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

[WeepingAngels]

So is anyone worried that Valve entering the console market will have similar results that Microsoft had. Mainly where Microsoft stopped caring about PC gaming?

 

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

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You can get a nice compact case very easily. Most "custom-built" computers with large cases are generally overclocked to hell and back and need a lot of room to cool down or as decoration for offices as the larger the case, the more convoluted its design generally is. You can pick up minimalistic case of various sizes pretty easily if you spend half a second in Newegg or google in general. There are also multiple websites that give you lists of "Entry, Average, or High" levels of game machines with the parts you need to build. Even if you don't like that most sites give recommended parts that people have bought a certain part with in bundles. Best bet would be to look for the CPU you want, find a Mobo and the rest should be child's play. I have seen middle schoolers figure this out in under 10 minutes. It shouldn't be that hard for a grown adult.

The Steam Machine isn't a console, it is an overpriced computer. Therefore it has the "launch line-up" of any computer you can buy currently.

Well I didn't say it was a console, I said *if* you consider it a console, and some major news sources have been calling it that. (after all consoles are just closed off PCs too). You could say it is an 'open' console, or a console-like PC, or just say that its a PC with a fancy linux distro and a fancy controller. Semantics really.

Your arguments about getting compact cases are true, I *could* but I wouldn't know what would all fit in the box, would have to do a bunch of research on tech that fits in slimline cases, how to get it all to fit (like putting a puzzle together the smaller it gets), I can do all of these things if I wanted, but for a markup of 20% I would prefer someone else do it and I get to spend my time on something else instead, it just doesn't sound fun to me. Seriously, with as little as I know about hardware, it would make more sense just based on an hourly wage estimate. How many hours am I gonna spend on this? for example you say start with what CPU I want, I know NOTHING about CPUs, I do not know the name of a single CPU. I know what a Nividia Titan is, thats about it.

Sneer at me if you like, but clearly it is going to take several hours of research to get up to speed on all this stuff, and several more to decide what parts I would want and make sure they are all compatible and find a case that they will all fit in, and several MORE hours to order all of these parts, and then several MORE HOURS to put it all together and install an OS on it. All total thats about 10 hours of work, maybe less, maybe a bit more. Fuck if I worked 10 hours at my job (which I would have a lot more fun doing than this bullshit) i would make more money than the 20% markup... so fuck it... a Steam Machine would make sense for me to buy at a 20% markup.

Sneer at me for being lazy, or non tech savvy, or whatever else you like, but there are others like me. It is why Alienware PCs sell despite being WAY over-priced.

 

[Dragonbums]

So is anyone worried that Valve entering the console market will have similar results that Microsoft had. Mainly where Microsoft stopped caring about PC gaming?

I don't think so. The bulk of their income is the Steam market place. And a lot of devs and pubs still go there to publish their games.

Granted they might need to work on their increasingly draconinan Steam policies.

 

[Dragonbums]

I'm not even a massive Valve fan. I haven't even played any of the Half Lifes.


Because the truth matters to me.

And saying that Valve doesn't do games anymore and is only notable a digital download retailer/hardware designer is a complete, utter, blatant and brazen lie.

That is my perception of Valve. The only game I know they released recently was DOTA 2. I heard nothing about Counter strike, or Alien Swarm, or any of those other games.

Most of the news I hear about Valve is Steambox, Steam sales, and Half Life 3 rumor mills being dusted off again.

So yeah, I honestly think that Steam is more important to Valve than their games.

Also, if you seriously think that Valve isn't getting backlash on their actions, come back when there's a "Are You Hyped About Half Life 3" thread. You'd think the entire site consisted of emotionally shattered, passive-aggressive zombies.

For as many people who are upset at Valve for Half Life 3, you have thousands of others who will shit their pants and buy the game day 1 at the very mention of the game finally being released. Which will more or less gratify Valve for dangling half baked empty promises for 6 years about a vaporware game.

