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[Horse Detective]

I wonder what the range of this little SteamOS/box kit will be.

 

[yami4ct]

What if Valve worked out a deal with Sony to at lest bring a Steam Streaming app to the PS4? That way you could stream your PC steam games to your PS4.

Nice idea. Never going to happen. Why would Sony incentivize people to buy games on a platform where they don't get a licensing cut? That makes zero business sense.

 

[Lynn616]

Wonder how many millions of downloads SteamOS will see in the first week it's released? I wouldn't be surprised to see around 20 million downloads with around 5 million activations.

How many Steam Users are there? 50 Million?

 

[Clever Pun]

I think I'm most excited about the family options - I'd love to have a profile set up with games appropriate for my kids, especially if those could be streamed to the tv from another PC.

 

[keyrat]

It made it kinda sound like the Steam OS would increase graphical performance in games. Is that doable?

In the long run it could be, depending on how the OS works. Right now in Windows when you play a game you still have a lot of overhead from Windows running in the background and all the game calls going through Windows first.

 

[Wiktor]

I think one of the biggest hurdles to mass adoption of living room gaming pcs is the inability of controllers to compete with kb/m players in multiplayer FPS. If they solve this problem, watch out.

I think much bigger hurdle is that most pc games work like crap on controllers. FPSes are at least playable on them. But many of the more popular genres aren't.

 

[Malio]

I already have my PC connected to my TV. I guess this wasn't made for me.

 

[Ardvent]

I always figured that this is where Valve was going with it's Linux talk. Microsoft really scared them with their whole Metro app store, and having an environment that they can control will only benefit them in the long run.

It still doesn't solve their content problem though. Valve games + a few random indies isn't going to sell systems, and things aren't likely to improve in the future. Hell, OSX can barely get ports and it has a much larger percentage of the desktop market than Linux does. It's going to be one hell of an uphill battle for Valve to get this thing off the ground, but I'm very interested in seeing them try.

I don't think it's really that hard of a task. Sony introduced x86 Debian based architecture with PS4's OrbisOS, which is going to be identical to the architecture in SteamOS' kernel.

So, just as you've seen all these devs talking about how simple it has been to go from PC -> PS4, we may also see posts showing off how easy it is to make PS4 -> SteamOS. SteamOS is a huge game changer for next-gen if the targeting porting platform goes from Xbox -> PC to PS4 -> PC

 

[pixlexic]

The biggest thing valve could do is activity pursue third parties to have all the new console games also on steamos.

 

[Metrotab]

Start small, grow big. You'll still have to keep your Windows machine around for a while. Having a big company like Valve behind SteamOS will make it a bigger competitor faster than any other Linux distro could achieve.

But as long as no one drops Windows as a developer, the Windows library will always be greater than or equal to the Steam OS library, with equal hardware support!

Meanwhile you got a GNU/Linux distro from a company that believes strongly in DRM and walled garden gaming libraries.

If this fragments the PC gaming marketplace, it will be disastrous. And people are hyped because of... What? Streaming PC games on the TV?

I just don't get it.

 

[Anteater]

Just look at its support for hybrid graphic cards on laptops, as something very relevant to gaming; the hardware has been around for years, and yet you need workarounds to get linux [any distro] working on those devices; and the support is still limited.

Now community applications, like LibreOffice, Gimp, etc. they are SO behind the curve, there's no point in discussion.

Yea graphic driver is a problem, but I don't think stuff like gimp, libreoffice will be relevant to a gaming OS.

The OS and a lot of the programs were being updated frequently though, so I don't really think it's dead.

 

[SGRU]

Now THIS is a game changer. Bye, bye DirectX...

 

[Calm Killer]

I don't understand that point? It is an OS.....okay? So if I already have an HTPC I already most likely have steam on it. If I already have a Smart TV then it has an OS. What is the point? Its a free OS that we will still have to build a custom made HTPC to run it? Why bother with Linux gaming when I can already run Steam on a Windows HTPC?

I need more information here before I can consider this anywhere near a megaton. Right now it seems kinda useless.

 

[Danj]

Will SteamOS be compatible with Macs? And can you do regular Linux type things with it as well as just play games?

 

[noire]

What if Valve worked out a deal with Sony to at lest bring a Steam Streaming app to the PS4? That way you could stream your PC steam games to your PS4.

Might explain what I thought was strangely worded:

SteamOS, running on any living room machine

But that could be what they're calling the tiers of steamboxes.

 

[fallout]

This will be a such a disaster; Linux is simply dead.

This is kind of like saying: "AndroidOS will be such a disaster; Linux is simply dead."

Even if Linux were dead, that would have little impact on SteamOS. I imagine that Valve is putting the tools in place to make porting games easier. If you look at the success and adoption rate of Steamworks, this seems like a natural progression of that toolset.

Serious question: Why would I get this if I could just plug my computer with an HDMI cable in the TV?

