Valve releasing new PC/Console in 2013 !?!?!?

[Hawkeye 131]

I remember hearing rumors but I'll be honest this is kind of a surprise. I don't really know what to think? Basically Valve's "Big Picture" UI update was the first step in what will likely be a competitor to the Xbox 720 and PS4. The new PC/Console will likely feature full Steam integration while providing new Valve games powered by Source 2.0. Here's a few exerpts from the articles;

"I think in general that most customers and most developers are gonna find that [the PC is] a better environment for them," Newell told me. "Cause they won't have to split the world into thinking about 'why are my friends in the living room, why are my video sources in the living room different from everyone else?' So in a sense we hopefully are gonna unify those environments."

"Well certainly our hardware will be a very controlled environment. If you want more flexibility, you can always buy a more general purpose PC. For people who want a more turnkey solution, that's what some people are really gonna want for their living room. The nice thing about a PC is a lot of different people can try out different solutions, and customers can find the ones that work best for them."

Source #1 - http://kotaku.com/5966860/gabe-newell-living-room-pcs-will-compete-with-next+gen-consoles?utm_campaign=Socialflow_Kotaku_Twitter&utm_source=Kotaku_Twitter&utm_medium=Socialflow[/url]

Source #2 - http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/12/09/valve_will_release_pc_console_next_year

Sounds interdasting!

"It means fasten your seat belt Dorothy, 'cause Kansas is going bye-bye"

-Hawk

 

[Spartan212]

So, basically Valve is making a console? I guess I understand it from a business sense, but not really from a practical sense. Sounds like it would be a lot easier and cheaper for me to just stay on the PC. I have no problem with this as long as there aren't any "Steambox Exclusives"

Now the conspiracy theorist in me thinks that Gabe's comments bashing Windows 8 were all done deliberately to plant the seeds for this announcement

Also, since the "hardware will be a very controlled environment", won't this even worsen the "end of a console cycle" effect after a few years?

 

[Smooth Operator]

Ah this is about as solid as all the HL3 rumors, Valve had dreams about it but who knows what will actually come.

It would certainly help them spread their business(as if they need more), but at the same time this splits the games up to yet another platform and Steam having most of PC gaming in their pocket this could have catastrophic consequences
When the remaining market shrinks down to a percentage the publishers can ignore they gladly will, those demanding loudmouth PC gamers with all options open have been a pain in their backside for years.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

So they're making a console that does the same thing as any PC?

Bwuh.

 

[votemarvel]

I'm not sure what sort of market they are intending to tap with this.

There are already living room PCs, so is a PC gamer/media enthusiast going to want this considering it is a closed platform?

Are console gamers going to want to give up their game history, achievements/'trophies etc so they can play Valve games, many of which they already have?

 

[sebashepin]

Snip

I think the key is in the "turnkey" concept Gabe uses. I believe the market certainly wouldn't be PC enthusiasts but those who pick consoles solely to relieve themselves from the hassles of PC gaming.

I think he envisions a PC which you "turn a key" and that's it, no OS installation, no driver issues or such. It remains to be seen how that's different from any other console.

 

[Christopher Fisher]

I'm not sure what sort of market they are intending to tap with this.

There are already living room PCs, so is a PC gamer/media enthusiast going to want this considering it is a closed platform?

Are console gamers going to want to give up their game history, achievements/'trophies etc so they can play Valve games, many of which they already have?

Ugh, for god's sake, no one ever said they were making a console. Most likely what they're doing is making a customized, Linux-based PC designed to be run on a television. A "closed platform" would be a system in which you couldn't play any game that wasn't running off of steam. NOTHING we've seen so far has even remotely suggested such a thing. The only thing I am curios about is whether or not you can upgrade the GPU. I am assuming they'll put a fairly future-proof CPU in it, but still allow you to upgrade the GPU.

What they're trying to tap into is a market that wants the convenience of a console, but with the ability to upgrade and the consumer friendliness of a PC.

 

[Rawne1980]

I very highly doubt it will be 2013.

Gabe said they were focusing on other things first. 2014 would be the earliest I think although it could be much later than that.

 

[votemarvel]

Ugh, for god's sake, no one ever said they were making a console. Most likely what they're doing is making a customized, Linux-based PC designed to be run on a television. A "closed platform" would be a system in which you couldn't play any game that wasn't running off of steam.

It is this part of the quote which makes me think "console"

"Well certainly our hardware will be a very controlled environment. If you want more flexibility, you can always buy a more general purpose PC.

Sounds very much like the hardware is going to be set for the devices life, just like in a console and just like now if you want more flexibility, you buy a more general purpose PC.

By closed platform I meant on the hardware level. The instant you allow customisation on the hardware level you lose the "turn key" part of the device

sebashepin who first replied said it better than me I think.

 

[Christopher Fisher]

Ugh, for god's sake, no one ever said they were making a console. Most likely what they're doing is making a customized, Linux-based PC designed to be run on a television. A "closed platform" would be a system in which you couldn't play any game that wasn't running off of steam.

It is this part of the quote which makes me think "console"

"Well certainly our hardware will be a very controlled environment. If you want more flexibility, you can always buy a more general purpose PC.

Sounds very much like the hardware is going to be set for the devices life, just like in a console and just like now if you want more flexibility, you buy a more general purpose PC.

By closed platform I meant on the hardware level. The instant you allow customisation on the hardware level you lose the "turn key" part of the device

sebashepin who first replied said it better than me I think.

Well, I don't know about that. They might simply mean that you're only able to upgrade the GPU, and they might even partner with nvidia to produce steambox specific versions of GPUs that are essentially plug and play...not that swapping GPUs isn't already easy. At the end of the day, I really could care less. I like my PC, and I'll be sticking with it.

 

[votemarvel]

Then you still lost the turn-key experience if you allow people to swap out internal hardware. What happens when the latest game out requires you have an specific GPU upgrade in order to run?

Either you force people to upgrade their "turn-key" experience, thereby removing the turn-key experience or developers have to take into account the different types of hardware for the Steambox, just adding yet another layer of development on top of developing for the Steambox in the first place and the differing hardware in general PCs, the 360, PS3 etc.

 

[Mr.Mattress]

I'm not sure I'd want a "SteamBox". The 360 and the WiiU (Which I will get for Christmas) are going to be my main consoles for Hardcore Games. The Only Valve game I really like is TF2, which I already have for the PC. I don't know if a SteamBox could catch wind, and if it does, that would just divide the "Hardcore" market even more.

I'll hold judgement on the actual thing until it's released. Heck, for all we know, it could be anything! Once it's released as a console and I've played it (Some how, some where), then I'll pass judgement.

 

[Vault101]

ehhh...I dont want to play games in my loungeroom

I want to be at a desk

 

[Evil Smurf]

I'll buy this once I know more about it.