Valve's plan

[Vivi22]

1) If you already own a gaming PC there's no reason to buy it.

I don't know, I could quite see the value of being able to stream console ports to the TV from the desktop, or playing them directly from the Steam Machine.

2) Valve does not intend to make exclusive titles for the Steam Machine so there's no reason to buy it.

Valve not making exclusives doesn't mean no exclusives. And since they'll play PC exclusive titles anyway, and exclusives have become fairly rare these days and are only going to become more uncommon, I don't see the issue. But an open development platform will almost certainly attract a lot of attention from smaller developers. Possibly even more so than Microsoft and Sony have been shooting for lately.

3) When it comes out most people will already have a WiiU/Xbox1/PS4 or some combination of the 3 so there wont be any reason to buy it.

Since they said beta testers would have their machines late this year and they'll be making major announcements in early January at CES, I don't think it's a stretch to say it could be released as early as next fall/winter. And I can absolutely guarantee that most people will not have a WiiU/XBone/PS4 or any combination of the 3. By this time next year, I'll be surprised if all of them combined have sold more than 15 million units at most. That is extremely far from being most people and anything Valve releases will very much still be in the running.

Am I wrong?

Yes, on pretty much every point.

 

[Vivi22]

My point is: besides giving it their blessing, Valve has done nothing to make this product more appealing than what already exists. It doesn't do or provide anything that isn't already accomplished by a pre-existing product.

An inexpensive pre-built PC capable of streaming games from another desktop to your TV or playing games natively while offering a completely open development architecture and operating system is providing nothing you can't get with pre-existing products? Name anything that provides those features. Anything at all. Because you won't get that with a Windows PC, a Linux PC, or any console. Not everything in one place.

 

[bug_of_war]

One thing I as a gamer have realized is that some games are just meant to be played with a controller and others are better suited to being played with a traditional mouse and keyboard. I don't see the SteamBox as a replacement for a console or a gaming PC, it's a bridge between the gap left between them. Think of it in the same vein as handhelds, yes I know it's not portable, but handhelds fill a gap in the market for gamers on the go. In this regards, the Steambox fills a gap for gamers who don't want to have to choose between two radically different input/output methods. Their controller is something I see a lot of people overlooking the potential of. It's not just about controllers though, it also allows a user to integrate a PC Gaming experience relatively pain free into a home entertainment setup, something that while possible for PC Gamers, is hardly the most cost effective or simple to execute.

I am definitely considering a SteamBox even though I have a perfectly acceptable gaming rig, my only reservations so far are how much of my current library is compatible with this platform.

But see here's the thing, you can buy a controller for the PC, and the Valve controller looks REALLY awkward. It may work well for RTS and Portal, but I simply can't see how it'll work with a majority of games. I know they can't just clone the PS4/Xbox/Wii controller but it just seems too unique. From the look it's just too different to make certain games work well on, like how most fighting games fair better on Playstation controllers due to the D-pad being so much more precise and easy to use.

And as far as being a gap, the Steambox currently looks more like a wedge than a bridge. You have to buy upgrades for it like a computer, but for most people who want to play on their tv, they just want something that they can plug in and play for multiple years without worrying about it's hardware. And as for the people whom are interested in getting the best equipment, they will either a) Already have it. or b) Know what to be getting.

The Steambox has potential, anything new does and it'd be stupid to say it doesn't have a chance. However, it's lack of game exclusives IS going to be a factor in purchasing decisions, it being relatively more expensive than the PS4 and Xbox (Which to most regular people are big names that have years of experience and many trust) will make it more difficult to break into the spotlight, and people having already dropped 400-700 dollars (depending on where you're from) on PS4/Xbox One (I know not everyone pre orders, I didn't, but people have and there is evidence to suggest that it;s a great portion) has basically left the steambox in the dust. It will sell, just like the Ouya sold, but I can't safely say that it will do well.

 

[TomWiley]

Valve's philosophy is exactly the reason I WILL buy a Steam Box. I bet there are a LOT of people out there like me who are tired of the over hyped dude-bro atmosphere of the current console options.

