VG247 Forum » Topic: Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light

VG247 Forum » Topic: Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448 Just another bbPress community en-US Sun, 19 May 2013 09:28:38 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://www.vg247.com/forum/search.php ispellcorrectly on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41428 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:11:10 +0000 ispellcorrectly 41428@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ I have both positive and negative opinions on this topic. Firstly I think this will be great (as said above) for the not too savvy gamers. This could bring PC gamers and console gamers together, and finally we can decide who is the best at our FPS games. Would this then provide the initiative to start added things into the games like aim assist which consoles would give? I hope not. Would it be upgradable? the PC industry is forever moving forward. Technology is out of date from the date it was released. PC games are known for the amount of cheats/hacks etc. that are available, will this put more pressure when developing games for the console players (cod:mw3 elite wasn't released for PC for this reason). Games like GTA5 have had rumors it will not be released for the PC, this could be a positive and break the spell of games not being brought out cross platform. and finally, AAA Companies are moving further away from the PC and more towards Consoles, if this gives people the same/similar experience to a console, it could bring back PC gaming for good, competition could boom once more, and ladders and events would take place over multiple games. There are plenty of things we could all pick at, but what exactly are they doing? We don't know, they will probably wait until the PS4 & Xbox 720 has been released, but in my opinion, getting this out with Windows and/or (duel boot? (optional extra)) Linux installed (giving the customer a choice), getting some large titles on there as well, could potentially knock Sony and Microsoft off their pedestal. I won't be purchasing one, I am too much of a PC fanatic, but if I was to get one, being able to use a few of my 600 games on my steam account on a console sounds interesting. DSB on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41419 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 01:24:34 +0000 DSB 41419@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ I think the difference is going to be in the experience. You have two big problems in hardware/cost and how on earth they're going to either make Linux work, or make Windows worth buying for this thing. But beyond that I think it comes down to how enjoyable it is to use. For me as a user the difference between using an Android and using an iOS device is like night and day, simply because they have a fundamentally different approach to what those devices should be. In the same way, I managed to anger a few console guys out there when I got stumped by just how clunky a 360 really is to use when you've been gone for a while, and you're used to the modern designs and capacities that you find in most other devices. That's really where I expect Valve to throw their punches. I'm hoping they'll impress me with something that's a lot more useful and a lot more enjoyable than what I've seen elsewhere. There's a big difference between wanting a device and needing a device - and this won't be a "need" device - but I think both are just as effective in selling one. In the same way I may "need" a smartphone, but I "want" an iPhone, and that's why Apple gets my money instead of Samsung. I'm kinda counting on Valve to try and sell this in the same way. friendlydave on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41297 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:31:37 +0000 friendlydave 41297@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ Great post. Seeing as we don;t know much about it yet, to me it just seems like a PC that you set up in your living room, like other small boxed PCs already available. The other problem is, the majority of games I play on PC require Mouse and Keyboard. MOBAs, FPS, RTS games. Which no matter how I think of a solution to it, it will just be uncomfortable to sit on a sofa and play. I do see the potential of this introducing people who where "afraid[better word needed]" of getting into PC gaming, I don;t see why they couldn;t just purchase a small boxed PC already available unless the price of this 'Steam-box' while be significantly cheaper. Looking forward to how this all plays out! polygem on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41272 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 07:30:27 +0000 polygem 41272@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ i am all on board if pricing is right. i want this to happen badly. it is for me. i am thinking about going back to pc for a while now, just recently talked to a friend if he'd help me picking up all the pieces to build one. now i will wait. it does not need exclusives to convince me. make hl3 multiplat, as long as i can play it on a platform i own i'm fine with that. Phoenixblight on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41254 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 02:15:53 +0000 Phoenixblight 41254@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ I am not negative about it. I think it will be cool for those people that get it and just not that knowledge or "patient" to learn the ins and out of their PC. But as a heavy PC user I just don't see a point. I'll wait and see what Valve comes out with. I am curious about the gamepad and use of biometrics and gaze