This changes everything: Valve enters console race

Guys… it’s not a “console”, it’s just a pc sold in a shiny box with the Steam logo on it. The simple fact that you “can install Windows” on it says it all.

And then don’t forget that the vast majority of the titles on Steam are for Windows, so the VAST majority of titles won’t be available “out of the box”.

Don’t over-react on nothing

Steambox is without a doubt a double – edged sword. A lot of PC gamers are PC gamers, because of the freedom that the PC provides. I am in that group. I don’t want one company to tell me wht is good for my gaming life.

The expected price is also abysmal. I use a motherboard and processor from 2006 and still play almost all the games I want. I will upgrade soon, but paying $1000 for something that plays only games, no. And I think a lot of gamers have that mentality.

HL3 as a Steambox exclusive will create a massive shitstorm towards Valve which can damage them very badly.

Yeah, I’m not enirely sure where this fits in with a market.

It won’t have the sony, microsoft and nintendo titles that many console fans like and would miss, and it might not be that attractive to the pc gamer either.

Of course it dosen’t have to be an either/or thing for console owners (and more affluent console owners without a pc might find it attractive) but I doubt many already high-end PC gamers would add it to their collection if it’s pretty expensive. Cost is going to be a bigee.

Outlook: hard to say…

*gets splinters from sitting on fence*

@1 – Consoles are PCs in boxes. That’s all they are.

@2 – The price is a big point, yeah. But I think a standard PC spec that everyone, including Valve, can work towards could have a huge impact. A know a lot of people who are put off PC gaming because all they basically want to do is buy a box, plug it in and off they go. This’ll fix it.

@2 Agree entirely.

I think they have misjudged the market personally. I have a pc for work/play/admin and this box would do nothing for me to be honest.

I am not a hardcore pc gamer as I have an xbox/ps3 too but am finding myself playing more and more games on my pc, however I would never consider paying $1000 or any where near for a restricted pc with no blu-ray (my internet is no-where near capable of streaming) and taking a mouse/keyboard put the the equation for fps’s.

And using HL3 as a big carrot will piss off a whole legion of loyal fans.

Much more interested in Project Shield. If that isn’t stupid money then I’ll be having one.

@2 It wouldn’t damage them. HL3 as a Steam Box exclusive makes perfect, logical sense. It would, as Pat says, change everything.

If its just like MS launch, then valve needs to shut the pipes soon. It took MS years to launch and billions of cash in losses, something valve cant afford.
I think valve would do a smaller release at first to gauge interest. Then if that blows out, it will go for the full market.
And people were saying console biz is dying and that someone will leave the market. Weird.
Pricing and specs will be the real maker/breaker. Although physical sales still far surpasses digital, specially in consoles.
If this reduces psn and xbl prices, then awesome.

“Valve’s already said it’ll sell Bigfoot to consumers itself. It doesn’t need shops. ”
Its a good strategy early on. But to gain bigger market, they need to sell it in stores. Question is, why would gamestop sell this? Thats why ms and sony and ninty keep retailers happy.

Aren’t you missing something Pat? If Valve can reach a deal with publisher x to sell a game 70% off, then why Sony and Micro or Ninty can’t ? Another thing is that you say we won’t need a PS Orbis unless we want to play exclusives. Lets thing in reverse. I want a console so I get a PS4 or a X720 and I get all those games that are available on PC(Steambox) and many great exclusives. Why should I buy Steambox ?

@4 Consoles are PCs in boxes. That’s all they are.”
No they are not, consoles are computers with exact specs and exact OS so games run on all hardware exactly the same, the fact that the steambox using a windows does make it a PC rather than a console, windows is owned by micrsoft which also ownes xbox, I doubt they will agree to make an OS version specific for the steam box. If they wanted to be a console they should’ve build their own OS, or could use a their version of a linux build along with the expected linux steam.

Steambox is just a branded PC (Alienware, Razor).

I’m having a hard time taking this article seriously. Is this a new parody writer?

I mean honestly. Seriously. Without a doubt. This changes *nothing*. It is no more than a PC. Which we already have. Which we can already plug into our TVs and play with controllers.

Yes, Steam fans are getting all giddy because they don’t quite understand what it actually is yet. They believe, somehow, that Valve are going to create a super-powerful PC for the price of a standard home console. Not going to happen. Seriously. Simply. Will. Not. Happen. Just can’t be done.

