Get Some
General => General Chat => Topic started by: .osiRiS on March 04, 2012, 06:02:33 pm
-
Must be a weekend around here haven't seen any posts about the rumored Steam "Console Box". If true, would you buy one?
It's no secret that PC gaming needs a shot in the arm, and if a recent report from The Verge ([url]http://au.ign.com/articles/2012/03/02/report-valve-developing-steam-box-console[/url]) is to be believed, Valve hopes to deliver one with the Steam Box, a console-sized PC that can compete with consoles and the growing popularity of mobile platforms like Android and iOS.There's still much we don't know about the alleged device and/or platform -- not the least of which is whether or not it actually exists -- but there's certainly reason to consider it as within the realm of possibility. Despite being responsible for some of the biggest franchises in gaming, a large portion of Valve's business is anchored in the success of Steam, its digital distribution client for PC and Mac. In order for the service to grow, PC gaming has to move beyond the enthusiast market. It has to be mainstream and the Steam Box could be Valve's ace in the hole for making that happen.
The concept, murky as it may be, may actually be pretty sound.
([url]http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2012/03/x51_steampowered.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2012/03/x51_steampowered.jpg[/url])
PC gaming has always been marred by the perception that it's a costly pursuit reserved almost exclusively for those with the know-how, resources and interest to build or purchase a system capable of matching the ever-escalating minimum specs of current titles. Of course, there is an element of truth to that belief, but the larger problem is that neither the hardware nor the software--or more importantly, a meaningful combination of the two--has existed to successfully make PC gaming more accessible.
The original report suggests that what Valve is currently developing is not a singular device, but rather the software and a set of minimum system specs for a new gaming PC category; console-sized PC hardware with enough power to play most current titles but not break the bank. Valve is allegedly working with hardware partners to produce Steam Box-capable devices and that originally, the Alienware X51 was intended to be counted among them.
At $699, the Alienware X51 is as cheap as a preconfigured system of that size and power can get. Any further cost reduction would sacrifice performance. It's possible that Valve could subsidize Steam Box-branded machines in the hopes of recuperating the costs through the added volume of software sales or by charging a monthly fee for the service, but that would undoubtedly come at high risk and/or alienate its user-base.
In either scenario, Valve could potentially lead by example, developing a machine of its own that would be small enough to fit into your home entertainment center, cost-effective and relatively powerful to serve as the poster child for the platform. It would leave the door open for third-party manufacturers to follow suit while establishing a foundation for the concept, not to mention plenty of revenue for Valve.
But software could play as critical of a role in the Steam Box concept as hardware.
Any PC can be hooked up to your home theater and used to play games, but the primary control method is still a mouse and keyboard. While it may not be an obstacle for savvier users like myself and undoubtedly many of you, it is one of the many reasons consoles are more accessible to mainstream audiences.
According to The Verge, the Steam Box platform will be built upon Valve's Big Picture mode ([url]http://au.pc.ign.com/articles/115/1152458p1.html[/url]), a 10-foot GUI (an interface that is optimized for use at a distance of 10 feet, or roughly the distance from a TV to a couch) that was announced at GDC last year. While Valve has offered little insight into what the interface will be like, the Steam website description for the feature states:
"Heading to the living room—or anywhere there’s a big screen—is Steam’s soon-to-be-released big-picture mode, offering simple, easy-to-read navigation designed specifically for TV. With full controller support, big-picture mode will let gamers kick back and enjoy their favorite games on the biggest screen in the house."
Steam Box is undoubtedly the full realization of this concept, likely giving player the ability to boot their home theater PC directly into Big Picture mode, not unlike a traditional game console would. Unlike a console, which is limited by meager hardware and limited software, a Steam Box could potentially switch to a full desktop view and access a wide variety of programs or websites.
([url]http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2012/03/pic_thebigpicture-600x433.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2012/03/pic_thebigpicture.jpeg[/url])
The value proposition to mainstream consumers would actually be simple: the simplified UI and social features of a game console with the power and versatility of a PC that is usable from your couch at a relatively affordable price. It may not be enough to make the Steam Box platform a key player in the market, but it could potentially reinvigorate consumer interest in PC gaming and yield sizable gains in Steam adoption from a more diverse market of players.
