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[Gamer79]

It's been a hot topic lately including digital foundry here:

I think it could not only be a success but Valve has an opportunity to take over here. Outside of Microsoft, Valve is the one company I could see go head to head with the 2 juggernauts Sony/Microsoft. Nintendo makes a ton of money but kind of play in a different space than Sony/Microsoft. SteamOs has come a long way since the steam box attempt. Steam On Pc is a better store front than Sony or Microsoft's store (Nintendo's is a joke slow mess). The key factors I guess would be price. Could Valve make mass production sale deals in order to make the New Steam box affordable would be the real Question. Also, the other factor is game prices. Steam is much cheaper to buy from than Sony or Microsoft's doors in general. Would they keep those same prices? Also, the kicker is you can play both Sony/Microsoft (and Nintendo games if you have the know how. Would Sony and Microsoft pull their games off of the steam store if they had some kind of competitor in the console space. To even add more sauce to it, Valve could team up with other store fronts like Gog to even expand their library even more. Interesting to think about.

Steam OS is there.
Valve has a massive library in their store with incredible prices
Valve has all the online infrastructure worked out. (Far better than Nintendo)
Valve's game prices and ways to buy games makes prices cheaper. (Take companies like Nintendo who are still charging $59.99 for 7 year old games)
Valve has the resources and connections if they wanted to build the warehouses to mass produce units at a price that is competitive to atleast the pro and maybe even more so.

I guess would they want too? Interesting to think about.

 

[Syphon Filter]

they werent trying to enter the console market.

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

They don't produce consoles in the strict sense. They produce easy to use PCs build around the Steam ecosystem. And these devices can theoretically hurt console sales as they mimic parts of the functionality of a console. It's not like PC gaming is a niche hobby these days, and Steam only familiar among the nerdiest of nerds. Most people who know what a PS5 is also know what Steam is.

 

[mayham2199]

Until they fix the anitcheat with steamos it's not going to do much better than last time.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Unforseen Consequences. Come on Gaff it's an easy joke!

 

[BennyBlanco]

Valve doesn’t have the capacity and probably not the inclination to produce 100M units of hardware. They are a tiny company with like 400 employees. SteamOS as an option for prebuilt HTPCs will be cool however. Proton is a gift to the community and hedges against MS doing more stupid shit with Windows.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Xbox would disappear like this

 

[Skifi28]

The fascination with a steam console that is a PC and not a console will always puzzle me. I just don't see the appeal. I'd rather they went for direct competition in the OS space to give people a viable choice outside of windows rather than going the hardware route. They're practically there, just need a little push.

 

[DAHGAMING]

if they go ahead with this, consequences will never be the same.

 

[HogIsland]

There will be:
- a steam console from valve
- 3rd party steamos-powered consoles
- custom-built mini-itx consoles running steamos

There is going to be a new controller that looks like this:

There is going to be a VR headset, probably similar to Oculus Quest with standalone games and desktop/console streaming.

None of it comes at the expense of popular desktop/laptop PC gaming. It's all compatible.

 

[rm082e]

"Console" = walled garden on proprietary hardware. Valve is not going to do that, so the premise is false.

 

[Last Hearth]

Valve doesn’t have the capacity and probably not the inclination to produce 100M units of hardware. They are a tiny company with like 400 employees. SteamOS as an option for prebuilt HTPCs will be cool however. Proton is a gift to the community and hedges against MS doing more stupid shit with Windows.

They don't have to do it themselves, they can just charge 3rd party hardware \ manufacturers a licensing fee to put SteamOs on those machines to make a killing.

 

[Kacho]

"Console" = walled garden on proprietary hardware. Valve is not going to do that, so the premise is false.

Right. But when someone says "I'd buy a Steam console" I think most people know what they mean by that.

 

[FunkMiller]

Look at Steam Deck.

If they attempt to recreate that in console form, I’d be very worried if I were Sony. (Xbox is out of it already).

 

[BennyBlanco]

They don't have to do it themselves, they can just charge 3rd party hardware \ manufacturers a licensing fee to put SteamOs on those machines to make a killing.

Yeah that’s exactly what I was saying. I mean why even charge a licensing fee though? They’re just funneling people into your ecosystem.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

What we consider the console market, Valve, Sony, and Microsoft see as the "targeted spec box" market. It's a device they have control over, but they care more about the platform than the device now. Even Nintendo seems to be headed in that direction somewhat, although we'll only know for sure once the Switch 2 and they debut their future eShop plans.