Valve, making a console but not forcing it on me? Yep, they've got my money.

Wait what? Are we really doing this? Are we really forgetting Valve's long history of aggressively forcing their Steam on absolutely everyone?

Hell, it was only a few years ago that the entire Internet was up in arms about Half Life 2 being DRM-locked to Steam. Now we're practically praising them for doing exactly what we like to hate Sony or Microsoft (or at least Microsoft...) for doing?

This is just insane!

 

[Billy D Williams]

Looking into this new Steam Machine & Valve's other announcements I've come to the following conclusions:
1) If you already own a gaming PC there's no reason to buy it.
2) Valve does not intend to make exclusive titles for the Steam Machine so there's no reason to buy it.
3) When it comes out most people will already have a WiiU/Xbox1/PS4 or some combination of the 3 so there wont be any reason to buy it.

Am I wrong?

1. It is not intended for people who already own PCs its for people who play on consoles who would want to play on PC but don't have to know how or time.
2. There may not be exclusives but games are cheaper on Steam. Cheaper games means consumers can buy more games. I'd rather be able to chose 10 games from a selection of 50 awesome titles than 5 from a selection of 100 titles.
3. You can own more than one system and do you seriously think that next gen consoles are going to be sold that fast? Pro-tip: they won't.

Are you wrong? Yes.

 

[Requia]

Looking into this new Steam Machine & Valve's other announcements I've come to the following conclusions:
1) If you already own a gaming PC there's no reason to buy it.
2) Valve does not intend to make exclusive titles for the Steam Machine so there's no reason to buy it.
3) When it comes out most people will already have a WiiU/Xbox1/PS4 or some combination of the 3 so there wont be any reason to buy it.

Am I wrong?

1) Actually a strength, because SteamOS will be cross compatible with PCs they'll be able to attract a userbase for the low price of a controller. This drives content creation which makes the box more valuable for non PC gamers.

2) There are already exclusives. Go to Steam search for games available on Linux, with the exception of a few that won't be playable without a keyboard (X3 comes to mind), all of those will be on the Steambox. Now count how many aren't on console. Next count how many have modding communities and add those as potential 'free DLC' exclusives (no word on if SteamOS will have mods, but Valve is very pro-mod, and it would actually be more work *not* to support mods given the model). You might be able to add in a few Linux capable games that aren't available on Steam as well (full version of Minecraft, and all its mods, comes to mind).

3 legit concern, but worth noting that the business model doesn't require it to succeed this generation.

 

[Elberik]

I wasn't aware there were small boxes capable of streaming gameplay from my behemoth PC to my TV.

ever heard of extension cables?

That's like saying "This 'automobile' isn't useful because a good fast horse does the same thing." You and I don't really know what a Steam Machine is directly capable of until we try it. It might blow other devices out of the water. it might not.

show me this horse that can match the speed of a car. Also, we know what the Steam Machine is capable of because Valve has told us.

It WILL, however, support an entirely moddable controller, moddable chassis and innards, and moddable software, so this is all very fascinating to my inner modder.

I am admittedly excited about the controller. But then I can just connect it to my already existing PC.

 

[lacktheknack]

I wasn't aware there were small boxes capable of streaming gameplay from my behemoth PC to my TV.

ever heard of extension cables?

The ledge around my TV is about three inches thick. I need something small. And while there's an internet jack and outlet in the TV alcove, there's no way I'm leaving a series of HDMI cables draped across my living room.

That's like saying "This 'automobile' isn't useful because a good fast horse does the same thing." You and I don't really know what a Steam Machine is directly capable of until we try it. It might blow other devices out of the water. it might not.

show me this horse that can match the speed of a car. Also, we know what the Steam Machine is capable of because Valve has told us.

The Steam Machine was the car in this simile. -____-

Also, they haven't actually told us very much. From the information we have, it's impossible to tell what modifications they've made to UI, boot process, Steam integration, multimedia integration, etc. You can't judge a piece of hardware OR software without actually using it first.

It WILL, however, support an entirely moddable controller, moddable chassis and innards, and moddable software, so this is all very fascinating to my inner modder.

