Valve announces SteamOS

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Minsc said:
From their webpage:

In SteamOS, we have achieved significant performance increases in graphics processing, and we’re now targeting audio performance and reductions in input latency at the operating system level. Game developers are already taking advantage of these gains as they target SteamOS for their new releases.

That sounds promising enough to keep an eye out for, if nothing else. You know how a lot of people complained about the choppiness in The Witcher 2 even at 60fps? Maybe in SteamOS they are able to remove that uneven delay between frames that makes it stutter in so many games. Just for lower input latency and performance increases alone though, that's not bad.
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I remember thinking way back when I still had my SNES that it would be awesome to have a PC that worked as efficiently as a console. There are tradeoffs that they have to make in order to achieve it (multitasking, services, stuff like that), but I'm glad it's going to happen. It's positioned to be the "Gamer's OS", turning your PC into a super-console.

Having a convenient, centrally managed, self-updating Linux distribution is a huge deal on its own as well. (need to check details on each of those points - I'm making assumptions based on how Steam works)
 
NoPiece said:
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.
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That doesn't expand the steam install base though. Most pc gamers with a decent rig already have Steam installed. Valve gets nothing extra from converting a pc steam gamer to a steambox gamer.
 
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.
 
I guess my biggest issue with this approach is the "forward compatibility" that consoles have, and cannot be guaranteed on SteamOS devices.
As other users have pointed out, if I buy a console, I know I will be able to play ALL games that are released for that console, whether I have the day one version, or the slimmer version released a few years down the road.
However, with SteamOS devices you enter a scenario where some of the games offered in the Library cannot be played on your device; And I am not talking about next year, or two years down the road, where streaming from your PC is mostly required for big AAA games.

But if this thing takes off, and the ties to Windows are broken, my 2016 SteamOS device might not be able to play a 2018 released game with settings that are reasonable.

Before anyone says: but that happens on PC today, the situation is not the same. Most PC users are aware of hardware specs in gaming, but when you remove the PC, and make your box a "gaming" system only with SteamOS, it has the potential to be confusing for consumers.
They are targeting this SteamOS to be connected to the TV, so it is closer to a console than a PC in a lot of ways.

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.
 
njean777 said:
You are making the assumption they will. The audience for Windows will not care for that. I do not think MS is so stupid to shoot themselves in the foot like that. It would be suicide. Seems to me Gabe is acting as if they are doing this, when no evidence points to this. Who cares if they added a app store at all, it is just another place to sell stuff in the end. I am the last person that would defend MS, but nothing they have and are doing point to them doing this at all.
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Did you miss Windows 8? Which locks a number of new OS features to applications distributed exclusively through Microsoft's curated store, cryptographically signed by Microsoft and giving a cut to Microsoft with each sale?
 
Jarmel said:
It's hard enough getting PC ports, this would have to really take off to get a Steam OS port on top too.
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Not really, because steam is a distributor and already have all their channels for this open. They just need to get the games running natively on the OS and developers don't have to worry about it as they can let steam handle it all. With respect you're missing the point of this OS.
 
I will definitely get a Chromecast/ApplyTV streaming box to connect my Gaming PC with our living room. Though I wonder what kind of WLAN Router would be required for lagless and low latency streaming.
 
If there was some clever way for the steamos partition to read my steam folder on my windows partition instead of reinstalling the games I could see maybe trying this out.
 
Durante said:
Did you miss Windows 8? Which locks a number of new OS features to applications distributed exclusively through Microsoft's curated store, cryptographically signed by Microsoft and giving a cut to Microsoft with each sale?
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DId you miss the part where you can just install the old programs on the desktop? You are not locked out of anything. Just install it as you would for Windows 7. Use it like windows 7, and there is nothing different other then a hideous start screen.
 