But where would that leave enthusiast PC gamers? If Valve is as interested in producing an open platform as The Verge suggests, existing PC players may actually benefit from the Steam Box. In a perfect world, Valve will make the Steam Box software, or namely the Big Picture mode, available to any PC, allowing users to utilize machines that far exceed the minimum specs, should they choose. Devices branded as Steam Boxes would simply exist as compact, entry-level alternatives for the mainstream market. Naturally, longevity is a concern, but if the price is right, the baseline spec is powerful enough and each Steam Box could be upgraded over time, it could prove to be a non-issue.
Of course, I'm just spitballing here and the Steam Box could be a far cry from the platform and products detailed by The Verge. Fortunately, with the official announcement allegedly coming as soon as next week, it may not be long before we find out for sure.
Source : IGN (http://au.ign.com/articles/2012/03/03/making-sense-of-the-steam-box-rumors?utm_campaign=twposts&utm_source=twitter)
-
not if it has that alienware sign on it..
-
^ +1
No never ever ever, would rather put together some cheap 550ti, i5 2400, 4gb ram and a 500gb HDD inside of some random no-brand case. Would probs cost less and still have better specs.
-
needa an apple logo then it will sell like hotcakes ;)
-
What's the beef with alienware? My 120hz screen is fucken jizzworthy.
I'd buy one :)
-
the ever-escalating minimum specs of current titles.
Give me 10 examples.
-
?
Oblivion Minimum:
2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
512 MB System RAM
4.6 GB free hard disk space
128 MB Direct3D compatible video card and DirectX 9.0 compatible driver;
Fallout 3 minimum:
1GB System RAM (XP)/ 2GB System RAM (Vista)
2.4 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 256MB RAM (NVIDIA 6800 or better/ATI X850 or better)
Fallout: New Vegas minimum:
CPU: dual core 2.0 GHz
Memory: 2GB RAM
Storage: 10GB free hard drive space
Video card: NVidia GForce 6 series, ATI 1300XT series
Skyrim Minimum:
Processor: Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor
2GB System RAM
6GB free HDD Space
Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM
-
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?279485-Rumor-Valve-said-to-be-working-on-Steam-Box-gaming-console-with-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.
With those rumored specs, all Valve needs to do is create a very slick GUI with web-TV, blu-ray, access to the entire steam library, and DVR type functionality... and like Skymtl said, keep it under $600... and they have a winner IMO. An i7 with 8gb ram and modern nVidia GPU without the huge overhead called Windows, would be a very powerful machine. Far more so than any rumored specs for Playstation 4 or Xbox 720. We'll find out shortly.
If you had to make a blind choice between a PS4, Xbox 720 or Valve Box, I would go the Valve box. Valve have a proven history of being good at things gamers like.
-
even more if it did allow things like origin on it.
-
even more if it did allow things like origin on it.
Very gracious of them isn't it ?.
-
What OS would it run? It would have to be a flavour of Windows. I can't really see it happening tbh, although I do think it a good idea as it should also serve as a htpc
-
well it might be more likely than you think......
rumors of a apple (HW) based settop gaming box and apple TV (actual televisions) with the built in apple TV/cloud etc could be enough to make people like valve interested in their own line.
I know i know, apple aint a gaming platform, but 'supposedly' over the last 12 months they have head hunted (killed of spouses etc) some HUGE game designers from various platforms to go work at apple.
-
valve have been working pretty hard at porting their games to linux, could be related
remember seeing them advertise for a number of linux nerds recently
-
Where did you read that? There were rumours a couple of years ago but Valve said it was bs. Mac support is still very limited to a very tiny portion of available titles, i would imagine Linux support would be more so. A pity.
-
They posted a recruitment link for to their facebook page a couple of months ago iirc
-
valve have been working pretty hard at porting their games to linux
Bollocks they have.
There have been linux boot scripts in most of their games (source based) for yonks. They've outwardly expressed that they are NOT the beginning of a linux port (shit got scratched to the surface again when the mac port thing happened).
Lots of shit runs on linux, like dedicated servers and automated tests, etc. MacOS is also a ~reasonably~ similar system, beign that it's based on BSD iirc.
If it turns out that they are up to something, I'd be a fair bit surprised to find out that it's anything more than porting steam to linux in order to scoop up titles that already exist for it (all the indy bundle stuff).
Although if they were working on ports... well. I'd be one happy geek.
May even ALMOST forgive them for no EP3 yet.
Don't think I'd buy a Valve box if it were more than a rumour.
