When they go out into the public market, they might as well have zero dollars to their name.

Third they not only have the disadvantage of having no brand force outside of videogames and a digital store front, but an overwhelming majority of the PC owning populace ( yes, non tech savvy, and non PC gamers use computers too.) have no fucking clue what the hell Linux is. The few people outside of the gaming sphere that used it had shitty experiences with it, and are very quick to tell everyone else how much of complete garbage it was regardless how long it's been since the last time they used it.
And since Linux makes zero effort to tell anybody about their improvements, it would be reasonable for those consumers to still have that same opinion.

 

[Snotnarok]

Considering I do everything on my computer or Surface including my hobbies and gaming I just don't see the room for the Steam Machine or the Xbone or PS4.
I'm bored with hearing the marketing jargon: "The Next Generation is here!!!" since my computer is a few months old and it's more able in every way minus a bluray player. Just about the only thing I'm interested in is the PS4 controller for my PC, but 60 bucks is leaning to the fuck off range of expensive.

No..this isn't about PC elitism , it's about getting annoyed at blinding fireworks at "look at how great this next gen is" on many websites and every new feature is underwhelming or not as well done.

The steam machine is fascinating and I'm sure it'll interest a few people who were already in line to hop on PC and such but again I don't see the room for it.

 

[DementedSheep]

I haven't really looked at it. I want a new PC since I'm still using a fairly average laptop I bought in 2009 so maybe I'll give it a look when it comes out if it is a reasonable price but I doubt I'll get it. I use my PC for gaming but I also use it for work and other hobbies. The reason I game on PC rather than console is largely because I need a PC anyway and live in a house with multiple people and only 1 TV so I don't know if getting a Steam Machine is going to be much benefit to me.

 

[Laughing Man]

Not a thing, I already own a self built high end PC so have zero interest in the the hardware itself and the system is rock stable and runs everything I throw at it so can't see the point of the OS either. Why swap something that works for something that won't work (it's Valve after all look at how buggy Steam itself is after 10 years) and even if it did work it will only play a fraction of the games I own. So yeah Steambox and Steam OS, couldn't be less interested.

 

[zumbledum]

well not knowing how much they cost what its speccs are or what it does its a little hard to guess dont ya think?

about the only thing im able to go and call now is the controller is the deth knell of the standard console controller we have now. give that a year or two and all consoles will be using it.

dont expect to be be buying one myself but im not really the target audience, i dont own a tv, and i do own a very high end gaming rig and a chair my friends call a throne that is so comfortable a couch is a downgrade and i can sleep quite comfortably on it.

i do hope the OS allows me to drop windows then i will finally be living the MS free life i have been dreaming of since ms-dos

 

[Galen Marek]

Your poll doesn't have an option for 'flat-out not interested', so I went with 'no exclusives give no incentive.'

I figured not interested would either be lack of exclusives or because your pc/ console is all you need, would have loved to have 12 options lol.

EDIT: I edited the poll a bit, made the options more 'I am interested in' rather than 'I will', to keep it more in line with the title of the thread.

I wondered why you didn't have it, that was my response as well.

I went with "PC does everything I need".

The Steam console really doesn't present me with anything interesting.
Its just a computer for games.

 

[insertcleverphrase]

A steam machine *is* a PC, small form factor, and with steamOS preinstalled instead of windows, but it can do ANYTHING a PC is capable of.

So...why should I bother getting it? That still literally says' same thing different name.

well if you wanted a new PC, i have a feeling your answer might be different. I want a new PC, and I also want a living room experience... I am looking at how this shapes up.

Valve isn't trying to get existing Steam users to buy steam machines, if even a fraction of those users install steamOS on their machine it is a win for Valve. as we can see from the poll, about 15% of gamers here are keen on that option, which might seem small, but think about how many PC gamers there are... 15% is a HUGE amount of people. Admittedly most will probably keep using windows concurrently.

Not every single PC gamer is going to go to a steam box. Especially if Steam is already on their computer.

Also Steam has been getting pretty shitty about their policies relating to games. No thanks. I don't want a Steam OS.
So if Valve isn't trying to get Steam users on OS, than who the hell are they marketing to?

Especially when you said they are trying to get people away from Windows.

Valve IS trying to get existing steam users to buy these -ones in need of a new PC-, or else for existing steam users to put steamos on their computer. But they also want people with consoles from the last generation who are interested in the PC market but want something more straightforward to buy this instead of a new console, (they are competing with consoles)

Valve is trying to get more people using steam, less people using windows,

The majority of the people using Steam, are also using Windows.

exactly why valve just made a new OS for them to switch too? I think that's what the OP meant

I find it pretty damn sad that Valve is doing all the marketing heavy lifting for Linux. If Linux even gave a rat's ass about advertising themselves than they would of done it by now.

