Valve may have something on their hands with Steam Machines

Well i would assume most people on here have already seen the two different SKU available for Valve Steam Machines, so i wont beat around the bush. Most seem skeptical about the new machines as they seem to be a PC-Console hybrid that has the cost factor and fragmented user base like the PC but what most seem to be ignoring is the fact that this is the first time ever that Moores Law (1985) would be put to the test. At the moment the console incumbent have the benefit of consumer loyalty, indirect network support and cost in their favour, but in the next two years, if we see a cost factor shift in favour of the Steam Machines, Sony and Microsoft may need to phone Houston for problems.

Do you guys think Valve may have made the best decision with externalizing hardware production to third parties or do you guys think the Steam machine may only be able to carve out a niche market?

Note: Moores Law on Micro processors and chip sets, process innovation reduces cost and shrink chips within 18months

OT: Am i the only one deeply concerned by Google's acquisition of Boston Dynamics?

I think it's cool how they going about it since PC games is always pushing beyond consoles. SO people can spend what they want to get what they want. With third parties doing hardware, vavle doesn't have to worry about none of the extras. Also brings on competitive pricing

it's kinda shame there isn't just ONE like there are like a console where people can JUST pick it up and don't ever have to worry about settings , and I think that's where the downfall of bringing new consumers is going come into play. A lot of people don't know specs so when someone is going look into buying one they going to go like WTF and some will say **** it.

@k2theswiss: Yeah that fragmentation is a bit of a hurdle not only for consumers but for developers who wish to support it. I would assume there is exist a series of ideas to counter that limitation however. Another problem i suspect is this hardware free for all is like a market push towards specialist chip makers like Nvidia. As noted in the media, Nvidia has been making a whole host of noise since they lost that console deal to AMD and they need that games business to push their business forward even though they claim the consoles are not a good portion of their market. The reason i highligh this as a problem is that, we could see a situation where these specialist component makers would start churning out new chips every year and we could have a mobile computer situation on our hands where the need to upgrade becomes ever so constant

like an intel based mac, no.

like an intel based mac, you can install windows to gain such functionality. so also technically yes, the hardware is capable.

unlike MacOS, SteamOS supports streaming the game content from a windows based PC to the steambox.

I already have a stream machine, its called a PC.

Why do I need another one?

What people forget is, you can choose when to get the "next gen steam machine" .... meanwhile all of you previous library will still be perfectly playable, feature list will grow ect ect.

ofcourse, the only reason this idea is currently unappealing to people is because they already have PCs.... but in the future that stance could change.

My fellows, recall your mind back to the presteam days. People laughed at the idea. But Valve knew better..

@MBirdy88: Are you saying PC gamers would be slow to adopt this?

@uninspiredcup: Im sure people know Valve is not dumb to just hump into shallow waters. The main knack here is a Price race i.e who can get their console cheaper rather quickly, which is where i think Valve may edge the console incumbents

No not really, i find valve is becoming the big evil that PC gamers should be fighting... not microsoft... or ea.

We are at the point where quite alot of big games now require steam to run. how much worse would it get if steamos - exclusitivity appears. steam is removing the "open platform" element from gaming. dont get me wrong i love the service... but its dominance is getting scary.

all hail gaben.

nah it aint that bad. for pc gamers who WANT to keep their desktop no I would say this isn;'t worth getting. but for those many people that may not want a desktop just for pc games it could be a future, or console gamers wanting a different experiance.

the market is unproven, but I can see why they are going for it.

I would be more interested in a Steam Machine if Valve was behind it in terms of the OS and the hardware. At this point it would relatively easy to walk away since their main investment is an OS.

Also, wish it came with Windows built in, option to have it come with Windows, or a big button in the store front saying click here to get Windows. Telling people they need to install another OS on something that is supposed to be console like is a misunderstanding of what console gaming is all about.

@MBirdy88: I think what you mention generally is a fundamental flaw in business. The idea that a company has to 'protect' itself from customers, competitors among many other things tend to lead them into adopting some very creepy policies. Same with Microsoft, same with Google among many others, its a worrisome flaw of letting the company get too big for its own good as the pressure on the company doubles since investors expect greater returns.

I think price may play a big factor in this though cause from what i gathered, it can act as a conduit to streaming games from your PC to the living room, sorta like a hybrid between PC n Console. I have decent hopes for its success, even if it doesnt catch it, it could open a pathway for interesting ideas that shake the console incumbents. Also hopefully another new major competitor aside EA Origin can join and shake Valve too so they do not get all crazy

If thats the case then it would be Valve coming around with a very sneaky and underhanded agenda that no one outside the company saw coming. Publically they have lobbied for nothing of the sort:

Valve Shows Off Steam Hardware, Promises No Exclusives:

“Whenever we talk to third-party partners, we encourage them to put their games in as many places as possible, including not on our platforms. Because we think that customers are everywhere, and they want to put their games wherever customers are. That would go against our whole philosophy, to launch something that’s exclusive to SteamOS or Steam machines.”

Granted it's always scary when a company takes over but Valve is on my short list of companies that I could live with, at least for now, having a virtual monopoly. Now if somehow EA managed to buy them out then at that point I would run for the hills and live in a bunker with lots of canned foods and rations while playing PS1 and N64 games, because you know, you don't have to be online.

Providing you have a fast router.

I'm fine with the current valve. I have 250+ games on my steam going on 6 years, so needless to say I'm "invested" .... but then when that glimmer of hope with EU game trading laws and license came into play they robbed our rights by locking access to our already bought games unless we agreed to the new terms and service.... that was a reality check for me.

Steam is amazing, it may not even offer the cheapest deals anymore, but its commnuity features, mod workshop ect make it all worthwhile.

But I dont pretend they are doing anything more than milking the crap out of me. but at least they offer some sort of quality service, and keep aspects of PC gaming alive.

problem with steam OS is .... now they are splintering the games list.... something I am not looking foward to. exclusives? depends if developers decide "oh hey, ignore windows" ... not that I think they would. I would rather windows than a half baked linux OS.

I think that's pretty much the doom of the Steam console right there. Although if it did take off I wouldn't complain. The PC hardware market could use the boost.

@wg_mcfartypants:

Why do PC gamers ask this question? Do you really think Valve have the idea to sell a PC to PC gamers..... Durr obviously they are targeting those that don't have gaming rigs, that don't want hassle or need an upgrade.