view. That will be more with what the devs will do with it though. Telepathic.Geometry on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41250 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 02:04:57 +0000 Telepathic.Geometry 41250@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ @PB: Well yeah, that's exactly what I'm trying to say. So we're completely on the same page as far as I can see... :) Phoenixblight on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41246 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 01:15:19 +0000 Phoenixblight 41246@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ @TG Thats simply because it doesn't offer anything for the PC gamers. Why switch? I have a machine that I can hook up to my TV and play in Big Picture Mode. There is little to no point in me picking up this machine and I seriously doubt Valve will be playing the exclusive game to sell their console. Thats never been their way of doing business. Its always been about getting the biggest audience by being open with their platform. I honestly believe this console will be for those that want a standardized PC that they don't have to mess with. Telepathic.Geometry on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41244 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:42:03 +0000 Telepathic.Geometry 41244@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ I have been talking to a mate of mine for years about this. Most of the PC games I have played in my life were on his PC or his brother's, and that was a golden age of PC gaming for me, because I could play PC games without ANY of the overhead. I am pretty confident that this Steambox is going to be a way into PC gaming for a lot of gamers like me, who lack not the skills needed to maintain a PC, but merely the patience. Not only is it an in to PC gaming on the monitor, but also in the living room, another important piece of the puzzle. I'm frankly baffled by the negativity surrounding this from various posters. I thought that everyone would get it straight away and be on board. Quite the opposite it seems, particularly from the majority of PC gamers. Maybe that's not surprising though... OlderGamer on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41228 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:40:08 +0000 OlderGamer 41228@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ I see it as the destination. I think consoles and PC are merging on their own anyways. And Bigfoot might just be another step along that path. +1 to the thread tho. And the thought that has gone into it. DSB on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41227 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:34:12 +0000 DSB 41227@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ I don't think it has anything to do with piracy. Publishers have ranted about piracy for decades now, but obviously supporting the PC is revenue they're happy to see, and so obviously the pirate ghost isn't so spooky when it comes down to brass tacks. Their own earnings reports kinda call their bluff on that one. I don't think they're going to spend a dime to support the project, but that's because they already have the PC-as-in-Windows targeted as a platform. As such, it's all on Valve to make that connection. I have no idea how or whether they're going to do it, but if they're putting millions into this project, I sure hope they have an idea. Dragon246 on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41224 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:19:33 +0000 Dragon246 41224@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ Just one word- piracy. Do you really think pubs will extend support to a piracy ridden "console"? Besides, many pubs are not on talking terms with valve. Biggest hurdle will obviously be pricing. MS , sony and ninty spend millions on R&D just to produce an affordable console. Consoles, at launch are more powerful than similar priced pcs. That wont be possible with wholesale pc parts. Guess I was too negative, but I am forward to it. DSB on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41221 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:11:14 +0000 DSB 41221@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ Great rundown. I definitely see it as an attempt to straddle the fence as well. Like I wrote in a comment earlier, it seems just as intent on bringing the PC gamer to the TV as it does at bringing the console gamer to the PC. What makes it really interesting is that they're talking about different experiences in the same box. It's gonna come with Linux, and likely that's necessary to keep costs down, but if you want to run Windows on it, you can. To me that makes it seem like you'd be just as capable of getting Steam keys where ever you want, and probably just as capable of running games outside of Steam, if you choose. More than likely Valve feel confident enough in their client and its TV compatability to maintain their edge in a market like that. A big question for me is how smooth the Steambox app is going to turn out. I'm gonna guess that they'll be making a vastly more advanced version of Big Picture Mode, and I'm guessing they'll make versions for Linux and for Windows to cover everyone. Other sticking points are obviously how much capacity you can put into it, but the tech they're developing sounds really spot on. Instead of worrying about sci-fi hifi they seem to be going for the best possible experience instead of just horsepower or cramming media formats. Based on that I'm cautiously optimistic. freedoms_stain on "Bigfoot/Steambox - looking at it in a positive light" http://www.vg247.com/forum/topic.php?id=7448#post-41218 