Tacitus_ said:
Unless they get all the major publishers on board (which I doubt, unless they let EA put up an Origin store there), you will still need a Windows machine to play a lot of games.
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They came late to the first party let them be late for the next. PC gaming is not where it was when steam first launched. If valve makes solid stuff and lets other 3rd parties shine let ubisoft and ea make themselves more irrelevant in a gaming platforms that are starting to take off.
 
ishXpnDqHhMzM.gif


This gif is great :D
 
Durante said:
Did you miss Windows 8? Which locks a number of new OS features to applications distributed exclusively through Microsoft's curated store, cryptographically signed by Microsoft and giving a cut to Microsoft with each sale?
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Durante,you can just make a fix for that, right?



Right?
 
I stated several times in the past that I'm not really interested in the Steambox itself but more on the software side of it, and this sounds like the best I could ever hope for.
Linux pushed into mainstream popularity, with a distro specifically built with gaming as the main focus, a massive effort in driver improvements and a lot of (alleged) developers' support.

Really, this is the best case scenario for me.
The day I will be able to play natively -say- the 80% of my library, will also be the day I'll be done with Windows and Microsoft for good.
 
ignaciogc said:
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.
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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
 
Jtwo said:
If there was some clever way for the steamos partition to read my steam folder on my windows partition instead of reinstalling the games I could see maybe trying this out.
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Doesn't it just pull from your windows folder?

Dual booting to STEAM OS is one thing, moving my entire steam library to dedicated partitions is....no.
 
From Miles Jacobson, Glorious Leader of Sports Interactive

We've already announced the FM will work with Big Picture mode, so you can much easier play the game that way should you want to on the PC/Mac/Linux versions with a keyboard and mouse. SteamOS would also require a keyboard and mouse. As far as I know, no current, or next gen, consoles come with keyboards or mice.
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SO it appears that the SteamBox won't mandate a controller scheme for the SteamOS versions of their games.
 
njean777 said:
DId you miss the part where you can just install the old programs on the desktop? You are not locked out of anything. Just install it as you would for Windows 7. Use it like windows 7, and there is nothing different other then a hideous start screen.
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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.
 
I can't believe there are no demos of game streaming. Seems odd to announce but no show any media.
 
If this takes off then it eliminates all need for Windows. Linux works just as easily as Windows, the main drawback is the developer support is very lacking compared to Windows. With the new SteamOS, it looks like pretty much every single game will work via Linux and can then be streamed to my Television.

Freakin awesome.

So long Windows, hello Linux.

Sony and Valve should get together I think. Playstation titles on SteamOS in return for exclusive rights to all Valve content.
 
Klyka said:
Yeah I saw that "working offline mode" when my Internet gave out for 2 weeks and Steam gave me the message "You need to connect to the internet to enable offline mode", so that I had to carry my PC over to a friend and use his Internet to enable offline mode.

Really great stuff they got going there.
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Here
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=31953036

Is it perfect? No. Does it work if you follow the directions? 9/10 times yes. Also, DRM is up to the publisher, not Valve.
 
StuBurns said:
In theory, I fully agree, but so far, no one has really explained why this is going to sell. That post people praised was discussing why it's good for Valve, I don't think anyone couldn't see why this would be good for Valve, but why is a gamer going to buy it?

There are three 'SteamBoxes', there's the low level $100 (not an exact number, just Gabe's estimate a few months ago) streaming machine. This is the only one I think anyone can make a real use case for. You have a gaming PC in your den, and you want to play a controller friendly game on your nice big TV. It won't feel as good, or look as crisp as playing on your gaming monitor, and $100 is far far more than a HDMI cable that would do this much better, but some people don't want to, or can't disturb their walls with new cables, or various other reasons that someone would do this. It's bad, but it makes sense for a number of users.

The second SteamBox is the 'console' spec version. This doesn't make sense to me. Gabe claims they can match performance and price with consoles. This is logically not the case, because consoles are sold at a loss at launch, and they're manufactured in far greater numbers than a SteamBox will be, and they get better performance with their spec than a similar spec PC. But let's say none of that is true, and they can match PS4 perfectly with performance and cost, why would someone buy it? People who have never bought a console haven't heard of Valve. Valve fans have gaming PCs already, and they could buy a console and get the exclusive games for it, a SteamBox gets you no exclusive games (and if it did, people would lose their shit).

The third SteamBox is a full priced gaming PC, this is the most pointless of all. Buy a second full priced gaming PC to put under your TV. Almost no one would do that.

