The latest rumours have suggested that Valve is (still) building a 'Steam console' to rival PlayStation and Xbox units.
Debunk from dev Pierre-Loup Griffais
@plagman.bsky.social
“we’ve done pre-release Mesa Vulkan work on every AMD architecture since Vega thanks to them kindly providing hardware, so there’s nothing meaningful to read into there.”
I think I’m part of steam machine’s target market. Games are leisure time. I don’t want to be worrying about processor-graphics cards combos. I don’t want to worry about which game runs, or optimising settings. I want to turn it on and have fun.
Sadly, I’ve been in emulating recently just to get away from micro transactions so I have to spend a lot of time tinkering. First mini pc that flawlessly runs 360/PS3 and is less than £500 I’m getting it.
Like you said though, just buy a prebuilt and you’re already there
As long as Microsoft doesn’t push an update that fucks up your machine, or you don’t boot for a few weeks and have to wait 2 hours for an update…
Even the biggest Steam update takes a fraction of the time of a ‘routine’ Windows update. SteamOS/DeckOS is a huge quality of life upgrade over a desktop.
That being said, if you don’t want to fuck with computers any more than necessary, that route won’t be particularly pleasing until Valve can release their OS and Launcher updates, assuming they keep things user friendly.
Linux gaming is leagues better than it was 20 years ago. Still hard to beat a fresh Windows install (key: fresh) and most certainly a console when it comes to ease of use.
Xbone was my last console purchase and I considered it terrible value for money. AAA games aren’t generally worth looking at due to their monetisation strategies. Console wars are anti-consumer. Indy titles, what I mostly play don’t have the same availability. Steam workshop has no equivalent on console. Multilayer is a paid addition, not that multiplayer is worth it because the multiplayer games have the worst monetisation strategies. I could go on.
But you’re right, that’s what I want, a Steam Machine.
I’m not the target for such device, I play on my PC and on the Deck when on the couch. But I wish the rumor is true, it will boost PC gaming as a whole
What would make me happy is a way smoother experience with game streaming. With moonlight/sunshine I’ve found it works incredibly well - when it does. I always ran into issues with resolution setting, windows lock screen, power on power off etc. I mean, I’m sure I could figure it out over time but I’m way to lazy, I don’t have time to tinker with that. I just want it to work.
If I could sit on my couch and have a cool and quiet steam deck streaming off my PC in the other room, that would be sweet.
Agree, but when I playing like that i prefer on my PC, on the couch I prefer to play more chill games while my partner watches her favorites shows on the TV, that was kinda the reason for me to get the Deck in the first place.
I run Bazzite HTPC Version on my gaming rig, i would consider this the best console experience nowadays. A huge amount of games, no need to rebuy games i allready owned on a previous PC and most games run out of the box just fine.
Don’t they already have this? What is the Steam Deck, if not a rival to the PS5 and the Xbox ala the Switch? Shouldn’t the focus go into optimizing that space, as opposed to trying again at the home console market?
Instant pre-order for me. Steamdeck has been by far my favorite gaming console but TV performance is only good for low requirement games and I’d love the same experience for proper 4k gaming even if it’s medium fidelity.
This could be nice for folks that want a console-like living room experience that “just works”.
Me? I built a Linux HTPC a dozen years ago and have periodically updated the graphics card (it gets the hand-me-downs from my main gaming PC) so I don’t need this. I’m far more interested in a Steam Controller 2 😄
I built a Linux HTPC like a month ago. I tried a couple of different distros, mainly because the Xbox controller (that I bought new) didn’t work with any distro. The Playstation one works perfectly, but that Xbox mf is a lost cause (I’m going to change it for a tattoo lmao, and save for another Playstation controller).
At the end, I landed on Bazzite distro and is working fine. The KDE plasma interface is really good (after like 10 years with Linux mint cinnamon, the plasma feel like I’m in the future)
Huh? Im using an xbox controller on my kubuntu for steam. alas connection only works wired, bluetooth is unusable for me. Give your controller one last chance ♥️
Nah, that controller problem had perfect time. I was trying to find a excuse to go to Rio during carnival and our tattoo artist friend said that he take the controller in exchange for a tattoo so I have no alternative that to go to Rio during carnival to make the exchange.
