Steam is trying to do the steam machine again

[Candleicious Ghost]

I'm sure they tried this a few years ago and it wasn't that successful but they are having another crack at it.

Steam Machine

Your games on the big screen

store.steampowered.com

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[V'Lias]

Last time they tried it they were hoping developers would port their games to Linux, which SteamOS is based on. Most developers didn't want to bother with that, so there weren't a lot of games for it. Valve now has the Proton translation layer, meaning most games should run just fine, so this time it might work!

Since they're targeting console users like they did with the Steam Deck, they'll presumably also price them very cheaply as well. I don't need one since I've got plenty of computers already, but my wife seems interested in one. She's not that interested in messing with computers, but loves her Steam Deck.

 

[F. King Daniel]

This looks freaking awesome, but it'll depend on the price point. I'm expecting 600, but suspecting higher.

The controller is just a controller with track pads, happy to stick with my Xbox one.

Valve Index was amazing, and I am sure Steam Frame will be fantastic too. But... I already have the former. And dedicated VR gaming is niche as hell, Half-Life Alyx (amazing as it is) is pretty much the only AAA VR game. Star Trek Infection could be decent, though.

 

[Owain Taggart]

Well, good luck to it. If anything, I think Microsoft might be kicking themselves for not thinking of something like this, as this might be a good new competitor in the console space. But that steam controller, ugh. I have small hands and just thinking of using that makes my hands hurt. I hope one would be able to use their previous form factor if they wish, as that new one looks chunky and uncomfortable to me.

The nice thing about this machine is that it's not a new ecosystem, so there's already a huge catalogue unlike a lot of new consoles. So, it has that going for it.

 

[B.J.]

Last time they tried it they were hoping developers would port their games to Linux, which SteamOS is based on. Most developers didn't want to bother with that, so there weren't a lot of games for it. Valve now has the Proton translation layer, meaning most games should run just fine, so this time it might work!

Unfortunately, games with certain anti-cheat systems still won't work.

 

[V'Lias]

Unfortunately, games with certain anti-cheat systems still won't work.

Yes, the very invasive anti-cheats often don't work still. Although I don't play games like that, hopefully the publishers decide to start supporting it for the people to do!

 

[Owain Taggart]

My guess is that if this proves popular enough, it might force a trend away from anti-cheat systems or at least force a rethink to a better way to do them that's less intrusive. Come to think of it, I'm not sure how consoles handle it in general. Either way, I can see this making waves in the industry just on the basis on this being Valve.

 

[V'Lias]

My guess is that if this proves popular enough, it might force a trend away from anti-cheat systems or at least force a rethink to a better way to do them that's less intrusive. Come to think of it, I'm not sure how consoles handle it in general. Either way, I can see this making waves in the industry just on the basis on this being Valve.

That's my hope anyway! I've never cared about most online/multiplayer games to begin with, but there's not a chance I'm going to give anybody full access to my computer just to play a game. The less intrusive ones that can be sandboxed aren't quite as bad, but I still think they could do server side detection to eliminate it entirely.

I think consoles usually aren't as big a problem in general because they're already pretty locked down. It's not impossible to cheat with them, just harder. So if they run any anti-cheat it's usually built into the game and less intrusive.

 

[Owain Taggart]

The less intrusive ones that can be sandboxed aren't quite as bad, but I still think they could do server side detection to eliminate it entirely.

I think it's possible they do both, but I seem to remember early multiplayer games used server-side detection before anti-cheat software became a thing.

 

[Jax]

Very cool concept but...

I imagine they will stupidly over price and the 8gb VRAM is a big problem. It launches out of date for any new games.

 

[Candleicious Ghost]

Very cool concept but...

I imagine they will stupidly over price and the 8gb VRAM is a big problem. It launches out of date for any new games.

Yes I think they'll do exactly that, then wonder why sales are not good

 

[Owain Taggart]

I dunno, I think they'll still do really well just on the basis of it being Valve. There are loads of older games, some even PC exclusives and indie games, so I think the opportunities are almost limitless.