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[GaimeGuy]

Imagine a gaming-centered OS where different engines and configurations can act as hot-swappable system kernels or services.

A game could probably run 10-50% better on the same hardware

 

[Gamesadict]

Back when the first rumors of Steambox were flying around, a lot of people agreed Valve would need their own OS if they wanted to market such a thing with the level of freedom they would need to pull it off.

I wasn't expecting it to happen. The fact that they actually just announced this blew my mind!

Holy shit.

 

[Mihos]

I still can't see anything special in this OS... Its just a linux OS that people will need to install in a computer/htpc and you will still need another high end PC if you want stream windows games.

So GABE want me to buy a new "pc" box just to stream my content from my main computer to this little box... no thank you.

It is meant to be a new open source platform that games will be developed for. There should be no reason those games won't run in most Debian Distributions, Valve just addressed the 'Linux is too hard " portion of the equation and slapped their dick on the table and said lets get this shit started. If the status quo is fine for you then "good news!" nothing is being taken away from you. Windows wants an iTunes store equivilent and will keep pushing to get it... don't think that preasure to put 3rd party software stores out of business is going anywhere, they just haven't found a good way to do it without hurting the developers at the same time.... yet.

It only offers a way to play Windows only games via streaming as a feature, not the core, of what they are trying to do. Like Gakia streaming on PS4 is meant to soften the blow of losing backward compatibility to older PS2/3 games.

 

[maabus1999]

Oh yeah Amazon... that will be interesting too.

This upcoming generation will be a blood bath for some possibly. Way too many competitors. Ouya I think is your first death.

 

[StuBurns]

The fourth steambox is your current PC with SteamOS downloaded and installed for free - no more windows tax. And optimized for gaming, so no more disabling and installing bloatware to claw back memory and performance.

Yep, for the core high-end PC gaming audience on Steam, this is a very useful service. That's what? maybe five million people?

Gabe claimed this was to compete against Apple, who are going to "rolls the consoles guys, easily". The console market is comfortably over a hundred million, so to think SteamBox is going to compete with Apple who are going to thrash that hundred million, who are they selling SteamBox to?

 

[Grief.exe]

On a side note, I'm not really sure why a lot of people are taking this as if streaming would be its primary purpose. It doesn't really sound like that's the case.
It sounds more like streaming is in just as a temporary legacy support for games that will miss a native Linux version.

Temporary being the key word. The writing is on the wall for this one, Valve sees this as a stepping stone.

 

[Tacitus_]

Did you miss the part where I was talking about Microsoft only allowing their curated apps to access new OS features? A few releases like that and you killed the desktop (and open distribution) on Windows for all practical intents and purposes without going out and directly declaring it dead.

They wouldn't be allowed to, since they have a monopoly in the desktop OS space. Not to mention it would piss off their B2B partners hardcore, and that's where a lot of their money comes from.

 

[ignaciogc]

What would people think when the see Assassin's Creed 8 listed as available on PS5, Xbox TWO, and SteamOS**
** SteamOS with level 4+ hardware for medium settings, 5+ for high, 6+ for max. Not compatible with 3 or below.

this was probably a very big issue a long time ago but now with apple and ios thoughts like this are the norm. people are more understanding of this stuff then you think nowadays

But software incompatibility on those cases is very not so obvious, and you can always run a previous version of an app (with very minor feature differences on the older os).

The fact that you can't upgrade to version 2.3.1 of Gmail on your phone and have to use 2.2.9 is not as critical as the fact that your SteamBox can't play a game released a year after you bought it.

Also, a lot of people upgrade phones every couple years because they use them for everything, but won't be so willing to upgrade gaming hardware as much (except for us in this forum).

 

[cyberheater]

So is this the Steam hardware announcement then?

 

[Opiate]

If the streaming is open source then could we see apps for PS4/XB1 which do the streaming?

Sure, if Sony and Microsoft are interesting in facilitating a direct competitor that takes away their own revenue and profit streams.