I already had a ps4 controller (worked ok on Linux mint and perfectly with Bazzite), but wanted a second one to play with my wife, and I have seen people using Xbox controllers on Linux so I supposed it was “plug and play”, but not! You first need to connect it to an Xbox or a Windows PC to update the controller firmware (I don’t have any of those, had to ask my neighbor to update the controller on his PC). After this, the controller was supposed to work but it didn’t. This is were I learned that xbox controllers don’t use the standard Bluetooth protocol but a proprietary one.
This is were I learned that xbox controllers don’t use the standard Bluetooth protocol but a proprietary one.
Is there a source for this? I play a few time vampire games on my iPad and use my xbox controller BT paired with it just fine. Haven’t had a single issue in a year or so.
I had no problem with the controller on my android phone neither (test it like that to check if wasn’t the controller broke), but couldn’t make it work on any distro (tried an Arch distribution don’t remember the name, linux mint, fedora and bazzite (fedora based)).
Don’t know why it works for some people and others not. If you look around for fixes is just a bunch of people asking for help and others answering that it worked fine for them.
Ugh, tell me about it!!!
Those SC2 leaks happened a while ago but we’ve still to hear anything official about it at all, sure hope they haven’t scrapped it…
Overall, this makes sense. We’ve kind of acted like console gaming is somehow separate from computer gaming because of consoles exclusive monopolies on various titles, but it’s become much clearer over time that it’s actually PC which has been gather exclusive titles by… just… Being easy to develop for with no requirement to port? It looks more and more like we’re seeing PC taking over the gaming space more and more. Hopefully valve can pull this off right.
There are still advantages to a fixed platform like the Steam Deck. It makes a fixed hardware platform to optimize for. Anything that runs on Deck should also run on another PC.
Likewise, a Steam Box that was popular enough would provide a target hardware platform with higher spec.
Most hardware manufacturers will have too high paced a release schedule, so unlikely to provide a stable hardware spec.
Having a popular, standardized pc with fixed hardware and OS would enable game developers to aim that as minimum(or recommended) requirement and to optimize their games for that. And since it will be running linux, this means that gaming in linux would become even more mainstream and better supported too.
Having a Valve made device that can run switch games that take up more resources would be amazing. Definitely hope they go for better specs that allow for emulation to become easier.
Optimization profiles for games to target the specific hardware. It would be for people that want a steam deck like device that isn’t portable. Which would probably sell more units than a steam deck now. If priced right I would put it in my living room. It just needs to have the QOL that comes with console for couch gaming.
When the first Steam Machines were announced years ago, I assumed they’d all be running the same hardware like consoles do, and I thought that was actually quite a good idea because it could give game devs a sort of “baseline” set of hardware to aim for, as opposed to the sort of “vaguely make it run on Windows” system we seem to have currently. So if the new ones are all more-or-less the same kit like the Steam Decks are, and they take off well enough, it could be handy in that way I guess.
Plus it’ll presumably run SteamOS so more Linux exposure which I always appreciate.
Kinda. They are not very customisable. They are locked down boxes. You can’t run your normal applications on it, control it with a mouse or keyboard, etc.
Kinda, but not quite. The main difference, imo, is that consoles have several anti-tampering measures in place, often as exclusive hardware, to ensure owners don’t jailbreak. The PC is, by design, open and “unsafe”, without measures to stop owners from doing whatever.
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I think I’m part of steam machine’s target market. Games are leisure time. I don’t want to be worrying about processor-graphics cards combos. I don’t want to worry about which game runs, or optimising settings. I want to turn it on and have fun.
Sadly, I’ve been in emulating recently just to get away from micro transactions so I have to spend a lot of time tinkering. First mini pc that flawlessly runs 360/PS3 and is less than £500 I’m getting it.
You’ll have a long way to go on the software side before worrying about hardware
Like you said though, just buy a prebuilt and you’re already there
As long as Microsoft doesn’t push an update that fucks up your machine, or you don’t boot for a few weeks and have to wait 2 hours for an update…
Even the biggest Steam update takes a fraction of the time of a ‘routine’ Windows update. SteamOS/DeckOS is a huge quality of life upgrade over a desktop.
Why are you running Windows on any device prebuilt or otherwise?
I’m not but the majority is.
Linux is the key there.
All your complaints revolve around Windows.
That being said, if you don’t want to fuck with computers any more than necessary, that route won’t be particularly pleasing until Valve can release their OS and Launcher updates, assuming they keep things user friendly.
Linux gaming is leagues better than it was 20 years ago. Still hard to beat a fresh Windows install (key: fresh) and most certainly a console when it comes to ease of use.
