Valve Announces New Steam-Powered PC

[Dead Seerius]

I know people have been speculating on a "Steam Box" Valve console for some time, but it's possible the project was never a console in the first place. Regardless, Valve's making a PC - the Xi3

Today Valve and hardware partner Xi3 announced they will showcase a new "development stage computer system" this week at CES. The press release didn't share the PC specifications, but it will be optimized for Big Picture mode and be housed in one of Xi3's modular systems like the one shown above (most likely with a different array of ports). This chassis is roughly the size of a grapefruit and is built to mount on the back of displays.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era for Xi3," said Xi3 CEO Jason A. Sullivan in a press release. "This new development stage product will allow users to take full-advantage of their large high-definition TV displays for an amazing computer game experience. As a result, this new system could provide access to thousands of gaming titles through an integrated system that exceeds the capabilities of leading game consoles, but can fit in the palm of your hand."

The source contains some pictures and a seperate link to the original press release.

Source: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/01/07/xi3-valve-announce-new-steam-powered-pc.aspx

 

[ShinyCharizard]

I really hope this is priced to compete with the next gen consoles from Sony and Microsoft. If so it could destroy them, especially with steam's constant and ridiculously good deals.

 

[Keoul]

Seriously anyone who doesn't know valve that well would think that they're trying to build a fancy steampunk computer.
Jeez can they really phrase that any worse? "Steam-powered PC" Steam isn't actually going to be the OS will it?

Personally I don't care much for it, the design looks kinda silly and from the looks of it the computer would overheat a lot or at the very least get extremely hot (assumed from the massive exhaust grill things on either side). Also doesn't seem very user friendly for those that want to upgrade it for a later date. It's kinda like an apple computer in that you can't improve it, you get what you get.

 

[SlaveNumber23]

Very nice but I'll stick to my custom built Frankenstein's Monster. The Xi3 doesn't look like it offers much freedom in terms of swapping parts etc. Still, I'm glad to see any sort of step away from a console dominated market.

 

[thiosk]

Hey, it's not too bad of an idea, I'm too lazy to build a second PC for the living room, and a suitably low cost device that opens me up for steam in the living room sounds like a sale.

 

[Bertylicious]

I fear this could be the white elephant that sinks Valve and means I have to download my entire Steam libary onto a hard disk before they go bust.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

I'm actually excited for this. Very excited.

 

[SinisterGehe]

The title is so misleading... Steampumk computer - want one.
I'll stick to my monstereous 19" Laptop thank you
Also I like steam but I am not ready to marry it.

 

[Strazdas]

Steam isn't actually going to be the OS will it?

well, there were rumors.....

but i agree title is misleading as hell, altrough i would like a real life stema powered PC

But what really woudl be a purpose. a PC to replace the usage of PC, really?

 

[Keoul]

well, there were rumors.....

but i agree title is misleading as hell, altrough i would like a real life stema powered PC

But what really woudl be a purpose. a PC to replace the usage of PC, really?

Yeah but those rumors are stupid since
-Steam is not an OS, it's software to download and play games
-They're using linux

Seriously
The Escapist article was released only what... 6 hours after theirs, and the source for the escapist article was published on the 31-12-2012, that's 12-31-2012 for you Americans. All they had to do was a tiny bit of research but nooo clearly guessing is far better.

Also I don't get your "what really would be the purpose" phrase, are you asking why they're making it? if so it's just another gaming PC that's all. Or maybe one that's designed specifically for games and nothing else, would explain why they used Linux since it uses the least amount of power, though there has always been compatibility issues with games. But then again valve is slowly expanding it's steam library to be compatible with Linux as well.

 

[Gitty101]

Sounds like it'd be a good entry system, but for those with their own monster system I doubt it'll offer anything new.

 

[Strazdas]

well, there were rumors.....

but i agree title is misleading as hell, altrough i would like a real life stema powered PC

But what really woudl be a purpose. a PC to replace the usage of PC, really?

Yeah but those rumors are stupid since
-Steam is not an OS, it's software to download and play games
-They're using linux


Also I don't get your "what really would be the purpose" phrase, are you asking why they're making it? if so it's just another gaming PC that's all. Or maybe one that's designed specifically for games and nothing else, would explain why they used Linux since it uses the least amount of power, though there has always been compatibility issues with games. But then again valve is slowly expanding it's steam library to be compatible with Linux as well.

Yeah but what i meant was they could easily create a steam software/linux hybrid since linux can be easily modified into your own OS (i cant evne count the many versions of linux.....). You know, something like what micirosft did creating win 7

so its just a pc thats built for gaming, in other words, nothing special from just building your own tower and installing linux. i guess no purpose then.
granted its nice to see steam trying to move towards linux in win 8 protest, but i seriuosly doubt the people who just want to "turn on pc and start a game" will move to linux any time soon.

 

[wabbbit]

There is literally no point in this other than to satisfy a butthurt Gabe Newell who hates Windows 8.
I'd sooner stick with a gaming rig which I can use as a normal PC too, and bonus is that it doesn't run Linux.
Linux is "ok" for a workplace situation, but for gaming.. .Pah! No thanks. Tried it once, got some stuff to work but it's just annoying.

 

[Schadrach]

Steam isn't actually going to be the OS will it?

It's been basically admitted that it will run Linux, though I totally would not rule out Linux, booting X with no/a minimalist window manager and Steam in Big Picture mode with some tiny alterations.

Of course, if they're wanting to leverage the Steam library, they'll need to improve the hell out of WINE or devise some kind of WINE alternative.

 

[Keoul]

Of course, if they're wanting to leverage the Steam library, they'll need to improve the hell out of WINE or devise some kind of WINE alternative.

Haven't they been spending a huge chunk of time making steam compatible with Linux?[footnote]http://blogs.valvesoftware.com/linux/steamd-penguins/[/footnote]
They've already got a beta client out, the release of this PC would explain why they invested so much time on an OS that barely anyone uses for anything but servers.

 

[Schadrach]

Of course, if they're wanting to leverage the Steam library, they'll need to improve the hell out of WINE or devise some kind of WINE alternative.

Haven't they been spending a huge chunk of time making steam compatible with Linux?[footnote]http://blogs.valvesoftware.com/linux/steamd-penguins/[/footnote]
They've already got a beta client out, the release of this PC would explain why they invested so much time on an OS that barely anyone uses for anything but servers.

Making Steam itself compatible with Linux does nothing to make the Steam library compatible with Linux though.

Put simply, a SteamBox that can't actually run at least a majority of the Steam library is going to flop, unless it has major exclusives developed for it. A SteamBox that can run at least most of the Steam library either involves upgrading the hell out of WINE, or pulling a NESticle and pulling a fully-formed WINE-like but superior codebase completely out of left field (for those who don't know, NESticle was a NES emulator created by two guys who's prior creative output was pong with severed heads, it was dramatically ahead of the competition, was free rather than being sold, and just kind of showed up one day without a peep beforehand. It seriously pissed off the emulator development community of the time.).

 

[rodneyy]

am i wrong or is the company that makes the thing called Xi3 and not the product itself?