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[PC Gamer] The Steam Deck 2 doesn't need to happen because Valve will win either way (though I hope it does)

LectureMaster

Gold Member



mmdbL3LgZWp667Azmq32TC-1200-80.jpg.webp

The launch of the Steam Deck ushered handheld gaming PCs into the mainstream, and naturally, Steam is the gaming platform you will download first. Heroic makes the Epic Game Store a bit (or should I say 'a lot'?) nicer but it's not as good or as popular as Valve's storefront.

Not only is Lenovo working on a Steam OS handheld with support from Valve but Asus is too. However, putting Steam OS on handheld gaming PCs doesn't feel like the final play for Valve at the end of the day. It's an option for devices, and getting out-of-the-box support without having to fiddle with any settings is certainly a nice option.

To understand what Valve is really doing here, you have to think of the big picture. I don't mean that metaphorically, I'm talking about Big Picture mode, Valve's interface intended to make controller navigation easier. Big Picture has gotten much better over the last few years, with cleaner and more specific search tools, a UI overhaul, and an easier-to-navigate storefront. Even Windows handhelds can function like a Steam OS handheld if you set Steam to automatically open Big Picture mode when you turn it on. It takes a little longer to boot up than a Steam OS native device but it's a very similar end experience once you do.

With the Steam Deck, Valve did two major things that will centre Steam at the front of the handheld PC conversation. First, as a proof of concept in the field, the Steam Deck proved that handheld gaming PCs are worth your time and money. There's a reason so many major companies followed suit after the successful launch of Steam Deck. It's likely that these companies were already exploring how to make it happen, and the release of more advanced APUs certainly helped but the near-instantaneous popularity of the Steam Deck showed potential developers that it's worth the resources necessary to develop devices.

Secondly, making Steam as accessible as possible by removing almost all barriers to entry with its software meant that you never had to choose between Steam or Windows. The same is true of Steam OS. Opening it up to a broader market gives users the option to choose how they play. Valve has become ubiquitous with handheld gaming PCs and, as a result, it has already won.

The Steam Deck 2 could be a bit of a risk if not considered properly. The market has gotten bigger and much more impressive since 2022. The Steam Deck 2 being a smooth experience with good ergonomics isn't a nice surprise as a first attempt like the first machine, it's the bare minimum. And now, as plenty of big players like Asus and Lenovo get to the market, the Steam Deck 2 needs to outperform or outprice its competition by a great enough margin to convince prospective buyers to pick it up.

The Steam Deck's success made handheld PC gaming relevant, and Valve never really needs to put out the Steam Deck 2 to continue benefiting from its role in the market, even though I really want one anyway. The market saw a shakeup right after the launch of the Steam Deck and there's room to do the same with the second one, whatever form that may take. Maybe give us Half-Life 3 first though.

 

BennyBlanco

aka IMurRIVAL69
source:
PC gamer.

PC gamer thinks a PC centric company is going to win. I'm shocked.

console(platform warring) is good and alive


3-5 Million is not mainstream. everything below that statement is irrelevant


I don’t understand what you’re even disagreeing with in the OP. They’re saying Valve won by making the blueprint for these machines, and all the laptop companies making new machines will just drive more business to Steam.
 

Sorcerer

Member



mmdbL3LgZWp667Azmq32TC-1200-80.jpg.webp

The launch of the Steam Deck ushered handheld gaming PCs into the mainstream, and naturally, Steam is the gaming platform you will download first. Heroic makes the Epic Game Store a bit (or should I say 'a lot'?) nicer but it's not as good or as popular as Valve's storefront.

Not only is Lenovo working on a Steam OS handheld with support from Valve but Asus is too. However, putting Steam OS on handheld gaming PCs doesn't feel like the final play for Valve at the end of the day. It's an option for devices, and getting out-of-the-box support without having to fiddle with any settings is certainly a nice option.

To understand what Valve is really doing here, you have to think of the big picture. I don't mean that metaphorically, I'm talking about Big Picture mode, Valve's interface intended to make controller navigation easier. Big Picture has gotten much better over the last few years, with cleaner and more specific search tools, a UI overhaul, and an easier-to-navigate storefront. Even Windows handhelds can function like a Steam OS handheld if you set Steam to automatically open Big Picture mode when you turn it on. It takes a little longer to boot up than a Steam OS native device but it's a very similar end experience once you do.