 

[maabus1999]

If EA wants it on Linux, then yes.

So in reality, no it won't be.

It is hard enough to convince Publishers to go to Mac support. Linux has an even bigger hill to climb, even with Valve support.

 

[Durante]

I doubt they would lock down windows as you describe, I could be wrong in the future, but I seriously doubt they are going to do that. They would lose business.

I'm not saying it's a good move, or that I approve of it (nothing could be further from the truth), but to me (and long-time MS observers) everything points to that direction. Getting ready for that is what any smart company would do, and Valve is a smart company.

 

[Corto]

So is this the Steam hardware announcement then?

No. Just the software backbone. Hardware announcements will follow this week for sure.

 

[UnrealEck]

Holy crap. I said this is what Valve should do to advance and pretty much take control of PC gaming a month or so ago and they've went and did it.

 

[Grief.exe]

So is this the Steam hardware announcement then?

Its the precursor to the hardware announcement, probably coming Friday.

Holy crap. I said this is what Valve should do to advance and pretty much take control of PC gaming a month or so ago and they've went and did it.

Valve has been saying they were going to do exactly this for about a year now. Not really surprising.

 

[scsa]

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!

This made a lot of sense and aided me in understanding what the hell is Valve thinking...

Thanks.

 

[vasametropolis]

So in reality, no it won't be.

It is hard enough to convince Publishers to go to Mac support. Linux has an even bigger hill to climb, even with Valve support.

Well presumably it won't be. That's kind of what I was getting at. They mention they have lots of AAA support they've secured for 2014 though, so we'll have to see who they were able to convince to drink the kool aid.

 

[Sentenza]

Temporary being the key word. The writing is on the wall for this one, Valve sees this as a stepping stone.

Precisely my point.
It sounds clear that their long term ambition is to make Steam OS the native "way to go" for gaming, and not to limit it to a "data streaming receiver".

 

[Louis Cyphre]

Can GAF explain this bit to me? Thanks in advance

Content creators can connect directly to their customers.

Gamers are empowered to join in the creation of the games they love.

This opens up more possibilities not seen on game consoles. Kickstarter games for example often have great dialogue going on during development with investors.

Family Sharing

How about someone on your friends altering your game? Maybe you lend them your game and they customize a car for you to drive?

Users can alter or replace any part of the software or hardware they want.

Lots of potential there. Having constant feedback from the community will allow users to help build and create their own hardware for example.

Yep, for the core high-end PC gaming audience on Steam, this is a very useful service. That's what? maybe five million people?

Gabe claimed this was to compete against Apple, who are going to "rolls the consoles guys, easily". The console market is comfortably over a hundred million, so to think SteamBox is going to compete with Apple who are going to thrash that hundred million, who are they selling SteamBox to?

Steam has over 50 million users.

 

[Grief.exe]

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!

In 5 years, Valve is aiming for complete ARM/OGL compatibility.

Valve labels the use of Linux as a, 'stepping stone for mobile compatibility.'

 

[chadskin]

I wouldn't want to be Microsoft these days.

 

[cyberheater]

No. Just the software backbone. Hardware announcements will follow this week for sure.

Its the precursor to the hardware announcement, probably coming Friday..

Hopefully we will see a full demo of SteamOS then.

 

[Elfforkusu]

I doubt they would lock down windows as you describe, I could be wrong in the future, but I seriously doubt they are going to do that. They would lose business.

They wouldn't be allowed to, since they have a monopoly in the desktop OS space. Not to mention it would piss off their B2B partners hardcore, and that's where a lot of their money comes from.

It has everything to do with computer security. They will absolutely be allowed to lock down permissions based on a curated store, and they absolutely will do it.

Windows' programs have been the wild west and every other OS has already cleaned their act up. Why wouldn't Microsoft do the same thing?

 

[VicDaMoan03]

Where is all the media coverage, interviews etc.?

 

[StuBurns]

I wouldn't want to be Microsoft these days.