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:26:09 +0000 freedoms_stain 41218@http://www.vg247.com/forum/ I’m starting a discussion in the forum because there are too many news stories on this to keep track of, and my first post is probably going to be damned long Lets start off with what we know about the so called “Steambox”: almost nothing. The only things we know for sure: It’s internally known as “bigfoot” and is unlikely to be officially announced until 2014 at the earliest. What we know it definitely isn’t: <a href="http://www.vg247.com/2013/01/08/valve-backed-living-room-pc-system-debuts-today/" rel="nofollow">http://www.vg247.com/2013/01/08/valve-backed-living-room-pc-system-debuts-today/</a> <this thing. When you think “Steambox” remove all thoughts of this device from your head. This is a small form factor PC running windows designed by Xi3 in conjunction with Valve, it is not Bigfoot, any references to capabilities of this machine or its pricing have nothing to do with Bigfoot. Now we know what it isn’t we’re free to speculate on what it might be, what it could be, what we’d like it to be and what sort of position it could occupy in the market. The way I see it the Bigfoot Valve made console could occupy a tidy niche between PC and console. A single hardware configuration device focussed on games running a Linux OS. Running Linux is what makes the device interesting and opens up possibilities. The potential exists for Bigfoot not to just exist as a dedicated gaming box, but additionally be capable really of any PC function within the limits of the hardware. As long as Valve don’t close the OS to 3rd party non-game software then Bigfoot could be as capable as any full Linux dektop. Bigfoot users wouldn’t be limited to just playing games or accessing a limited subset of media providers. Instead they would have: -gaming, -access to any media provider whether through web interface (and Valve built a very controller friendly browser for Big Picture) or dedicated application, -access to office suites, -image editing suites, -video editing suites (and potentially screen capture without the need for dedicated additional hardware) -etc etc You may be thinking “Hey, but I have a PC, why do I need this?” Maybe you do, but not everybody does, and if money is tight a Bigfoot may a way to have both instead of being forced to choose or buy a horrible cheap computer. Bigfoot would also be a great choice for kids and adults who are stupid because Linux is less prone to the kinds of security issues that can affect Windows. You buy a kid a Bigfoot and you’ve bought him a highly capable gaming machine and a safe PC to do his homework on. Another question might be, is your PC actually any good, and maybe this is better? What about Games? I have no delusions here, there is absolutely no chance the entire Steam catalogue will be available on this thing day one, I’d go as far as to say the majority of the catalogue may never appear on Bigfoot. The Bigfoot launch lineup will likely comprise whatever small fraction of the Steam catalogue is compatible with Linux at the time of launch. At the moment this comprises around 40 titles from smaller developers and Indies, whether the AAA market picks up Linux or not is still a big question at this point. It may be that there are a decent number of current generation AAA titles available at launch or it might be Zero, it is simply too early in to Valve’s Linux push to call at this time. I actually think 3rd party support for new games is more important than legacy support at the launch of a new console, I think people should be less concerned about whether older PC games will appear on the Bigfoot and more concerned about whether or not 3rd party devs will build next-gen titles for the machine. Will they? Unknown. Put it this way, how successful could you see a home console being if it was shunned by CoD, BF, FIFA etc? There is the possibility that Valve will choose to lock future installments of their game IP to Steam and Bigfoot. In an absolute fantasy world Bigfoot launches in November 2014 bundled with “The Black Box” comprising Half-Life 3, Portal 3, Team Fortress 3 and Left 4 Dead 3 exclusive to Bigfoot and Steam. Likely? Maybe, maybe not. Valve have often expressed displeasure at the restrictions they face on the existing console networks, flying solo allows them to provide the best support to their “console” customers. I think until Valve get close to releasing another game this is pure speculation. What about PC developers who don’t currently sell through Steam? I think it would be foolish of Valve to lock out non-Steam games from the system. Bigfoot might be a good fit for devs like Blizzard who have expressed interest in the console space but have yet to dip their toes in. I think Valve have a big opportunity to make an extremely developer friendly system by leaving it relatively open. “I look at the prices on Steam and it makes me wary of their Digital-only economy” This is true, the base prices on Steam tend to be high except during sales, but you don’t have to buy Steam games directly from Valve. There is now so much competition in the Steam key business that Steam actually got bitch-slapped on pricing in this years winter sales by the likes of Amazon.com, GreenManGaming, GetGames and a plethora of other legitimate businesses who sell games in the form of Steam keys. There’s nothing to stop game publishers from selling game keys in brick & mortar stores either - pricing competition is not an issue on Steam now and is unlikely to be in the future unless Valve go insane and decide to kill their own business. I have more to say but this is hella long already so imma post it.