 

[J Tyran]

Only the OS really interests me, perhaps the controller too if enough games start supporting it or it comes with decent software to get it working in games. The Steam machine isn't something I would buy, unless it offered massive subsidies on hardware I would be much more interested in building my own machine and then installing the OS. Building a PC and fiddling with afterwards is part of the hobby itself for me, just plonking a pre-built PC in the corner isn't the same for me.

 

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

Only the OS really interests me, perhaps the controller too if enough games start supporting it or it comes with decent software to get it working in games. The Steam machine isn't something I would buy, unless it offered massive subsidies on hardware I would be much more interested in building my own machine and then installing the OS. Building a PC and fiddling with afterwards is part of the hobby itself for me, just plonking a pre-built PC in the corner isn't the same for me.

And this is exactly what Valve has been saying: if you like fiddling with hardware, BUILD YOUR OWN, we salute you. For those that don't, were building it for you (at what price we don't know yet tho).

Just *TRY* to imagine Microsoft/Sony suggesting that you build your own xbone/ps4 and then offering the XboxOS/PS4OS to you for free... Just try and picture this in your head...
...
...
...
...thats right... you can't do it.

 

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

For as many people who are upset at Valve for Half Life 3, you have thousands of others who will shit their pants and buy the game day 1 at the very mention of the game finally being released. Which will more or less gratify Valve for dangling half baked empty promises for 6 years about a vaporware game.

Yeah valve leaving HL2E2 on a cliffhanger for 6 years kinda pisses me off, but I wouldn't have wanted them to release a bad game just for the sake of releasing a game because the fanboys demanded it.

But, just to be perfectly fair on valve, they haven't been 'dangling half baked empty promises'. Actually, they have done the opposite, they refuse to talk about it at all (Which, to be perfectly fair to YOUR side of the argument, does make people speculate all the more).

Edit: as for your comment, nearly all those people that are upset at valve for half-life 3 will shit their pants anyway, yours truly included.

 

[CannibalCorpses]

Hrrrmmm...why would i buy a steam machine when all the games that come out for pc nowadays are console ports? Apart from a few games there is nothing on the PC that would warrant my purchasing one and plenty besides to turn me away.

 

[SecondPrize]

So Valve's Steam Machines and SteamOS are coming next year, I've heard praise and some vitriolic comments about them too. Valve has gone on record saying they have no plans for exclusive games for SteamOS, so that means no Half life 3 to make you buy one. I want to know what the average gamer plans to do once they are released.

Personally, I am pretty interested in this. I am a PC gamer who has been using my 4 year old laptop (macbook pro with windows 7 bootcamp) for gaming for much of the last generation, and I am due for an upgrade of some kind. I am considering getting a high end one, depending on pricing.

I am also really interested in the Steam Controller, as I hate gaming with those chincy thumbsticks on Xbox and PS controllers, I just can't aim properly (because I am inept with them).

I haven't really paid much attention but it all depends on the specs and price points. And if they're upgradeable. If they've got decent specs at a good price i'll buy one to serve as a console for couch style gaming. If you can upgrade them i'll buy one so I can stop spending money on pc's and just get a desktop which suits my needs and throw money at fancy tech in the steambox instead of in a desktop.

 

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

Hrrrmmm...why would i buy a steam machine when all the games that come out for pc nowadays are console ports? Apart from a few games there is nothing on the PC that would warrant my purchasing one and plenty besides to turn me away.

Depends on what you are looking to play, there are still massive amounts of PC exclusive games, especially strategy games and on the indie scene. Most of the games that get big hype and/or lots of advertising are games that release on all three platforms, and they aren't all 'console ports' (although some definitely are). I suppose that the 'Lack of exclusives give me no incentive' option would apply to you I suppose.

 

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

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I haven't really paid much attention but it all depends on the specs and price points. And if they're upgradeable. If they've got decent specs at a good price i'll buy one to serve as a console for couch style gaming. If you can upgrade them i'll buy one so I can stop spending money on pc's and just get a desktop which suits my needs and throw money at fancy tech in the steambox instead of in a desktop.

They are fully upgradable and hackable, just like a PC, this has already been stated in the initial release.

