I really don't get what's so confusing about any of this. It seems fairly obvious to me.
It's a Linux distribution that
1) Will run on Steambox (Or Steamboxes)
2) Can be used by manufacturers of HTPCs (which will also incidentally make their products ~80 USD cheaper than were they running Windows)
3) Can be integrated into future consumer electronics, e.g. TVs.
4) Can be installed by anyone on their PC, if they want to.
It serves to broaden the Steam userbase, and is complementary to the PC (Windows, OSX, Linux) Steam client.
As someone with a PC connected to all his display devices I'm not particularly interested, but I'm also not "confused".
We have a winner!
You just provided the solution to the problems this announcement has brought up.
Serious question: Why would I get this if I could just plug my computer with an HDMI cable in the TV?
This is such a terrible idea.
It's either for people who don't already PC game, and would sooner buy a console if they wanted to dip their toe in, or it's for Valve fans who don't need it, and would never choose what is basically a console with a gamepad over a new PC.
Who is this box for? Not non-gamers, not PC gamers, not console gamers. There's no one else left.
X isn't the problem here. Even with X, most 3D apps perform exceptionally well on Linux.
This will be a such a disaster; Linux is simply dead.
Gabe said this thing would wipe out console gaming, I expected something a little grander than the hope Microsoft explodes in the next decade.It's planning for the future. Freeing their business from almost 100% complete reliance on Microsoft's operating system. You game on a Windows PC and you use Steam? Cool, you're Valve's customer already.
In 2 years, affordable PC hardware out performs the game consoles and a solid library has been built, Steambox looks very appealing to console gamers.
In 5 years, Windows goes in a direction that makes running a business like Steam very difficult? Thank god Valve laid the ground work years ago for a shift to a new operating system for gaming!
Apple have an army of fans loyal to the Apple brand, Valve have fans who are loyal to PC gaming. They're not going to buy a device they don't need because it's pretty.Who is this piece of garbage for? I already have a phone for mobile applications, and if I want more power and a bigger screen then I have a laptop. I'm never going to buy this.
Apple is going to look like idiots.
I have to agree this sentiment. I think a lot of Steam fans are a little too quick to follow Valve and think everything they touch will be a major success.We have a winner!
You just provided the solution to the problems this announcement has brought up.
Because it is the dominant product, because it delivers the least headaches for most people, plenty of reasons.
I have a library of non-Steam games? Unless Steam OS will somehow support all games made for Windows ever.
I really don't get what's so confusing about any of this. It seems fairly obvious to me.
It's a Linux distribution that
1) Will run on Steambox (Or Steamboxes)
2) Can be used by manufacturers of HTPCs (which will also incidentally make their products ~80 USD cheaper than were they running Windows)
3) Can be integrated into future consumer electronics, e.g. TVs.
4) Can be installed by anyone on their PC, if they want to.
It serves to broaden the Steam userbase, and is complementary to the PC (Windows, OSX, Linux) Steam client.
As someone with a PC connected to all his display devices I'm not particularly interested, but I'm also not "confused".
I am currently typing this response in to a Linux based phone on to a forum hosted on a Linux based server.
X isn't the problem here. Even with X, most 3D apps perform exceptionally well on Linux.
I am currently typing this response in to a Linux based phone on to a forum hosted on a Linux based server.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have no idea what's going.
Honestly, if they wanted to push Linux gaming, this was THE perfect way to do it.
PS4 running on Linux and a SteamOS running on Linux = a giant surge in Linux based gaming.
Not if we end up with exclusive native steamOS... and then again, it begs the question whats the point of the device other than a streaming box?
Totally agree. If anything as others have said I could see this fragmenting/confusing the PC market even further, NOT moving it forward.
Definitely going to be Steam OS + Wii U this gen for me (after Wii60 last gen)
... SteamU? WiiOS? Steamii U?
The Steam program is a buggy piece of shit on my computer. I don't even want to imagine how shitty this OS is going to be. I don't see the point of this if you already own a gaming PC besides the streaming to TV thing and I won't be interested if its more than $199.
They will be less confused when they see the Steambox in 2 days.I don't know why people are getting so hung up over the streaming feature. It's a feature, a nice one, but not the sole reason why you'd want the steam OS.
You thinking of this as only a replacement for people who currently play PC games.
That is leaving out a tremendous amount of potential.
This could bring in the console crowd to pc gaming by making it cheaper and easier for them.
I will easily be making/buying steam boxes for all of my family .. My nephews would love it.
Android is not a community project; do people really believe Valve has even a fraction of the resources that google has for OS development?I am currently typing this response in to a Linux based phone on to a forum hosted on a Linux based server.
I really don't get what's so confusing about any of this. It seems fairly obvious to me.
It's a Linux distribution that
1) Will run on Steambox (Or Steamboxes)
2) Can be used by manufacturers of HTPCs (which will also incidentally make their products ~80 USD cheaper than were they running Windows)
3) Can be integrated into future consumer electronics, e.g. TVs.
4) Can be installed by anyone on their PC, if they want to.
It serves to broaden the Steam userbase, and is complementary to the PC (Windows, OSX, Linux) Steam client.
As someone with a PC connected to all his display devices I'm not particularly interested, but I'm also not "confused".
As an older gamer I feel I can explain this one pretty well.Serious question: Why would I get this if I could just plug my computer with an HDMI cable in the TV?
I have to agree this sentiment. I think a lot of Steam fans are a little too quick to follow Valve and think everything they touch will be a major success.
So it's Linux with a Steam skin?
My HTPC is ready
The Steam program is a buggy piece of shit on my computer. I don't even want to imagine how shitty this OS is going to be. I don't see the point of this if you already own a gaming PC besides the streaming to TV thing and I won't be interested if its more than $199.
Yeah, this is definitely going to be a boon for PC Gamers.
For us console gamers, it's kinda irrelevant for us. Still cool, though.
Just turn on your existing computer and run Steam as you always have - then your SteamOS machine can stream those games over your home network straight to your TV!
I love the idea of a steam box, especially for the streaming solutions. I just don't see the appeal to people not already involved in PC gaming.
I tried to get Linux to work on my pc before.
I am incredibly stupid.
Didnt work for me.
Serious question: Why would I get this if I could just plug my computer with an HDMI cable in the TV?
I have a nice desktop Windows PC and another weaker dedicated media center PC. I have far too many games to drop Windows entirely. That said, I could see myself dual-booting to SteamOS to play a new game if it runs significantly better (not just a few frames better) than in Windows. Valve will need to court big names, not just "indie" stuff, and they seem to know this. Games supported will make or break this.
IS it though? All major community applications are several years behind their alternatives on Windows and Mac. Kernel is behind the trend even more.