Valve handheld (Steam Pal)

[Citizen Cook]

PC Gamer are reporting on the possibility of a Valve handheld device: https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/steam-client-update-code-points-to-possible-handheld-console-in-the-works/

If this is true I’d be over the moon.

I wanted to buy a Steam machine back in the day but decided against it because Valve didn’t do anything in-house so to speak and they were underpowered and overpriced.

[Brian9824]

Origineel geplaatst door Halo:

Origineel geplaatst door brian9824:

To play steam games your basically taking a computer and putting it in a custom PC case while also providing an internal battery to power it and a screen.

You just made it sound like it will happen then - absolutely no reason to make it, most people probably wouldn't be interested and it would be ridiculously expensive.

Sort of like a handheld equivalent of a VR headset.

I will give them - I was looking at my badges the other day and I have the hardware beta candidate one.

Best thing they ever did re: hardware.

I'm sure it will happen eventually, but there is only so much you can cram into a small factor without making major sacrifices to the quality. You need space for cooling, space for a decent sized battery, etc.

Origineel geplaatst door ezwip:

That's one of them there are some others too that will try to come in around $750 and up so the embers are possibly resulting in a flame. Someone like Steam barging in with a big name would knock their teeth right out.

Add quite a bit to that if you want something that will actually run games decently. Your basically looking at the price for a decent gaming laptop and then increasing that even more. Even worse with graphic card prices now too.

Something like this is the most likely - https://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-SHIELD-Portable-pc/dp/B00E3667XQ/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&keywords=nvidia+shield&qid=1621968113&sr=8-17

[Brian9824]

Origineel geplaatst door Aya Shameimaru:

Considering how likely it is that it's gonna be on SteamOS, I think Valve will need to bribe various developers into making PC/Linux ports of games that'd otherwise stay on consoles so as to give this thing launch titles.

Otherwise, you'll have a similar situation to the Steam Machines where the only people who'd buy them are people who think that Valve are an actual pantheon of gods. I think this would be a good list of names for Valve to throw money at so as to give a Steam handheld actual launch titles.

Bandai Namco Studios Inc. (Gundam Extreme VS Force*, SoulCalibur VI, Tekken 7)
Square-Enix (Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles Remastered)
Marvelous Inc. (Rune Factory 5, Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town)
Ilinx (Gundam Breaker 3 PC port/western release plz)
PlatinumGames, Inc. (Babylon's Fall and other character action games)
Capcom (Sengoku Basara series)

*Suggesting Force instead of Maxi Boost ON since i'm not too confident about a Steam handheld's ability to run the newest EXVS game.

Hence why a portable streaming console would bypass some of that, and allow any steam game to be played via streaming

[Aya]

Origineel geplaatst door brian9824:

Origineel geplaatst door Aya Shameimaru:

Considering how likely it is that it's gonna be on SteamOS, I think Valve will need to bribe various developers into making PC/Linux ports of games that'd otherwise stay on consoles so as to give this thing launch titles.

Otherwise, you'll have a similar situation to the Steam Machines where the only people who'd buy them are people who think that Valve are an actual pantheon of gods. I think this would be a good list of names for Valve to throw money at so as to give a Steam handheld actual launch titles.

Bandai Namco Studios Inc. (Gundam Extreme VS Force*, SoulCalibur VI, Tekken 7)
Square-Enix (Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles Remastered)
Marvelous Inc. (Rune Factory 5, Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town)
Ilinx (Gundam Breaker 3 PC port/western release plz)
PlatinumGames, Inc. (Babylon's Fall and other character action games)
Capcom (Sengoku Basara series)

*Suggesting Force instead of Maxi Boost ON since i'm not too confident about a Steam handheld's ability to run the newest EXVS game.