With a life long iron clad grip on enterprise for fear of losing a statistically irrelevant number of PC gamers?

 

[ignaciogc]

You could pretty much have gone the whole past gen with only one PC build or two if you didn't require to have the best possible settings (if you only required to play games on 720p mid\low settings, like consoles do). If you waited 1\2 yeas after the consoles release you would have had an even better experience.

The same cannot be said about consoles, most launch xboxes and probably PS3 simply just don't work anymore.

But the prices for those are not even close. A PC that would allow me to play games for this whole generation from start to finish would be huge; more than a day one PS3, and much more than a day one PS4.

I bought a mid-range PC (not for gaming) a couple years ago for about $400, and Dark Souls PC was unplayable, no low settings or anything... so it is not possible to compare the longevity of a console to that of a gaming-rig without breaking the bank.

Tell me how much would I have had to spend on 2007 (or even 2008) on a PC that was able to play GTA5 and look like it does on a PS3/Xbox360 (or the last of us, or any game released today)

Also, I only had to buy one console this generation. Granted, my original PS3 died a year and a half in, but the $60 extended warranty covered it, and got a new one for free that still works today. Where is the $60 warranty when my graphics card / hard drive / etc craps out, or won't play games at all because it doesn't meet minimum specs?

I'm not saying PC gaming is not viable, I'm saying Valve might have issues marketing SteamOS devices to a wide audience... and PC gamers already have high end PCs, and won't buy a whole new system for a few years, and not 90% of their Library is playable on it.

 

[MickeyKnox]

I'm not saying it's a good move, or that I approve of it (nothing could be further from the truth), but to me (and long-time MS observers) everything points to that direction. Getting ready for that is what any smart company would do, and Valve is a smart company.

Absolutely agree, you lose nothing by packing a chute and I feel much better having it should the need arise.

 

[vasametropolis]

With a life long iron clad grip on enterprise for fear of losing a statistically irrelevant number of PC gamers?

This is a good point, but I'm fairly certain Enterprise folk weren't super psyched about Windows 8.

 

[Zombie James]

Where is all the media coverage, interviews etc.?

https://www.google.ca/search?q="steamos"&num=20&source=lnms&tbm=nws

 

[Cymbal Head]

I wonder if the streaming capability would work with a raspberry pi. Now that would be a cheap way to game away from the desk!

This was the first thing that popped into my head, as well, but (and someone can correct me if I'm wrong) wouldn't that require a separate flavor of SteamOS made to run on ARM processors?

 

[Proelite]

With a life long iron clad grip on enterprise for fear of losing a statistically irrelevant number of PC gamers?

OEM licensing makes them billions each year.

 

[watership]

Do we know how open this OS will be? Can we install anything we want?

I just laughed out loud for real.

 

[UnrealEck]

Valve has been saying they were going to do exactly this for about a year now. Not really surprising.

Creating a fully standalone gaming centered OS?
I wasn't aware so I'm still giving myself kudos.

 

[Juz]

Sounds cool.

 

[StuBurns]

OEM licensing makes them billions each year.

And will continue to. Do you think Dell and HP are going SteamOS?

 

[todahawk]

First person on a forum to make the joke towards me

Sorry man, couldn't fight the compulsion.

 

[Schweinehund]

Pretty cool news.

I'm speculating they're going to send out streaming beta hardware kits to users ala Vita/Apple TV.

I really need to pick up a second sata drive.

 

[Orayn]

I just laughed out loud for real.

I wouldn't just yet. Gabe has said that the SteamBox would definitely be compatible with competitors' services like PCs are now. Linux hampers that a bit, yeah, but I could see it allowing people to sideload other stuff like Android.

 

[Grief.exe]

Creating a fully standalone gaming centered OS?
I wasn't aware so I'm still giving myself kudos.

lol you keep that positive attitude!

 

[Durante]

It has everything to do with computer security.

No, it has everything to do with getting 30% off of every transaction.

