Point of The Steam Box?

[Gary]

I was just wondering if someone could help explain to me what the point of The Steam Box is intended to be?

As it is, you can connect your computer via HDMI to your TV and use Big Picture and a gaming controller to do exactly what The Steam Box will do but without spending all the extra money on it.

It's just a question that's been eating away at me. Is the intention to just have a system that you know will work 100% with all games for it? Because if that's the case, there's no point when you already have a high end gaming computer...

[awesomepossum]

to kick microsoft in the balls.

[_I_]

Publicado originalmente por wallabi:

to kick microsoft in the balls.

this

[ChrisW]

A lot of people either don't know how to put together their own gaming computer or don't want to take the time to do it. This makes it easier for such people, especially those that only know how to work a console.

[Toasty]

Not to mention the vast amount of games and the frequent sales on Steam. I personally game on PC, my son, who also uses my account, plays most of his games on consoles. This is a very good way to be able to do both within our household. I, personally, just want to give Valve my money.

[James]

I was wondering this same question. It does seem easier and cheaper to buy an hdmi cable and hook up your pc to your big screen than to buy a "SteamBox" that will only run steam. Valve themselves said it would be a tightly controlled piece of hardware (which i find humorous since they're accusing Microsoft of becoming too controlling of Windows) so I'm not really sure how many of these things they will sell. I'm sure the Linux devotees will snatch it up but that's about it. Plus, next gen consoles are right around the corner so that's another hurdle. You never know though, people are unpredictable lol.....

[actiarn]

Publicado originalmente por Posthumos1:

I, personally, just want to give Valve my money.

This =p

I think one thing I am most excited for and really hoping to see is how the do it. Just imagine releasing a system where all the games you own on steam (that are controller enabled as well) you can download straight to the steambox in the comfort of your couch, recliner, floor, whatever. If they manage to do that where I can spend so much on the Steam box and already have a huge library of games for my system, I may poop. Also may just be the happiest man alive.

[rotNdude]

The Steam box is vaporware at this point. So as far as I'm concerned, it's just a topic of discussion to keep the Valve name alive and well.

[_I_]

id like to see if steam can be ported to a raspberry pi

[Sammich Lord]

Publicado originalmente por _I_:

id like to see if steam can be ported to a raspberry pi

There is a open beta for Steam on Linux. If the RPi has good enough specs then it SHOULD work already.

[H3X]

Publicado originalmente por _I_:

Publicado originalmente por wallabi:

to kick microsoft in the balls.

this

lol. If there is a steam box my money's on valve to win the popularity contest there ;)
But in answer to OP, it'd be the convenience of a console system with the functionality of steam's store and online features i'd guess. And that sounds like a winner to me

[KKiONI]

Steam Box technically isn't even confirmed yet. It all stemmed from rumours in early 2012 followed by an interview where they mentioned "PC Packages". The latter can mean anything from an install disc to a controller (which is more likely as Valve filed patents for one last year) to, what seems to be the typical assumption, a full fledged PC platform.

Nevertheless, it is known that they are intending to compete with the console market, which I am certainly glad for. Xbox likes to spam paying customers with obnoxious ads and Nintendo hasn't totally got it yet. Sony seems to be the only company in the console market that I don't have any opposing thoughts towards (take it, I don't own a PS3). We need more companies in the console market that have their head straight.

tl;dr version: Steam Box isn't confirmed, but the point of this TV-friendly direction is to compete with the console market.

[actiarn]

You do know the steambox was officially confirmed, right?

http://www.gizmag.com/steam-box-confirmed/25378/

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-12/09/valve-steam-box

a couple of links confirming.

[actiarn]

Just in case you don't think those are enough sources, let me throw a few more in for you.

http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/42173/gabe-newell-confirms-the-steam-box-is-on-the-way

http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/8/3744314/gabe-newell-valve-console-living-room-steam-box

It was confirmed early December. With from what it looks like a projected release in 2013.

[KKiONI]

That is the quote I am referring to. All these articles refer to the interview where Gabe Newell mentions "PC packages", which is quite ambiguous. I saw the full original quote and I see it as the writers trying to put two and two together.
Maybe it might end up being a full fledged PC configuration, but what I am trying to get at is Valve has not publicly stated they will be producing their own PC hardware.

[Gary]

Well, the only explanation that makes any sense that I can find is that it's for the people that don't already own high(enough) end PCs and are only interested in consoles.

The only thing that then confuses me is this:
How many people that don't own a PC capable of gaming even know what Steam is?
If this is the demographic they're going for, they're not going to buy something from this mysterious "Steam" company they've never heard of and will instead go for their beloved Xboxes and Playstations.

Just seems like a push for Steam to get into hardware one way or another. Hope it works out for them...