-
^ +1
No never ever ever, would rather put together some cheap 550ti, i5 2400, 4gb ram and a 500gb HDD inside of some random no-brand case. Would probs cost less and still have better specs.
Agreed. I don't see how a valve box would be all that different to a HTPC setup. Apart from having a version of steam that can be used with a controller.
-
^ yes and considering the Raspberry Pi will be onshore soonish it would face some serious competition for a cheap htpc running xbmc or what have you
-
WTB: Raspberry Pi.
Yummy.
-
Agreed. I don't see how a valve box would be all that different to a HTPC setup. Apart from having a version of steam that can be used with a controller.
It might not be different, but with the purchasing power that comes from buying in the 10,000's or 100,000's, they might be able to put together a very competitively priced machine.
Also, will be very interesting to see what people will be able to do with a Raspberry Pi, and how cheap it will get once they start ordering it in large numbers (the initial price is on a 10k run, but they are expecting to have huge runs after that).
-
?
Oblivion Minimum:
2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
512 MB System RAM
4.6 GB free hard disk space
128 MB Direct3D compatible video card and DirectX 9.0 compatible driver;
Fallout 3 minimum:
1GB System RAM (XP)/ 2GB System RAM (Vista)
2.4 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 256MB RAM (NVIDIA 6800 or better/ATI X850 or better)
Fallout: New Vegas minimum:
CPU: dual core 2.0 GHz
Memory: 2GB RAM
Storage: 10GB free hard drive space
Video card: NVidia GForce 6 series, ATI 1300XT series
Skyrim Minimum:
Processor: Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor
2GB System RAM
6GB free HDD Space
Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM
Not 10 examples.
Not "ever-escalating" either.
You must be... trolling?
-
Not 10 examples.
Not "ever-escalating" either.
You must be... trolling?
CBF, 4 will do.
Trend is clear.
Who - me or you?
-
What about... ohhhhh that's right bf3 is origin and dirty ape is being paranoid parrot. IMO you should get over you fear and enjoy the game, I doubt EA will do anything extremely stupid.
-
This will appeal to some people - Quake 3 on Raspberry Pi
http://youtu.be/e_mDuJuvZjI
-
What about... ohhhhh that's right bf3 is origin and dirty ape is being paranoid parrot. IMO you should get over you fear and enjoy the game, I doubt EA will do anything extremely stupid.
What are you talking about? You diminish.
-
What are you talking about? You diminish.
The origin policy you were worrying about? ring a bell?
-
The origin policy you were worrying about? ring a bell?
Yes, well excuse me for pointing the the observable fact that Origin does harvest your information and does force you to agree not to sue. If it's empirical, it's not paranoia. I don't agree with the practices and never will. From any org.
-
Not 10 examples.
Not "ever-escalating" either.
You must be... trolling?
Same engine for the most part, no?
-
Trend is clear.
No it's not, lol
-
No it's not, lol
You can't see a steady increase in minimum requirements? Damn monkeys
-
/thread. Its not happening.
http://kotaku.com/5891697/shooting-down-rumors-valve-says-theyre-not-making-a-game-console-any-time-soon
-
I don't believe this at all. The current battle of the consoles is already polarizing as it is. I don't see many people picking this up at all.
-
Valve already said it's not happening, the steam boxes were standard PC's to be issued to testers and are not consoles in anyway and were never meant to be.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/games/6560128/Valve-denies-Steam-Box-rumours
-
The Alienware X51 is not a "Steam Box". It's just another SFF gaming PC. I reviewed it this month:
http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/reviews/alienware-x51
#ShamelessSelfPromotion
However, Steam's "Big Picture" mode is a coming reality:
http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/thebigpicture.php
Basically just a way to make games look not so shit on a TV and easier to navigate. No special OS or anything.
-
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=valve_linux_dampfnudeln&num=1
Seems Valve are porting source engine and steam to linux. Someone will make a steambox fi they do.
-
I would love a steam box. If Valve kept it at near enough cost price and made money from games alone.
The console market is waiting for a high spec machine, and it could take off. Considering the userbase steam already has, and great game library on it.
-
So far they are only porting source games to linux. It's a long way to go, but if it does take off then I still wouldn't expect many older titles would get ported.
-
[url]http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=valve_linux_dampfnudeln&num=1[/url]
Seems Valve are porting source engine and steam to linux. Someone will make a steambox fi they do.
oscar mike golf!
