RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
#130
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
This sounds like a good idea, but I'm not totally sure I "get" it.
Will the OS support the entire Steam library? I mean on a theoretical SteamBox running this OS, will Far Cry 3 just work without any additional effort on the part of the developer or end user? If so, that's pretty impressive to me.
I assume the OS will also be more efficient for gaming than Windows? So this could drive down the potential cost of a SteamBox, right? Because my impression was always that regardless of Steam, it takes a pretty beefy (expensive) PC to run modern games.
Will the OS support the entire Steam library? I mean on a theoretical SteamBox running this OS, will Far Cry 3 just work without any additional effort on the part of the developer or end user? If so, that's pretty impressive to me.
I assume the OS will also be more efficient for gaming than Windows? So this could drive down the potential cost of a SteamBox, right? Because my impression was always that regardless of Steam, it takes a pretty beefy (expensive) PC to run modern games.
#131
DVD Talk Legend
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
This sounds like a good idea, but I'm not totally sure I "get" it.
Will the OS support the entire Steam library? I mean on a theoretical SteamBox running this OS, will Far Cry 3 just work without any additional effort on the part of the developer or end user? If so, that's pretty impressive to me.
I assume the OS will also be more efficient for gaming than Windows? So this could drive down the potential cost of a SteamBox, right? Because my impression was always that regardless of Steam, it takes a pretty beefy (expensive) PC to run modern games.
Will the OS support the entire Steam library? I mean on a theoretical SteamBox running this OS, will Far Cry 3 just work without any additional effort on the part of the developer or end user? If so, that's pretty impressive to me.
I assume the OS will also be more efficient for gaming than Windows? So this could drive down the potential cost of a SteamBox, right? Because my impression was always that regardless of Steam, it takes a pretty beefy (expensive) PC to run modern games.
I don't know how much more efficient it will be than Windows. Linux tends to use fewer resources, but that partially depends on the desktop environment used. In this case I guess the "desktop" will be Steam's Big Picture Mode, which doesn't seem to be very lightweight, but we'll see.
#132
DVD Talk Hero
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
The point is to setup a completely dedicated Steam Experience. It won't support every game out of the box, many games that support only DirectX/3D will need to be re-programmed to support it.
However, once it's setup, you literally hit the power button on your computer, and then have a completely controlled-based experience. No need for a keyboard, no need for a mouse.
It's interesting, we'll see.
However, once it's setup, you literally hit the power button on your computer, and then have a completely controlled-based experience. No need for a keyboard, no need for a mouse.
It's interesting, we'll see.
#133
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
The point is to setup a completely dedicated Steam Experience. It won't support every game out of the box, many games that support only DirectX/3D will need to be re-programmed to support it.
However, once it's setup, you literally hit the power button on your computer, and then have a completely controlled-based experience. No need for a keyboard, no need for a mouse.
It's interesting, we'll see.
However, once it's setup, you literally hit the power button on your computer, and then have a completely controlled-based experience. No need for a keyboard, no need for a mouse.
It's interesting, we'll see.
I think their long term plan is for more developers to support Linux and create native Linux versions of new titles, so that the only games you won't be playing natively on Linux are legacy titles.
It's pretty ambitious, but this is also a very safe "first step" for them, especially when you consider what they could of done right out the gates (i.e. a console).
#134
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
It sounds like the OS (which will be a Linux distro) will support streaming games locally, like what the Wii U does with its GamePad. You'll only be able to natively run whatever games have Linux versions.
I don't know how much more efficient it will be than Windows. Linux tends to use fewer resources, but that partially depends on the desktop environment used. In this case I guess the "desktop" will be Steam's Big Picture Mode, which doesn't seem to be very lightweight, but we'll see.
I don't know how much more efficient it will be than Windows. Linux tends to use fewer resources, but that partially depends on the desktop environment used. In this case I guess the "desktop" will be Steam's Big Picture Mode, which doesn't seem to be very lightweight, but we'll see.