 

[Dragonbums]

For as many people who are upset at Valve for Half Life 3, you have thousands of others who will shit their pants and buy the game day 1 at the very mention of the game finally being released. Which will more or less gratify Valve for dangling half baked empty promises for 6 years about a vaporware game.

Yeah valve leaving HL2E2 on a cliffhanger for 6 years kinda pisses me off, but I wouldn't have wanted them to release a bad game just for the sake of releasing a game because the fanboys demanded it.

But, just to be perfectly fair on valve, they haven't been 'dangling half baked empty promises'. Actually, they have done the opposite, they refuse to talk about it at all (Which, to be perfectly fair to YOUR side of the argument, does make people speculate all the more).

Edit: as for your comment, nearly all those people that are upset at valve for half-life 3 will shit their pants anyway, yours truly included.

I certainly don't want them to release it for the heck of it.


I just want a definite yes we are working on it right now or no. We are not working on it right now. If ever. That's it.

Silence often amplifies everything.
Especially in these situations.

It doesn't help that every single thing that even so much as says HL3 will be mass reported by every gaming outlet in the universe.

 

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

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I certainly don't want them to release it for the heck of it.


I just want a definite yes we are working on it right now or no. We are not working on it right now. If ever. That's it.

Silence often amplifies everything.
Especially in these situations.

It doesn't help that every single thing that even so much as says HL3 will be mass reported by every gaming outlet in the universe.

Well accidentally released internal work schedules revealed that development for L4D3 and HL3 are in full swing as of a couple months ago... but yeah still no word from Gaben. This leads me to believe that they are saving up their next big releases to coincide with Steam Machines and SteamOS, which explains your observed lack of recent game publishing i agree that in the 2 years they haven't really released much, Dota 2 as you pointed out has been in beta for ages (Essentially a complete game with periodic new content being added). Although Valve has a Dev team that is still actively working on it, those Devs probably have permanent jobs working on Dota2 anyway for the foreseeable future and certainly aren't members of any R&D team for new games.

I think that they certainly decided several years ago to release HL3 with SteamOS, after all HL has always been the flagship title of each of their previous game engines and Gabe straight out said previously that development for a new source engine was in full swing. (*if* they do release HL3 and L4D3 on the new source engine they should just call it the Source3 engine tho...)

All speculation based on a few tidbits of course, but Valve would be MAD not to release SteamOS without some awesome new games to go with it and build the hype train. Hopefully they release a new Orangebox type bundle of games with some new IP, after all, thats how we ended up with Portal.

 

[Something Amyss]

Well accidentally released internal work schedules revealed that development for L4D3 and HL3 are in full swing as of a couple months ago...

This kind of leak happens every other month, though.

I think that they certainly decided several years ago to release HL3 with SteamOS

And this is the sort of speculation that happens every few months. I know you call it speculation, but I think you undersell how absurd this speculation looks, regardless of what tidbits you can string together. There's just this long litany of "evidence" that this time, E3/HL3/L4D3 will surely come out, like people who keep rescheduling The Rapture, the End of Days, or the Coming of Christ. This sort of speculation is one of the reasons people rage at Valve every time a new announcement turns out to not be E3/HL3/L4D3. And all that silence, as Dragonbums says, seems to do nothing but damage.

And honestly, if it is a launch title, they're being pretty foolish by not building up to it. HL3 for SteamOS would almost certainly turn apathy to interest in Newell's version of water to wine.

 

[ForumSafari]

When it comes out I'll probably build and install the streaming service on my home server and finally connect the sucker to my TV. Aside from that I'm not interested in prebuilt PCs, then again I'm comfortable enough with both hardware and Linux to do it myself.

 

[Synthetica]

You know, a lot of options don't cancel each other out. "I'm going to put Steam OS on my PC instead" and "I am mostly interested in the controller, if I like it I'll get a steam machine and/or get a controller for my PC" would be my answer, but I could only vote for one

 

[Skeleon]

Well, guess I'm with the majority: "I don't need this, my PC and/or console does everything I need."
I really don't see the point of this thing. I know Valve wants a bigger piece of the pie, but still. What exactly are they going to try and lure people with here?
Exclusives, like the consoles? Nope.
Convenience? Don't I supposedly have that with Steam already?
Social aspects like friends lists and whatnot? Don't I have that with Steam already (if I cared about it)?
The "feel" of gaming on a TV? Huh, I can have that with consoles or PCs already.
The price? Not like there aren't capable cheap gaming computers these days.
The controller? Won't I be able to use their controller on my PC? And if not, should I even care when I can use the Microsoft controllers?
I just don't see anything that makes this step interesting to anybody. Apart, I suppose, from brand recognition, perhaps?