With the Steam Deck, Valve did two major things that will centre Steam at the front of the handheld PC conversation. First, as a proof of concept in the field, the Steam Deck proved that handheld gaming PCs are worth your time and money. There's a reason so many major companies followed suit after the successful launch of Steam Deck. It's likely that these companies were already exploring how to make it happen, and the release of more advanced APUs certainly helped but the near-instantaneous popularity of the Steam Deck showed potential developers that it's worth the resources necessary to develop devices.

Secondly, making Steam as accessible as possible by removing almost all barriers to entry with its software meant that you never had to choose between Steam or Windows. The same is true of Steam OS. Opening it up to a broader market gives users the option to choose how they play. Valve has become ubiquitous with handheld gaming PCs and, as a result, it has already won.

The Steam Deck 2 could be a bit of a risk if not considered properly. The market has gotten bigger and much more impressive since 2022. The Steam Deck 2 being a smooth experience with good ergonomics isn't a nice surprise as a first attempt like the first machine, it's the bare minimum. And now, as plenty of big players like Asus and Lenovo get to the market, the Steam Deck 2 needs to outperform or outprice its competition by a great enough margin to convince prospective buyers to pick it up.

The Steam Deck's success made handheld PC gaming relevant, and Valve never really needs to put out the Steam Deck 2 to continue benefiting from its role in the market, even though I really want one anyway. The market saw a shakeup right after the launch of the Steam Deck and there's room to do the same with the second one, whatever form that may take. Maybe give us Half-Life 3 first though.

I think this was the plan all along. Get the ball rolling with the Steam Deck, let others make there own version. Valve makes money hand over fist because of the store, no need to make hardware anymore. What would be the point of a reference machine in this case?
My only concern is that these devices with Steam branding seem incomplete. I have the Hori controller but there are no trackpads. The Lenovo has one tiny trackpad. I would have figured if a device has a Steam Logo it should be feature complete.
I guess if Freemont ever comes out (the console) it will just be to demonstrate that there is interest in the device and others will make their own versions soon thereafter, much like the Steam Deck.
If Valve gives up the hardware side, I hope we can get some proper modern Steam Controllers at least.
 
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The time honored strategy of resting on your laurels.

Never fails.


(Has Big Picture really gotten better of the last few years, in most people's opinion? The only aspect of it I use is the controller configuration and the updated UI for that is terrible)
 

Fess

Member
the article is just dumb.

It's like saying that Nintendo will win the "Nintendo handheld market"
PC isn’t just Steam, it’s just the biggest store front and launcher.
In the PC handheld space there has been a gazillion of Windows handhelds. Valve will win because in the end everybody wants Steam no matter the OS and now we’re seeing SteamOS devices from the other hardware manufacturers too.
 
PC isn’t just Steam, it’s just the biggest store front and launcher.
In the PC handheld space there has been a gazillion of Windows handhelds. Valve will win because in the end everybody wants Steam no matter the OS and now we’re seeing SteamOS devices from the other hardware manufacturers too



you never had to choose between Steam or Windows.
Valve has become ubiquitous with handheld gaming PCs and, as a result, it has already won.
Steam is the gaming platform you will download first


Saying PC gaming isn't just Steam is like saying that in a steakhouse, they don't only sell steak cuts.
 

Fess

Member
Saying PC gaming isn't just Steam is like saying that in a steakhouse, they don't only sell steak cuts.
Fair enough I’ll agree on that, Steam is what most will use on PC, but it’s not like you said comparing to Nintendo winning in the Nintendo handheld space. And as someone reminded me earlier, Fortnite is on Epic, Minecraft have it’s own launcher.
Not sure about this but on a SteamOS device I think you might be stuck with only Steam though. I know you can’t add Gamepass games at least.
 
So a PC magazine runs an op-ed piece about how Steam is going to dominate all opposition That's nice. And it carries about as much weight as Official PlayStation Magazine in its time declaring PlayStation to be the end all of gaming.

Valve is the most powerful player by a long mile in the PC space and is in no danger of giving up any ground. Who are their competitors? GoG? EGS? Microsoft? They're already at the top of the heap. Introducing specific, targeted hardware like the SteamDeck certainly isn't going to set them back or somehow bring them less customers.