Windows' programs have been the wild west and every other OS has already cleaned their act up.

The only generally used OS which does not allow people to download and install any program (with at most requiring a simple option change before that) is iOS. And of course Metro.

Why wouldn't Microsoft do the same thing?

If they are smart? Because they realize that openness wins in the end in the computer space -- look at Android, or how Microsoft themselves defeated the previous incumbents.

 

[The Cowboy]

I want to know what Valve's significant performance increases are.

Are they things like 300 fps in Windows vs 330 fps in SteamOS (basically pointless) or is it say 40 fps in Windows vs 60 fps in SteamOS (which would be quite big).

 

[Iacobellis]

Could this potentially cause the PC gaming market to switch to Linux? I mean, it would most likely be really beneficial to console gamers because of OpenGL support.

 

[terrisus]

Steam has a working offline mode. Anything that you can't play offline is because of the publisher, not Valve.

But they all require the Steam client to be running, and require you to go online periodically to verify with Valve.

If I wanted, after the initial activation, I could keep Windows permanently offline forever and it would work just fine.

You mean the fully working no limit offline mode? Ok. Or do you mean the optional DRM that is left to the publisher? Oh yea.

It's not "no limit," it requires you to check back in with them periodically. And, access to virtually everything is controlled by their DRM client.

 

[Maztorre]

Can GAF explain this bit to me? Thanks in advance

Valve's belief is that players who participate in Steam are inherently creating value for others, and the more players there are the more potential value is created. "Value" is defined by the various ways players improve the experience for others, through tutorials, entertaining youtube videos/machinima, mods, custom assets like character models/sounds, community support of esports, or simply playing well or helping others in-game. To this end, they have constantly built in support into Steam to make it easier for the community to reward those who contribute "value". This includes initiatives such as:

The Workshop (a community-driven system to publish and rate community mods/user generated content for Valve and 3rd party games)

The Dota 2/TF2/Counter-Strike: GO stores (which financially reward community contributed items/maps that are voted for and accepted for use in game)

Greenlight (community-sourced game submissions for indies to get into the Steam store)

The opportunity for mod creators to nominate community members for a split of sales (if you have an item accepted for Dota 2 for example, you can nominate a percentage of Valve's cut of the sale to go to certain tutorial writers, community members, freeware developers, etc who have helped that particular community).

Valve are highly profitable as a result of being on the bleeding edge of monetising user-generated content, and they believe that they will continue to grow and be profitable if they keep pushing towards open platforms that allow user created content, rather than walled gardens that are largely designed around content consumption with little or no content creation.

 

[Grief.exe]

Antonio Banderas gif for a new generation

Good lord. This is great. It's going to derail the thread just like the banderas-ps4-inception one a couple weeks ago?? Maybe...

Nope!

 

[chadskin]

And will continue to. Do you think Dell and HP are going SteamOS?

We'll see what SteamOS actually is but Linux? Sure, why not? It's free for all the OEMs unlike Windows.

 

[kitsuneyo]

So late here that my comment is basically worthless, but this sounds cool

Hope I can build a HTPC using Steam OS.

 

[MaximoffZero]

This upcoming generation will be a blood bath.

Yup. This gen's going to be absolute chaos, with lots of games and systems trying and failing. Many employers at the developers, publishers, and manufacturers will lose their jobs. Opportunities will be lost, dreams will be crushed.

...I'm getting the popcorn.

 

[ichtyander]

Not sure I'm really clear on this, and I see TucoBenedictoPacifico has raised the same issue - people here are mostly saying the primary purpose of SteamOS is to stream games from a Windows PC? I thought this is just one of the features, or am I mistaken?

Is there a realistic possibility that they've made a greater breakthrough in running Windows games on Linux, a special virtualization environment and such? Genuinely curious.

 

[Durante]

And will continue to. Do you think Dell and HP are going SteamOS?

I can absolutely see Dell selling SteamOS boxes under the Alienware brand.