 

[rm082e]

Right. But when someone says "I'd buy a Steam console" I think most people know what they mean by that.

The person saying that probably would, but the title of this thread says "console market", which implies there's a lack of understanding.

 

[Codes 208]

I mean the only big “consequence” is if theyre successful, they may end up knocking xbox off the map.

Worst case scenario is they sweep it under the rug. Again.

 

[Kacho]

The person saying that probably would, but the title of this thread says "console market", which implies there's a lack of understanding.

I get what you’re saying

 

[Magic Carpet]

Look at Steam Deck.

If they attempt to recreate that in console form, I’d be very worried if I were Sony. (Xbox is out of it already).

Microsoft are the ones losing out on the gamers. First console loss now potentially Windows PC gamer loss.

 

[MDSLKTR]

Launch titles to have a bunch of 3's in them, believe.

 

[Esparadrapo]

Microsoft are the ones losing out on the gamers. First console loss now potentially Windows PC gamer loss.

They never had anything to do with PC gaming except selling the Windows license. Now they're bound to lose even that.

 

[Drew1440]

It seems SteamDeck was related to fill a niche in the portable PC market, which has spurred a lot of similar hardware. There's plenty of Steam console setups, in-fact any PC can be made to emulate the console experience with Steam Big Picture mode, along with a controller. There are some QOL issues like not being able to power on the PC with the controller, or quick resume/standby that console's offer. HDMI-CEC would also be very welcome.
Dedicated Steam Machines for VR could be a possibility, but its a very niche market that Sony themselves have struggled in. And as with any console hardware, Valve will need to invest in their first party software portfolio to make their box more appealing. And then you have issues with third party launchers and Anti-cheat software not playing nice with Proton.
The only other market is compact all in one displays with a built in computer, like the Apple iMac but more suitable for gaming.

 

[Xyphie]

My expectation is that once people realize that SteamOS consoles would cost about the same as the equivalent SFF PC / laptop hardware enthusiasm for the idea will fade pretty quickly except for a really small niche. Their best bet is to just release SD2 with USB4/OCulink and an eGPU dock accessory for people that want that.

 

[Parazels]

+ Free multiplayer,
which sounds wild on the other consoles.

 

[March Climber]

"Console" = walled garden on proprietary hardware. Valve is not going to do that, so the premise is false.

The person saying that probably would, but the title of this thread says "console market", which implies there's a lack of understanding.

There is no lack of understanding here.

The walled garden would be the digital storefront itself, which is where things are headed. The only reason people here would be trying so hard not to count it is because that same library is playable on PC. Meanwhile they are conveniently ignoring Microsoft while making this point.

 

[Parazels]

And then you have issues with third party launchers and Anti-cheat software not playing nice with Proton.

Why to install third party launchers on the Steam Machine?

 

[Donald mac Ronald]

Fuck their steam box. They should be happy with their free 30% money for doing nothing .

 

[Chuck Berry]

 

[rm082e]

There is no lack of understanding here.

When I said "premise", I meant in the thread title: "The concequences if Valve tried a 2nd attempt at entering the console market?"

Valve has never made a "console", so if they make one in the future, it will be their first attempt, not second. But all the recent evidence suggests they're going to license SteamOS to other hardware makers, not make their own "console". That hardware will just be a PC, or peripherals that will work with any PC.

The walled garden would be the digital storefront itself, which is where things are headed. The only reason people here would be trying so hard not to count it is because that same library is playable on PC. Meanwhile they are conveniently ignoring Microsoft while making this point.

Any PC that can run SteamOS can also run games from other digital storefronts. You can buy a Steam Deck and load other games purchased from other digital storefronts onto it. Valve directly supports this. You can't do that with most retail "consoles" (without homebrew, jailbreaking, etc.)

Microsoft is letting you play the PC version of Xbox games you've purchased (which is nice), but you can't load games you bought from Steam onto your Xbox Series X and run them. The Xbox Series consoles are not an open platform. Microsoft is just giving players an extra license on their account for the PC versions of those games.

 

[Zacfoldor]

they werent trying to enter the console market.

What is the difference between a console and a computer?

 

[Holammer]

Valve already entered the "console market" with the Steam Deck.
But it's not really a console, just a complete PC & OS in a console style form factor.

