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[Tallshortman]

Upgrades are cheap vs. free.
K.

You were using OS price as a response to someone saying drivers and some support on linux is not nearly as seamless/easy as it is on windows. I never said cheap is better than free, I said that the price isn't going to make steam OS the OS of choice among steam users. But yes please keep making one line statements aimed at arguments no one is even making.

 

[Radec]

I hope Valve games wont require SteamOS in the future.

 

[-tetsuo-]

Why is this exciting?

I'm trying to understand as well. Like I was saying in a chat with my friends though, I remember feeling even worse about Steam when it was first announced.

HL3 to run only on Steam OS.

Probably the worst thing they could do.

 

[Hari Seldon]

I hope so. This is one of the main problems of Linux to me. Even on the most 'user-friendly' distributions, things break and sometimes require subtle command-line trickery to work.

Yeah. Ubuntu is still very shitty for a newbie user. If a company was working on Linux with a focus on a pleb gamer userbase, rather than a hacker userbase, perhaps some progress in Linux usability can be made.

 

[Caronte]

I mean this is what every console is. PC with "that" on it.

The experience is very different.

 

[S0N0S]

SteamOS isn't the platform.

SteamBox isn't the platfom.

Steam itself is the platform. There will be no exclusives tied to a specific flavour of it (excluding games from developers who don't develop for Mac/Linux, obviously).

Exactly. SteamOS is free. Even if, going forward, Valve games are "exclusive" to SteamOS, it won't matter. Steam could simply run a virtual SteamOS so that you can run HL3 on Windows/Linux/Mac.

 

[maabus1999]

Unless someone actually builds a HTPC, I see no use outside of this save for a streaming box (which is a great idea if its cheap like Vita TV!). Most people do not have the patience or know-how to "cleanly" run HDMI or other cables through their houses' infrastructure, so streaming is a great addition IMO.

If anyone makes a dedicated PC with this OS, then they have way too much money and space to spare Really niche in the dedicated PC space.

 

[Visualante2]

Exactly my reaction. Seems totally pointless. Honestly can't tell whos being serious in this thread about SteamOS somehow scaring Microsoft at all.

Microsoft's goal was to get their operating system into the living room. They're finally realising it with the Xbone which has had a turbulent launch. Valve goal is the same, to get their operating system platform into the living room. So while Microsoft might not be worried about losing their Halo audience.. there is a threat that their competitors (Valve, Google, Apple and others) will gain ground just like Android sprung up out of nowhere and killed it. Valve is offering the Android of the living room.

 

[Threi]

Yooooooo count me the fuck in

 

[Derrick01]

youre talking but youre not saying anything of substance

I think the comparison fits in a way. When I think about crystal pepsi I think about something that was useless and almost no one wanted when it came out. It's a similar feeling I'm getting with this.

But who knows? When Steam came out I'm sure there were plenty of similar feelings.

 

[c0de]

Why? SteamOS is free, any computer that can run windows\os x could run it as well. Do you lose respect for Sony every time they don't launch a game on Xbox?

Able to boot an operating system and having a great performance with an os are totally different things.

 

[Beerman462]

I wanna try in home streaming

 

[test_account]

Why is this exciting?

The only thing i can see is that maybe this will lead to more publishers/developers making a Linux version of their PC games as well. Other than that, i dont see anything special about this. I assume that simply using any Linux distro + Steam would give the same functionalities anyway.

 

[SparkTR]

Seems pretty useless to me, why would someone buy a second computer to play PC games on TV ?

This is for people who don't own any gaming PC, or want to play their PC games on their TV. For example, I already have a gaming PC, but I'd definitely get a $100 SteamOS streaming machine for the livingroom.

 

[Betta Lines]

The number of times I've heard Gaben mention 'thermal and noise issues' recently tells me they've been hard at work developing a very tidy console that will sit comfortably next to an Xbox One or PS4.

 

[chubigans]

I'm surprised that people can't figure out what applications this could have.

Just for starters: Samsung is very aggressive about building in new features to its existing TVs. They were early adopters of Android. They seem like a plausible candidate.