-
Well seems like Valve are going to make a "steambox" of some description...
They’ve got the big screen,
now give them the big picture.
It’s time to come out of the den and explore a few more rooms of the house.
Heading to the living room—or anywhere there’s a big screen—is Steam’s soon-to-be-released big-picture mode, offering simple, easy-to-read navigation designed specifically for TV. With full controller support, big-picture mode will let gamers kick back and enjoy their favorite games on the biggest screen in the house.
Steam’s big-picture mode doesn’t require any additional development from you. Just ensure your game works well with a controller, and we’ll take care of the rest. And don’t worry, keyboard and mouse aren’t going anywhere—users will be able to switch between input devices at any time.
This revolution will be televised
http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/thebigpicture.php
-
No they aren't.
They are just making a 'big-picture' mode, offering simple, easy-to-read navigation designed specifically for TV. Which has been known for a while.
I've got steam running on my HTPC, so a big-picture mode will be great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFrL6-OhN94
-
What monkey said. This isn't news, it's been in the works and well announced for ages. I think Mr. Newall came out with it at E3 like.. 3 years ago?
Around the time they announced PSN support anyways.
Still, I had wondered if the project had been scrapped. Seems like no :>
-
It's in Beta at the moment. I'll give it ago on my TV and controller and report back
http://store.steampowered.com/bigpicture/#out_now
-
Considering the amount of resources valve are putting into open source I would say someone's missing the big picture...
-
It's in Beta at the moment. I'll give it ago on my TV and controller and report back
[url]http://store.steampowered.com/bigpicture/#out_now[/url]
I gave it a go. Works well, easy to navigate with a controller. Bit of lag sometimes but it may have been due to me zipping files in the background.
I've got a lot of games where I can use a controller, so i'll be able top to play them all and never need to touch the mouse or keyboard. Steam Big Picture pretty much turns your HTPC into a games console.
Using the daisy wheel to type is a bit of a mission, but still a good idea.
I didn't try the internet browser.
-
Had a play around as well, I like it.
One tip for them would be to have an icon on the games that were controller enabled, or even have the option to hide the ones that aren't
-
Interesting times...
http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/16/3652756/valve-big-picture-mode-steam-os-linux-game-console
-
Interesting times...
[url]http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/16/3652756/valve-big-picture-mode-steam-os-linux-game-console[/url]
Earlier this month, Valve opened up a beta of Steam for Linux to 1,000 lucky users. Valve didn’t do it quite alone: the company enlisted the support of Nvidia to write Linux drivers, and is working with Intel and AMD as well. According to the company, Valve’s own games are running faster on Linux than on Windows right now. Still, getting gamers — and game developers — to switch to Ubuntu might be hard.
But what if Ubuntu Linux wasn’t the target here?
What if instead, Valve was building its own Linux-based operating system? You could call it Steam OS. Rock Paper Shotgun's John Walker proposed the idea a few months back, and it makes sense. Valve could take the same approach that Google took with Android by licensing the operating system to hardware manufacturers, and create a new platform in the process. Perhaps the Amazon Kindle Fire makes for a better analogy: where Amazon crafted a lightweight, purpose-built system that revolves around shopping, Steam OS could revolve around games.
Thank you Steam :D :D
With all the pus that is comes with Windows these days I am dumping the OS for Slackware.
-
But slackware :<
Arch!
-
Valve will release HL3 exclusive to Linux.
You heard it here first.
-
I thought you were trolling
Then I googled it
mother of god
-
I just made it up
Then I googled it
mother of god
I found this;
http://www.p4rgaming.com/?p=357
If it's true i'll throw my shit at Gabe Newell.
EDIT: It's fake.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/False-Half-Life-3-for-Linux-Information-Published-Online-305316.shtml
However I probably still throw my shit at Gabe Newell. Just for funs.
-
The good news
Its all shit
The bad news
HL3 looks more uncertain than TF2 was in 2006
-
The good news
Its all shit
The bad news
HL3 looks more uncertain than TF2 was in 2006
TBH, i'd rather have HL3 confirmed to be 'coming to Linux soon' rather then it's current status of 'fuck knows when'.
-
Fuck 3, I just want ep 3!
-
Fuck 3, I just want ep 3!
That's what I mean when I say HL3. Cause i'm cool like that.
-
I wonder if they'll release an Episode 3 alongside Half Life 3, to continue and finish the story from Ep. 2 and then jump straight into a new story.
