Parazels
Member
It must feature a Steam gamepad first of all.
Console is a console, not a bunch of random parts, glued together!
The Potential of a Steam Console?
- Thread starter Pasta la Vista
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Console is a console, not a bunch of random parts, glued together!
REDRZA MWS
Member
All they have to do, is exactly what they already do on the PC space. Team up with MS for its real "next gen" console, not the reported handheld. He'll put a Steam app on ps5 too.
No need to make a new console at all.
No need to make a new console at all.
Fbh
Member
Eh, I don't know.
They can't sell it with the same low profit margins as a normal console, so it's likely going to be more expensive. If they try to keep it under, say, $1000 it's probably not even going to perform particularly better than consoles.
So you'll have a device that's more expensive while not offering better performance or graphics and require more tinkering to get everything running properly too. The freedom in accessories and perks like free multiplayer and cheaper games might attract some players, but I don't know how many.
Now of course they can make it more expensive, substantially more powerful than consoles and fully upgradable. But at t hat point it's just pre built PC with a Steam sticker on it.
The other option is to essentially make a non portable Steamdeck. A small box you connect to your TV or monitor and offers the same experience as a Steamdeck but without the portability. Which could be a nice little device to play indies, emulators and some less demanding AA and AAA.
They can't sell it with the same low profit margins as a normal console, so it's likely going to be more expensive. If they try to keep it under, say, $1000 it's probably not even going to perform particularly better than consoles.
So you'll have a device that's more expensive while not offering better performance or graphics and require more tinkering to get everything running properly too. The freedom in accessories and perks like free multiplayer and cheaper games might attract some players, but I don't know how many.
Now of course they can make it more expensive, substantially more powerful than consoles and fully upgradable. But at t hat point it's just pre built PC with a Steam sticker on it.
The other option is to essentially make a non portable Steamdeck. A small box you connect to your TV or monitor and offers the same experience as a Steamdeck but without the portability. Which could be a nice little device to play indies, emulators and some less demanding AA and AAA.
DeltaPolarBear
Member
The downside is the upfront cost of hardware development that they would never get back. A cost so big that there is no justification for it. You don't see the down side because you are not paying for the hardware development. In fact it is even worse because you wouldn't even buy extra games to make up for it. You would be buying the same amount of steam games as before so there is no actual profit from Valve's side.
The Steam Deck was a seeding crystal, to create a small market of portable PCs for gaming, and they largely achieved that without having to make and sell the Deck to everyone. The other PC handhelds would make them money without Valve paying them.
Sorcerer
Member
DonkeyPunchJr
World’s Biggest Weeb
I don't see why not.
It doesn't need to compete directly against MS/Sony/Nintendo. The business model is completely different. They're not trying to build a new platform and reach some critical mass by selling tens of millions of units. Steam is already the platform, this would just be a new way to access it
It doesn't need to compete directly against MS/Sony/Nintendo. The business model is completely different. They're not trying to build a new platform and reach some critical mass by selling tens of millions of units. Steam is already the platform, this would just be a new way to access it
Sooner
Member
You do realize the SteamDeck docks to televisions and can use DualSense controllers?
BlackTron
Member
So you are saying there would also be no point to a Deck 2 since Deck 1 has already accomplished the goal of acting as a "seeding crystal"?
Mister Wolf
Member
It would do well as long as they don't overcharge. Microsoft know that is Valve's future plan so they intend to beat them out the gate.
DeltaPolarBear
Member
There will eventually be a reason to make a Deck2, it just is no where near soon. All the improvements you could make would sacrifice battery life. Until there is actually enough improvements there is no reason to make decks. The same with PS6. We are waiting for tech to improve, until then the Deck is good enough. We are talking 4 years minimum.
Hohenheim
Member
I prefer to build a compact "PC console" myself, and use it as a console and a companion to my main PC. My current one is a lot beefier than what something like this probably will be, and it has the same function.
For those who prefer to buy a compact pre-built, a Valve "console" PC will probably be cool for quite a few!
For those who prefer to buy a compact pre-built, a Valve "console" PC will probably be cool for quite a few!
