Valve working on 'Steam Box' console

[subtlefuge]

If I were them I would be building a console that built for Steam gaming with a ton of cross-platform support, PC interconnectivity, with a splash of streaming video.

I can imagine having a LAN party 6v6 on TF2, and the console could spectate and display a scoreboard on your TV. Also, you could be playing Portal 2 with yourself on your computer and your friend on the console, with your screen displayed picture-in-picture on the TV in the same room. Both of these situations would make me want both PC and console at the same time.

Creating just another console would be predatory to their current business. Unless they are planning on dumping their incredibly lucrative PC business, they should consider making a device that makes people want to buy more games on PC, rather than switching over to a console.

 

[The Hungry Samurai]

I don't get console gamer hate. Who here can play Skyrim with a $400 pc that they bought in November of 2005? If Valve can give me a device that gives me the affordable longevity of a console, with the library that Steam provides, then you can count me in as a launch day buyer.

 

[direkiller]

so how many valve years will this take?
and whats that in normal years?

 

[crappingpegasus]

I don't get console gamer hate. Who here can play Skyrim with a $400 pc that they bought in November of 2005?

agreed, this is very often over looked. its quite amazing just how much developers get out of the current gen consoles despite their age.

 

[crappingpegasus]

While I question the validity of this source, (Has anyone heard of "The Verge" before now?) it's good to see Valve sees the writing on the wall about PC gaming.

...Seriously? The Verge is quite possibly the single most prolific tech news site on the internet. It contains pretty much the entire original staff of Engadget.

well as prolific as a site that's only been around for 6 months can be...

EDIT: whoops, should have been one post. sorry.

 

[jollybarracuda]

I think the only way for this to stand out in a market where the only real hardware difference between consoles and PCs is the ability to upgrade is for Valve to do something totally unique that hasn't been done before. Given their history with innovation, I'd say they've got a better shot at that than most.

 

[Dfskelleton]

Who would this console be for? Console gamers wouldn't bother dishing out another 600 bucks for something that's just going to release the same things that they can buy for the consoles they own, and PC gamers already have Steam (and the very prospect of purchasing a filthy worthless console would be an insult to their divine PC gaming supremacy), and likewise wouldn't want to dish out 600 bucks either. It would have to offer something completely new and interesting in order to sell.
Don't get me wrong, I love Steam. I just don't see how one could base a console around it. Integrating Steam to the Xbox 360 and PS3, on the other hand...

 

[Vuljatar]

Hmm. Should I be happy because it's Steam, or should I be apprehensive because it's a console?

I suppose I'm cautiously optimistic.

Ha-ha. Any excuse to post that.

 

[crazypsyko666]

I hope it's just cloud computation instead of legitimate computer hardware. That could work, putting steam on a TV with a nice controller and everything for $100, not a full set of hardware with steam on it.

 

[isometry]

I'm surprised the idea is so controversial. It wouldn't be a "console" in the MS / Sony sense, it would be a standardized PC. By locking down the hardware and software, Valve could make the platform more reliable and hassle-free than normal PC gaming.

Valve is not perfect, I don't even care for the games they develop, but I do like a lot of things about Steam. I believe Valve would deliver better service than MS and Sony for two reasons:

1) Valve is a privately-held company, and not having impatient shareholders helps with doing things right instead of rushing out short-term cash grabs. In general, the expansion phase before selling public shares is usually when tech companies are at their best.

2) Not very many entertainment companies are winning the battle against piracy. Steam is one of the few places to buy games that makes it easier than pirating them would be. Comparing Steam to other successful download services like iTunes, I would say that Steam is a much better service.

 

[Wintermoot]

I doubt it considering console versions of their games are nearly always a afterthought.
If it DOES come out I wouldn't buy it I love valve but not enough to buy a proprietary machine.

 

[Still Life]

There could be a silver lining in this for PC gamers. If it gets popularity like a console then that would mean in turn more games would be coded to work on this console and in turn work for PC.

I honestly didn't think there were that many exclusives for consoles. There's a burgeoning industry operating on PC alone.

That being said, I'm not against the 'Steambox'. If Valve are willing to invest in what I understand to be a fairly significant financial risk, then more power to them.

 

[Richardplex]

Cautiously optimistic. Application of Valve's business ethics to consoles would be pretty cool.. Plus, *grabs flame shield* Origin is a nice example of how I'd like a console to work. Open the overlay, and there's an option to open an in-overlay browser. It's sufficient to check facebook or to google something in game. Make a console that's basically that, but with, you know, less EA, and it could work.

I wonder what this will be called. I personally like the Steamcast/Gabecube.

 

[Gamer_152]

I've seen people referencing that quote from Newell as potential proof of the existence of this console a fair bit, but if you actually go back and look at his full statement I don't think it exactly screams enthusiasm about his company doing so. What's more that was said not after any discussion about games consoles but rather after a discussion about wearable computers and similar crazy projects.

 

[faefrost]

I think the only way for this to stand out in a market where the only real hardware difference between consoles and PCs is the ability to upgrade is for Valve to do something totally unique that hasn't been done before. Given their history with innovation, I'd say they've got a better shot at that than most.

/e bangs head!!!

Wow! I can't believe some of the vitriol in this thread. No one seems to get what it would appear that Valve is looking to do?

I may be misreading this, but based on all the available information it looks like Valve is seeking to create a small inexpensive somewhat standardized gaming PC that can function as a set top box for the TV. In other words IT'S A PC THAT YOU CAN USE WITH THE COST AND CONVENIENCE OF A CONSOLE! Gee best of both worlds? Wouldn't that be nice.

 

[jollybarracuda]

I think the only way for this to stand out in a market where the only real hardware difference between consoles and PCs is the ability to upgrade is for Valve to do something totally unique that hasn't been done before. Given their history with innovation, I'd say they've got a better shot at that than most.

/e bangs head!!!

Wow! I can't believe some of the vitriol in this thread. No one seems to get what it would appear that Valve is looking to do?

I may be misreading this, but based on all the available information it looks like Valve is seeking to create a small inexpensive somewhat standardized gaming PC that can function as a set top box for the TV. In other words IT'S A PC THAT YOU CAN USE WITH THE COST AND CONVENIENCE OF A CONSOLE! Gee best of both worlds? Wouldn't that be nice.

I think we all understand that that is what Valve is looking to do. But, having a compact pc that works with a tv doesnt seem possible without having locked in hardware, in which case, it now just acts like a console. And all I was saying is that for this to stand out, it can't just be a "small pc that sits on your tv", it needs to bring something totally new to the table.