I am admittedly excited about the controller. But then I can just connect it to my already existing PC.

You can do that with an Xbox controller as well. IS THIS PROOF THAT THE XBOX IS REDUNDANT AND UNNECESSARY IN TODAY'S MARKET!? PROBABLY!

 

[Elberik]

Valve's philosophy is exactly the reason I WILL buy a Steam Box. I bet there are a LOT of people out there like me who are tired of the over hyped dude-bro atmosphere of the current console options.

Valve, making a console but not forcing it on me? Yep, they've got my money.

Wait what? Are we really doing this? Are we really forgetting Valve's long history of aggressively forcing their Steam on absolutely everyone?

Hell, it was only a few years ago that the entire Internet was up in arms about Half Life 2 being DRM-locked to Steam. Now we're practically praising them for doing exactly what we like to hate Sony or Microsoft (or at least Microsoft...) for doing?

This is just insane!

We praise them because they offer games cheaply. Right now Valve has their hands firmly around our throats but they haven't started to squeeze yet so the majority are not complaining.

 

[Elberik]

It WILL, however, support an entirely moddable controller, moddable chassis and innards, and moddable software, so this is all very fascinating to my inner modder.

I am admittedly excited about the controller. But then I can just connect it to my already existing PC.

You can do that with an Xbox controller as well. IS THIS PROOF THAT THE XBOX IS REDUNDANT AND UNNECESSARY IN TODAY'S MARKET!? PROBABLY!

I have a gaming PC and I have one of my Xbox controllers hooked up to it. As to the Xbox being redundant: I'm going to ignore that burst of stupidity. My point is, and has always been: The Steam Machine is not filling some void. All it is is a base gaming PC of interest only to enthusiasts. As it stands, the average consumer has no use for it.

 

[Requia]

As it stands, the average consumer has no use for it.

No gamers both want mods and don't want to shell out for a gaming PC?

 

[lacktheknack]

It WILL, however, support an entirely moddable controller, moddable chassis and innards, and moddable software, so this is all very fascinating to my inner modder.

I am admittedly excited about the controller. But then I can just connect it to my already existing PC.

You can do that with an Xbox controller as well. IS THIS PROOF THAT THE XBOX IS REDUNDANT AND UNNECESSARY IN TODAY'S MARKET!? PROBABLY!

I have a gaming PC and I have one of my Xbox controllers hooked up to it. As to the Xbox being redundant: I'm going to ignore that burst of stupidity. My point is, and has always been: The Steam Machine is not filling some void. All it is is a base gaming PC of interest only to enthusiasts. As it stands, the average consumer has no use for it.

People have told you why you're wrong over and over and over and over and over and it's like talking to someone in R&P. ;___;

A prebuilt Steam Machine holds a ton of value to any console gamers wishing to take a stepping stone to PC gaming, as well as potentially the entire hardware-modder community. The OS holds immense value to Microsoft-haters, as it indicates a step into Linux that wouldn't otherwise be taken if the Steam Machine was not released.

Just because it doesn't fill a void doesn't mean it doesn't do some things better. The upcoming consoles don't "fill a void" either, as they have predecessors.

If you're going to reply with "But it doesn't hold any value to the general public!" and ignore everything I just said, please don't bother. I won't.

 

[WhyWasThat]

They'll probably make Half Life 3 and their other titles exclusive to Steam and the Steambox. Which means I'll have no choice but to buy the damn thing...

 

[Saelune]

1) Its for a console like experience. If you are anti-console to begin with, its not for you anyways.
2) Exclusives are bad. I don't want exclusives. I want my Steam library.
3)^^^

But as Ive said before, not buying a new Steam library, so if I cant play every game Steam already sells, then Im not getting it.

 

[Bertylicious]

I agree with you and there doesn't seem any point in you or I buying it but I do think the Steambox has value as a kind of FisherPrice My First PC for non-PC gamers.

 

[Elberik]

People have told you why you're wrong over and over and over and over and over and it's like talking to someone in R&P.