Hence why a portable streaming console would bypass some of that, and allow any steam game to be played via streaming

Streaming has its limits, and I don't think you'd want that device to piggyback off your cellphone to play a laggy multi-gigabyte video stream that'll end with you drowning in cellphone bills. I think i'll stick with my suggestion for bribery. :x

[Brian9824]

Origineel geplaatst door Aya Shameimaru:

Origineel geplaatst door brian9824:

Hence why a portable streaming console would bypass some of that, and allow any steam game to be played via streaming

Streaming has its limits, and I don't think you'd want that device to piggyback off your cellphone to play a laggy multi-gigabyte video stream that'll end with you drowning in cellphone bills. I think i'll stick with my suggestion for bribery. :x

Who said cellphone? If anything it would use a wifi network. There are already a few devices like that popping up.

Like its been said i'll be shocked if they try to actually create a console that natively plays the games as they would need to literally make a portable PC which is not cost effective and the handheld market is incredibly brutal.

[Citizen Cook]

Origineel geplaatst door brian9824:

Origineel geplaatst door Tito Shivan:

I'd advise to keep hype under control. Maybe it's just going to be something for Steam Play Together. Something to hand to your pal to play with you at home (A screen+link+controller combo, more than a 'proper' console) It could pretty much be something that never sees the light.

Console, and specially handheld consoles market is a pretty tight space to try fit in.


It's a fine piece of hardware, however it's been outsmarted by the Steam link app. It's still a good choice if your home TV isn't 'smart' enough to run apps.

And I still have my Steam controller plugged in my gaming PC. The controller is kind of a adquired taste though. it's something for the people who like to fiddle with the setup and customize controls. Not your average 'plug&play' experience.

It could also be a handheld streaming device instead of an actual console as well.

If it works... I’ve had no end of streaming issues with my home setup. And that’s wired with a 50mb/s connection

[tralph3]

It's most likely going to be a SteamOS device. Since the Steam Machines happened, Linux gaming has made major strides. I think this will be their second go at it and see how it does. It could potentially be groundbreaking or a giant flop, we'll see.

[Aya]

Origineel geplaatst door tralph3:

It's most likely going to be a SteamOS device. Since the Steam Machines happened, Linux gaming has made major strides. I think this will be their second go at it and see how it does. It could potentially be groundbreaking or a giant flop, we'll see.

See my previous suggestion about bribing developers for native apps. The only people who bought a Steam machine 5 years ago are the Cult of Valve, which is a shame cuz console-sized desktops are a better use for laptop hardware than actual laptops IMO

I'm sure more people would be inclined to buy a Steam handheld if it had games no one would ever think would ever be on PC like the games I mentioned in my previous post.

[Brian9824]

Origineel geplaatst door Aya Shameimaru:

Origineel geplaatst door tralph3:

It's most likely going to be a SteamOS device. Since the Steam Machines happened, Linux gaming has made major strides. I think this will be their second go at it and see how it does. It could potentially be groundbreaking or a giant flop, we'll see.

See my previous suggestion about bribing developers for native apps. The only people who bought a Steam machine 5 years ago are the Cult of Valve, which is a shame cuz console-sized desktops are a better use for laptop hardware than actual laptops IMO

I'm sure more people would be inclined to buy a Steam handheld if it had games no one would ever think would ever be on PC like the games I mentioned in my previous post.

Honestly your previous idea isn't very good. You can't just bribe developers to make games that they don't have the staff or resources to make. I mean if they thought that ports of their games on PC would sell they would already make them.

I mean that strategy of bribing developers is why its going to take EPIC more then 20 years at their current rate JUST to break even.

Not to mention many of those games have similar games already on Steam like Stardew Valley,

[Aya]

Origineel geplaatst door brian9824:

Origineel geplaatst door Aya Shameimaru:

See my previous suggestion about bribing developers for native apps. The only people who bought a Steam machine 5 years ago are the Cult of Valve, which is a shame cuz console-sized desktops are a better use for laptop hardware than actual laptops IMO

I'm sure more people would be inclined to buy a Steam handheld if it had games no one would ever think would ever be on PC like the games I mentioned in my previous post.

Honestly your previous idea isn't very good. You can't just bribe developers to make games that they don't have the staff or resources to make. I mean if they thought that ports of their games on PC would sell they would already make them.