Not to mention, the games will simply be PC games. Meaning the gaming landscape will not change at all. What this boils down to is basically another way to play PC games.

It’s like saying Alienware “changed everything”. It didn’t. Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo… they have nothing to worry about, like this article heavily suggests they should.

And don’t even get me started on how many times you’ll have to re-buy the next model to try and keep up with PC hardware. Meaning the market will be just as fragmented and unpredictable as PC gaming is in general. Developers already know that they won’t be able to guarantee their games will run on whichever “Steam box” you have. And so PC gaming will continue to get less support than consoles do.

I mean… wow. I got a few laughs here today!

@6 (I guess!)
Really think Valve would limit the sale of HL3 to this new box?
Are you thinking timed exclusive or ‘only for steambox’?

1: You could install Linux on the PS3.

Like Pat said, consoles are PCs in boxes.

The important mechanism here is the defined limits of a standard chipset. Rather than limit, the ability now to optimise properly means this machine should be able to produce graphics exponentially better than better-specced (on paper) gaming PCs. Optimisation is everything, it’s what PC games have never done well, could never do well due to nebulous hardware distribution among end users.

This will change all that. PC gamers rejoice.

@4 No Pat, just no, consoles are dedicated, closed, frozen for years hardware.

Their strength is in their “closeness”. As soon as you allow modifications to the hardware/software (read: you can install Windows on it) of a “console” it has lost its “console” status and it’s just, again, a PC.

@12 yes, but you were not able to play any PS3 games on the Linux version of the PS3, weren’t you?

@8 – That’s true, yep. What I’m saying is that there’s a massive gap in the market Valve can plug with this. And I do believe it could completely change the way the market sells games, as it’ll put a huge amount of pressure on retailers.

Sony, MS and Nintendo can’t do the same because they have very strong links with retailers in terms of pricing. They can only drop prices in line with shops. If they didn’t, shops would go bust. This is why games on XBLM, etc, are usually very expensive compared to those in, say, GAME. If Microsoft kept selling stock into GAME then slashing the price for digital distribution, GAME simply wouldn’t take the stock as gamers would start buying their games through XBLM. MS’s model is based on discs – and it needs GAME to sell discs – so it can’t do it.

Steam doesn’t have these worries with a lot of its games, hence the amazing sales. The premium, disc-based stuff is still expensive on Steam, but a huge part of the Steam library is digital-only. And you can’t get it on Xbox and PlayStation.

@14 – Surely the point of this is that Valve’s standardising a PC chip-set?

#12
No more . and it was never supported by Sony.

In the end I agree with many comments here. It is another way of PC gaming.

Isn’t this just basically a pre-made PC that Valve are selling? like the thousands you can already buy from other companies. Or am I completely missing something here?

#15
Now I get your point but with majority of purchases by gamers made of those premium disc-based stuff. How important is that? I mean for the console crowd it is more about COD than about indie titles and those PC and digital only things. Even if the console crowd demands too hard for those indie titles The big three can probably find a way to get them on their platform at roughly the same price.

@16 Why should they? Their strength is in openness, they’ve got a lot of indie games because you can make an indie game on any hardware not buying a kit/license and not going through the pain in the ass that is passing the hardware/compatibility tests that MS/Sony/Nintendo require because of the closed nature of their environment and to ensure a slick experience to the users.

And then if I want a “closed” piece of hardware, why should I buy an expensive small box? Because it will be expensive, I’m ready to bet whatever you want on the price tag. They don’t have the strength and sheer money power that the other console manufacturers have. They should produce a HUGE amount of hardware, VERY closed, for YEARS to contain the costs. Just to see the majority of their catalogue jumping out of the box because it has Linux on it.

I’m just skeptic, but maybe you’re right

@18 and a new controller… I too seem to be missing something.
*rummages*

Why would this “change everything”? Like the other Valve backed hardware, why would any PC gamer buy this? And what’s been stopping console gamers from jumping on the PC wagon so far? A lot of PC gamers are also console gamers, so again, why would I essentially buy two machines to play the same library and what will I do with my already decent rig?

