Steam Sales

[ImaNihilist]

At that point, why not just pay the extra 200 to 300 for a full functioning computer?

Don't get me wrong, I think a Valve system would be awesome. But all your doing is introducing a new console in an already established and difficult market.

Then partner with HTPC vendors.

[taggart6]

Then partner with HTPC vendors.

What for? To create a low cost computer comprised of generic computer parts to run Valve games? Yeah good luck with that.

If you want to stream line the process, you would need a limited hardware platform and software optimized for it. And that point, your basically creating a new console and the only way to mange it correctly would be to have a single group control both the hardware and software.

[Timman_24]

It would be great. PC gets practically all the games PS3 and 360 gets plus it has major indie support, more cross over, and niche games. Make a computer and package it like a console, include the windows packages you need to run the games, and a basic valve GUI. Charge 300-400 bucks and put out a new console with upgraded parts every 2 years.

This is about streamlining PC gaming. Package the PC experience so that the average person can understand it without having to go to Dell and work through what runs well. The technical barrier to entry for PC gaming puts off a large majority of the population.

Make it plug into a TV with a simple wire and have a controller. That's what most people want.

Hell, if I could get the PC experience from the 300-400 dollar box separate of my desktop then I would never upgrade graphics cards, worry about optimizing my system, etc again.

[ImaNihilist]

Hell, if I could get the PC experience from the 300-400 dollar box separate of my desktop then I would never upgrade graphics cards, worry about optimizing my system, etc again.

Considering that a 320M can play most games at 720p resolutions at decent FPS, you could.

I don't think I'll ever pick up another console to be honest. Games on Steam are just too cheap.

[Timman_24]

Considering that a 320M can play most games at 720p resolutions at decent FPS, you could.

I don't think I'll ever pick up another console to be honest. Games on Steam are just too cheap.

I mean a nicely put together package with warranty, built in features, etc. I'm a sucker for an easy experience as well

[ImaNihilist]

I mean a nicely put together package with warranty, built in features, etc. I'm a sucker for an easy experience as well

My honest guess is that someone is already probably doing this. It seems too big of an opportunity to pass up. Sure, Valve probably isn't interested in building hardware themselves... but getting Steam onto the TV is, IMO, obviously a goal for them. That's what Steam Play is all about: other platforms.

[PriMaTe]

It would be great. PC gets practically all the games PS3 and 360 gets plus it has major indie support, more cross over, and niche games. Make a computer and package it like a console, include the windows packages you need to run the games, and a basic valve GUI. Charge 300-400 bucks and put out a new console with upgraded parts every 2 years.

This is about streamlining PC gaming. Package the PC experience so that the average person can understand it without having to go to Dell and work through what runs well. The technical barrier to entry for PC gaming puts off a large majority of the population.

Make it plug into a TV with a simple wire and have a controller. That's what most people want.

Hell, if I could get the PC experience from the 300-400 dollar box separate of my desktop then I would never upgrade graphics cards, worry about optimizing my system, etc again.

This sounds like a console that can be upgraded, which removes the simplicity from the console. I think steam would be more interested in getting their software onto consoles like the ps3 and xbox for digital downloads. Thought xbox already has its own marketplace, and I assume PS3 has something similar, I have no experience with PS3 so I dunno

Edit: O snap, L4D2 for $6.79 is crazy, I have it for xbox 360 but at that price it's cheaper than the dlc will be for xbox so why not

[ImaNihilist]

I think steam would be more interested in getting their software onto consoles like the ps3 and xbox for digital downloads.

This will never really happen because that's how Sony and Microsoft make a majority of their money.

If all of a sudden you can buy games from Valve and play them on a console, Sony and Microsoft start losing money.

They'll let them sync and all that jazz, but you'll never be able to buy a $30 console game for $5 via Steam... on a console.

[Timman_24]

This sounds like a console that can be upgraded, which removes the simplicity from the console. I think steam would be more interested in getting their software onto consoles like the ps3 and xbox for digital downloads. Thought xbox already has its own marketplace, and I assume PS3 has something similar, I have no experience with PS3 so I dunno

Edit: O snap, L4D2 for $6.79 is crazy, I have it for xbox 360 but at that price it's cheaper than the dlc will be for xbox so why not

Nah, they would just release upgraded consoles in 2-3 year intervals. V1, V2, etc.

Ima is exactly right. Valve owns a great distribution system. It doesn't help them to try to get on the PS3 or Xbox where Sony and MS already have a distribution system in place. The great deals would get whittled down even more once MS takes a cut, valve takes a cut, and finally the dev gets a piece. Unless Sony partnered with Valve and Sony did away with their PSN store and replaced it with Steam and charged valve a reasonable royalty.