I mean that strategy of bribing developers is why its going to take EPIC more then 20 years at their current rate JUST to break even.

Not to mention many of those games have similar games already on Steam like Stardew Valley,

I mean, they DO have the resources to make a PC port. They just don't want to.

There's nothing on PC like Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme VS and having the PlayStation Vita's entry to the series being ported to Valve's handheld would definitely get some people interested in the Steam handheld. I could go on a long and involved tangent about the necessity of bribery for Japanese games, but my point is that if Valve wants to make a handheld console, they need to be willing to spend whatever money is necessary for that handheld to actually have a game library that isn't just Valve games and random indie games.

[Brian9824]

Origineel geplaatst door Aya Shameimaru:

I mean, they DO have the resources to make a PC port. They just don't want to.

So how exactly do you know they have 50+ people sitting around not working on a project that they could use to make those games, not to mention having people that know how to properly port a game to PC?

Origineel geplaatst door Aya Shameimaru:

There's nothing on PC like Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme VS and having the PlayStation Vita's entry to the series being ported to Valve's handheld would definitely get some people interested in the Steam handheld.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/738530/New_Gundam_Breaker/

Also Gundam games are extremely niche and aren't exactly a high seller compared to most other games. In fact most of the games you listed aren't really big sellers at all.

Origineel geplaatst door Aya Shameimaru:

I could go on a long and involved tangent about the necessity of bribery for Japanese games, but my point is that if Valve wants to make a handheld console, they need to be willing to spend whatever money is necessary for that handheld to actually have a game library that isn't just Valve games and random indie games.

Valve already has the largest library of games in the world out of any other competitor, paying 30+ million to add 5 more games isn't exactly going to make much of a difference.

[Crashed]

Origineel geplaatst door cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

The Link wasn't a failure. They moved to software for it.

:qr:

I heard the SoC was discontinued making it impossible to continue manufacturing it without re-engineering.

[Kargor]

Origineel geplaatst door Citizen Cook:

PC Gamer are reporting on the possibility of a Vlave handheld device:
...
If this is true I’d be over the moon.

Yeah... that's going to be great... maybe? Possibly?

Let's see.

Valve has announced a top-notch controller, then toned it down a few steps, then brought it to the market, and... it wasn't a success. Surprise.

Vavle also invented a "Steam box". They decided that PC manufacturers should just put their Linux on a PC box (which didn't even have Wine built in at the time) and do all the marketing for them. That went exactly nowhere; in comparison, the Steam controller was a huge success :-)

Ok, so now it's a handheld.I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Aya]

Origineel geplaatst door brian9824:

Origineel geplaatst door Aya Shameimaru:

I could go on a long and involved tangent about the necessity of bribery for Japanese games, but my point is that if Valve wants to make a handheld console, they need to be willing to spend whatever money is necessary for that handheld to actually have a game library that isn't just Valve games and random indie games.

Valve already has the largest library of games in the world out of any other competitor, paying 30+ million to add 5 more games isn't exactly going to make much of a difference.

Most of those 30+ million games are on Windows and the games that have native Linux ports are Valve titles, XCOM 2012 and a pile of random indie games very few people care about.

A Steam handheld will see the same pitfalls that the Steam Machines fell into unless Valve plans on paying off the bribes. Otherwise, the only people who would buy a Steam handheld are the crazy cultists who worship Valve like gods.

[Brian9824]

Origineel geplaatst door Aya Shameimaru:

Origineel geplaatst door brian9824:

Valve already has the largest library of games in the world out of any other competitor, paying 30+ million to add 5 more games isn't exactly going to make much of a difference.

Most of those 30+ million games are on Windows and the games that have native Linux ports are Valve titles, XCOM 2012 and a pile of random indie games very few people care about.

A Steam handheld will see the same pitfalls that the Steam Machines fell into unless Valve plans on paying off the bribes. Otherwise, the only people who would buy a Steam handheld are the crazy cultists who worship Valve like gods.