I like variation, which is why I have a PC AND a console from Sony/MS. Unless all the games released on Bigfoot come with pad support, why would a console gamer get this over a regular PC?

I’m not so sure this will be as revolutionary as some think. I really don’t see the big deal unless it’s hands down better on power and price.

@22
+1

Can’t wait for this thing.

I like how people say that this is a PC, but so far there are NO information about that console and YOU COULD INSTALL LINUX (and you still can with a dongle) on your PS3 which makes some idiots statements about “Duuuh you can install Windows on it so it’s not a console” invalid!

Also, just for fun fact, XBOX 360 OS is based on Windows 2000 so please, just shut up.

your consoles are essentially PC’s. In fact, they are shitty PC’s with horrible hardware inside it with horrible OS’s that is based on some other OS.

Yeah, let Valve destroy Sony and MS. Do it Valve with Half-Life 3 exclusivity and you won the race pretty much.

@24
Sony may have some struggles but I don’t think it can be killed just like that. and in case of Valve conquering Micro and Ninty, you can keep looking forward to it…

@22 – It’s a standard chipset and it puts your Steam account on the TV. Unless you have a TV PC right now, you’re playing Far Cry 3 on Steam at your desk, and unless you buy it on 360 or PS3 you can’t continue on your TV in the evening, say. Bigfoot means you play Far Cry 3 at your desk, go and have some dinner, plop yourself down in front of the TV and carry on with a controller from your Steam Cloud save.

I’m pretty sure every major PC release – to which it’s applicable – will come with pad support from now on as a result of this.

As to what’s stopping console gamers running to PC, I think a main reason is the hobby aspect, as I said up there. A lot of people just want to plug in and play, and not have to worry about spec. That’s why they stick to consoles. Bigfoot will fix that for Steam.

Valve just need to announce Half-Life 3 for that thing, new L4D. DOTA 2 too (which console runs DOTA games that has millions of users?)
They can pretty much own next generation.

With open hardware Valve can easily announce that Guild Wars 2 is coming to that box.

Valve is going to be crazy.

P.S. Big Picture is already a much more intuitive console interface then on PSN or XBL.

Basically what needs right now:

1) Exclusive games
2) Decent Launch lineup (No problem. STEAM has a lot of games)
3) Decent Next Gen Hardware
4) Half-Life 3 ! ! !

Like, assuming the price is sensible, I’ll probably buy it day one. All my Steam games on my TV? Yes please.

It’s interesting that considering we’re talking about a device that won’t even be announced in 2013 that so much of the speculation is negative.

@28, If all my games from Steam will be on the TV that will be gorgeous.

And impossible at the same time because it sounds too good to be true.

I can’t see the steambox ‘changing everything’. To be honest I can’t see it changing ANYTHING.

People will still have their established favourite franchises, online communities, back catalog and platform preferences. Digital distribution is already moving forward, and PC gaming is already available. What exactly will the Steambox bring to the party that isn’t already there?

A fixed-spec PC with ‘Valve’ stamped on it isn’t going to revolutionise anything. It’s good to have another competitor in the field, but that’s all it will be.

“Sony, MS and Nintendo can’t do the same because they have very strong links with retailers in terms of pricing. They can only drop prices in line with shops. If they didn’t, shops would go bust.”
Oh, so in a nutshell, what you’re saying is that buying Valve puts people out of their jobs. Okay then.

@26, Or you could just buy a HDMI cable… I only ever play Farcry 3 on my TV.

I certainly don’t need to buy a new machine to play PC games on my TV. That was the whole point of big picture mode.

@27(which console runs DOTA games that has millions of users?)

There’s a reason for that, you need a mouse and keyboard for MOBA games for the precision. which I would rather sit at a desk then on my sofa with a tray to rest them on. Unless this bio-controller can somehow provide that.

Edit* “I certainly don’t need to buy a new machine to play PC games on my TV. That was the whole point of big picture mode.”

This.

@34, Exactly, but who said that you can’t connect your mouse and keyboard via USB in that thing?
That is a possibility because Valve wants to make a very open platform. (Valve said that you can install Windows on that thing. Woohoo)

You can play dust 514 on the PS3 (in the future) with mouse and keyboard. for example

I would have to disagree with you Pat, this won’t really change anything. All it is is a locked down PC which kind of takes the whole point of PC gaming away. Why would I buy this when I already have a good PC which is upgradeable when I deem it necessary.
For my console fix I’ll stick with Sony as they have the exclusives I’m intersted in, for my PC gaming and Steam usage, I’ll stick with my PC, which btw is already connected to my TV and has a controller! Fancy that, I already have a Steambox!

