Steam Machines Announcement

Valve announces over a dozen Steam Machine designs are now in production for release this year, confirming the list of manufacturers revealed earlier today, and saying systems will start at $499:
Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Counter-Strike, Dota 2, Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, Portal, and Team Fortress) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced over one dozen Steam Machine designs now in production from leading manufacturers and targeted for release in 2014.

The lineup of Steam Machines announced today offers a wide variety of price and performance options made possible by the Steam Machine's open design, with systems starting as low as $499 and top end systems rivaling today's bleeding edge gaming PCs.

Every Steam Machine includes an innovative Steam Controller designed for use with a wide variety of game genres, and is powered by the SteamOS, a custom OS built atop Linux.

"The first generation Steam Machines offers something for every gamer, which is a critical part of extending Steam into the living room," said Gabe Newell of Valve. "With over 3,000 games and more than 65 million gamers on Steam, it's important to offer gamers a variety of Steam Machines that allow them to select what makes the most sense for them."

Announced earlier this year, Steam Machines are new entertainment systems targeted for use in the living room and leveraging Steam, the popular online platform for gaming and software with over 65 million accounts worldwide.

The makers of first generation Steam Machines are:

  • Alienware
  • Alternate
  • CyberPowerPC
  • Digital Storm
  • Falcon NW
  • GigaByte
  • iBuyPower
  • Maingear
  • Material.net
  • Next Spa
  • Origin PC
  • Scan
  • Webhallen
  • Zotac

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55 Replies. 3 pages. Viewing page 1.
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55.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 8, 2014, 12:54
55.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 8, 2014, 12:54
Jan 8, 2014, 12:54
 
Maybe you should try reading the whole post next time.
Avatar 56185
54.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 8, 2014, 10:25
54.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 8, 2014, 10:25
Jan 8, 2014, 10:25
 
descender wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 13:41:
HL2 had little to do with turning it into the monstrosity it is today,

It had little to do with it, other than being the only reason anyone installed it in the first place to discover that they were even selling anything?
Avatar 57722
53.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 13:41
53.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 13:41
Jan 7, 2014, 13:41
 
Steam originally launched as a requirement to upgrade to CS1.6 in 2002, although you didn't have to have it running to play you needed it to get the updates. You actually shouldn't have been running it yet, because this initial release was a resource hog.

In 2004, Half-Life 2 was the first game to require steam be running to install/play it. This was the first time Steam actually turned a profit, but the system was not widely adopted outside of HL2/CS fans. Granted, they were the largest online community.

Steam as you know it did not become popular until 2007, when the larger publishers started releasing their games on steam. That coupled with the release of "Orange Box" were the actual reasons most PC gamers finally moved over to steam.

HL2 had little to do with turning it into the monstrosity it is today, but it was obviously the first step.

This comment was edited on Jan 7, 2014, 14:00.
Avatar 56185
52.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 13:27
nin
52.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 13:27
Jan 7, 2014, 13:27
nin
 
TangledThorns wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 10:59:
BitWraith wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 08:48:
jacobvandy wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 06:20:
Half-Life 2 was not the reason Steam took off.

Keep telling yourself that one.

Seconded.

It might not have been the reason it "took off" but it sure as fuck was the reason people showed up, initially.

51.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 11:04
51.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 11:04
Jan 7, 2014, 11:04
 
Granted "Steam Machine" is nice and catchy for selling purposes, but few will buy these things.
50.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 10:59
50.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 10:59
Jan 7, 2014, 10:59
 
BitWraith wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 08:48:
jacobvandy wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 06:20:
Half-Life 2 was not the reason Steam took off.

Keep telling yourself that one.

Seconded.
49.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 10:08
49.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 10:08
Jan 7, 2014, 10:08
 
dj LiTh wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 05:41:
The problem is that you can do that already. Build a pc/htpc, get a wireless mouse and keyboard, wireless controller, and still have a fully functional computer. Why use steamOS when its just going to take away options rather then add?

It's gratifying to see that most people in this thread know this and understand it pretty well. Still, there are a few outliers who cling to this notion that there's something "different" about "Steambox."

As you say, there's not. These are bog standard, off-the-shelf x86 Windows PCs in every respect *except* for the fact that Windows supports a ton more hardware and ten tons more third-party software than SteamOS. Boot up SteamOS and automatically time-travel backwards ~15 years ago, or so. Really, it's not fair to say even that at the moment because SteamOS is in such a buggy alpha state that it isn't fit for the bathroom, let alone the living room...;)

Of course Valve has announced a lot of "partners" for the Steambox--heh--all any of them has to do is slap a Steambox decal on configurations they already manufacture and there's your "Steambox." This whole thing reeks of a publicity stunt designed simply to market the Steamworks store, frankly. Sometimes I think Gabe's ego is even bigger than he is...;)

Folks who think all this presages some sort of "year of the desktop" for Linux in general are going to be disappointed, yet again. Seems like if you're a Linux enthusiast someone's always jerking your chain, eh?