Regardless of who does what, the point is that the definition of "living room machine" is purposefully broad. Over time, this could mean a wide variety of devices connecting in a wide variety of ways, and a large number of them can add SteamOS in for free.

Obviously companies like Sony and Microsoft aren't likely to be interested, but other electronics manufacturers without strongly competing business interest might be.

Indeed. I mean, with the way Windows is heading it's good to have a fallback plan if MS ever decided to have a closed system.

 

[BigTnaples]

Whoah.

 

[Opiate]

So I do not really see an advantage to this over what I do now, other than changing my OS. I still have to deal with patches, hardware, non-compatibility, different specs between players, etc.

In addition I have to pass up the maturity of windoze drivers.

I need to see/hear more.

If you are like me the answer is "very little advantage." I already have an HTPC.

If in 2017 Steam is simply built in to my next TV purchase, my priorities might start changing.

 

[Anustart]

Yeah, we did this in our house too.

Oh my, me likey!

 

[Prophet Steve]

The only thing i can see is that maybe this will lead to more publishers/developers making a Linux version of their PC games as well. Other than that, i dont see anything special about this. I assume that simply using any Linux distro + Steam would give the same functionalities anyway.

Better performance, probably more user friendly and the last thing is what is the entire point of this when combined with the Steambox.

 

[EVIL]

.....a new challenger enters the ring....this sound good and if anyone could pull it off...its steam, it not forcing anyone to switch and the merits of the OS itself will sell the livingroom OS part. If games run even better on SteamOS ...its over im in cause you can build your own livingroom part im sure or buy a premade one..hell any of us taht can build m-atx or itx stuff could do it i bet , i wonder how they will handle people wanting to build a steam box?

1. Build box based on a few requirements like Wi-Fi.
2. Install steam OS
3. Enjoy

 

[driver116]

Obviously companies like Sony and Microsoft aren't likely to be interested, but other electronics manufacturers without strongly competing business interest might be.

Sony VAIO S with SteamOS pre-installed - sounds sexy.

 

[c0de]

The analogy I'm thinking of here is Android is to IOS as Steam OS is to Windows. Basically PC vendors can now sell hardware without the windows royalty fee.

"now"? Welcome to the internet! They always could...

 

[zewone]

This is disappointing if SteamBox ends up just being a small streaming device.

 

[Lingitiz]

I'm surprised that people can't figure out what applications this could have.

Just for starters: Samsung is very aggressive about building in new features to its existing TVs. They were early adopters of Android. They seem like a plausible candidate.

Regardless of who does what, the point is that the definition of "living room machine" is purposefully broad. Over time, this could mean a wide variety of devices connecting in a wide variety of ways, and a large number of them can add SteamOS in for free.

Obviously companies like Sony and Microsoft aren't likely to be interested, but other electronics manufacturers without strongly competing business interest might be.

Yeah on and top of that, they note in the press release that:

"SteamOS will be available soon as a free download for users and as a freely licensable operating system for manufacturers. Stay tuned in the coming days for more information."

Valve will surely make their own hardware, but there are opportunities here to invigorate the PC market with other manufacturers considering the OS is totally free.

 

[Haint]

Why would I want this? There's nothing deficient in Win7 for HTPC gaming. I don't see the point.

It's theoretically about $100 cheaper and heads off the purported Death of the Desktop to take place with Windows 9+. Windows 7/8 aren't going to be supported or purchasable forever.

 

[eot]

Eh, sorry, if I want linux I can already install it. Don't see what the big deal is.
Get back to me when my entire Steam library runs on this thing i.e. never.

 

[pixlexic]

I don't get the naysayers really.

They are giving us the opportunity to have a open build what you want gaming system.

It's like if you could take a Xbox and add a Titan gpu to it.

You guys are getting too hung up on the replacing windows bit.

 

[Of All Trades]

If Announcement 2 is hardware then Announcement 3 critically needs to be that Valve has sunk $100M into a brand new customer service facility because I have a hard time thinking of a major tech company worse at customer service than Valve.

 

[Felix Lighter]

HL3 to run only on Steam OS.