@35 Did you read the rest of my post? I didn’t say you can’t I said why would I sit on my sofa, put some flat surface over my legs to use the mouse and keyboard when I can just sit at my desk. I understand with games that use controllers, sofa can be more comfortable, but for using mouse and keyboard I see no point.

Is the “It’s amazingly popular.” bit a joke? A free to register service open since 2003 on a platform billions of people own (for various reasons) has less registered users than the PS3 out since 2006 that costs money has brand new unit sales (second hand not taken into account). Quite frankly, thats a fail, a massive, oh so massive fail.

@38, True. And just because a lot of people use it doesn’t always mean they like/love it. You would be stupid to not shop digitally through Steam.

^ Indeed, i have a Steam account, and i never use it. Not only is the figure low for what it is, but its about as reliable as PSN account numbers.

“why would I sit on my sofa, put some flat surface over my legs to use the mouse and keyboard”

Why would you do that at all? I know a lot of people who play consoles using PC Monitors. Yeah, really. There are a lot of people like that. Shock! Right?

@41 wait what? I don’t think you understand what I’m saying.

“Why would you do that at all? I know a lot of people who play consoles using PC Monitors. Yeah, really. There are a lot of people like that. Shock! Right?”

What is this? Has nothing to do with what I said.

This will change nothing. If anything, I’m getting a very big 3DO vibe from it.

@24 Read through my previous posts before shouting “idiot” at people.

If you don’t want to accept that the strength of consoles is in their closeness than there’s no space to discussion.

And, again, saying the a “console is essentially a PC” is, again, just wrong.

Is any of the console based on an x86/x64 architecture? I tell you: no.

#44

Both Sony and MS new consoles are x86/x64 using close-to-standard AMD CPUs.

PC and console architecture is converging, which from a development point of view makes perfect sense.

“If you don’t want to accept that the strength of consoles is in their closeness than there’s no space to discussion.”

Who said that Steambox big Picture mode will not be closed? Who said that?
You are probably a forecaster and you know what will be inside Steambox too?

yes, you are an idiot.

“Is any of the console based on an x86/x64 architecture? I tell you: no.”

What has hardware architecture have to do with “personal computer”?
What you described is a hardware and again you are wrong here. Future XBOX and PS4 will use AMD CPU’s that are based on X86/X64 architecture.

Fail!

“And, again, saying the a “console is essentially a PC” is, again, just wrong.”

Explain or just go away.

I think all of the answers to the questions we have are too far off to say anything definitive, especially ‘This changes everything’.

I think the idea of a spec for PC developers to work toward for future titles is great, but my only concern would be what that might mean for the back catalogue available on Steam. No developer / publisher is going to back to optimise for this machine. Providing that the spec of this ‘Steam-Box’ is high enough it might not be an issue, but if it’s not, then there’d be plenty of titles that would perform poorly, the kind of titles you currently need a £700 + rig to play decently.

Yeah, I think you can definitely put me in the ‘How is this different to my PC, an Xbox Controller and a HDMI cable?’ camp right now. And until we get more details, that’s where I’m staying.

Half Life 3 will be not a “SteamBox” exclusive, I’m pretty sure will be a “SteamOS” exclusive, so you could play in every PC with a Steam partition, obviously this OS should be free to download.

@44 Just stop it right there, you are entering into the mad world of Erthazus, where he is the overlord of crazy arguments about how the PC will rule the world and all the consoles shall burn in the fires of hell!

And I agree with the majority of this comments, this changes nothing. And I’m saying this being the owner of a gaming pc for many years, now I’m just tired of having to worry about specs and everything and I’m pretty happy with my PS3, I leave it just to play some indie games I brought from steam. I’m not willing to pay this amount of money to have indie games on my TV

So that’s it then? Just a PC in the Box? Since i already have a PC, i don’t think i’m interested and i really, really couldn’t care less about Half-Life 3. I don’t think i ever completed Half-Life 2.