This article isn't even dumb. It's masturbation in printed form, a puff piece for Valve. Writing that Valve is a huge player in the PC space and will only get bigger is like publishing an article in Scientific America on the revelation that water is, in fact, quite wet and the more you get on you the wetter you become. News at 11. Is Valve so insecure in its place it needs to generate this kind of publicity to reassure itself, or is the author of this article just trying to fellate Gabe Newell?
 

RCX

Member
The time honored strategy of resting on your laurels.

Never fails.


(Has Big Picture really gotten better of the last few years, in most people's opinion? The only aspect of it I use is the controller configuration and the updated UI for that is terrible)
Yep it's really good. I do all my gaming from the couch and BPM makes it very straightforward. It's not as feature-complete on windows though, the plugin and system control aspect from the deck doesnt work but it's the most capable frontend by far.

On deck it's perfect.
 

kevboard

Member
The time honored strategy of resting on your laurels.

Never fails.


(Has Big Picture really gotten better of the last few years, in most people's opinion? The only aspect of it I use is the controller configuration and the updated UI for that is terrible)

the new controller settings UI is indeed a step back in many ways (like you can't see your custom stick reaction curve anymore, only a number)

but big picture itself is indeed much better now
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
This article isn't even dumb. It's masturbation in printed form, a puff piece for Valve. Writing that Valve is a huge player in the PC space and will only get bigger is like publishing an article in Scientific America on the revelation that water is, in fact, quite wet and the more you get on you the wetter you become. News at 11. Is Valve so insecure in its place it needs to generate this kind of publicity to reassure itself, or is the author of this article just trying to fellate Gabe Newell?
I don't think you understand what the article is about, so I will help you. Valve skillfully managed with SteamOS to chart the development of a new product category - PC handheld gaming. All the manufacturers will now be making devices with optional SteamOS instead of Windows, because the latter is dipshit when it comes to gaming. Basically you use Windows because you have no choice. Right now the only reason to use it on a handheld is some super niche compatibility issues, extensive modding or a number of games that require kernel-access anti-cheat systems (which can also be done on SteamOS, but coding is hard).
The interesting part of this (not mentioned in the article) is the possibility that SteamOS expansion in the PC handhelds will start to slowly drive upwards the number of laptops running SteamOS instead of Windows. And here Microsoft should start to be really concerned.
 
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Shtof

Member
The natural tendency for these devices is to eat into the market for such devices.

Until recently, most of that market was dominated by Nintendo Switch.
Consumers are unlikely to own multiple such devices at the same time.
Valve understands that their primary advantage is their software solution.
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
The natural tendency for these devices is to eat into the market for such devices.

Until recently, most of that market was dominated by Nintendo Switch.
Consumers are unlikely to own multiple such devices at the same time.
Valve understands that their primary advantage is their software solution.
This is true, and is why I don't even think of buying Switch 2. I am not crazy about Nintendo franchises, and everything else will perform better and cost less on a PC handheld.
 

Parazels

Member
This is true, and is why I don't even think of buying Switch 2. I am not crazy about Nintendo franchises, and everything else will perform better and cost less on a PC handheld.
And we haven't watched yet hordes of Steam OS handhelds, which are inevitable in the foreseeable future.
 

Loomy

Thinks Microaggressions are Real
Valve had to do 2 things. 1, prove a high end handheld was viable. 2, show that running SteamOS (via Linux) on that handheld was viable.

They did both.

They're going to make more money from Steam purchases on those 3rd party machines than they ever will selling Steam Decks.
 

Shtof

Member
This is true, and is why I don't even think of buying Switch 2. I am not crazy about Nintendo franchises, and everything else will perform better and cost less on a PC handheld.
Yes. Nintendo carved out a market for (larger) handhelds that no one really thought existed, after Vitas failure and 3DS selling half of its predecessor.
Interestingly, 3DS was observed like a decent success compared to Vita.
But in fact, both sold 60-75 million less than their predecessor, in absolute numbers.
So the handheld market suddenly sold 150 million fewer units, due to smartphones.
Both makers lost a similar amount of market share, Nintendo just had a much larger share to begin with.

As such, Sony focused on their home consoles and abandoned handhelds.
Nintendo found a market in the middle, where there were no competitors.
The Switch 2 will be a much harder sell it seems, because now many mighty competitors want a share of that market.
 