Hell, consoles are just PCs with [BRAND] & a closed ecosystem.

 

[mayham2199]

The fascination with a steam console that is a PC and not a console will always puzzle me. I just don't see the appeal. I'd rather they went for direct competition in the OS space to give people a viable choice outside of windows rather than going the hardware route. They're practically there, just need a little push.

My only guess is it becomes a headache having to support so many different configurations with drivers/updates.

 

[{insert code here}]

I can see a future where 3rd party companies like Samsung, Lenovo, and/or Huawei produce the hardware box and Valve produces the peripherals and all the software (SteamOS) and software infrastructure. This could literally be done today if all parties wanted it and came to an agreement. I imagine different companies would use various component configurations to try to carve out different tiers of the market (i.e. Samsung using RTX's and big SSD's at the premium end or Dell using all Intel parts making a low-cost box).

I would be there day zero for the Huawei box.

Being a much smaller, more efficient and more focused company I don't think Sony or Microsoft can compete with them. Valve is probably the most efficient and productive company in the history of the world where only the best of the best of the best are employed and their CEO is Gabe fucking Newell.

 

[BacklashWave534]

Valve doesn’t have the capacity and probably not the inclination to produce 100M units of hardware. They are a tiny company with like 400 employees. SteamOS as an option for prebuilt HTPCs will be cool however. Proton is a gift to the community and hedges against MS doing more stupid shit with Windows.

Do you think someone is sitting there constructing consoles by hand? They can outsource console production at any point if they felt it was necessary.

 

[Alexios]

They're not entering console market (and never did before, hence the "failed" Steam Machines worked just fine as PCs of the given spec for buyers because they ran PC software & didn't need specific custom version support), they're selling PCs like Steam Deck, whether portable or stationary.

PCs are already popular and already in varied form factors, mini or huge towers, laptops or tablets, but just like Deck is good value if it's what you want then it's never a problem to have more choice as a PC user/buyer so if they bring out more hardware it's great to have, but not a console

 

[Sorcerer]

Kind of crazy:

"Fremont" might be based on Chrome OS. An easy way for Valve to have apps on the store without waiting for them to be developed for Steam OS.

 

[diffusionx]

Look at Steam Deck.

If they attempt to recreate that in console form, I’d be very worried if I were Sony. (Xbox is out of it already).

I swear gamers are delusional. Sony probably sold more Vitas than Valve have sold Steam Decks.

Do you think someone is sitting there constructing consoles by hand? They can outsource console production at any point if they felt it was necessary.

Yes, it’s me doing it. Send help, I’m very tired and Gabe is mean.

 

[kevboard]

plug and play PCs with company specific launchers as the default, but with the option to go into a full desktop, are the future of the gaming industry.
the closed console system is clearly on its way out. the PS5 Pro is the biggest telltale sign of that.

the times where a console can be sold at a significantly lower price than a PC are over.

AAA titles are so expensive to make that they need to have the widest market possible, and making 1 PC version that can be sold on multiple launchers would reduce both risks and budgets, compared to having to port it to 3 or 4 distinct platforms.

and lastly, big jumps in GPU and CPU technology are over, which means a typical generational cycle might not be possible in the future anyways. meaning console upgrades will soon come across as overpriced and as barely an upgrade, even after 6-8 years worth of tech advancements. we already see it with how many people still play on PS4 and Xbox One, to the point where EA thought it was worth it to pay for a port of Jedi Survivor.

 

[Kacho]

I swear gamers are delusional. Sony probably sold more Vitas than Valve have sold Steam Decks.

I think there's truth to what FunkMiller says though.

Is Steam Deck going to start posting Switch numbers? No. But does the existence of the device disrupt the market at bit? Yes. I see plenty of comments saying they stopped using their Switch because of Steam Deck. I know there are people here in the same boat, myself included. That's less hardware upgrades and software sales for Nintendo. I didn't buy Dredge, Dave the Diver, Red Dead Redemption and various other games on Switch, I bought it on Steam Deck. That's Valve taking my money away from Nintendo.

The same will happen if Valve puts out a easy to use living room box. There's less reason for people to invest in Xbox/PlayStation if a better option is available. Will it collapse Sony's console business and turn their loyalists into PCMRs? Ofc not. But it does eat into their market on some level and, IMO, could accelerate over time.

