good point...they said AAA titles will run natively on SteamOS but will it be able to run on lower spec steam boxes and how will upgrades look

from the description given it sounds likely they will implement the Mantle API as mentioned in Skinnypupp's post...if true I can see AMD completely dominating the industry the rest of this decade.

Valve said they'll announce supported AAA titles in the coming weeks..I hope that means HL3 reveal :okay:
They just need Half-Life 3 with SteamOS exclusive tech features and the adoption rate will skyrocket :ilied:

This is the email I sent to a podcast I listen to (Rebel FM). Thought I'd share it here too

I'm not sure what you guys think of Steambox (I assume you'll discuss
it on this week's episode if there is one), but I noticed that a lot
of the mainstream gaming press is really underestimating the potential
for it to completely take over the gaming industry.

I get that the main disadvantage is "no native games". Developers will
have to port to a new OS, different from consoles, and different from
Windows PC. For now, it can stream from a Windows PC, which is a good
temporary fix for people to check it out.

This is where AMD Mantle comes in. Mantle is a new API (along the
lines of DirectX or native APIs used by consoles like PS3 or PS4) that
gives programmers direct access to hardware. If this sounds familiar,
it's because this is what console APIs have always had, and why
consoles are able to get much more performance out of comparatively
weaker hardware compared to PC.

With Mantle, Steambox has an API for developers to port to. However
the key is that Mantle may very well be a direct rip of either XBox
One's or PS4's API. If not, it will be very similar, to the point
where porting a game from console to Mantle (and subsequently
Steambox) will be a very simple process. Even easier than porting to
Windows.

So now we'll have a new 'console' - a user can build a PC or buy a
Steambox with similar specs to the Xbox One or PS4 at a MUCH lower
cost than either of those consoles. By the end of 2014, it will be
receiving release date native ports. PC gamers will be running games
in Mantle mode when they can.

By 2015, I think there is a chance of there being no compelling reason
to go out and buy a Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft console. Maybe for
first party games, but it would have to be a damn good game to justify
a $500 expense to play it.

how MUCH cheaper can you build a PC that will perform on par with PS4/XB1? Even with Mantle I'm thinking one would need at least $400. I'll wait until AMD's developer summit in November before I can say for sure but right now it hasn't exactly been showcased yet.

Right this moment you could probably put together a mATX Core i3 system with a Radeon 7850 for around $400-500. So the price of the consoles... But next year the GPU will be replaced by cards that are cheaper and faster than the 7850, and when AMD releases an APU with GCN (or even GCN 2.0) then look out.

They should have been giving out those prototype Steam boxes back at the beginning of this year. If they're doing it when they say (end of this year) then they likely won't have anything for sale until next spring/summer. That's way too late. Sony and MS are going to sell a shitload of consoles this holiday season and on into next year.

That's the worst time to try and promote a new type of console.
Posted via RS Mobile

Plus Sony and MS
have spent years building a brand, people won't just flock to this new console just because it's a bit cheaper.

"What do you mean I can't play Halo?"
Posted via RS Mobile

New controller:
Steam Controller

"What do you mean I can't play Mario?"

Who would have thought Sony and Microsoft would be the biggest names in gaming.

Yeah except kids grew up and while Nintendo is still only pumping out more Mario, Sony and the like have games for all ages. What is steam bringing to the table that I can't get on a PlayStation already? More FPS's?
Posted via RS Mobile

Here's my take on the controller Valve Steam Controller May be the FPS Gamepad You've Been Waiting For

And it looks like my thinking is in line with people who have actually used it

Gamasutra - Select game developers used the Steam Controller. Here's what they said

I can't see this controller priced less than $80? Looks killer but the whole point was to bring Steam to the masses then it better be priced accordingly

You can use an XBOX controller if you prefer, or can't afford one like this. This is a specialty item, along the lines of Kinect, etc. Basically can be used as a way to transition from KB & Mouse to living room.

yeah i'd figured a conventional pad would work...still...good thing is no analog stick wearing out...dem L3 zoom-ins/sprints :okay:
this is pretty exciting as Valve's first hardware venture...I now have high hopes for the steambox

TBH I'd give all this up to get Half Life 3 :(

Maybe Half-Life 3 will be a launch title on the Steam Box?? '

... one can dream

:lawl::seriously:
Xi3's Piston modular PC launching November 29th for $1,000

Yup here's my writeup from last night

Xi3 Piston "console" available Nov. 29, ridiculously overpriced

unless Valve will subsidze their Steam Machine in a bid to push Steam into most living rooms a la Google and NexusI can't see it being south of $500.

feel free to edit the thread title to Valve Steam Machines or merge it with the Steam thread.

With a AMD A10 it could be possible to go under $500.

Here is referb unit: Newegg.ca - Refurbished: Black HEAVY METAL Desktop PC for Metalheads with AMD A10-5700 3.4GHz 4GB DDR3 1TB HDD and Windows 8 (VDD-131)

Valve have already said they will be subsidizing, but even then not every company will be as greedy as Xi3.

MOTHER OF GOD

80+ Gold PSU, Nvidia hardware up to Titans and Intel processors up to i7s...and SSHD?!

fully upgrade-able and they're even willing to let ppl replicate their case by providing source CAD files

i'm completely shocked they didn't go AMD route...full steam ahead!

dimension seems comparable to the PS4/XB1

Steam Community :: Group :: Steam Universe

Yeah not going strictly AMD is frankly kind of stupid.

Valve has no plans to release this reference design and will rely on 3rd parties to make 'em

the steam controller will be bundled with each steam machine tho

the press release one has GTX780 + i7 processor
http://www.overclock.net/content/typ.../1000/flags/LL

http://cdn0.sbnation.com/entry_photo...super_wide.jpg

Yup I collected the best pics here :)

Valve Steam Machine Details Revealed to Tech Blogs