Valve readying 'Steam Box' console - Report
#1
Posted 03 March 2012 - 07:30 AM
"The "Big Three" console makers may soon be joined by a fourth. A Verge report citing unspecified sources and rumors states that Valve Software wants to break into the TV set-top console market with a "Steam Box" system of its own.
A drawing from a Valve patent for controller technology.
In keeping with Valve cofounder Gabe Newell's statement last month that the company doesn't want to get into the hardware market (but will if it has to), the Steam Box is said to operate more like a platform along the lines of Google's Android operating system or the 3DO. In theory, Valve would set hardware specifications and create the system software, but multiple partners (Alienware is one rumored name mentioned in the report) would be able to create their own Steam Box devices.
The baseline specs reportedly tout a Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GPU. And in addition to running PC games through Valve's Steam storefront, the boxes would be able to run services of rival digital distributors, like EA's Origin service.
The Verge also pointed to a Valve patent from last year as being related to the Steam Box. Specifically, the report says the Steam Box is slated to come with a USB controller that allows users to swap out different components to suit their tastes or different game types. Another possible feature of the controller is biometric readings that would allow games to change in real-time based on users' heart rate.
As for when the Steam Box could be unveiled, next week's GDC and the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June are given as two potential public debuts for the system. A Valve representative had not returned GameSpot's request for comment as of press time."
It might just be the "Big Four" next gen, I'm happy but sad because then Valve will make there games only for there console and Steam would not be on Wii U.
What do you think of this?.
#2
Posted 03 March 2012 - 07:34 AM
#3
Posted 03 March 2012 - 07:38 AM
Hmmm, Valve said they will only make hardware if they have to. And right now I don't think they have to. Plus three is enough. Also this "Steam Box" seems more like a competitior for the Alienware X51 rather than the home consoles.
I hope your right, I want Steam and Valves first party games on the Wii U, It's scary too because when it was Nintendo vs Sega vs Sony vs Microsoft we all know one company gets kicked out and at that time it was Sega, so if Valve comes in then 1 company might get kicked out and that's scary to think who it is.
#4
Posted 03 March 2012 - 08:19 AM
#5
Posted 03 March 2012 - 08:56 AM
Now i dont want anyone to leave but if one of the three companies were to leave, I figure it would be Sony. But regardless, a fourth competitor isn't necessary, plus it would suck for Xbox, PS, and Nintendo owners because they would would have to buy another system or PC if they want to play Half Life 3, Portal 3, etc.
I've read and it said it would more likely be facing Alienware and Onlive.
So Nintendo vs Sony vs Microsoft and Alienware vs Onlive vs Valve.
#6 Guest_TRON_*
Posted 03 March 2012 - 09:09 AM
#7
Posted 03 March 2012 - 09:09 AM
Edit: What I don't see it, is a competitor. Valve doesn't have the brand name recognition. In fact, I've seen people(Mostly the aforementioned brother) who say that Valve is just a huge team of Modders. I get where this is coming from. Let's face it, all valve has made are games running off of Source, which is kinda 11 years old now. So Valve doesn't have the greatest... Reputation for top quality brand new tech.
Edited by Terrabyte20xx, 03 March 2012 - 09:13 AM.
YES! YES!YES!YES!YES!
YEEEEEEES!!!!!!!
#8
Posted 03 March 2012 - 10:32 AM
#9
Posted 03 March 2012 - 10:35 AM
What we do is, if we ever need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
We put the volume up to eleven. One louder.
#10
Posted 03 March 2012 - 10:43 AM
I think 3 competitors is bad enough as both ms and xbox didn't really differeniacte themselves too much and the wii was seen as a companion device along with the ps3 or the xbox.Next gen if all the competitos will target the same audience then there's really no space for 4 consolesI think this would be stupid for Valve to do. They's probably manage to make more money by putting Steam on the big 3.
#11
Posted 03 March 2012 - 02:44 PM
#12
Posted 03 March 2012 - 03:05 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OnLive
In NO WAY it can be considered a 'big 3 competitor' because it's a niche cloud-based product.
Молоту войн и рокоту гроз вольные рати верны, где ветром могучим из братины звёзд рунные стяги пьяны.
#13
Posted 03 March 2012 - 03:24 PM
C'mon guys. This must be pretty much the same thing as OnLive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OnLive
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=Bw9XADMDBp0
In NO WAY it can be considered a 'big 3 competitor' because it's a niche cloud-based product.
Um where did you get Cloud based out of steam box it even has specs if it was cloud based it wouldn't have specs.
- BazzDropperz likes this
#15
Posted 03 March 2012 - 04:15 PM
NNID: Squish
3DS : 2406-5151-7673
Steam: Squishton Rasvita
#16
Posted 03 March 2012 - 04:25 PM
#17
Posted 03 March 2012 - 05:18 PM
Honestly I don't know what i'm going to do next generation I been playing Nintendo Console since I was 3-4 years old but the last 5 years I been a pc gamer so I respect Nintendo and Valve almost equally and in some places Valve more than Nintendo so if this is true I am torn at which to get for a home console.
If this is true you can still get both, I think having at least 2 consoles every gen is good, l only had a Nintendo console 3rd and 4th gen and then 5th gen I had N64 and PS1 and 6th gen I had Gamecube, PS2, Xbox and this gen I have Wii and PS3, so you should get both Wii U and Steambox.
#18
Posted 03 March 2012 - 10:32 PM
Edited by mootap, 03 March 2012 - 10:33 PM.
#19
Posted 03 March 2012 - 11:09 PM
#20
Posted 04 March 2012 - 12:21 AM
The gaming landscape has changed after all these years and Valve could potentially make the idea work.
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