Valve's Second Announcement

[Phrozenflame500]

The second announcement is live here.

And basically it's... not much new. The big thing is that they're giving away 300 free prototypes, but they don't announce much about the actual prototype itself.

The most interesting thing in my opinion is in the FAQ:

http://i.imgur.com/MIkKXLd.png

So custom hardware, OS source code modifications and even running Windows/Mac/Other Linux Distros are supported.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Will beta testers be allowed to share info about their experience and post pictures and opinions online?
Yes, that really is the whole point. The input from testers should come in many forms: bug reports, forum posts, concept art, 3D prints, haikus, and also very publicly stated opinions.

I'm so looking forward to seeing a haiku about Steambox experience.

This is awesome. It's basically what I've been trying to tell people. Valve isn't doing this so that they could control the user experience. They're doing it for the exact opposite reasons. People often forget that Valve was started by a bunch of guys who made Quake mods. They come from that environment and they know how important it is.


So, third announcement is probably going to be a controller. That's too bad. I was promised a reward of some kind if they were to announce Half-Life 3.

 

[lacktheknack]

Will beta testers be allowed to share info about their experience and post pictures and opinions online?
Yes, that really is the whole point. The input from testers should come in many forms: bug reports, forum posts, concept art, 3D prints, haikus, and also very publicly stated opinions.

I'm so looking forward to seeing a haiku about Steambox experience.

I hope to see some limericks and sonnets in there as well.

OT: I'm really impressed with the stuff Valve is announcing. Entirely open-source Linux console? So kawaii.

 

[LAGG]

Disappointed for it not revealing a trackball controller standard.
Hopes are the last announcement finally brings it to the table.
Last chance...

 

[Kaendris]

So kawaii.

I know nothing about the japanese/anime/manga culture, but.. I thought kawaii meant cute?

OT: While I am still going to get all "fanboi" excited about this (yay!!! our lord and savior valve is here etc etc) this is looking more and more interesting as time passes.

I figure I will give a run at the beta, see if I get in on the testing aspect of it. I would rather see a lot of this first hand then have a mass of people try to explain to me what it means to them.

 

[lacktheknack]

So kawaii.

I know nothing about the japanese/anime/manga culture, but.. I thought kawaii meant cute?

I thought it meant "happy/good".



...Welp.

I'll leave it, because "loveable" is close enough.

 

[lacktheknack]

Disappointed for it not revealing a trackball controller standard.
Hopes are the last announcement finally brings it to the table.
Last chance...

Oh God please no. I had a trackball mouse for six years of my life... so much bad memories...

However, the whole thing is insanely open-source, so someone will release a trackball controller soon after release if there's demand for it.

 

[Kaendris]

I thought it meant "happy/good".



...Welp.

I'll leave it, because "loveable" is close enough.

Bwahaha....

Fair enough good sir, fair enough.

 

[LAGG]

Disappointed for it not revealing a trackball controller standard.
Hopes are the last announcement finally brings it to the table.
Last chance...

Oh God please no. I had a trackball mouse for six years of my life... so much bad memories...

However, the whole thing is insanely open-source, so someone will release a trackball controller soon after release if there's demand for it.

There won't be much demand the same way there wasn't demand for cars before they existed. More likely scenario will be PC franchises dumbing down and including aim assist to fit the increased amount of gamepad users...

 

[DrOswald]

Will beta testers be allowed to share info about their experience and post pictures and opinions online?
Yes, that really is the whole point. The input from testers should come in many forms: bug reports, forum posts, concept art, 3D prints, haikus, and also very publicly stated opinions.

I'm so looking forward to seeing a haiku about Steambox experience.

I hope to see some limericks and sonnets in there as well.

OT: I'm really impressed with the stuff Valve is announcing. Entirely open-source Linux console? So kawaii.

I would be really impressed if someone reviewed the steam box via interpretive dance.

Also, this looks really cool. Exactly what I want. If this ends up being as good as it looks it might just replace my need for a console. Of course, being me, I will still buy a console. I just wont need it as much.

 

[GoaThief]

On the subject of trackball controllers, I saw a recently saw a video of some guy using one to play Quake Live. It was certainly high tier play so the prospect for me at least, is mouth watering. Would love to get my hands on one and see if it really is capable.

 

[LAGG]

On the subject of trackball controllers, I saw a recently saw a video of some guy using one to play Quake Live. It was certainly high tier play so the prospect for me at least, is mouth watering. Would love to get my hands on one and see if it really is capable.

It's awesome for gaming, just as good as mouse! I have around 110 hours using one for FPS gaming, about 30 of those hours are in multiplayer:

Spoiler: Beginner Player (using Trackman Wheel)

A player that uses it for as long as we all use mice can do just as well and be impossible to tell apart:

Spoiler: Seasoned Player (using M570)

Important thing to note is that these thumb trackballs are not made for gaming the same way some mice are, the ball could be bigger to allow better balance of speed/precision, and the ball position annoys me, it nowhere nearly as ergonomic as a gamepad, at least not for me when I'm trying to shot other players before they shot me:


Fun thing, I just found out some others hate it too:

 

[Asita]

I'm so looking forward to seeing a haiku about Steambox experience.

A Steambox beta?
A gamepad required to try.
Sorrow reigns this night.


How was that?

Seriously though, I'm very peeved that I need to use a gamepad to qualify for the beta pool >_>

 

[Arnoxthe1]

How will they support so many configurations? How does this differ from any other PC out there?

 

[Arnoxthe1]

imagine all the different Android smartphones out there...

but instead of smartphones they are all "consoles" running (or streaming) PC games.

or you can make one yourself by installing the SteamOS

that's basically what you're looking at.

Welp, as a lot of people have said, I wouldn't be interested in it unless it can play all the games that Windows can.

 

[GoaThief]

On the subject of trackball controllers, I saw a recently saw a video of some guy using one to play Quake Live. It was certainly high tier play so the prospect for me at least, is mouth watering. Would love to get my hands on one and see if it really is capable.

It's awesome for gaming, just as good as mouse! I have around 110 hours using one for FPS gaming, about 30 of those hours are in multiplayer:

Spoiler: Beginner Player (using Trackman Wheel)

A player that uses it for as long as we all use mice can do just as well and be impossible to tell apart:

Spoiler: Seasoned Player (using M570)

Important thing to note is that these thumb trackballs are not made for gaming the same way some mice are, the ball could be bigger to allow better balance of speed/precision, and the ball position annoys me, it nowhere nearly as ergonomic as a gamepad, at least not for me when I'm trying to shot other players before they shot me:


Fun thing, I just found out some others hate it too:

Thanks for sharing, I'm really excited and it's great to hear from someone with trackball experience.

Small aside, love it when my phone freaks out and garbles sentences. At least it was still somewhat readable.