Felessan

Member
The interesting part of this (not mentioned in the article) is the possibility that SteamOS expansion in the PC handhelds will start to slowly drive upwards the number of laptops running SteamOS instead of Windows. And here Microsoft should start to be really concerned.
SteamOs now can run Excel and Word for Microsoft to worry about?
One of the strong point of windows PC is it's multipurpose and until any other OS can replicate that, Microsoft is safe in the broad market
 

Parazels

Member
Yes. Nintendo carved out a market for (larger) handhelds that no one really thought existed, after Vitas failure and 3DS selling half of its predecessor.
Interestingly, 3DS was observed like a decent success compared to Vita.
But in fact, both sold 60-75 million less than their predecessor, in absolute numbers.
So the handheld market suddenly sold 150 million fewer units, due to smartphones.
Both makers lost a similar amount of market share, Nintendo just had a much larger share to begin with.

As such, Sony focused on their home consoles and abandoned handhelds.
Nintendo found a market in the middle, where there were no competitors.
The Switch 2 will be a much harder sell it seems, because now many mighty competitors want a share of that market.
Switch 2 will start well, but later the competition with Steam handhelds will increase as well, because, unlike Nintendo, Asus and Lenovo can launch a new and better handheld every year (!), making them more and more attractive alternatives.
 
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StereoVsn

Gold Member
SteamOs now can run Excel and Word for Microsoft to worry about?
One of the strong point of windows PC is it's multipurpose and until any other OS can replicate that, Microsoft is safe in the broad market
Linux can’t run Excel and Word specifically, but there are many Office alternatives. These would work alright for most people.

Yes, there are specific use cases where it won’t work due not to 100% compatibility, but for majority of regular folks, it would be alright. Throw in Google’s online product suite, Canva for presentations plus many other options, and it’s not really an issue.

That said, I don’t think this is a danger to Microsoft’s mass market, but could slowly eat into specifically gaming market a bit.
 

justiceiro

Marlboro: Other M
It won’t be, but at that point there will be a better version of it. Meanwhile switch 2 will struggle.
So... Steam deck 2 kinda needs to happen, actually, no? Also... Switch 2 actually has ray tracing on its hardware. How is that the one that is gonna struggle?
Nobody hopes Steam Deck to remain viable in two years. But the other manufacturers will fill the gap.
That remains to be seen. Some companies already said they would not support online game on Linux. Meanwhile, other manufacturers are still trying to create their own software to allow controlling the system on windows. Even Microsoft is working on something like that.

There still plenty of challenges to solve on handheld PC gaming, and if valve stop investing, don't think the market will sort itself out when can very well just go back to be a novelty that only GDP gets involved. This article is just plain wrong.
 

Hot5pur

Member
I think Switch 2 will eat Steam Deck 2’s lunch and give it a wedgie after.
I mean of course, Deck is still fairly niche and for anyone who loves nintendo games the Switch is a must.

Personally I don't understand why Nintendo games are so popular. They are rather simplistic and targeted at a PG13 crowd. I always feel like I'm playing something a bit dumbed down to appeal to children (which in many cases is true).
I prefer the Deck because of much better ergonomics (than switch 1), cheap key sites, ability to play epic/GOG stuff, and Steam has a lot of cool EA titles or titles you just won't find on the Switch at all, even indie ones.

Probably the biggest competition for Switch 2 will be Switch 1 OLED, because I can see a lot of people feeling like they don't need to upgrade for another samey mario kart game right away. Also Switch 2 will have a (likely) inferior screen, definitely worse blacks.

As for Deck 2, personally I don't care as I use the Deck as an indie machine. Games that don't make sense on a 42" monitor I'll play on the deck. Anything visually stunning deserves a larger screen. I think it's silly to play a beautiful game on a tiny screen, you're losing too much detail.
Worst case scenario streaming is also an option and works quite well for games that are too intensive.
For people who want their Deck to be their only gaming PC, that's a different story. Seems there are other solid options from Lenovo who are going to release SteamOS centric devices as well.

Valve deserves points for getting the ball rolling, but they are slow innovators because of the steam cash cow. They are consumer friendly and put out great stuff, so I hope they continue to push the envelope on handhelds and PCVR, and if they do a home console that could be quite interesting too.
 

