Valve launching its Steam game console in 2014

[Winnow]

http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/

I'm interested in this. Some don't have much luck with PC hardware or aren't interested in keeping up to date on tech. If this turns out to have decent power and firmware/OS updates closer to Microsofts quality/reliability than Sony's clock watching/brick horror show, it might be a useful thing to own for many people.

The key will be the controller. I wonder if they'll arrange the joysticks like Sony's dualshock controller or like Microsoft's Xbox controller....hmmmmmmm.

45 hours until the announcement as of this post.

[Fairweather Pure]

I am definitely interested to see what they have to show off.

[Winnow]

Ah NM, it's a linux box. So much for that.



And WTF is that? That controller layout may be just as bad as Sony's Dualshock. Probably a little better for games you strafe on but for most games you primarily use left joystick to move and right side for buttons. This could possible be a therapy controller for those afflicted with crab hands from using Dualshock controllers as your thumbs and fingers will be contorted in the opposite way of the dualshock which, after a few years, may even things out so you can use a proper 360 style controller.

[Aslanna]

Luckily there's nothing wrong with the Dualshock layout. Unless one happens to be a total spaz.

[Winnow]

Luckily there's nothing wrong with the Dualshock layout. Unless one happens to be a total spaz.

It sucks compared to the 360 controller layout.

[Aslanna]

It doesn't.

[Winnow]

I can't argue that some people may prefer the dualshock over the 360, just not the majority of people, especially those that care about ergonomics, comfort and usability in modern era gaming.

[Aslanna]

Have research that proves a "majority" of people believe that?

[Winnow]

Have research that proves a "majority" of people believe that?

Yes, search ps3 vs Xbox controller and read every single article/comment you find and then sum up all of the comments and reviews.

GO!

[Leonaerd]

Ergonimic = symmetrical joystick placement

Prove me wrong.

[Aslanna]

Have research that proves a "majority" of people believe that?

Yes, search ps3 vs Xbox controller and read every single article/comment you find and then sum up all of the comments and reviews.

GO!

So in other words you don't. GOT IT!

[Winnow]

do same search!

[Aslanna]

Why should I be the one trying to prove your claim? That's not how the internet works!

[kyoukan]

Winnow is an overweight pedophile that can't afford to buy his own video games. Use the internet to prove me wrong.

[Winnow]

kyoukan is a saggy tit horrible mother fixated on pedophilia that shouldn't be allowed to be anywhere near kids. No need to research it. Just pray authorities take the kids before they die from a Darwin award worthy stupid accident caused by their mother.

[Funkmasterr]

I love how this degenerate prick saps the fun out of nearly every topic before we have a real chance to talk about it, and you guys keep replying to him. Quit encouraging this shit.

[Leonaerd]

Gabecube is gonna fucking ROCK!!!

And Linux is the shit.

HL3 as part of Orange Box 3 on release. Calling it now. Watch for Orange Box 2 to appear suddenly.

[kyoukan]

kyoukan is a saggy tit horrible mother fixated on pedophilia that shouldn't be allowed to be anywhere near kids. No need to research it. Just pray authorities take the kids before they die from a Darwin award worthy stupid accident caused by their mother.

aww your widdle feewings got hurt.

[Animalor]

Wouldn't it just be easier to cut out this middleman and plug in your PC to your TV and/or get a wireless HDMI transmitter so your PC doesn't need to be close?

This seems to be a solution in search of a problem.

Also, if the PC or Android are any indication, OEM's will butcher the shit out of this with a ton of stupid, propriatary and completely unnecessary bloat.

Thanks but no thanks.

[kyoukan]

The problem is that people see a difference between a PC and a media box. They have no desire to wire their PC to their TV and all the hassle that involves. I just HDMI out my video card to my TV and handle everything there. I play games with Steam big picture and watch movies with VLC media player or Netflix through Chrome. It works great but most people don't even know you can do that. Chromecast is too limited in what it can do and similar wireless solutions don't cut it either.

Steambox's big hurdles are going to be convincing developers to code for SteamOS - games have budgets and adding support for an OS costs money, and everyone who buys it is already going to have Windows. They also lack a killer app that will make power users or even semi-power users to "got to have" this thing. They have not really said anything about it so maybe they have some tricks up their sleeves. Valve isn't Apple. They are going to have to rely on power users to be their early adopters and advocate the machine for them. If there is no reason for power users to own one, the machine is dead in the water.

[Funkmasterr]

Yeah, while I like Valve and use Steam - I don't have a use for this as I've had my TV hooked up as my computer monitor via HDMI for years now.

[Winnow]

lol?

Xbox Controller > Whatever the fuck that is above > Dualshock

That controller is fucking hilarious.

Might prove useful if it can replace the dualshock.

[Animalor]

I was thinking on this the other day and I'm wondering if this isn't an attempt by Valve to potentially stem the PC gaming lull that happened in the first 3-4 years of the current console gen.

I remember in the early 2007-2010 days, a TON of people were declaring that PC gaming was dead and that sales had lulled. Then the consoles started showing their age and a lot of the people that value mazing graphics started migrating back to the PC.

By putting in a lot of the features that Xbox had in the One originally and that PC games are already favorable to, they might carve out a segment of that.

Also.... that controller.. I cannot see myself just gliding my thumb on a touchpad to control something without having any visual feedback. I've tried using something similar to this on non-gaming applications. Was never a pleasant experience. Valve has smart people though. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

[kyoukan]

there was a lull in PC gaming because everyone was playing WOW and no one was making anything good. also gaming PC's were atrociously expensive.

[Winnow]

I've tried a lot of different things but using a mouse/gaming pad has been the best solution for PC gaming for me. Specifically the Saitek Command Controller that has the thumb joystick. The Saitek controller is ancient but I haven't found anything better.

That said, some games designed and with in-game support for an Xbox type controller, have worked very well. TERA is an MMO with excellent xbox/dualshock controller support.

I don't see a trackpad/touch replacing joysticks setup like the Steam Controller being useful, especially with that retarded four corner button configuration.



Doesn't look ergonomic. Those ABXY buttons are ridiculous.



Dude looks confused. Should use the controller in the upper right part of the screen.

[Leonaerd]

Half-Life 3 is trademarked by Valve as of today.

[Show]