This still doesn't work well though because every game would have to be ported to the PS3. Valve needs a windows box so all the computer games they have, new and old could run on it. The need a light weight windows environment without the bloat that windows brings, dedicated solely to gaming. This way less power is needed as well.

BTW guys its not about this being marketed to PC gamers, Taggart asked "Why not spend 200-300 more for a real computer?" Yeah, ask that to the 100 million+ console gamers. Its about opening steam and the PC platform to the console world.

What is interesting about this is that Sony and MS charge developers fees for development tools and rights to use their system. This would not be the case for Valve, PC is open. However, the only way to get onto their "box" is through their distribution system, which is how they make their money.

[taggart6]

This is about streamlining PC gaming. Package the PC experience so that the average person can understand it without having to go to Dell and work through what runs well.

Yeah we have those. They are called consoles.


your basically advocating Valve becoming a console dev. I agree that would be awesome. I just don't see it happening any time soon.

[taggart6]

My honest guess is that someone is already probably doing this. It seems too big of an opportunity to pass up. Sure, Valve probably isn't interested in building hardware themselves... but getting Steam onto the TV is, IMO, obviously a goal for them. That's what Steam Play is all about: other platforms.

I would love to see that, however I don't think we'll see anything like any time soon.


Hopefully what ever does arrive is better then this:

[Timman_24]

Yeah we have those. They are called consoles.


your basically advocating Valve becoming a console dev. I agree that would be awesome. I just don't see it happening any time soon.

Why are you being so closed and blunt about this? Its about releasing all of Valve's steam games into the console market and valve getting a piece of the major gaming industry. PC gaming is such a small slice and they are missing out on the vast majority of gamers. They can't really partner with MS or Sony, for reasons we've said before.

Plus it totally changes the console market. Steam sales are something only the PC guys have, make that available to the console people and it will upset everything.

[taggart6]

Why are you being so closed and blunt about this? Its about releasing all of Valve's steam games into the console market and valve getting a piece of the major gaming industry. PC gaming is such a small slice and they are missing out on the vast majority of gamers. They can't really partner with MS or Sony, for reasons we've said before.

Plus it totally changes the console market. Steam sales are something only the PC guys have, make that available to the console people and it will upset everything.

Look your getting a bit too riled about this and need to check the posts and focus..about 4-5 different things are being argued now. Valve games on more systems, a system dedicated to valve games, Steam being licensed to more platforms, and etc. Its getting random so I'll shoot this and call it a day.

From what's been posted, it sounds like a Valve console is being argued. Dedicated boxes, specialized hardware...thats basically a console. Honestly though, thats not really good or bad and I have no idea why your being defensive or calling me blunt. Heck, I've even agreed that such an idea would be awesome.

However, I don't see it happening nor do I see Valve putting the effort into it. No need to get defensive, Its just my thought. In fact,IMHO it sounds like Valve is taking the opposite route, and partnering with Sony to introduce Steam Cloud on PSN sounds like the first step. Rather then compete with them directly, it kinds looks like they are looking to integrate with everything out there. This really is a first, and I think a large part has to do with Valve's reputation and in-demand game library. But hey, it still in the early phase so it remains to be seen what happens and how much Steam clouds evolve beyond basic user data, updates, and etc.

Personally, that sounds pretty kickass to me. Long term, I figure Valve is looking to connect all Valve gamers regardless of what console/system/hardware they game on. That might never happen either, but hey I'm just throwing it out their.

It would be cool to have a Valve console, but I think it would even cooler to be able to play with other Valve gamers on any console. Forget the hardware and just become flexible an desirable to be place on ANYTHING!. Imagine playing L4D2 on your PC against 360 and PS3 gamers. Imagine playing Half Life 3 on your PC, then going to your buddies house later and being able to continue your game on his PS3 copy. Imagine buying whatever system and being able to play your Valve gaming library. I think thats cool and I would love to see it.

[Timman_24]

I didn't mean to be defensive, I'm sorry about that. Here is what I was focusing on with my post:

Yeah we have those. They are called consoles.

It sounded like you were just glossing over all the stuff we were talking about over by just calling it another console without taking into account all the other factors we had pointed out such as opening the PC market to more gamers by lowering the barrier to entry both in cost and in knowledge required, pushing a great number of games that console guys never get to see, opening the enormous back catalog of PC games to console gamers, among other things.

But yeah, it seems we agree. I would love for it to happen, but I too don't see it happening for a long time.

Valve wouldn't be a "console" dev as the box would run on a windows based system with a Valve GUI. It wouldn't run games in a special, proprietry environment like the 360, Wii, and PS3. It would use all windows drivers, code, what-not. The only way to get onto the system though is to download a game through steam, which is how they would make their money.

So, it would be much different business wise than a console. No special development needed for the box, anything a PC runs, it runs.

[Astros Fan]

Snakespy just grabbed l4d2...let's get a group going tomorrow night on the new DLC.