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Pasta la Vista
Member
Yes, if a console is out of the question, I was holding out hope for like a Steam Deck 2 cause in its current form its a bit too under powered for what I would want it for.
Personally I would be willing to pay $800-1k to have something that could essentially replace my PS5, but this is because I already have a big library of games I bought over the years on Steam.
I've mentioned in other posts, but I want an exit from traditional consoles with the locked system and Windows but still have like some of the benefits of a PC.
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Fess
Member
To really succeed among the mainstream they would need to drop the walls I think. I googled on it and even big ones like Fortnite can't be played on Steam Deck currently from what I can tell, something about Linux and anti-cheat, and no Gamepass either. The solution seems to be streaming, ugh. And they would need a greatly upgraded Steam Machine verified and Proton conversion system. It's very offputting to see info that a game have issues when you're about to play it like how it is for me with Steam Deck. I assume Steam Machines would be similar; SteamOS, Linux based, somewhat weak hardware and no to the metal optimization, sometimes input issues. Those are the biggest issues they need to sort out.
Pasta la Vista
Member
That would be great. If that became an option down the line, I would be all for it.
Sorcerer
Member
I was just being a little stupid there lol. You know what sucks with Steam and Proton is that you have to wait for a new to be verified or not verified.
I remember there was an initiative a while back to have games verified before they released but I think one game was the result of it. I even forgot the game.
Imagine the verification mess just with Steam devices when they have to verify for Steam Deck 1, Steam Deck 2, and the Console. I know now it's going to get messy with Steam OS on other manufactures handhelds with Steam OS
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simpatico
Member
I think that AMD Strix performs close enough to a 4060. The real kicker isn't going to be the cutting edge graphics, but the enormous scale of the library and no-monthly-fee online gaming. GAF has it wrong when they say the only appeal to PC is bleeding edge graphics. That's pretty low on the list for me. Infinite backwards compatibility and being able to make your own 60fps patch along with super cheap game pricing is the real kicker.
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Sorcerer
Member
I think that was really more Namco Bandi than Apple if I am not mistaken. Apple just failed in the marketing.For some wacky reasons, I actually want Apple make a new video game console rather than valve Lmao
And yes, I know pippin was exist, but yet again Apple in 90's is way different than Apple in 2020's
tanners
Member
bandai only, both company didn't merge until 2005.
BennyBlanco
aka IMurRIVAL69
Pointless IMO. They are not gonna subsidize a mass market product. Just keep plugging away at SteamOS until it can be used as a legit desktop OS and let others handle the hardware. Small form factor PCs have been a thing for a very long time at this point.
You can only buy Steam Deck directly through Steam. Not even Microcenter or the like carries it. It was made to be a niche product and I'm sure they're happy with sales. Vast majority of Steam Deck owners love them and it keeps getting support. Kind of dumb to compare it to what will be the best selling console of all time.
Steamdeck had competition from outdated af first switch yet still barely sold few milion copies, man, steam mashine has competition from stationary consoles whole desptop and laptop market, it stands no chance.
Steam Deck - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
You can only buy Steam Deck directly through Steam. Not even Microcenter or the like carries it. It was made to be a niche product and I'm sure they're happy with sales. Vast majority of Steam Deck owners love them and it keeps getting support. Kind of dumb to compare it to what will be the best selling console of all time.
Sorcerer
Member
I'm sure that 99 percent of individuals who have bought a Steam Deck have given Valve back at least twice what they paid for it in game sales. (Raises hand in shame). Valve doesn't really need to do much.
YeulEmeralda
Linux User
A Ryzen 7 9800x3d alone costs more than a PS5.
Fess
Member
I actually used a docked Steam Deck as my living room PC before I built a dedicated living room PC, so I have real experience of the ups and downs. I don't think those who're 100% positive have any real experience. Even Steam with big picture mode in Windows have it's issues; you have to go out of Steam and into other stores to install games, add the games manually into Steam, add art manually, no playtime shown, no achievements shown, no screenshot library shown, games are placed in a separate non-Steam section of the library.
And going with Steam-only is too limited and essentially like accepting a console-like walled garden. Not for me.