I don't think Valve is going to put a ton of effort into ripping existing Steam user from Windows. They want more Steam users, not necessarily more SteamOS users.

 

[atbigelow]

Good move by Valve and it makes a lot of sense. Valve is trying to push Linux gaming with the help of Steam. But in a world dominated by Windows, it's simpler for the end user to just "install a different Windows" that then just gives them games.

For power users who still want a typical desktop on Linux, you can still install Steam for Linux. A large chunk of the developments made for Steam OS will benefit desktop Linux users.

And streaming? Good move for those people who don't want to go "all in" with a Linux gaming rig. Keep your old Windows box with games and stream them to a different Steam OS box.

This obviously has zero benefit for gamers who want to stick with Windows. But for those who want to try something else and expand in a different direction, you can reap the rewards from multiple angles.

All in all, a good move for gamers and a long play by Valve.

 

[Einbroch]

That's...nice?

This seems pretty pointless. Much like family sharing. Like, it's nice and all, but it's either limited or has limited use.

Don't see how this is going to transform anything. Developers are still going to make games for Windows, and unless SteamOS leads to massive increases in performance, I don't see most gamers switching back and forth between operating systems.

Will wait and see, but so far, not impressed or even interested at all.

 

[Ganondolf]

can someone explain to me what is good about this?

a Linux based OS to put on my windows pc? why not just use windows which has a lot of other no-gaming benefits?

and I can stream my pc (laptop) to me tv already and use hdmi if needed so whats the benefits?

im confused why people are excited (maybe im missing something important).

 

[Starbuck2907]

I think a lot of you are underestimating the importance of this announcement.

For one, it keeps Microsoft on notice... any attempt to "lock down" Windows and block 3rd party stores such as Steam will result in increased support of alternative OSs. Valve has produced Steam OS as one clear response to Microsoft's move toward a less open platform. This is good for competition.

Second, Valve is actively working to with developers to port more Windows titles over to SteamOS with native support. Did anyone notice this:

Hundreds of great games are already running natively on SteamOS. Watch for announcements in the coming weeks about all the AAA titles coming natively to SteamOS in 2014. Access the full Steam catalog of over nearly 3000 games and desktop software titles via in-home streaming.

If I remember correctly, they already have a software package developed that helps developers port their games from directX to Linux.

I'm not saying that SteamOS is going to take over the market anytime soon, but the fact that a major corporation is throwing its money into making Linux into a viable OS and helping bring mainstream software, which will apparently include entertain apps like Netflix, Hulu, and who knows what else...this is a big deal, I think.

 

[Teknoman]

Seems pretty useless to me, why would someone buy a second computer to play PC games on TV ?

can someone explain to me what is good about this?

a Linux based OS to put on my windows pc? why not just use windows which has a lot of other no-gaming benefits?

and I can stream my pc (laptop) to me tv already and use hdmi if needed so whats the benefits?

im confused why people are excited (maybe im missing something important).

Its not really useless if you dont want to plunk down an extra 100 bucks for Windows. It doesnt really help those who already have gaming PCs, but if you were going to build an exclusive gaming PC in the future, it would be excellent.

 

[EatChildren]

So, re: my performance interests, this Valve blog was the last we heard from Valve on how running under OpenGL (which SteamOS is sure to use) on Ubuntu instead of DirectX on Windows 7 has a performance gain.

Intel Core i7 3930k
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680
32 GB RAM

Left 4 Dead 2
Win7 DirectX = 270.6 FPS
Linux OpenGL = 315 FPS
Win7 OpenGL = 303.4 FPS
Gain of 44.4 FPS in Linux OpenGL over Win7 DirectX.
Gain of 33 FPS in Win7 OpenGL over Win7 DirectX.

Will be interesting to see what kind of performance difference Source 2 native games have under OpenGL Linux SteamOS versus Win7 DirectX.

 

[CountAntonius]

It would be nice if this streaming technology could come to mobile platforms as a better way to spectate game tournaments.

 

[qa_engineer]

I guess this gives me an excuse to build a new, Sleeker, silent pc

 

[Anteater]

But... I don't use my PC on a TV?
I dislike TVs in general.