One can hope.
-
Many have speculated that it's been so long that they'll probably just forgo ep3. Personally I hope they don't, but like meh.
-
So big picture just come out. Seem good, few bug, but generally quite nice.
-
Seems Valve are going to release a steambox, Gabe says that they are going to release a console to compete with the next gen consoles.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/8/3744314/gabe-newell-valve-console-living-room-steam-box
-
Gabe Newell: "Windows 8 will be a disaster for games because of its closed off ecosystem."
Next minute, Valve creates steambox, a closed off ecosystem for games.
-
Yeah that excuse of closed system windows and then announce in turn a closed system and hint at building something custom if you don't like it seems a little hypocritical.
-
The thing with PC gaming, gamers always like to Upgrade thier PC's, for ever better gaming experiences (Better graphics, more FPS). Developers will develop thier games to scale in performace to suit peoples hardware.
With consoles, the advantage is you don't have to fuss around with upgrading, the game will run fine, and you get the same experience as everyone else. It's easier for developers, as they they only need to test one set of hardware.
There are to very distinct target audiences, and the goals for developing a game for each one is quite separate.
The issue I see with a Steambox, is that will developers need to develop thier games to be scalable, or not? The games will run on Linux, so gamers with custom Linux boxes would want the games to scale with their hardware. However, most likey with the target audince of Steambox, most people would not upgrade, and if they don't, is it worth developers maker thier games scalable?
Just a thought. Steambox blurs the line between PC and Console, which is good in someways.
-
Well he is an operating systems engineer.
-
Gabe Newell: "Windows 8 will be a disaster for games because of its closed off ecosystem."
Next minute, Valve creates steambox, a closed off ecosystem for games.
Yeah that excuse of closed system windows and then announce in turn a closed system and hint at building something custom if you don't like it seems a little hypocritical.
What architecture and OS do you guys think Steambox will use...? Because I would have thought it was quite obvious it is going to be Linux, which would make your comments a bit silly.
The thing with PC gaming, gamers always like to Upgrade thier PC's, for ever better gaming experiences (Better graphics, more FPS). Developers will develop thier games to scale in performace to suit peoples hardware.
With consoles, the advantage is you don't have to fuss around with upgrading, the game will run fine, and you get the same experience as everyone else. It's easier for developers, as they they only need to test one set of hardware.
There are to very distinct target audiences, and the goals for developing a game for each one is quite separate.
The issue I see with a Steambox, is that will developers need to develop thier games to be scalable, or not? The games will run on Linux, so gamers with custom Linux boxes would want the games to scale with their hardware. However, most likey with the target audince of Steambox, most people would not upgrade, and if they don't, is it worth developers maker thier games scalable?
Just a thought. Steambox blurs the line between PC and Console, which is good in someways.
Considering Intel are going to be soldiering CPU's to the boards in the near future enthusiasts better become skilled with de-soldering pretty quickly. I think this will kill the enthusiast market much more than any steambox ever will. And besides nothing is stopping you making your own, this is just convenient for those who aren't skilled enough to make a working Linux box (i.e. 99.9% of the population).
If Valve didn't do this how successful would their move to Linux be? It's a very smart move by Valve.
So.... a dedicated gaming OS with no windows bloat and your choice of Steambox or your own hardware (if you are able) and this is a very good thing for gaming and enthusiasts should be applauding if you ask me.
It's a bit of a gamble for valve, still - they have to do something because in 10 - 15 years PC based gaming will be dead and everyone will be using their smartphones.
-
What architecture and OS do you guys think Steambox will use...? Because I would have thought it was quite obvious it is going to be Linux, which would make your comments a bit silly.
Considering Intel are going to be soldiering CPU's to the boards in the near future enthusiasts better become skilled with de-soldering pretty quickly. I think this will kill the enthusiast market much more than any steambox ever will. And besides nothing is stopping you making your own, this is just convenient for those who aren't skilled enough to make a working Linux box (i.e. 99.9% of the population).
If Valve didn't do this how successful would their move to Linux be? It's a very smart move by Valve.
So.... a dedicated gaming OS with no windows bloat and your choice of Steambox or your own hardware (if you are able) and this is a very good thing for gaming and enthusiasts should be applauding if you ask me.