I’m a Debian guy but most of the people I know are stuck in the Windows ecosystem because it’s the only one most people know.
I know. The SER 8 is damn close hardware wise, it could be in budget given a sale/voucher/what not. RetroGameCorps - mini pc spreadsheet
I can start at ps1 to give emulators time to catch up.
You should buy a console then
I have a console and still play most games on the steamdeck. A lot is portability, but other times it’s what games are on PC vs Consoles.
Xbone was my last console purchase and I considered it terrible value for money. AAA games aren’t generally worth looking at due to their monetisation strategies. Console wars are anti-consumer. Indy titles, what I mostly play don’t have the same availability. Steam workshop has no equivalent on console. Multilayer is a paid addition, not that multiplayer is worth it because the multiplayer games have the worst monetisation strategies. I could go on.
But you’re right, that’s what I want, a Steam Machine.
Or maybe they could do Half-Life 3 please.
Steam Console Exclusive
Huge half life fan here.
I would wait to emulate that shit.
A steam console will likely just be a Linux PC running SteamOS
No need to emulate
I don’t care. Gimme.
From reddit:
I’m not the target for such device, I play on my PC and on the Deck when on the couch. But I wish the rumor is true, it will boost PC gaming as a whole
What would make me happy is a way smoother experience with game streaming. With moonlight/sunshine I’ve found it works incredibly well - when it does. I always ran into issues with resolution setting, windows lock screen, power on power off etc. I mean, I’m sure I could figure it out over time but I’m way to lazy, I don’t have time to tinker with that. I just want it to work.
If I could sit on my couch and have a cool and quiet steam deck streaming off my PC in the other room, that would be sweet.
Playing games in 4k on your TV with surround sound is superior to playing on a steam deck
Agree, but when I playing like that i prefer on my PC, on the couch I prefer to play more chill games while my partner watches her favorites shows on the TV, that was kinda the reason for me to get the Deck in the first place.
I get that for sure
I run Bazzite HTPC Version on my gaming rig, i would consider this the best console experience nowadays. A huge amount of games, no need to rebuy games i allready owned on a previous PC and most games run out of the box just fine.
Is that a distro or launcher? Im switching to PC gaming and Im interested in your set up.
Its a distro. An alternative for Bazzite could be ChimeraOS
Don’t they already have this? What is the Steam Deck, if not a rival to the PS5 and the Xbox ala the Switch? Shouldn’t the focus go into optimizing that space, as opposed to trying again at the home console market?
Yeah I have a Steam Deck with a dock and bluetooth mouse & keyboard, it’s basically just a desktop PC lol.
Although the Deck does struggle a bit with super high-end games, so a similar thing with beefier hardware could fill a niche there I guess?
The Switch was Nintendo giving up the spec race entirely to create an ok console and good handheld device.
The Steam Deck copied the design ethos of the Switch. It is an ok gaming PC that is great for mobile gaming.
A Steam console would be slightly different, but I could see it doing well, especially if it can become an entertainment center.
Has Nintendo ever really been about the spec race? Apart from maybe the 64.
I love my deck but it is absolutely not a rival to ps5 and xbsx. It can barely run new high end games at low settings.
Instant pre-order for me. Steamdeck has been by far my favorite gaming console but TV performance is only good for low requirement games and I’d love the same experience for proper 4k gaming even if it’s medium fidelity.
The Steam Box is back!
I see this as an absolute Win
This could be nice for folks that want a console-like living room experience that “just works”.
Me? I built a Linux HTPC a dozen years ago and have periodically updated the graphics card (it gets the hand-me-downs from my main gaming PC) so I don’t need this. I’m far more interested in a Steam Controller 2 😄
I built a Linux HTPC like a month ago. I tried a couple of different distros, mainly because the Xbox controller (that I bought new) didn’t work with any distro. The Playstation one works perfectly, but that Xbox mf is a lost cause (I’m going to change it for a tattoo lmao, and save for another Playstation controller).
At the end, I landed on Bazzite distro and is working fine. The KDE plasma interface is really good (after like 10 years with Linux mint cinnamon, the plasma feel like I’m in the future)
Huh? Im using an xbox controller on my kubuntu for steam. alas connection only works wired, bluetooth is unusable for me. Give your controller one last chance ♥️
Nah, that controller problem had perfect time. I was trying to find a excuse to go to Rio during carnival and our tattoo artist friend said that he take the controller in exchange for a tattoo so I have no alternative that to go to Rio during carnival to make the exchange.