Still, great for those who care I guess.

You can always use a monitor

 

[maabus1999]

Microsoft's goal was to get their operating system into the living room. They're finally realising it with the Xbone which has had a turbulent launch. Valve goal is the same, to get their operating system into the living room. So while Microsoft might not be worried about losing their Halo audience.. there is a threat that their competitors (Valve, Google, Apple and others) will gain ground just like Android sprung up out of nowhere and killed it. Valve is offering the Android of the living room.

We have no idea if there are, if any, non-steam game applications to this device, unlike the X1. Adding in more "features" would also put more strain on the OS system, then just a pure "steambox for games."

Again, have to wait and see what Valve is thinking here.

 

[SparkTR]

Windows app store is poison to Steam, less so are competitors like Origin, uPlay, etc.
Its in Valves best interest to lock them out, even with massive effort and expense, that's all this is, not a great gift to gamers.
Still, I'm looking forward to giving it a go, have lots of games in my Linux steam client but performance ain't great.

You can install Origin/Uplay/Desura etc for this if they have Linux versions.

 

[Willectro]

I'm excited for this, but am I the only one who doesn't want to play PC games in the living room? On a tv? I mean, it's a great option for people, but I really hope this isn't Valve's main focus. Although destroying people in CS:GO who are playing on a TV screen with a gamepad sounds appealing.

Is the desktop PC, KB+M, gamer really a dying breed after all?

 

[The Cowboy]

Why? SteamOS is free, any computer that can run windows\os x could run it as well. Do you lose respect for Sony every time they don't launch a game on Xbox?

This would be like a multiphat releasing on PS3 a month of so before the 360 (if both could be released at the same time and it's only being done to promote one system over the other)- and I bloomin hate that.

 

[Ricker]

This is big

It's not...it's a nice option and offers new stuff to play with to people who are into Linux or Ubuntu or whatever,which is about 5% of PC gamers or something for people who dont have a living room machine that they can hook up to their HDTV in the living room for different reasons...

A lot of people have their gaming PC's hooked up via HDMI directly into their HDTV these days with Steam in big picture if they want...this is kinda pointless for people like us.

Let's wait to see the price of the box and how exactly,or what exactly,you can stream with it.

 

[aHebrewMenagerie]

I barely use Steam, so it's basically an OS within an OS on a PC? right?

No Steambox?

There is still 2 announcements to go....

Spoiler

inb4 hl3 is not announced

 

[test_account]

Better performance, probably more user friendly and the last thing is what is the entire point of this when combined with the Steambox.

Any reason why it would be better performance to using another Linux distro + Steam client? More user friendly, i can see that being the case indeed.

 

[maverick40]

So you need your PC on to stream games to your TV? Where is the steam box that is going to make consoles die in a fire?

 

[Ledsen]

Exactly my reaction. Seems totally pointless. Honestly can't tell whos being serious in this thread about SteamOS somehow scaring Microsoft at all.

You're being extremely short-sighted. Valve is in it for the LONG haul. In 10 years, SteamOS might be the leading gaming platform over PS5 and Xbox Two. This won't happen overnight, but the only way it ever can is Valve doing their own thing. This is like Microsoft Windows 1.0. Great things will follow in the decades (not years) to come.

 

[starwarsfan541]

I'm surprised that people can't figure out what applications this could have.

Just for starters: Samsung is very aggressive about building in new features to its existing TVs. They were early adopters of Android. They seem like a plausible candidate.

Regardless of who does what, the point is that the definition of "living room machine" is purposefully broad. Over time, this could mean a wide variety of devices connecting in a wide variety of ways, and a large number of them can add SteamOS in for free.

Obviously companies like Sony and Microsoft aren't likely to be interested, but other electronics manufacturers without strongly competing business interest might be.

Good point.

anyone else wondering if Rome Total War II, Football Manager and Fallout 3 are running natively or streamed?

 

[Proelite]

But over time that could be less and less.

Even if Windows has exactly 0 games being released for it, it'll still be huge.

Gaming benefits way more from going off Windows.