 

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

Well accidentally released internal work schedules revealed that development for L4D3 and HL3 are in full swing as of a couple months ago...

This kind of leak happens every other month, though.

I think that they certainly decided several years ago to release HL3 with SteamOS

And this is the sort of speculation that happens every few months. I know you call it speculation, but I think you undersell how absurd this speculation looks, regardless of what tidbits you can string together. There's just this long litany of "evidence" that this time, E3/HL3/L4D3 will surely come out, like people who keep rescheduling The Rapture, the End of Days, or the Coming of Christ. This sort of speculation is one of the reasons people rage at Valve every time a new announcement turns out to not be E3/HL3/L4D3. And all that silence, as Dragonbums says, seems to do nothing but damage.

And honestly, if it is a launch title, they're being pretty foolish by not building up to it. HL3 for SteamOS would almost certainly turn apathy to interest in Newell's version of water to wine.

Good point, I am probably just getting carried away, I will restrain myself.

Well, guess I'm with the majority: "I don't need this, my PC and/or console does everything I need."
I really don't see the point of this thing. I know Valve wants a bigger piece of the pie, but still. What exactly are they going to try and lure people with here?
Exclusives, like the consoles? Nope.
Convenience? Don't I supposedly have that with Steam already?
Social aspects like friends lists and whatnot? Don't I have that with Steam already (if I cared about it)?
The "feel" of gaming on a TV? Huh, I can have that with consoles or PCs already.
The price? Not like there aren't capable cheap gaming computers these days.
The controller? Won't I be able to use their controller on my PC? And if not, should I even care when I can use the Microsoft controllers?
I just don't see anything that makes this step interesting to anybody. Apart, I suppose, from brand recognition, perhaps?

Well you just named a bunch of things that the Steam machine could do at least as well as someone else is already doing it... but can you name anyone else thats doing all of them? For a moment lets call a Steam Machine a 'console' (I know there is debate here but just roll with me). In pretty much every way the hardware architecture of the Steam machine is the same as a PC, and also the same as next gen ps4/xbone consoles.

Lets say that the criteria for making something a 'console' means having a Custom OS, a new controller, and games that run on it. These are pretty much the things that set PCs, steam machines, PS4s and bones apart. PCs have mouse and keyboard, PS4 has dual shock, etc. Steam machines have SteamOS and Xbone has XboxOS or-whatever-its-called.

of the three new consoles, which of them SHOULD you want? Which gives the best policies, options, etc.

the Steam machine is the Least locked down of all of them, Valve is basically saying if you don't like it make your own, or convert your existing windows PC over to a Steam Machine. People are acting like Openness, Upgradability, a Free OS, and a non-requirement to even buy new hardware are BAD things that make this new product irrelevant...
Seriously Valve is bringing us a whole new gaming console, essentially for FREE if you already have a machine, all you got to do is buy a controller, and you don't even *need* to do that.

and for everyone that says that Steam Machines are just fancy dressed up PCs... and then argue that this somehow makes CONSOLES better??? WTF... by that logic PS4/Xbone consoles are also nothing but PCs, except that they are VASTLY INFERIOR PCs, to both a normal PC and a Steam Machine, after all they have no upgradability, LESS GAMES (even if a few of the ones they do have are exclusives, they still have less exclusives compared to the open 'PC' platforms), a locked OS (can't install a different OS if you want), and even the price only barely competitive with building your own PC of similar specs.

You might say that a PC can already do all these things, after all, put an Xbox controller on your PC, plug into TV, run steam in big picture mode. However, the PC has never been *marketed* this way, and its really only a duct-tape type solution anyway, most PC games designed for PC won't run well with a controller with thumb sticks, precisely why valve had to invent a new input device.