The thing is, every computer uses some parts of Linux. Linux get's paid by Apple, and Microsoft to use those parts. They don't care to advertise the thing, or do they seem like they intend to in the future.

WHO EXACTLY is 'Linux'? Linux isnt a company, its an open source platform. 'Linux' doesnt get paid by apple, because there is no one to pay, linux is free. Linux isn't a company, that's why it doesn't advertise.

if they manage to somehow sell it cheaper than the price of amassing the parts yourself and building it (by bulk ordering presumably) Steam Machines will sell like MAD.

and perhaps even sell a few prebuilt low-form-factor steam machine PCs to people that just want to jump into the living room market.

Or they can just buy a console at that point.

OR they could buy a steam machine, which is the point.

if they manage to somehow sell it cheaper than the price of amassing the parts yourself and building it (by bulk ordering presumably) Steam Machines will sell like MAD.

But you just said that they aren't competing with consoles. So that would imply that yes, the console market is closed out.

They ARE competing with consoles, they are in the same market after all. They just don't need to -win- like sony and microsoft do. micro$oft and $ony need a 30-40% market share to survive (because otherwise devs will abandon their platform, which starts a downward spiral of less players-lessgames-etc. where-as this can tick by at 10-15 percent of the market share and be profitable.

if they manage to somehow sell it cheaper than the price of amassing the parts yourself and building it (by bulk ordering presumably) Steam Machines will sell like MAD.

If the Steambox is basically Steam in a plastic case, than I think it's pretty unfair to claim it has any "launch" title line ups. That's like Nintendo releasing the Wii U slim and than stating "look at our launch line up!" yet all the games are just stuff you can get on your Wii U anyway.
Secondly, again, you say that Steambox isn't competing with consoles yet continously compare it to consoles.

I agree with both of you, they arent so much 'launch titles' as 'an extensive back catalog'. Essentially Steam boxes have (somewhat limited) backwards compatibility with the existing steam library, while the new consoles have very little (a few games will get ported over)

You have an overwhelming majority of people who will not give two craps about the Steambox because their PC and/or consoles suits all of their needs. The only people who will buy this are those who are in need of a new PC

nope pc users wont care, and the PC users will keep using steam (or not), but when it comes time for an upgrade? and console users are in the spot where they get the choice to buy a new console, or move to PC instead. for those who think that PC gaming is a bit daunting-well-Steam Machines seem well catered to this group-

We have zero clue how much Valve will succeed. For one, they never made a PC before.

nope, they could crash and burn. But early reports about the controller have been -mostly- very highly praising. not a mouse and keyboard, but better at alot of things than existing controllers(but maybe not some things), and more mobile -translate:couch worthy- than a M+KB combo. A middleground then, similar to the audience this device is marketed to, those people on the fence, the people buying a new PC, or those who might want to jump from the console ship next gen.

 

[Dragonbums]

well if you wanted a new PC, i have a feeling your answer might be different.

Not true. Most of the people here are PC gamers, or at least have a gaming PC along side with a console. The overwhelming majority of the people polled in this thread have stated that they have little to zero interest in the Steambox.

Valve IS trying to get existing steam users to buy these -ones in need of a new PC-, or else for existing steam users to put steamos on their computer. But they also want people with consoles from the last generation who are interested in the PC market but want something more straightforward to buy this instead of a new console, (they are competing with consoles)

I like how you are defending the post of a user who literally said Valve isn't trying to compete with consoles.

exactly why valve just made a new OS for them to switch too? I think that's what the OP meant

And how many of them will give a shit to switch to that OS?

WHO EXACTLY is 'Linux'? Linux isnt a company, its an open source platform. 'Linux' doesnt get paid by apple, because there is no one to pay, linux is free. Linux isn't a company, that's why it doesn't advertise.

And is exactly why Linux will never kick off the ground. Make a poll on various forums asking what they think Lunix is and the majority will probably have vague understandings of what the hell the thing is.

OR they could buy a steam machine, which is the point.

And that's a very big or.

They ARE competing with consoles, they are in the same market after all. They just don't need to -win- like sony and microsoft do. micro$oft and $ony need a 30-40% market share to survive (because otherwise devs will abandon their platform, which starts a downward spiral of less players-lessgames-etc. where-as this can tick by at 10-15 percent of the market share and be profitable.

Why do you act so sure that Valve only needs a 15% market share to be successful with the Steambox? Most console users won't care for it, and most PC users won't care for it. This is excluding the fact that more and more users are becoming dissatisfied with how Valve is running their store front in terms of policies. For christ sakes I've even heard people say ORIGIN is starting to look better than Steam.