Of course Valve want to break away from Windows, but why do the users?
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Valve and Nintendo are the only two big players left that offer free online play. That's one big reason why gamers should be excited now that they are making it easier to get the same experience. I fully expect a cheap or fairly reasonably priced device that connects your current PC around your house. I made a comment the other day about Valve maybe getting into streaming games like Onlive but I doubt they will.

You're right, selling hardware and competing with the likes of Sony and Microsoft is tough. Valve does software. Unless they can partner with someone it's a risky endeavor. I don't know how big the market is for a PC/console hybrid. They want to get away from relying on Windows. Microsoft is trying to be like Apple, a closed ecosystem. It makes sense for them because that's where the profits are and you can control your own market. Valve wants gamers to have free access and allow instant updates and have the gamers involved with the development and green-lighting games. They want to take away the control and power Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft have on developers. Plus any licensing fees and going through that whole process of getting things approved.

The console makers spend a lot of money on advertising and with exclusive content and cheap entry points to get started is what console gamers like. It used to be the ease of use but that is something Valve has slowly evaporated over time. A dullard like me can simply buy a Steam game and start playing, just like I do on consoles. Big Picture Mode and now SteamOS makes it even more user friendly.

InsaneZero said:
Nobody would rushing out to get SteamOS TVs, but TVs can come with SteamOS to increase its value. Simply increasing the exposure that people have with Steam is a victory for Valve, and probably one of the many reasons the SteamOS was built.
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Agree 100%
 
Steam is not a one-way content broadcast channel, it’s a collaborative many-to-many entertainment platform, in which each participant is a multiplier of the experience for everyone else.
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Can GAF explain this bit to me? Thanks in advance :)
 
I love tinkering around with hardware. Putting together a Steam box to maximize power to size is going to be a blast.

For everyone else, we'll have to see what the next 2 days bring. Seems like Valve is hedging their bets against whatever Microsoft has planned for Windows 9.
 
ridethepiggy said:
Here
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=31953036

Is it perfect? No. Does it work if you follow the directions? 9/10 times yes. Also, DRM is up to the publisher, not Valve.
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If I am prepared for having no Internet and I know about Steam needing this done,like the hardcore PC guy I am, then yes, It is no problem.

If I am joe mc casual who likes to buy cheap games on steam and suddenly my internet gives out and my entire library is gone, I will be a biiiiiiiiit miffed.
 
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!
 
The four fighting game on steam now need to be ported to linux, because if you are going to play streamed the lag will be glorious...now for other games I think this will not be a issue I think.

Hope there is netflix for both SteamOs and Steam for windows...
 
RulkezX said:
From Miles Jacobson, Glorious Leader of Sports Interactive



SO it appears that the SteamBox won't mandate a controller scheme for the SteamOS versions of their games.
Click to expand...

That's a shame. I hope at least all the menus are navigable via a gamepad. I don't intend to hook up a mouse and keyboard at all to SteamOS.
 
Just heard of this. It was expected but I'm utterly excited for this. The ripple effects will completely change the gaming industry landscape. We will be the pioneers of this. Warts and all. Good times.
 
ignaciogc said:
I guess my biggest issue with this approach is the "forward compatibility" that consoles have, and cannot be guaranteed on SteamOS devices.
As other users have pointed out, if I buy a console, I know I will be able to play ALL games that are released for that console, whether I have the day one version, or the slimmer version released a few years down the road.
However, with SteamOS devices you enter a scenario where some of the games offered in the Library cannot be played on your device; And I am not talking about next year, or two years down the road, where streaming from your PC is mostly required for big AAA games.

But if this thing takes off, and the ties to Windows are broken, my 2016 SteamOS device might not be able to play a 2018 released game with settings that are reasonable.

Before anyone says: but that happens on PC today, the situation is not the same. Most PC users are aware of hardware specs in gaming, but when you remove the PC, and make your box a "gaming" system only with SteamOS, it has the potential to be confusing for consumers.
They are targeting this SteamOS to be connected to the TV, so it is closer to a console than a PC in a lot of ways.

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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Durante said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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