That’s a bummer, because I was considering the same thing and was wondering what Xbox controller support would be on Linux.
I already had a ps4 controller (worked ok on Linux mint and perfectly with Bazzite), but wanted a second one to play with my wife, and I have seen people using Xbox controllers on Linux so I supposed it was “plug and play”, but not! You first need to connect it to an Xbox or a Windows PC to update the controller firmware (I don’t have any of those, had to ask my neighbor to update the controller on his PC). After this, the controller was supposed to work but it didn’t. This is were I learned that xbox controllers don’t use the standard Bluetooth protocol but a proprietary one.
Is there a source for this? I play a few time vampire games on my iPad and use my xbox controller BT paired with it just fine. Haven’t had a single issue in a year or so.
I had no problem with the controller on my android phone neither (test it like that to check if wasn’t the controller broke), but couldn’t make it work on any distro (tried an Arch distribution don’t remember the name, linux mint, fedora and bazzite (fedora based)).
On Fedora using a wireless Xbox one controller with absolutely no issues.
Don’t know why it works for some people and others not. If you look around for fixes is just a bunch of people asking for help and others answering that it worked fine for them.
Ugh, tell me about it!!!
Those SC2 leaks happened a while ago but we’ve still to hear anything official about it at all, sure hope they haven’t scrapped it…
deleted by creator
Overall, this makes sense. We’ve kind of acted like console gaming is somehow separate from computer gaming because of consoles exclusive monopolies on various titles, but it’s become much clearer over time that it’s actually PC which has been gather exclusive titles by… just… Being easy to develop for with no requirement to port? It looks more and more like we’re seeing PC taking over the gaming space more and more. Hopefully valve can pull this off right.
There are still advantages to a fixed platform like the Steam Deck. It makes a fixed hardware platform to optimize for. Anything that runs on Deck should also run on another PC.
Likewise, a Steam Box that was popular enough would provide a target hardware platform with higher spec.
Most hardware manufacturers will have too high paced a release schedule, so unlikely to provide a stable hardware spec.
We need a steam deck 2 first
Nah I’d wait longer if I was valve so there’s an actual improvement, not just a small upgrade
The steam deck was on zen 2, I feel like we’ve had a lot of improvements since then
Yes but, I feel, not enough to justify a steam deck 2
The article has been updated, this isn’t true unfortunately.
I’m not sure what would be the point. Isn’t it “just” a PC with Steam OS running on it? Would it be to help people just default to SteamOS?
Anti Commercial-AI license
Having a popular, standardized pc with fixed hardware and OS would enable game developers to aim that as minimum(or recommended) requirement and to optimize their games for that. And since it will be running linux, this means that gaming in linux would become even more mainstream and better supported too.
Also being theoretically not portable, it could be more powerful than the Steam Deck making emulation even easier.
Having a Valve made device that can run switch games that take up more resources would be amazing. Definitely hope they go for better specs that allow for emulation to become easier.
That is indeed a good argument reason. I wish them all the best!
Anti Commercial-AI license
Optimization profiles for games to target the specific hardware. It would be for people that want a steam deck like device that isn’t portable. Which would probably sell more units than a steam deck now. If priced right I would put it in my living room. It just needs to have the QOL that comes with console for couch gaming.
When the first Steam Machines were announced years ago, I assumed they’d all be running the same hardware like consoles do, and I thought that was actually quite a good idea because it could give game devs a sort of “baseline” set of hardware to aim for, as opposed to the sort of “vaguely make it run on Windows” system we seem to have currently. So if the new ones are all more-or-less the same kit like the Steam Decks are, and they take off well enough, it could be handy in that way I guess.
Plus it’ll presumably run SteamOS so more Linux exposure which I always appreciate.
Sure, which would be great for people who don’t want to build their own PC or buy an expensive prebuilt.
aren’t the other consoles just pcs with custom os?
Kinda. They are not very customisable. They are locked down boxes. You can’t run your normal applications on it, control it with a mouse or keyboard, etc.
Anti Commercial-AI license
Think of them like laptops, they have a lot of components that make them a pc but arent really able to be modified or changed
Kinda, but not quite. The main difference, imo, is that consoles have several anti-tampering measures in place, often as exclusive hardware, to ensure owners don’t jailbreak. The PC is, by design, open and “unsafe”, without measures to stop owners from doing whatever.