They are not competing with consoles. They are just doing their thing a more nice market than Ouya.

nope pc users wont care, and the PC users will keep using steam (or not), but when it comes time for an upgrade? and console users are in the spot where they get the choice to buy a new console, or move to PC instead. for those who think that PC gaming is a bit daunting-well-Steam Machines seem well catered to this group-

Or alternatively, they will just make a new PC rig, or buy a new console. For every person stating that they are getting a steam box. 50 more are saying that they are simply upgrading their PC. This is besides the fact that most upgrade their PC once every few years. That's a long time to sink money into an investment like this. Especially in a gaming sphere where people are ready to call the Wii U dead despite only being out for less than a year.

nope, they could crash and burn. But early reports about the controller have been -mostly- very highly praising. not a mouse and keyboard, but better at alot of things than existing controllers(but maybe not some things),

I'll believe it when I see it. Criticizing Valve in the gaming community (PC especially) is like burning a bible. A bunch of devs said the Wii U was glorious before release and look how they changed their song and dance a couple months later.

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

As much as the Valve fanatics make it seem like the next revolutionary thing since 360 degree analog stick, it honestly means nothing to me, and quite frankly if it weren't for the fact that I frequent this site, I would of completely forgotten about it's existence from time to time.


I am indifferent to the Steambox. It's simply for PC people who hate consoles, but want a console that is PC, but not really a PC.

Pointless if you have and utilize both.

That's really where I stand; I already have a PC with Steam installed, so the Box doesn't interest me. Heck, I don't even really know who Valve is aiming for with the thing as PC gamers already HAVE a Steambox, it's their computer. Furthermore, if they want to put their games on their TV's it's not that hard nowadays.

 

[Something Amyss]

I have a PC. It runs most games and its only real weak point right now is that I slapped my old CPU into my new machine. When I fix that, I should be good.

I might dabble with the OS, and I do have some interest in trying out a Steam Controller, but the machine itself is meaningless to me.

 

[Dragonbums]

As much as the Valve fanatics make it seem like the next revolutionary thing since 360 degree analog stick, it honestly means nothing to me, and quite frankly if it weren't for the fact that I frequent this site, I would of completely forgotten about it's existence from time to time.


I am indifferent to the Steambox. It's simply for PC people who hate consoles, but want a console that is PC, but not really a PC.

Pointless if you have and utilize both.

That's really where I stand; I already have a PC with Steam installed, so the Box doesn't interest me. Heck, I don't even really know who Valve is aiming for with the thing as PC gamers already HAVE a Steambox, it's their computer. Furthermore, if they want to put their games on their TV's it's not that hard nowadays.

One has to ask though, is Valve honestly a "game company" anymore? They have basically honed the same 5 or so franchises since their inception. Funnily enough, nobody seems to care about that, yet rip on Nintendo for doing the same thing.

Honestly, this Steambox feels like a lost direction sort of thing that they are hoping sticks. I honestly feel like aside from seasonal TF2 updates this was a project simply to get their staff doing anything aside from making new hats.

Valve is starting to take the title of Software/hardware company more than a gaming studio.

 

[Saelune]

Well, I want the controller like no ones business. Im still curious about how the streaming truly works. I was always concerned when people started saying stuff like "what games will it have?" Since...ya know....HOW BOUT ALL OF STEAM!?

I will probably get it though. Be nice to use my big HD TV more.

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

One has to ask though, is Valve honestly a "game company" anymore? They have basically honed the same 5 or so franchises since their inception. Funnily enough, nobody seems to care about that, yet rip on Nintendo for doing the same thing.

Honestly, this Steambox feels like a lost direction sort of thing that they are hoping sticks. I honestly feel like aside from seasonal TF2 updates this was a project simply to get their staff doing anything aside from making new hats.

Valve is starting to take the title of Software/hardware company more than a gaming studio.

True, if anything I'd call them the gaming equivalent of Amazon now considering their business revolves around Steam more than anything else. I can understand wanting to produce quality over quantity, but Valve doesn't seem to be that interested in expanding their company/business all that much which is a major problem.

 

[Dragonbums]

One has to ask though, is Valve honestly a "game company" anymore? They have basically honed the same 5 or so franchises since their inception. Funnily enough, nobody seems to care about that, yet rip on Nintendo for doing the same thing.

Honestly, this Steambox feels like a lost direction sort of thing that they are hoping sticks. I honestly feel like aside from seasonal TF2 updates this was a project simply to get their staff doing anything aside from making new hats.

Valve is starting to take the title of Software/hardware company more than a gaming studio.

True, if anything I'd call them the gaming equivalent of Amazon now considering their business revolves around Steam more than anything else. I can understand wanting to produce quality over quantity, but Valve doesn't seem to be that interested in expanding their company/business all that much which is a major problem.

They are expanding. They have a clear goal in mind in terms of expanding their software services.

As a game company though? They are listless. They have so much money on their hands that grants them so much free time that it feels like they don't really have any motivation to do any new games ( I have given up and don't care for HL3 anymore.)
Deadlines are essential for getting the gears grinding. Game developer might as well be a past title that they only really keep around for the sake of it.