Humdinger

Gold Member
I'm on console, but I'm following these discussions with interest. I am a potential customer for a PC handheld, once the visual display when docked gets a notch better (I am not much for handheld gaming, so I would use it docked).

I wonder if MS will join Lenovo et al and offer Steam OS on their upcoming Xbox handheld, in addition to Windows.

And now, as plenty of big players like Asus and Lenovo get to the market, the Steam Deck 2 needs to outperform or outprice its competition by a great enough margin to convince prospective buyers to pick it up.

I'm not sure about that. My sense is that a lot of people consider Steam Deck the default choice and will stick with it, even if it doesn't do the stuff in bold.
 

Cyberpunkd

Member
So... Steam deck 2 kinda needs to happen, actually, no? Also... Switch 2 actually has ray tracing on its hardware. How is that the one that is gonna struggle?
It doesn't matter if it will be a Steam Deck 2, or whatever Asus or Lenovo will come up with - at the end there are just OEM components and an OS on top of it.

Even if Switch 2 has RT, it will not magically make more frames.
 

justiceiro

Marlboro: Other M
It doesn't matter if it will be a Steam Deck 2, or whatever Asus or Lenovo will come up with - at the end there are just OEM components and an OS on top of it.

Even if Switch 2 has RT, it will not magically make more frames.
If it's not supported, no OEM will include it in it's device.

Also, what the frame generation feature of Nvidia stands for, then?
 

Nvzman

Member
I think Switch 2 will eat Steam Deck 2’s lunch and give it a wedgie after.
Its two completely different devices on two completely different ecosystems targeting two completely different audiences. What is even the point of this post?

On another note, if Intel's drivers on Linux were better, I'd actually really like to see a Steam Deck variant with the Intel Lunar Lake chip. Its probably the first APU since the Steam Deck's APU to actually soundly outperform it and be vastly more efficient at 15w. Its a super impressive SoC and the 258V transformed the MSI Claw from being a complete joke (the 155H one) to being a super compelling product that actually beats the ROG Ally in many areas (the new AI+ ones).
 

CrustyBritches

Gold Member
Valve has stated they’re already working on Switch 2, but waiting for more performant chip at, presumably, 15W than what’s available now.

Deck launched 3yrs ago and has been great, but I’m hoping we get Deck 2 in early 2026 so we can run some of the tougher games out there, not to mention poorly optimized jank.

It’s essential to have fsr4 support. A system level framegen feature would be nice. They could probably repurpose the Deck OLED screen, but 120Hz native landscape panel would be better. 24GB RAM, etc.
 

64gigabyteram

Reverse groomer.
I still want a Steam Deck 2. Valve has the best hardware and software integration with their devices due to them making the OS and the hardware, which is necessary imo as they're the only one offering extensive improvements to controllers (like touchpads, thumbstick activated gyro, lots of back buttons, trigger clicks, etc)
Plus they always kill it with ergonomics.

SteamOS and other handhelds are good for other people who want choices as well as the growth of the segment, but until any other company steps up with equivalent quality i'm fine waiting for the Deck 2 (and playing with my Steam Deck in the meantime)
 
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Comandr

Member
Can't wait for SD2. The first one has been great, but really starting to fray at the edges with newer games. My wishlist for the next one would be a slightly larger, 8 inch native landscape screen, FSR4 support, and an additional USB port.

It's incredible to me with all of the other manufacturers out there jumping on the handheld PC bandwagon that none of them have the sheer comfort of the SD or four back buttons.
 

rodrigolfp

Haptic Gamepads 4 Life
source:
PC gamer.

PC gamer thinks a PC centric company is going to win. I'm shocked.

console(platform warring) is good and alive


3-5 Million is not mainstream. everything below that statement is irrelevant

Win what? Like win in general like "winning" or like beat the consoles and be the only device left on the market?
Jim Carrey What GIF
This has nothing to do with consoles, geniuses.
 
my interest in a steam deck 2 is lowered a lot since I started streaming with sunshine. Heavier games streamed, lighter stuff local. I don’t see the new specs shifting my paradigm.
 

TheStam

Member
I want a chubby Steam Deck OLED 2 with better performance and a 9 inch screen. 1080p @ 120 hz. 1500 max nits to simply blast the eyes from short range and slowly go blind. A guy can dream.
 
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