It's a bit of a gamble for valve, still - they have to do something because in 10 - 15 years PC based gaming will be dead and everyone will be using their smartphones.
soldering is still rumoured and will only be for low end chips not enthusiast chips and or oems...
-
soldering is still rumoured and will only be for low end chips not enthusiast chips and or oems...
And so it is a rumour within a rumour that it is for low end cpu's only? The only "rumour" I heard is that it is for all intel broadwell processors. Rumour or not, I would be more concerned about this game changer than I would be about a steambox.
-
From Intel:
Last week it was reported that Intel could ditch socketed processors as early as 2014. For some reason the rumour got a lot of traction and Intel was eventually forced to respond. In a chat with Maximum PC, Intel spokesman Daniel Snyder said the chipmaker will remain committed to desktop enthusiast and channel markets and that it will “continue to offer socketed parts in the LGA package for the foreseeable future for our customers and the Enthusiast DIY market.”
-
Considering Intel are going to be soldiering CPU's to the boards in the near future enthusiasts better become skilled with de-soldering pretty quickly. I think this will kill the enthusiast market much more than any steambox ever will. And besides nothing is stopping you making your own, this is just convenient for those who aren't skilled enough to make a working Linux box (i.e. 99.9% of the population)
This is my point.
If 99.9% of audience of Linux games end up using a steambox which they won't be abled to upgrade. Then there is little incentive to for developers to test their games on a large range of hardware (like they have to do with windows PC gaming).
Also, they would have to give the games console like interface if they intend games to be played on the TV with a controller.
I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I think it's great what value are doing.
-
From Intel:
We'll see how long that lasts.
This is my point.
If 99.9% of audience of Linux games end up using a steambox which they won't be abled to upgrade. Then there is little incentive to for developers to test their games on a large range of hardware (like they have to do with windows PC gaming).
Also, they would have to give the games console like interface if they intend games to be played on the TV with a controller.
I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I think it's great what value are doing.
Invalid point really. There is only one hardware combination for Linux gaming at the moment anyway, so from that perspective nothing will change. Unless AMD pulls finger they are going to be left waaaaaaaaay behind. It should be the vendor that provides the drivers obviously. If they don't then what are game devs to do? Develop for hardware that works.
So, there isn't really any difference in Valve releasing a steambox or you building a Linux gaming pc - they will both use the same hardware anyway. And I think you are creating a problem where none exists, so we all use intel CPU's and Nvidia GPU's in our Steamboxs/Liunux gaming rigs. Big deal. Oh that's right there is a big deal, you will be able to get more out of your hardware because you aren't bloating your platform.
And I don't think they need to put a controller in, but they probably will. I expect to be able to use an oculus rift on it.
A dedicated PC gaming OS. How many years has it taken??? Why was this not done 10 years ago? Kudos to valve.
-
So, there isn't really any difference in Valve releasing a steambox or you building a Linux gaming pc Mame Box
We used to have street fighter tournaments on these things back in the T-Cosy days!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqbK5yqlfZI
-
That's a nice mame frontend, all the ones I had were budget. My xbmc box had mame and some xbox360 controllers on it until it got burgled and then i never bothered setting it up again. Might have to now...
Steam/xbmc/mamebox. zomfg.
-
AMD are working on increasing performance for Linux drivers, http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=amd_drm38_radeon&num=1. Too little too late? AMD cards have always sucked arse on Linux, it's going to be hard to change their image. But then the majority of people that will adopt linux as their gaming platform in the future will probably have no idea of such things.
-
AMD are working on increasing performance for Linux drivers, [url]http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=amd_drm38_radeon&num=1.[/url] Too little too late? AMD cards have always sucked arse on Linux, it's going to be hard to change their image. But then the majority of people that will adopt linux as their gaming platform in the future will probably have no idea of such things.
While their image is that of suck, their corporate approach is far more open, which in turn gives them credit.
If they managed to get their drivers to be as simple and reliable as nvidia's, with no drop in performance compared to windows, then they'd be be doing quite alright I'd think.
But every time they do something good they either do it far too slow or just not enough, retaining the title of sucky.
That or they leave it totally up to the community which always has that "but surely the vendor could do better" factor.
So we'll see.
-
Steam Linux now available!
With TF2, Amnesia, Serious Sam 3, Killing Floor, and a bunch of Indie games; Trine, Dungeons of dreadmore and others.
-
No need to hax0r it anymore then ;-)
-
CDN: functional.
So now just back to the original problem...