Well, this is SteamOS, but assuming that you're talking about the (likely-to-be-announced-next) SteamBox: if that solution works for you, I can't imagine why you wouldn't just do that. It's what I'm doing at home right now.

That option isn't ideal for everyone, though, which is why they probably feel there's a market for such a device. I mean, these connected TV media (HTPC) boxes keep popping up all over the place. Someone has to be buying them.

 

[Konosuke]

Out of nowhere! WOW. First time I'm truly hyped for any Linux distro. Hoping for significant performance improvements since I game on my laptop.

 

[angular graphics]

So second announcement tomorrow?

Two days I think.

 

[Jarmel]

So, just as you've seen all these devs talking about how simple it has been to go from PC -> PS4, we may also see posts showing off how easy it is to make PS4 -> SteamOS. SteamOS is a huge game changer for next-gen if the targeting porting platform goes from Xbox -> PC to PS4 -> PC

Huh? It would just be a PC port essentially. Not much would change.

 

[Mugatu]

Awesome, I'll definitely try it out. I hope it's good enough that I never have to consider downgrading to Windows 8 ever.

 

[maabus1999]

What if Valve worked out a deal with Sony to at lest bring a Steam Streaming app to the PS4? That way you could stream your PC steam games to your PS4.

Why are you trying to bankrupt Sony? Well maybe just SCE. Seriously you would never ever buy a ps4 title unless it was exclusive. Steam is cheaper and depending on the PC look and play better...

 

[open_mouth_]

$399 SteamOS "Target" Box (think Google's Nexus 7) that's pretty powerful enough to last a couple years in the living room.

$59 SteamOS "Lite" Streaming USB Stick for low powered games and streaming.

If Valve subsidizes both of those a bit early on and throws some money to secure some AAA exclusives or at least, multiplatform releases, this thing can really compete in the long term with PS4/XB1/PC/AppleTV.

 

[Giever]

A PS3 pad works through multiple walls and though floors without an issue, and that tech is really old now, I'm sure it's possible to have a wireless tech that's even better now.

And it doesn't seem like this is for keyboard/mouse, but yeah, I guess that could be an issue.

Huh. I had no idea wireless controllers could have that kind of range nowadays. The last one I really used was a Wavebird (or Wii Remote, I guess). Though I never really tried to use it outside of the room much, for obvious reasons (I just wouldn't be able to see the TV, so, uh, yeah).

 

[Freeman]

The emphasis on 'living room machines' on the page makes me guess this won't be that viable as a PC OS, at least initially.

That would be such a waste. All the programs I use are available on Linux, with the exception of games.

 

[Bomber Bob]

Linux is simply dead.

wat

 

[MrCunningham]

Both Rome and Football Manager are pretty terribly not suited for living room big screen comfy couch gaming.

I never said these games would be good for TV gaming, I was just pointing out that it seems likely that Total War II will be on Linux. since Sega has Football manager 2014 already available for it.

For everyone saying this is just for streaming games:

Hundreds of great games are already running natively on SteamOS.

They're talking about the entire Linux library

http://store.steampowered.com/browse/linux/

 

[keyrat]

But as long as no one drops Windows as a developer, the Windows library will always be greater than or equal to the Steam OS library, with equal hardware support!

What if Valve does timed exclusives? Does that not give you the incentive to try it or at least dualboot in your next rig?

 

[yami4ct]

I think much bigger hurdle is that most pc games work like crap on controllers. FPSes are at least playable on them. But many of the more popular genres aren't.

Wait, what? No. Almost every modern game that makes sense on a gamepad comes with great 360 controller support now days. Older games don't, but I almost never run into games without working controller support outside of genres that wouldn't work well with it, like RTS. Heck, most indies even include 360 pad support.

 

[Wiktor]

Now THIS is a game changer. Bye, bye DirectX...

There's nothing on linux that can compete with DirectX though and I don't think Valve has resources to upgrade OpenGL to that level of ease of use and functionality.

 

[Robert J. Sullivan]

Less overhead.

What's overhead ? (serious question D

 

[Tacitus_]

Will SteamOS be compatible with Macs? And can you do regular Linux type things with it as well as just play games?

If it's not a PowerPC mac, you can install it. Bootcamp, I think it's called?

 

[diamount]

Lol, EUIV interesting game to showcase on the TV.

 

[jj984jj]

I wonder if this will run on ARM devices.

 

[Einbroch]

$399 SteamOS "Target" Box (think Google's Nexus 7) that's pretty powerful enough to last a couple years in the living room.

$59 SteamOS "Lite" Streaming USB Stick for low powered games and streaming.

If Valve subsidizes both of those a bit early on and throws some money to secure some AAA exclusives or at least, multiplatform releases, this thing can really compete in the long term with PS4/XB1/PC/AppleTV.

Are we talking "have a niche, but passionate and profitable" compete or "30+ million sales" compete?