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

I can see a future where 3rd party companies like Samsung, Lenovo, and/or Huawei produce the hardware box and Valve produces the peripherals and all the software (SteamOS) and software infrastructure. This could literally be done today if all parties wanted it and came to an agreement. I imagine different companies would use various component configurations to try to carve out different tiers of the market (i.e. Samsung using RTX's and big SSD's at the premium end or Dell using all Intel parts making a low-cost box).

I would be there day zero for the Huawei box.

Being a much smaller, more efficient and more focused company I don't think Sony or Microsoft can compete with them. Valve is probably the most efficient and productive company in the history of the world where only the best of the best of the best are employed and their CEO is Gabe fucking Newell.

This type of thing has happened in the past and the result is very simple, higher price, lower competitiveness, flop.

 

[Crayon]

Right. But when someone says "I'd buy a Steam console" I think most people know what they mean by that.

I'm not so sure about that. People think switch is a console, a deck isn't a steam machine, and steam isn't a platform. Some of these definitions get pretty wooly.

 

[FunkMiller]

I swear gamers are delusional. Sony probably sold more Vitas than Valve have sold Steam Decks.

Nope. Not at all. Valve could easily be in a position to challenge Sony with a bespoke console. Especially one that had a more open eco-system than Sony's walled off, greed driven garden.

The idea that Sony are in some unassailable position is one that is not borne out by precedent in the console market.

 

[Kacho]

I'm not so sure about that. People think switch is a console, a deck isn't a steam machine, and steam isn't a platform. Some of these definitions get pretty wooly.

If you're a person that likes to needlessly complicate things and be purposely obtuse, then sure.

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

The idea that Sony are in some unassailable position is one that is not borne out by precedent in the console market.

Sony killing three competitors in 30 years of history isn't enough for you?

 

[FunkMiller]

Is Sony killing three competitors in 30 years of history not enough for you?

So you're arguing that another company cannot enter a market and kill its competitors - by talking about how another company came into a market and killed its competitors.

 

[diffusionx]

Nope. Not at all. Valve could easily be in a position to challenge Sony with a bespoke console. Especially one that had a more open eco-system than Sony's walled off, greed driven garden.

The idea that Sony are in some unassailable position is one that is not borne out by precedent in the console market.

Like I said, delusional. Valve has not sold that many Steam Decks. Nintendo has sold many times more Switches in the same time period. Sony would declare a system that sold the same number a total failure, and they did.

This stuff needs to be kept in perspective. A steamOS “console” would appeal to some tiny sliver of people who want a PC, want it relatively easy to use with a decent HT interface, and are fine with whatever Valve puts in the box. It might sell a few million units which is fine for Valve as their goal is selling games on Steam, but it’s not challenging console platforms that sell 100 million units or more a generation.

 

[diffusionx]

I think there's truth to what FunkMiller says though.

Is Steam Deck going to start posting Switch numbers? No. But does the existence of the device disrupt the market at bit? Yes. I see plenty of comments saying they stopped using their Switch because of Steam Deck. I know there are people here in the same boat, myself included. That's less hardware upgrades and software sales for Nintendo. I didn't buy Dredge, Dave the Diver, Red Dead Redemption and various other games on Switch, I bought it on Steam Deck. That's Valve taking my money away from Nintendo.

The same will happen if Valve puts out an easy to use living room box. There's less reason for people to invest in Xbox/PlayStation if a better option is available. Will it collapse Sony's console business and turn their loyalists into PCMRs? Ofc not. But it does eat into their market on some level and, IMO, could accelerate over time.

In the time that Valve has sold like 3-5 million Steam Decks max, Nintendo sold 15 million Switch consoles. Nintendo also knows that they will lose people who want power or whatever as long as they are selling 10 year old tablet hardware. It’s a calculation they are comfortable with.

 

[IntentionalPun]

They've never tried to enter the console market. They just want many options for Steam users to consume their games on. While that includes trying to make it easier for newbies w/ stuff like Steam OS or Steam Deck being a console-like UX, that doesn't make Steam Machines or Steam Deck a "console." Everything they do is intended to have competitors from 3rd party manufacturers, supported by Valve themselves w/ software.

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

by talking about how another company came into a market and killed its competitors.

Sony didn't take over the market, the Japanese publishers lobby just abandoned Nintendo and moved in with Sony.