It is well known that I cannot err--and so, if you should happen across an error in anything I have written you can be absolutely sure that *I* did not write it!...;)
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48.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 09:45
48.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 09:45
Jan 7, 2014, 09:45
 
Verno wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 09:21:
BitWraith wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 08:48:
jacobvandy wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 06:20:
Half-Life 2 was not the reason Steam took off.

Keep telling yourself that one.

I'm sure it was a factor but you don't think Counter-Strike had a bigger impact? It was the most played online game for years running after the WON retirement and probably lead to millions of Steam installs.

I'm actually not having any luck finding user counts over time with my google-fu, but that's a really interesting thing to ponder.

Based on the "years of service" badges in my friends list, the same number of friends signed up for Steam in the 12 months preceding HL2's release than in the 12 months after it.

Combined, though, they only make up about 1/3 of my friends list - the rest have mostly been users since 2008.

I'd say the biggest factor in Steam "taking off" was in the past few years when it's become weird for a game not to be available on Steam on launch day, no doubt assisted by word of mouth from the old school users.

I'm sure worldwide ADSL adoption hasn't hurt, either.
47.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 09:41
47.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 09:41
Jan 7, 2014, 09:41
 
Unless it's an actual Valve branded machine, you can keep it. I can roll my own better than any of the companies in that list.
I should be coding.
46.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 09:21
46.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 09:21
Jan 7, 2014, 09:21
 
BitWraith wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 08:48:
jacobvandy wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 06:20:
Half-Life 2 was not the reason Steam took off.

Keep telling yourself that one.

I'm sure it was a factor but you don't think Counter-Strike had a bigger impact? It was the most played online game for years running after the WON retirement and probably lead to millions of Steam installs.
Avatar 51617
45.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 08:48
45.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 08:48
Jan 7, 2014, 08:48
 
jacobvandy wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 06:20:
Half-Life 2 was not the reason Steam took off.

Keep telling yourself that one.
Avatar 57722
44.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 08:35
44.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 08:35
Jan 7, 2014, 08:35
 
dj LiTh wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 05:41:
The problem is that you can do that already. Build a pc/htpc, get a wireless mouse and keyboard, wireless controller, and still have a fully functional computer. Why use steamOS when its just going to take away options rather then add?

I think the idea is that its effectively a new platform and that it will ideally expand your options later on. There isn't much of an upside to being an early adopter for something like this unless you really fit the niche.

We could really use something like this in my house though, I've built out a really nice HTPC but it gets used for video so much that I rarely get to do emulation or gaming on it so I could use something for the living room. I love building machines and tinkering but as time goes on the idea of a nice prebuilt in a small form factor is very interesting.

I would really like to get my hands on a controller to see what its like but I guess worst case scenario I hate it and plugin a Dual Shock 4 or my old 360 controller.
Avatar 51617
43.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 08:32
43.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 08:32
Jan 7, 2014, 08:32
 
Steam Machines offer console gamers something that would blow their UUDDLRLRBA minds - competitive pricing.

Valve might be the most dominant player in the digital distribution market, but it's not the only player, and it seems to have a much more agile relationship with publishers regarding sales and discounts. AAA titles stand a chance of being picked up at a significant discount to their Sony/Microsoft equivalents, even pre-orders.

A couple of people have posited that people might not buy this if it was for sale in Best Buy next to a PS4 and an XBOne, but there's still a really good value proposition.
Maybe not one that's terribly exciting for the powers that be at Best Buy.
I think a bigger problem than the sticker price is the launch line-up. If the potential buyer doesn't have a gaming rig to run Game Streaming, the current list of titles isn't exactly jaw-dropping, though Valve does promise to reveal more "AAA titles coming natively to SteamOS in 2014".
42.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 08:09
42.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 08:09
Jan 7, 2014, 08:09
 
dj LiTh wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 05:41:
The problem is that you can do that already. Build a pc/htpc, get a wireless mouse and keyboard, wireless controller, and still have a fully functional computer. Why use steamOS when its just going to take away options rather then add?
I do not think we see all the functionality the Steam OS is capable of, and obviously they will need some exclusive features to sell them.
I did not look at all the features and what is implemented and what isn't but I personally want the stream feature so bad.
Why build 2 gaming PCs if I can just stream the stuff from my main rig.

I've looked into some small form factor living room PCs from Alienware for example but they were way way too expensive.
Steam: SpectralMeat
Avatar 14225
41.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 06:20
41.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 06:20
Jan 7, 2014, 06:20
 
Fantaz wrote on Jan 6, 2014, 23:35:
DangerDog wrote on Jan 6, 2014, 23:23:

Valve has already said there won't be any exclusives, even if they did try to do HL3 as an exclusive people would play HL3 and then ditch the OS and go back to Windows.

