Poll: What will the release of Steam Machines mean to you?

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

So Valve's Steam Machines and SteamOS are coming next year, I've heard praise and some vitriolic comments about them too. Valve has gone on record saying they have no plans for exclusive games for SteamOS, so that means no Half life 3 to make you buy one. I want to know what the average gamer plans to do once they are released.

Personally, I am pretty interested in this. I am a PC gamer who has been using my 4 year old laptop (macbook pro with windows 7 bootcamp) for gaming for much of the last generation, and I am due for an upgrade of some kind. I am considering getting a high end one, depending on pricing.

I am also really interested in the Steam Controller, as I hate gaming with those chincy thumbsticks on Xbox and PS controllers, I just can't aim properly (because I am inept with them).

Final Post Poll Thoughts--

I think that this tread has run its course pretty much. However its cool to note that we did get some valuable data, even if it is a bit skewed because I wrote the questions wrong (i wrote I don't *need* this, instead of "I have no interest in this")--which led to a lot of people choosing this option despite having genuine interest in the controller, or else glad to see Linux getting a push for gaming (should have had an option for this as well).

It seems that, as expected, most people are not going to buy a Steam Machine, after all they already have a gaming machine. For those moving into the space for the first time who want a bit more of a casual PC environment, or else don't feel like building their own PC, this might be a solid option if the prices are reasonable.

It also seems that quite a few PC users are interested in dabbling with the OS, either just to try it, or else to convert over to it completely (depending on how well it works and how well it is supported by dev studios).

Moreover there seems to be a lot of interest in the Steam Controller as well.

Thanks to everyone who voted in the Poll, and double thanks to everyone who shared in the comments.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I'm interested in them, but I need to see what the pricing is going to be before I commit to one.

They seem interesting, and I like the design, but whether that is going to be worth the price difference between a steam box and just building a PC with Steam OS will depend on a lot of things. I am interested in upgrading my PC soon, so I'm planning on waiting until more info is released about the steam boxes before I commit one way or another.

The controller seems interesting as well. I don't think it looks especially better or more comfortable than a standard xbox controller (in fact, it honestly looks quite a bit worse), but I'd like to get my hands on one and try it out.

 

[lacktheknack]

It mostly depends on the pricing.

If they do turn out to be the holy grail of hackboxes and/or is cheaper than bulk, it would be fun to have one in a robot/beside my TV.

Mostly, though, I'm excited for the push it will give Linux.

Furthermore, if the controller is good in the end, that'll make me happy. Haptics are cool.

 

[ShinyCharizard]

I won't get one. I already dislike using Steam and I don't want a whole OS built around it.

 

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

I think that SteamOS on a pc is basically a Steam machine anyway, at least if you also hook up to your tv and get a controller.

I am also really excited for the direction that this will take Linux gaming (sorry I didn't have an option for this in the poll), as I feel that Microsoft Windows 8 shows that windows doesn't care about gamers.

I doubt there is a single gamer on the planet that is keen to upgrade to windows 8, as their operating system gets more bloat with every release, I feel that a dedicated and streamlined OS just for gaming is the way to go. I fully expect that this will lead to optimized hardware drivers for linux, and with those, gaming will just simply be better on linux.

 

[OrpheusTelos]

Your poll doesn't have an option for 'flat-out not interested', so I went with 'no exclusives give no incentive.'

 

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

Your poll doesn't have an option for 'flat-out not interested', so I went with 'no exclusives give no incentive.'

I figured not interested would either be lack of exclusives or because your pc/ console is all you need, would have loved to have 12 options lol.

EDIT: I edited the poll a bit, made the options more 'I am interested in' rather than 'I will', to keep it more in line with the title of the thread.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Steam Machine == Waste of Money

I don't see the point of buying. Especially if you already own a Gaming PC. If you don't, you should just buy a gaming PC instead of using a gimped PC in the guise of this "Steam Machine". No point in buying one and I will feel sorry for the money wasted by people in buying it.

How exactly is it a "gimped" PC? It's just a prebuild in a special case. If anything it's like an Alienware PC. Overpriced? Probably (though we'll have to wait for official pricing to see how overpriced), but it's definitely not gimped. Hell, if you don't like steamOS you can just put windows on it and it'll just be a normal PC.