Sorcerer
Member
Steam OS is fine for gaming, but it will never compete with Windows or Mac OS on the productivity front if you have to reboot to the Desktop like that. I can't even get the Desktop to show on my monitor correctly if I switch to it and it sucks doing anything on that end of the OS on that screen.
I was thinking if the console never comes out, I might just use something like POP OS on a mini pc and enable proton. But I'm sure there are ups and downs there as well.
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onnextflix5
Member
With the whole us tariffs situation it's unlikely to happen anytime soon, if they do come it would be a perfect time as ms seem to be bowing out of the console space and Sony and Nintendo are charging extortionate prices, free online and cheaper game prices could really make a dent in the living room space, they need to have only 2 or 3 options and Don't allow third party companies to make them.
Fess
Member
For me it's not about productivity, unless we include modding into that. It's all about not having full convenient access to other stores libraries that I use. If I could just log into other stores and still stay within Steam to install and play and have all the info there it would be fine. Like Playnite but with Valve's slick UI and user experience.
Sorcerer
Member
Have you tried Heroic Launcher? I have GOG through there.
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BlackTron
Member
I don't understand.
You said that the only reason for Deck was to plant the seed of PC handhelds, and that now Valve doesn't need to do it anymore to get free sales on all the other ones it inspired. So apparently at this point further R&D for Deck2 would be a waste of money?
But now the reason is because tech hasn't developed to that point yet?
I think the R&D on a PC box would be way less than Deck 2 because well it's not a handheld with a controller built into it and thermal nightmares and all that. They can pretty much shit out a box of off shelf parts with the same software they already have and call it a day. Ok it will require more effort than a cyber power PC but compared to deck it's something they can do blindfolded.
Unknown Soldier
Member
Are we pretending Steam Machine didn't already exist and fail a number of years ago now?
Fess
Member
No I basically only used Steam on Steam Deck, it's why it felt so limited. They're so close to have the ultimate gaming UI but when the PC market is so fractured it all falls apart for me. I know what I want but nobody is doing it all. It's very annoying tbh. Those who let you link other store accounts usually only let you browse your library. Why can't I get one UI that let me browse multiple stores, libraries, see my playtime and screens, purchase, install, play, manage my games? One UI to rule them all. Why is that so hard? Every store/launcher owner has to see that it's needed. So who's doing the blocking?
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HerjansEagleFeeder
Member
How many potential customers exist globally that'd like to get into PC gaming without having to deal with Windows and/or deal with putting together or even just picking hardware parts? How many countries are there that would just outright ban Windows in such devices, but are open to Linux based machines? How many people have friends who have a Steam account? Which platform has the most diverse selection of genres and cheap software prices? There's your potential for this type of device.
The consoles having exclusives isn't a big deal given that a steam console would always have more a shit ton more exclusives than the other 3 consoles combined.
Sebastian1295
Member
There's no market for this and i doubt big retailers like Walmart, etc are just licking there chops wanting to get something like this on there store shelves especially when they can just use the shelf space for something that they know will sell like playstation, nintendo, and xbox. Valve has no place on store shelves sorry, and no one is going to buy an overpriced steam console from them when there audience already has a PC.
Hardware via steam OS may end up being the main portal to Steam as MS looks to move away from console and regain control over Windows PC. Valve needs a way to decouple their platform from windows for this reason.
Could be an interesting dynamic of Xbox moving to PC while Steam moves towards the console model.
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PeteBull
Member
So u agree potential of steam console is abysmall, just like steamdeck, few % of a market bestcase scenario, likely not even that.
BennyBlanco
aka IMurRIVAL69
If they actually made a traditional console and scaled up mass production, put it in retail, spent a fortune advertising it, they would probably be competitive. They have the largest library of games by far.
But they would have to subsidize hardware which would lead to them looking for other ways to make money and start doing the things that make consoles unappealing, such as charging for online play and cloud saves.
So no I don't agree, I just don't think Valve would ever do all that because they are already making a fortune doing what they do and have more users than any console.
I think fleshing out SteamOS and letting other companies do what they want with it is smarter because they don't have to spend all that money in r&d , advertising, dealing with retailers, etc. At the end of the day it will just drive more business to Valve.
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