Lack of game support.
-
Yeah that excuse of closed system windows and then announce in turn a closed system and hint at building something custom if you don't like it seems a little hypocritical.
I remember the days before Steam
(http://cdn.themis-media.com/media/global/images/library/deriv/42/42731.jpg)
-
I remember the days before DRM.
-
I remember the days before DRM.
Analogue Rights Managment? Like when the game would require you to give the 3rd word on the first line of Page 5 of the manual before it would let you in?
My favourite of those 80's copy protection systems was the Microprose games (F19 Stealth Fighter & M1 Tank Platoon from memory) which required you to ID silhouettes of Planes / Vehicles, so if you were nerdy enough you could play anyway :)
-
Analogue Rights Managment? Like when the game would require you to give the 3rd word on the first line of Page 5 of the manual before it would let you in?
Ah, those were terrible. With x-wing, you had to look up codes in the manual. Was really annyoing when you lost the manual and couldn't play anymore.
Oh, and always having to put the CD in the drive. tbh, DRM these day is better.
-
Nah, because these days it doesn't matter if you have the disc in the drive or not, you can't play it ever.
-
I play games all the time.
Well not all the time, sometimes I have to eat and shit too.
-
You're a monkey.
You eat your shit and it's all fun and games to you.
-
http://www.polygon.com/2013/1/7/3849284/piston-valve-steam-box-xi3
Ugly looking little prototype, but just one of many from the sound of it, and sounds like they may be upgradable
-
[url]http://www.polygon.com/2013/1/7/3849284/piston-valve-steam-box-xi3[/url]
Ugly looking little prototype, but just one of many from the sound of it, and sounds like they may be upgradable
If it is upgradeable then it would be quite awesome.
Also - Ugly?
I think it looks quite sleek and cute....
-
Pretty expensive. Starting at US$500
Will have to wait to see what all the specs are.
http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/news/1019661.20130108.Valve-backed-third-party-Steam-Box-unveiled-at-CES/
-
Fast
-
Agreed.
Looks terribad.
Hopefully because of its modular support, people might release different boxes for it.
-
Agreed.
Looks terribad.
Hopefully because of its modular support, people might release different boxes for it.
Yeah, like some kind of standard form factor, they could call it ATX.
-
Facetious monkey.
Reminds me of a jerry-can.
-
Looks like a futuristic powercell to me.
Like the HEV batteries in Half-Life.
-
Power at 50%
-
Power at 50%
Warning! Major fracture detected. Morphine Administered
-
User Death Imminent.
-
Actually I think it looks awesome but I think seriously they will release these with various iconic brands (think portal cubes) that will be awesome.
-
How powerful can this be? I don't see any fans or heatsinks.
I can see it working as a media streamer and casual game thing.
-
I think it's ugly, but it will probably just sit behind the TV so it's not like it matters.
The prototype is only 30watt so there isn't really a great deal you can do with that, but on the bright side it will be nice and quiet.
Valve said they are envisioning 3 main types of steambox: good, better, and best. So it sounds like there will be multiple steam boxes to match budgets. $999 was mentioned somewhere but not sure if that was good or best, I hope it's best. It's still too early to do anything but speculate, but if you want enthusiast level hardware then you will still have to build it yourself.
-
How powerful can this be? I don't see any fans or heatsinks.
I can see it working as a media streamer and casual game thing.
What kind of games can I picture operating in this format?
2 words:
Big picture.
aka (also 2 words, so it works, fuckoff):
console ports.
-
So they're calling it SteamOS now, an optimised gaming OS. I expect valve will flip the mid digit to MS and make HL3 a SteamOS exclusive to start with in order to promote it. Not sure how they are planning to stream older titles to the SteamOS frontend. Sounds good, about time someone made a dedicated gaming OS.
http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamOS/
-
^ I like the look of that
-
Also, the latest announcement, Steam Machines. A variety of boxes that will run Steam OS, plus a Valve prototype.
http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamMachines/
-
A steam machine?
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Stott_Park_Bobbin_Mill_Steam_Engine.jpg)
That wont fit in my living room.
-
That wont fit in my living room.
Not with that attitude.
-
Also, the latest announcement, Steam Machines. A variety of boxes that will run Steam OS, plus a Valve prototype.
[url]http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamMachines/[/url]
Steam & Valve is so 1890's.
-
*Insert Bad Steam Punk Joke*