Marketed as a CONSOLE, the Steam Machine simply outclasses the other next-gen consoles in every way (except price probably), and in most ways outclasses the current PC setup (pre steamOS pre steam controller) in terms of a living room device. (of course once Steam Machines launch, every PC gains the same additional functionality)
--there I said it, now cue the flame war...

EDIT: Essentially Valve has realized that there is NO REASON that we need both consoles and PCs, one device really *can* do everything that all of these devices currently do and more, or at the very least that they realize that there is a market for a device that is a middle ground. Honestly... lets say I buy a PS4 and I don't like the controller. What do I do? Can I hook up an XB controller? No. Can I hook up a mouse and keyboard? No. Can I use the new Steam Controller? Nope. What do I do? Throw away my console.
What about Xbone? same deal.
What about a Steam Machine? Lets say I hate gaming with haptic touch pads. What can I do? Xbox controller? Yep. Mouse and Keyboard? YES SIR. PS4 controller? I had to look this up but the answer is once again a resounding YES.
Purely marketed as a console, this thing is just better than PS4 and Xbone.

You could say that a PC has all the same functionality, but at the point where you hook up your steam controller and install steamOS (or stick with windows whatever), and plug it into your TV, it BECOMES a Steam Machine.
To existing PC users, Valve is saying, "Hey guess what? Heres some tools to make your PC more like all the things you love about consoles. Guess what, aside from the controller, its all FREE."

 

[Frezzato]

Taking into consideration the general idea that Linux is supposed to be "faster" than Windows, I can't help but wonder if this is the first step from Valve to gently push Microsoft out of the PC operating system business. Well, maybe not push them out entirely. Apple made the move a little while ago, making their latest OS, Mavericks, free to download. And Mavericks is compatible with Macs that are several years old, so there's no 'Vista' pain-in-the-ass situation going on. Granted, you can only install Mavericks on Mac hardware, but it's a step in the right direction.

The thing that sticks in my mind about SteamOS is the letters 'OS'. Will SteamOS have the same access to the free programs that already exist for Linux, following in the footsteps of people who already release stuff free of charge on Windows (Avast!, ZoneAlarm, etc.) in addition to the 'big guys' like Google and Open Office?[footnote]Don't get me wrong, Open Office is still weird to use. Replacing Excel with Open Office's syntax takes some getting used to.[/footnote] Will there be access to media players and productivity software?

I think that's the real issue here. If SteamOS comes with access to decent applications other than those related to gaming, then we'll have an idea of the long-term strategy and the real reason to own a "Steam Box" in whichever form you choose. People are getting hung up on the physical, pre-built Steam Box, but that's just people being people. Hardware specs are somewhat easy to compare, and you can miss the big picture (pun...intended?) by focusing just on hardware. People look at it and think that it's just PC hardware, but that's just Valve offering different choices. If you game using mostly Steam, and SteamOS is free, then why not download it? And if you're one of the many PC owners who don't need Windows in order to live and work (Outlook, etc.) then why not abandon Windows?

Just a reminder, I'm not saying to abandon Windows. Windows 7 works, and it works well. But compare the cost of a single-license OEM copy of Windows 7 at $100 on Amazon to, say, zero dollars for a copy of Linux.

Regarding the thread, I'll definitely download SteamOS, if for no other reason than I'm curious. I'm curious to see if the generalization that Linux is faster than Windows rings true for gaming. A gaming PC without the required overhead of Windows--correction, without the overhead of Microsoft, that's what I'm curious to see.

 

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

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This is something i would like to know as well, will SteamOS be a full OS, meaning will it have access to a desktop where i can download open office, install all manner of non gaming apps, etc. if it isn't i think Valve will be missing a huge opportunity, however, i think them going this route is unlikely as its been stated that SteamOS is basically a modified Ubuntu distro at its core, you would think they wouldn't nerf the OS just for the sake of it.

Edit: and considering where the other consoles are going with social media, internet browsing, netflix, etc. It would be silly for Valve to not include this functionality.