At those price points, which I think are good and make sense, the system will be successful but consoles will still dominate by a large margin.

 

[Anteater]

Will SteamOS be compatible with Macs? And can you do regular Linux type things with it as well as just play games?

It should work on an intel mac considering the other linux distros work too

 

[jediyoshi]

I don't understand that point? It is an OS.....okay? So if I already have an HTPC I already most likely have steam on it. If I already have a Smart TV then it has an OS. What is the point? Its a free OS that we will still have to build a custom made HTPC to run it? Why bother with Linux gaming when I can already run Steam on a Windows HTPC?

I need more information here before I can consider this anywhere near a megaton. Right now it seems kinda useless.

Well then we can pray to looking forward to something user friendly immediately after installation. If you tried to showcase the path to getting linux BPM autoloading running on something like ubuntu, you've probably lost a good chunk of people. Even then, this is a side announcement to a load of other features that still aren't available and specifically make htpcs more attractive.

 

[maabus1999]

What if Valve does timed exclusives? Does that not give you the incentive to try it or at least dualboot in your next rig?

That could backfire tremendously.....

 

[Nome]

People are surprised by this?

 

[walking fiend]

Let's backtrack for just a second and discuss the implications of your response to me.

1) You suddenly seem to agree that yes, Linux is not "simply dead," as you claimed. Now you're implicitly admitting it's alive, but perhaps Valve can't support it as comprehensively as Google does.
2) You also made no mention of Linux based servers, presumably because you personally know very little about them, or perhaps because you're aware that the comparison would be less flattering. Somehow Linux maintains dominance in the server and mainframe market with no central operator!

My direct answer to you would be: yes, it's entirely possible that Valve won't be able to competently support an OS of their own, just as any company may fail to support its products adequately at any time. It happens. This was not your original argument, however.

1. Android is not Linux. It's like pointing to CoD and claiming that id Tech 3 is very alive.
2. Because that is out of context. It's like claiming that using fortran for writing a game engine is a great idea, because a lot of scientific software are still being written in it.

Obviously I believed that Valve cannot change all the issues with linux for desktop, or otherwise I wouldn't say that.

 

[skdoo]

Hopefully this will mean better support for Macs, and less support for Windows... I'd love to see Linux gaming put a huge crack in MS. Then MS might have to deliver an OS that is better than that POS they call W8...

 

[Wiktor]

Wait, what? No. Almost every modern game that makes sense on a gamepad comes with great 360 controller support now days. Older games don't, but I almost never run into games without working controller support outside of genres that wouldn't work well with it, like RTS. Heck, most indies even include 360 pad support.

And most of the most popular pc games do not make sense on a gamepad. That's what I meant.

 

[Metrotab]

What if Valve does timed exclusives? Does that not give you the incentive to try it or at least dualboot in your next rig?

Why would I cheer and be hyped for 'timed exclusives'? Only corporations benefit of this.

 

[LordBaztion]

So I won't need a PC to play games, I will just stream it like Gakai is supposed to work?

 

[model13]

I think much bigger hurdle is that most pc games work like crap on controllers. FPSes are at least playable on them. But many of the more popular genres aren't.

My concern with FPS isnt that they are unplayable but that you are cannon fodder playing on a controller. However i completely agree on your second point. Some of the most popular games are impossible to play on a controller.

 

[b3b0p]

Half-Life 3 Exclusive!

 

[c0de]

I wonder if this will run on ARM devices.

very doubtful, the driver situation is even worse.

 

[angular graphics]

I think much bigger hurdle is that most pc games work like crap on controllers. FPSes are at least playable on them. But many of the more popular genres aren't.

That's precisely the purpose behind their as of yet not revealed controller's design. http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/18/valve-hardware-jeri-ellsworth/

When asked what the team's immediate goals are, she obliquely states, "To make Steam games more fun to play in your living room." That's the team's one-year goal, at least. The challenge is making games that require a mouse and keyboard palatable to people who are used to a controller, or to people who just don't want to migrate PC controls to the comfort of their living room.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Well then we can pray to looking forward to something user friendly immediately after installation. If you tried to showcase the path to getting linux BPM autoloading running on something like ubuntu, you've probably lost a good chunk of people.

I think having someone install an OS is already limiting the audience.

 

[Einbroch]

So I won't need a PC to play games, I will just stream it like Gakai is supposed to work?

No. You need a PC. This will stream your PC games to a slingbox/steambox/whatever in your living room. It's not pulling anything from an outside server.

Unless they announce a steambox that is a PC with the SteamOS operating system and not Windows. Then that's all you'll need.

 

[Wiktor]

Hopefully this will mean better support for Macs, and less support for Windows... I'd love to see Linux gaming put a huge crack in MS. Then MS might have to deliver an OS that is better than that POS they call W8...

Yeah, let's screw hundreds of pcgamers worldwide because your feelings were hurt by W8... makes sense.