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[Dacvak]

This generation will not change anything, but it will continue to move the needle. The gap between PC and console gaming continues to close, and it'll keep doing exactly that.

The industry has been homogenizing on a hardware level, and things will continue to move in that direction. As software continues to be offered on multiple platforms, and as the distance between open and closed platforms keeps shrinking, we will see companies move to a primarily software-based model in the future.

I think the last man standing will be Nintendo, but I doubt they'll even be able to last with a dedicated hardware platform for more than another generation or two.

 

[vkbest]

Imagine thinking this GabeCube which will sell 5 million units lifetime it's going to terrify Sony and their 120 million selling PS consoles

Imagine thinking PlayStation is going to sell more units than Nintendo and Sega consoles… wait.

 

[bigdad2007]

I don't think it's a PS6 replacement. The Steam desktop Linux experience is decent, but it does require some amount of tinkering for some games.

Also Valve will not be able to subsidize as much as Sony can because Steam hardware is a somewhat niche market.

This is a direct competitor though to what MS is cooking up.

But with MS continuing to threaten to clamp down on windows. I'm all for a Linux pc competitor to keep them honest.

 

[Pasta la Vista]

Its not replacing my PS5 but is replacing windows for gaming on PC for me.

Depeneding on the game, case by case basis. Smaller games. Indie games etc, ill likely get on steam from now on.

 

[Pejo]

"how can I make this news about Sony?"

- SonyGAF

 

[SNG32]

They'll start a Playstation Store app and stagger the Steam release of their PC ports.

This I think if anything Sony will have a pc store front. Where they will start releasing day and date games on and you will be able to cross buy and connect with PlayStation users and they will be unified with trophies. I think they will still put games on steam but much later and possibly later than it is currently they will defintely test the waters on their PC launcher.

 

[iamvin22]

Whose tear? I don't think it would change much. Sony games haven't exactly been killing it on PC.

Fanboys of course.

 

[Durin]

Eating off each others' plates has been happening the day Sony + Microsoft moved to AMD x86 chips, and Nintendo re-used an Nvidia ARM one.

Even Nintendo is making games for mobile, Sony's announced a whole mobile division back in 2022, Microsoft is making an entire storefront for mobile, and Valve released a VR headset running Snapdragon ARM chips that run on smartphones.

Each will still make their main devices have unique features and benefits to get a core base to milk, and then drip-feed out whole games + spin-offs to other platforms to make more cash. The gap between hardware is shrinking away, because they can't grow fast enough anymore with just their own devices.

 

[Moses85]

Sonys answer to the Steam machine just leaked online.

 

[ResurrectedContrarian]

If you're jaded by all the trash "AAAA" games today as I am -- I'd rather stop gaming than play something made by today's EA or some seasons-shooter BS, or any of the western trash from Sony's prime studios -- then a Steam Box actually looks much nicer economically.

All the amazing, unique and varied games you'll manage to obtain on the Steam store for very little cash during their frequent sales... it can make you pretty much give up on taking regular console game pricing seriously.

 

[Darkness_Arises]

Sony will have to explain why it's cool to pay double for the console and a monthly fee for an infinitesimally smaller game library with a bump in ray tracing settings to make up the difference.

Steam Cube owners will have far better access to PSX and PS2 titles.

I am primarily a single player gamer. I do not pay for PS+. If I was a multiplayer guy, I would stay far away from the steam machines as they do not run most popular multiplayer titles. What difference does the PS+ fees make to a prospective consumer choosing between a PS5 and Steam machine? If he wanted to play online games, the Steam box and the Steam deck would not even be in contention.

All the amazing, unique and varied games you'll manage to obtain on the Steam store for very little cash during their frequent sales... it can make you pretty much give up on taking regular console game pricing seriously.

There is no meaningful difference in sales prices between Steam and PSN.

 

[yurinka]

The more time passes, the more it seems that everyone is eating off the same plates. I don't think the Steam Machines will be a threat to the PlayStation any more than the Steam Deck is a threat to the Switch. However, the top brass at Sony has to be looking at this. If the Steam Machines are even half as convenient as consoles and can just be placed in the living room, what incentives will there be to get a PlayStation? Not only do you get Microsoft Studios games day 1, you get a lot of PC games that don't come to consoles, and you get PlayStation games later down the line. This seems dangerously close to stepping on the toes of Sony's console business. Sony is also seemingly planning to release a handheld that will ostensibly play in a similar market to the Steam Deck, but I expect the PS6 portable to be a lot more popular. Still, another market where they overlap.

So, will Sony even give a thought about those machines or are they so irrelevant they won't factor into their strategy in the future?

Steam Machines existed since 10 years ago. This one will have zero effect on PlayStation like the previous ones, because if lucky will sell around 4M units like Steamdeck. So the only effect for Sony is that these devices will help sell a few Sony PC games more.

 

[kur07]

They better remove the PS+ multiplayer requirement or lots of people will be looking the other way

 

[Darkness_Arises]

They better remove the PS+ multiplayer requirement or lots of people will be looking the other way

Why? Free MP on Steam Deck and Steam box does not even provide access to the most popular MP games. If you are an SP guy, PS5 is cheaper. If you are an MP guy, PS5 is the only cheap option as Fortnite, CoD and BF are not compatible with the Steam machines.

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

They better remove the PS+ multiplayer requirement or lots of people will be looking the other way

Nobody is cross-shopping meager linux PC and modern affordable flagship home console.

Especially if you want to play CoD, Roblox, Fortnite or any other popular non-Valve online game without hassle.

I do understand that GAF is an enthusiast forum, but even for enthusiast it's a neverending puzzle to simply run modern popular MP game on, say, Deck.

 

[Ozzie666]

Truthfully, behind the amazing numbers and best generation of playstation ever, there is a dark under current. the gaming industry is not growing. PS5 is cruising on high prices and services. With XBOX waiving the white flag on hardware currently, PS5 sales should be exploding, but they aren't. The market size is stagnant. SteamCube won't increase it. It's a bad sign going forward.

GTA delay, players invested in 2-3 games a year (fornite, roblox whatever).

The question is where are all these lost XBOX souls and future souls going to go? just stick with PC? Because they don't seem to buying more Switch or PS5.

 

[DenchDeckard]

The current steam machine will be a test bed. If they can sell a few million it will be more of an intro to more products

Good starting point but not for me.

 

[nial]

"how can I make this news about Sony?"

- SonyGAF

Gaiff being SonyGAF is a new one to me.

If you're jaded by all the trash "AAAA" games today as I am -- I'd rather stop gaming than play something made by today's EA or some seasons-shooter BS, or any of the western trash from Sony's prime studios -- then a Steam Box actually looks much nicer economically.

You're not forced to play any of that stuff if you have a PS5, though.

 

[Davevil]

 

[SkylineRKR]

Nothing really. But it does mean Sony should consider their exclusive output and not fall into the Xbox deathtrap.