Valve Confirms Linux-based Steam Box

[captjack5169]

[citation][nom]howard69[/nom]doesn't the success of the Steam system as a console/terminal depend on itdoing something DIFFERENT - NEW ? how about a mesh WiFi router base to the gaming network.you'd connect locally via WiFi as far as the signal goes toplay with your bros and buds without needing an ISP connect.no bandwidth cap issuesno ISP censorshipno government black box snooping.i think it has a lot of appeal under the game level and makesthe product unique in many ways.[/citation]

Awesome Idea, Can't see it happening as long as all the ISP stand to make millions off of you and your bros

 

[howard69]

they'd be kicking it to the curb for sure.
that's why the Linux community might pull it off as an allied project.
has synergy for lots of other applications and users.'

 

[back_by_demand]

[citation][nom]twelch82[/nom]The biggest issue with Linux still is that there are no distros that are really friendly to end users. Somebody needs to make one where you never really need to go to the command prompt in order to do any common task that needs to be done in Linux. Then it can be considered ready for prime time.[/citation]
Chances are it will not boot into a Linux OS, but just be a skinned interface like XBMC Live, switch on, boot directly into something that looks like Steam Big Picture but it's powered by Linux under the hood and you have no direct access to it. In that regard it may end up being like Android, Linux based with custom UI.

 

[back_by_demand]

Also, guys, Steambox based on Linux does not mean pulling out of the Steam for Windows market. Diversification is how big business stays on top and even if only 10% of Steam games are compatible that will still be a massive catalogue of current or former AAA titles
...
Your Steam account will follow you wherever you go, play on your PC and have a game list, then go round a buddies house who has a Steambox, log in with your account and play the same games, I can also see them eventually having some kind of "Onlive" style system to circumvent any OS boundaries and have something gamers have been wishing for forever - buy once, play anywhere

 

[mowston]

I also assume that this console will stream games from a windows PC into the room with the console. This is part of the Big Picture "How to" on connecting your PC to a TV, using a solution such as WHDI. Although, it seems Nvidia may already be beating them to that with their portable console.

 

[ojas]

Since Tom's won't report this till tomorrow, it's probably called the Piston by Xi3:

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/01/08/it-begins-valve-and-xi3-team-for-steam-box/
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/01/08/do-you-want-to-get-piston/

 

[Guest]

Maybe besides installing and playing games locally on the console, they're thinking of competing in the stream gaming market and add it as an additional option for those who want to play their already purchased Directx games on Steam?

 

[tomfreak]

[citation][nom]gravewax[/nom]OF course it would be trouble, the reason consoles are so attractive to studios is the fixed target, they know if it works on one ps3 fine then it will work on all ps3's, if it works on one 360 then it will work on all, this gives them an exact spec and performance to target for every single player. once you start fragmenting the user base with differing hardware levels you are back to PC type gaming which means either forced upgrade cycles or the new upgraded console getting no support as all the games are targeting the lowest common denominator.[/citation]on PC there are thousands of diff hardware combo specifications. Thats why it is hard for developer to optimized for all hardwares. But if Valve limit just a few standards, then thing would not be much diff from consoles. a FIX specification for every year is still significant advantages than a console that have fix specification for 7-8yrs.

as what I expected, the Xi3 is an upgradable console.

What I am seeing is Valve probably will set the specification for every upgrades every year etc, for ex. Steam box version 2013,2014,2015 and so on. Then instead of making the console themselves, they'll open to all the board makers to do it. *ie. Asus/Gigabyte/MSI.

With the manufacturing cost and capacity from those board makers, and the games on steam = u can play on PC/Laptop/ur console in 1 client. It also mean u do not need to buy another same game again just to play on diff platform. *ie owning skyrim on xbox still need to buy PC version.

Valve is sellign their platform/ecosystem=steam, not hardware. This is one very powerful ecosystem that xbox/Sony should not be taken lightly off, because they are not against valve alone, they are against with all the board makers as well.

 

[heero yuy]

[citation][nom]twelch82[/nom]The biggest issue with Linux still is that there are no distros that are really friendly to end users. Somebody needs to make one where you never really need to go to the command prompt in order to do any common task that needs to be done in Linux. Then it can be considered ready for prime time.[/citation]

Linux mint
my technologicaly incapacitated mother managed to pick up the way Helena works for simple tasks (e-mails web browsing storing photos and basic word processing) very quickly

 

[alextheblue]

[citation][nom]captainblacko[/nom]link to another article with pictures of 'Piston'http://www.polygon.com/2013/1/7/38 [...] am-box-xi3[/citation]Cripes I certainly hope a final version is nothing like that! For that kind of money you'd be better off with an actual PC.
[citation][nom]mazty[/nom]Please bring PC gamers a decent wireless pad that doesn't cost a load or take old school AA batteries.[/citation]Remove old school AAs. Put in new school ULSD NIMH AAs (like Sanyo Eneloops). Problem solved.[citation][nom]fonzy[/nom]I know Gabe Newell has said they already have a new Engine developed they are just waiting for games to roll it out on, you would have to think Half-life 3, counter strike..etc will be used to push the new system?[/citation]I don't care what they do as long as they don't fux over PC users that have been supporting them for years. But frankly I'm not going to hold my breath... the fact that they're making such a box has me wondering where they're going with this, long-term.

 

[alextheblue]

[citation][nom]wasabi-warrior[/nom]Look at Zorin Linux OS. You dont actually need to go to the command prompt. The only reason enthusiasts often use the terminal is the same reason they hate Windows 8. Things can be done much faster with a keyboard only (with shortcuts and such) compared to people who need to stop and move a cursor or finger to the correct position before executing a command. Its no step backwards, and in fact, when you improve in your use of the computer, its a step forward.[/citation]What are you talking about... that's like saying DOS prompt is faster because you use the keyboard. Keyboard shortcuts work great in Win8, you know. You can use the keyboard within any GUI that supports it, such as Desktop or Modern. Shortcuts FTW.

 

[sulumordna]

don't really care about a "steam box" personally, but really hoping steam for Linux gains momentum. gaming is the only reason I keep windows around. I have tried WINE and POL but most of my games played at the lowest settings or had horrible fps.