I don't see this as a reason to ditch Windows as a desktop OS and have no interest in PC gaming in the living room.

I'd disagree. wasn't it the case when HL2 required Steam that everybody chose Steam to eventually be the dominant/leading platform for digital distribution? if HL3 was exclusive to SteamOS it could be adopted as a main platform for gamers, and I wouldn't be surprised if Valve made HL3/L4D3 exclusive to Steam Machine/SteamOS. history can repeat itself. they may say there won't be exclusives but things can always change. the only way for mass adoption is for exclusivity rights, and that's what Microsoft is trying to do with Xbox One for digital TV shows and movies.

Half-Life 2 was not the reason Steam took off. Counter-Strike 1.6 and later CS:Source had a bigger impact on early adoption than that, but all we did was bitch about the increased system resource usage and the fact that the friends list (only added feature Steam had to start with) was down 75% of the time. The only other digital distributor around at the time was Stardock, but they weren't creating a service that people were actually encouraged to use daily. That's where Steam stood alone, as a platform, not just a store. Valve then sealed the deal with Steamworks, allowing for the easy integration of said online service features including matchmaking and achievements that had the nifty side effect of making any game that used it require Steam. I remember BioShock being the first game I bought digitally aside from the Valve pack, and 650+ games later, I'm still waiting for HL3.

This comment was edited on Jan 7, 2014, 06:29.
40.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 06:07
40.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 06:07
Jan 7, 2014, 06:07
 
I'm starting to feel so old...

Back in the day I would build my own stuff, don't get me wrong, I still do. But this steam box thing I would just buy.

I already build my living room media box, my girlfriends PC, my own PC, my parents PC, PCs at my work, my Kid's PC and help friends with their PCs... but this fucking steam box I'd buy! I'm SELLING OUT MY NERDYNESS!

Edit. First world problem. I'd buy this for HL 3 only.
39.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 05:47
39.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 05:47
Jan 7, 2014, 05:47
 
Maybe this site should be called Steamnews.com
38.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 05:41
38.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 05:41
Jan 7, 2014, 05:41
 
SpectralMeat wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 05:37:
El Pit wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 03:27:
This is just my opinion, but plugging a controller into my pc turns my pc into a console. That's what I personally despise: the controller/gamepad. And now even Steam is luring pc gamers into controller usage. No. Keyboard and mouse or bust. Again: this is just my opinion.
The idea is to use these Steam Machines in your living room like they were consoles and access your Steam games, while sitting on the sofa playing on your big screen TV.
Not to replace your gaming PC that has all your peripherals connected.
I don't think you can play every PC game with a controller anyways, and I don't believe the intent with these machines is to phase out the traditional PCs and control methods and replace them with a console like controller.
It is more like having access to your games on as many screens in your home as possible.

I personally think this is awesome. I'd love to sit back on the couch with my kids and play my PC games vs cuddle up in front of my monitor in the office, but that's just me.

The problem is that you can do that already. Build a pc/htpc, get a wireless mouse and keyboard, wireless controller, and still have a fully functional computer. Why use steamOS when its just going to take away options rather then add?
Avatar 46370
37.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 05:37
37.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 05:37
Jan 7, 2014, 05:37
 
El Pit wrote on Jan 7, 2014, 03:27:
This is just my opinion, but plugging a controller into my pc turns my pc into a console. That's what I personally despise: the controller/gamepad. And now even Steam is luring pc gamers into controller usage. No. Keyboard and mouse or bust. Again: this is just my opinion.
The idea is to use these Steam Machines in your living room like they were consoles and access your Steam games, while sitting on the sofa playing on your big screen TV.
Not to replace your gaming PC that has all your peripherals connected.
I don't think you can play every PC game with a controller anyways, and I don't believe the intent with these machines is to phase out the traditional PCs and control methods and replace them with a console like controller.
It is more like having access to your games on as many screens in your home as possible.

I personally think this is awesome. I'd love to sit back on the couch with my kids and play my PC games vs cuddle up in front of my monitor in the office, but that's just me.
Steam: SpectralMeat
Avatar 14225
36.
 
Re: Steam Machines Announcement
Jan 7, 2014, 03:57
36.
Re: Steam Machines Announcement Jan 7, 2014, 03:57
Jan 7, 2014, 03:57
 
They should have stuck with one third party manufacturer at least to start with. That way they could have really made something that actually looks like a console and could appeal to the mainstream console crowd. Most of us PC guys are just going to get the free SteamOS and play around with a dual-boot system anyway.
I have a nifty blue line!
Avatar 46994
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