A prebuilt Steam Machine holds a ton of value to any console gamers wishing to take a stepping stone to PC gaming, as well as potentially the entire hardware-modder community. The OS holds immense value to Microsoft-haters, as it indicates a step into Linux that wouldn't otherwise be taken if the Steam Machine was not released.

Just because it doesn't fill a void doesn't mean it doesn't do some things better. The upcoming consoles don't "fill a void" either, as they have predecessors.

If you're going to reply with "But it doesn't hold any value to the general public!" and ignore everything I just said, please don't bother. I won't.

The potential of the Steam Machine is intriguing. Right out the gate I see little to nothing that makes it any better than what already exists. I'm not ignoring what people are saying, but no one has disproved my OP. Most of them boil down to "I believe in Valve."

 

[DoPo]

I'm not ignoring what people are saying, but no one has disproved my OP.

Right, so when people tell you they'll get one despite having a PC and that they either aren't bothered with exclusives or that Steam games would serve as the "exclusives" and that your third point is nonsensical, when you dismiss them it's NOT ignoring what they tell you but because...oh right, it's just ignoring what they tell you.

Most of them boil down to "I believe in Valve."

So most of your argument is "It's Valve fanboys, so I'll ignore them". Sweet - can we close the thread now? Seems there is no point in continuing if your sole purpose is to go nowhere with it.

 

[lacktheknack]

People have told you why you're wrong over and over and over and over and over and it's like talking to someone in R&P.

A prebuilt Steam Machine holds a ton of value to any console gamers wishing to take a stepping stone to PC gaming, as well as potentially the entire hardware-modder community. The OS holds immense value to Microsoft-haters, as it indicates a step into Linux that wouldn't otherwise be taken if the Steam Machine was not released.

Just because it doesn't fill a void doesn't mean it doesn't do some things better. The upcoming consoles don't "fill a void" either, as they have predecessors.

If you're going to reply with "But it doesn't hold any value to the general public!" and ignore everything I just said, please don't bother. I won't.

The potential of the Steam Machine is intriguing. Right out the gate I see little to nothing that makes it any better than what already exists. I'm not ignoring what people are saying, but no one has disproved my OP. Most of them boil down to "I believe in Valve."

OK, then. What does MY post boil down to?

Analyze carefully.

 

[Elberik]

People have told you why you're wrong over and over and over and over and over and it's like talking to someone in R&P.

A prebuilt Steam Machine holds a ton of value to any console gamers wishing to take a stepping stone to PC gaming, as well as potentially the entire hardware-modder community. The OS holds immense value to Microsoft-haters, as it indicates a step into Linux that wouldn't otherwise be taken if the Steam Machine was not released.

Just because it doesn't fill a void doesn't mean it doesn't do some things better. The upcoming consoles don't "fill a void" either, as they have predecessors.

If you're going to reply with "But it doesn't hold any value to the general public!" and ignore everything I just said, please don't bother. I won't.

The potential of the Steam Machine is intriguing. Right out the gate I see little to nothing that makes it any better than what already exists. I'm not ignoring what people are saying, but no one has disproved my OP. Most of them boil down to "I believe in Valve."

OK, then. What does MY post boil down to?

Analyze carefully.

You believe in Valve and think that I am wrong because I don't believe in Valve.

 

[Elberik]

I'm not ignoring what people are saying, but no one has disproved my OP.

Right, so when people tell you they'll get one despite having a PC and that they either aren't bothered with exclusives or that Steam games would serve as the "exclusives" and that your third point is nonsensical, when you dismiss them it's NOT ignoring what they tell you but because...oh right, it's just ignoring what they tell you.

Most of them boil down to "I believe in Valve."

So most of your argument is "It's Valve fanboys, so I'll ignore them". Sweet - can we close the thread now? Seems there is no point in continuing if your sole purpose is to go nowhere with it.

Not ignore, just that they are not valid arguments. "but I really like this" is not argument against the OP. Thus far people was disagreed with me, but no one has proven me wrong. No one has explained what supposedly makes the Steam Machine better than already-existing PCs or consoles besides "it's from Valve."