#135
DVD Talk Legend
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
Yeah, I would assume if there's a "Steambox" announced in the next day or three, all of the current Valve games that utilize the Source engine will be on it. Right now, games like Counter-strike: Global Offensive, the original Left 4 Dead, and Portal 2 are just some of the few that haven't been coded over to Linux yet.
However, there's still a "hook" that's needed to get people bought in. Left 4 Dead 3 has been rumored constantly over the past year whereas Half-Life 3 has been rumored since the release of Half-Life 2: Episode Two.
However, there's still a "hook" that's needed to get people bought in. Left 4 Dead 3 has been rumored constantly over the past year whereas Half-Life 3 has been rumored since the release of Half-Life 2: Episode Two.
#136
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
Don't hold your breath on any of those "hooks", though I would agree that something like that would be a smart move, I'd put the likelihood of that happening at "launch" in the 0-5% range.
#137
DVD Talk Hero
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
1:14:00 'til the next announcement.
#138
DVD Talk Godfather
Thread Starter
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
Thinking about how much something like the Intel NUC already costs fully built out makes me wonder how affordable they can make a Steam Box.
#139
DVD Talk Legend
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
STEAM MACHINES
Finally, a multiple choice answer
Entertainment is not a one-size-fits-all world. We want you to be able to choose the hardware that makes sense for you, so we are working with multiple partners to bring a variety of Steam gaming machines to market during 2014, all of them running SteamOS.
Finally, a multiple choice answer
Entertainment is not a one-size-fits-all world. We want you to be able to choose the hardware that makes sense for you, so we are working with multiple partners to bring a variety of Steam gaming machines to market during 2014, all of them running SteamOS.
#140
DVD Talk Hero
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
It seems the second announcement is to join a beta program for "Steam Machines". I wonder what the heck the third announcement will be.
#141
DVD Talk Hero
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
Easily decipherable from the icons, even on Monday.
O = SteamOS
[O ] = SteamOS in a box/machine
O+O = SteamOS with SteamOS or, rather, the experience with emphasis on game streaming.
O = SteamOS
[O ] = SteamOS in a box/machine
O+O = SteamOS with SteamOS or, rather, the experience with emphasis on game streaming.
#143
DVD Talk Hero
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
#144
DVD Talk Legend
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
I've currently met all of the beta requirements other than "Play a game using a gamepad in Big Picture mode."
I guess I'll be reinstalling my 360 controller drivers in the foreseeable future.
I guess I'll be reinstalling my 360 controller drivers in the foreseeable future.
#145
DVD Talk Special Edition
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Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
I've used Big Picture mode in the past, but it didn't count towards the hardware badge.
I need to make some more steam friends, it seems.
I need to make some more steam friends, it seems.
#146
DVD Talk Godfather
Thread Starter
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
I just have to do the Big Picture mode thing too. I've played plenty of games with the 360 controller, just not using Big Picture mode.
#147
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
#148
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
That isn't true. They were referring to the "prototype" one Valve is giving out 300 of for the beta. Some of them definitely will be upgradable, but not all of them.
#149
DVD Talk Hero
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
I've been thinking about game streaming from my PC to this SteamOS-box in the living room for non-linux games. Obviously, this would rely on the host PC to actually play the game but the graphics, audio, and controls would be shown, heard, and input on the client device.
Lag is a slight concern here, but I would think that the OS would be able to mitigate a large portion of that during the "handshake" between the network points.
I just hope that others can use the host PC while I'm playing a game from it in another room and they aren't bogged down too much with used resources or, god forbid, actually mirroring gameplay on the monitor.
#150
DVD Talk Legend
Re: RUMOR: Valve working on 'Steam Box' Gaming Console
If this Steam thing is going to be upgradable, it's going to need to accept common PC parts, which take up a LOT of room. Modern video cards are 10-12 inches long and over 4 inches tall, and CPUs need bulky heat sink/fan units. Unless Valve is planning to launch special parts made for this that take up less room (while remaining affordable), this "console" is going to be huge in size. So I can definitely see different models for those who want something more like the typical console form factor.