SteamOS: Valve's Linux-Based Operating System

[Phrozenflame500]

I suspect this will be in the news room soon, but Valve just announced their Steambox OS.

Key features of note are computer-TV game streaming (compatible with both Mac and Windows computers), family options/sharing, multimedia support and a statement promising plenty of Triple-A games will run natively in addition to the in-house streaming. Also, the actual OS seems to be free and usable on the standard Steam client, and it mentions that "users can alter or replace any part of the software or hardware they want", whatever that means.

Next announcement is in another 2 days. Valve, you tease.

 

[Juan Regular]

Hmmmmmm, this could be pretty awesome for someone like me if they did a good job. Wait and see. I'm guessing they'll announce a steambox optimiszed for their OS next. And then HL3...

 

[Alfador_VII]

Yeah announcement 2 or 3 has to be the Steam Box

We'll find out in just over 47 hours what the 2nd thing is, then some time after that for the 3rd.

 

[ohnoitsabear]

I'm intrigued. While most of the announcement is blatant marketing speak that doesn't actually tell us anything about the OS itself, the fact that Valve is making an OS is enough to grab my interest. I'm a little dissapointed that it seems to be living room focused, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to know more about this. So, good job for that, I guess.

Edit: The statement that there are a bunch of AAA games coming natively to this thing also interests me. If a significant amount of recent AAA games are available on this thing, that will overcome the biggest hurdle for early adoption of the system, a lack of worthwhile games.

 

[CriticalMiss]

The 'modular' aspect of the system sounds like it could be interesting, although I'm not sure whether that means turning off a few options or having it radically change the system. Hopefully if they do announce hardware it will be more than just a streaming box though.

 

[XMark]

This is interesting... pretty much the only thing that prevents me from making the full switch to Linux is the lack of support for most major games. We've already seen one variety of Linux get widespread use in the form of Android tablets and phones, so it would be interesting to see it happen in a major console as well.

Also... three announcements? Half-life 3 confirmed.

 

[Laughing Man]

Hopefully if they do announce hardware it will be more than just a streaming box though.

That's exactly what it will be though, cheapest and easiest option for Valve is to offer hardware that can stream media being powered by another device. The irony though, all the hate coming from Gabe about Windows and MS and the only snifter of a chance the Steambox (or whatever nonsense they release will be called) has is to offer something that can stream games being run on a Windows powered PC.

All the other features are a massive, I mean a huge and colossal meh! Saying that right here and right now what Steam really needs is even more features added to it's already slow arse client.

 

[thesilentman]

Damn this be good. I'm just waiting to see how they're going to pull off this game streaming business with the servers being busy as they are and any hardware that's required at the minimum.

This is looking a bit too tempting, Valve. x-D

 

[Vegost]

Oh yes! If this OS goes well, I might just replace my silly old Windows 7. Windows 8 being a horrid mess, it certainly appeals to me. One big if, though. I am really wondering how they are going to solve the whole game compatibility thing. Either all games have to be ported to SteamOS by the manufacturers (doubtful, unless it gains some unprecedented market share), or Steam will be porting games themselves (logistically this seems pretty touch), or they will have some sort of powerful emulator. Unless its built around the whole streaming game-thing which sounds really interesting, but needing a 2 computers to run games seems fairly strange. Perhaps we're meant to stream games from our gaming PCs to the SteamBox?

Whats great about Windows right now is that close to all games there are run on it. If this SteamOS is able to compete with that, it needs to have both a bunch of games (new ones and old) as well as and significantly better performance. Can't wait to hear more about this.