Well time will tell but i'd be willing to bet your predictions are dead wrong, and the strategy you suggest is proven to be not effective. If Valve were to pay to have games developed for a custom OS they wouldn't pick Niche titles that struggle to sell 500,000 copies. Again look at Epic which has put itself in a position that it will take DECADES to recoup the money its spent on exclusives for its platform.

They'd pick major AAA titles that get millions upon millions of sales to sell their console. Assuming that it would even remotely be similar to the steam machine as they learned their lesson from the failure of that.

[WhiteKnight]

Why can't they develop or/and publish games instead of pointless wasting money on hardware?. I heard they lost about 100M$ on Steam controllers and it didn't even sell well.

Aren't most of their hardware horrible?. By that they break easily after few uses?. Being hearing lot of complaint from Index users.

Origineel geplaatst door tralph3:

It's most likely going to be a SteamOS device. Since the Steam Machines happened, Linux gaming has made major strides. I think this will be their second go at it and see how it does. It could potentially be groundbreaking or a giant flop, we'll see.

It definitely going to be Linux. According to that Ars article. Honestly it will be a giant flop and they will continue to waste money on hardware junk.

Origineel geplaatst door Aya Shameimaru:

Origineel geplaatst door brian9824:

Valve already has the largest library of games in the world out of any other competitor, paying 30+ million to add 5 more games isn't exactly going to make much of a difference.

Most of those 30+ million games are on Windows and the games that have native Linux ports are Valve titles, XCOM 2012 and a pile of random indie games very few people care about.

A Steam handheld will see the same pitfalls that the Steam Machines fell into unless Valve plans on paying off the bribes. Otherwise, the only people who would buy a Steam handheld are the crazy cultists who worship Valve like gods.

They are plenty of people who treats Valve like gods or even King. Coming from recent post which i have had fun.

Origineel geplaatst door cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Origineel geplaatst door muckymucks:

Valve doesn't have a good track record for hardware. I look forward to buying it for $5 when it crashes and burns like the Steam Link and Steam controller.

The Steam Link works fine here for years.

The Controller didn't crash and burn. Valve got sued over patent infringement.

And the Index is still the best VR set out there.

:qr:

According to the lawsuit. Valve mentioned that their controllers did not sell well has they hope. So to me it may as well crash & burn. Since not only they lost 100M$ from that. They also paid 4M$ for losing that lawsuit https://www.polygon.com/2021/2/3/22264213/valve-steam-controller-lawsuit-scuf-4-million.

Even though one of the Ironburg founder warned Valve that they were breaking their patents. So it's Valve stupidity that caused everything.

"Valve's intentional disregard of its infringement is at the heart of this case," Ironburg lawyer Robert Becker of Manatt Phelps & Phillips LLP told the jury over Zoom.

"Valve did know that its conduct involved an unreasonable risk of infringement, but it simply proceeded to infringe anyway — the classic David and Goliath story: Goliath does what Goliath wants to do," Becker said.

In early 2014, shortly after finding out that the patent at the heart of the trial was going to be granted, SCUF CEO Duncan Ironmonger saw Valve's Steam Controller prototype at the premier CES trade show.

Concerned by the Steam Controller's incorporation of rear-side controls, Ironmonger informed Valve staffers at the show about the soon-to-issue patent, and then wrote a letter to Valve that March, explaining Ironburg's belief that the rear controls were an infringement of a patent with which "Ironburg really created a new category of controllers," Becker said.

https://www.law360.com/ip/articles/1348495/video-game-giant-ripped-off-controller-patent-jury-hears?nl_pk=f0f98c0e-f8e3-43c5-83c7-f31e672823db&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ip

Origineel geplaatst door muckymucks:

Valve doesn't have a good track record for hardware. I look forward to buying it for $5 when it crashes and burns like the Steam Link and Steam controller.

Hardware wise nothing good came out of it but software wise a lot came out of it such has -

Steam Machine = Big picture mode, Family sharing (?)
Steam Controller = Steam input
Steam Link = A software version for steam link.

Then there is proton and countless contributions towards open sources projects like MoltenVK, DXVK & so on.