 

[thatonedude11]

I have no freakin idea on how the Steam machines/OS/controller will affect me, because I have so many questions still left unanswered. Questions such as:

Who is developing Steam Machines?
How much will they cost?
What sort of hardware can we expect?
What is the Steam OS interface like?
What games will be supported?
How will the Steam Controller work in games like Batman AC where you need to use both the face buttons and the right analog stick?

Valve's plans with the Steam Machine and all related crap definitely intrigues me, but the damn thing was announced two months ago, we should have more details!

 

[Nicholas Chandler-Yates]

I have no freakin idea on how the Steam machines/OS/controller will affect me, because I have so many questions still left unanswered. Questions such as:
Snip

I agree, but I think that they are doing their beta test thing at the moment, they sent out a bunch of prototypes to game journalists and random steam users, I imagine they will use this data to hammer out the 'details' that you and I want so much. I do not think they are being intentionally obfuscatory but rather the final shape of things is not set in stone yet.

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

I'm more interested in the OS than the machine, but if the pricing is good I might buy it instead of upgrading. But its really hard to say as there is very little information out there, so I'm waiting for more before any sort of commitment.

 

[Pink Gregory]

Nah, nothing at all.

I don't like the idea of being in hock to Steam for ALL my PC gaming...

 

[loc978]

Voted that I'll be installing it on my PC, but really I'll just be multi-booting my HTPC with it to test it out. If all goes well, I may replace my current linux distro of choice on both my laptop and main rig.

Kinda wish I could have checked multiple options, as I am interested in the streaming option... and maybe the controller. Need to test that in person (I too despise thumbsticks).

 

[spartandude]

At the risk of sounding like an idiot, apart from Steam OS (which i assume i can put on my current pc) i really dont see whats so special about Steam Machines.

 

[Legion]

Like you I am coming up to the point where an upgrade is required. I bought my PC late 2010 and it was only just above average then. While I can still play most games at an okay setting, I won't be able to manage any of the upcoming titles for next year.

Seeing as there aren't any titles out just yet that I want, a SteamBox may end up being my replacement instead. I won't know until they are released, but if they are what I am looking for then it is a likely candidate.

 

[Battenberg]

This poll needs another option: "I'm waiting to see what it's like". For me the XBone and PS4 hold no interest as they currently stand which doesn't leave a whole lot of options if I want to continue gaming for the next gen. As I see it my options are to get a Wii U (no thanks), build a PC rig, or wait for a viable console alternative. That last option is basically either going to be the PS4 slim (with all the feature the original console should have had) or a Steam Machine. Essentially my current plan is to wait and see how these options do to see which is worth getting. Of course if both options suck then it will have to be building a PC rig, possibly with Steam OS depending on how that works out.

 

[kickyourass]

Depends primarily on the price, if a given Steam Machine, as you put it, is roughly the same price as a PC of equivalent power, then it would just feel redundant to me. If it's cheaper however I'd probably go for that since really the only extras I need is a word processor something that can plug into a printer and basic internet access.

 

[Dragonbums]

As much as the Valve fanatics make it seem like the next revolutionary thing since 360 degree analog stick, it honestly means nothing to me, and quite frankly if it weren't for the fact that I frequent this site, I would of completely forgotten about it's existence from time to time.


I am indifferent to the Steambox. It's simply for PC people who hate consoles, but want a console that is PC, but not really a PC.

Pointless if you have and utilize both.

 

[RedDeadFred]

I won't get one. I already dislike using Steam and I don't want a whole OS built around it.

This.

The only thing I like about Steam is the sales. Everything else is very annoying. At least for me, there always seems to be something wrong with it. Usually it's a page on it not loading properly. You might say, "oh that's not so bad", but it happens ridiculously frequently. I'd much rather just have the Steam Store and then have everything else be separate. I hate having to wait for Steam to load up every time I want to play a game.

Basically, I have zero interest in the Steam Machine. My laptop can play pretty much any PC exclusive that I'm interested in and my console (soon to be PS4) plays everything else.