Steam gets it´s own console

[Herr Matzat]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/02/report-valve-developing-steam-box-console

According to a new report from The Verge, Valve is preparing to launch a set top box to compete with consoles, allegedly dubbed the Steam Box, and the announcement could come as soon as next week.

Citing "uncovered information" from unnamed sources, the tech blog says that Valve is developing a platform for low-cost, micro-sized PCs that would offer access to Steam's vast library of games, but in a streamlined console-style experience. It's possible that Valve be producing a Steam Box of its own, but other manufacturers will also be able to develop hardware for the platform.

The report claims that baseline models will have an Intel Core i7 CPU, NVIDIA GPU and 8GBs of RAM, such as the Alienware X51, which may have been designed to be a Steam Box-capable device.

Valve is also allegedly developing an array of USB accessories, including a controller with modular control schemes like Mad Catz's MLG Pro Circuit Controller, and biometric sensors that change in-game elements to match your behavior.

The Steam Box platform could make its debut at Game Developers Conference (GDC), though the report states that Valve could hold the announcement until E3.

This could become very interesting. Depending of the price and how they will manage to get "every" game running on it.

[gunnar hendershow]

This is either going to be a game-changer or something we forget about in a year's time. As you said, price and capabilities are going to dictate its success.

[thatshortguy]

They're essentially attempting to create the missing link between PCs and consoles, which will prove tricky. A console where you can upgrade parts more easily than a computer? Good call. A console where there are a ton of variants and nobody's sure what works with what (Android territory)? Dead in under a year.

I will call this, however: Half-Life 3 or Episode 3 will be a launch title for this.

[apsham]

Oh sweet babies. This is exactly the kind of thing I've been wanting/looking forward to. I hope it becomes fully realized.

[Lint]

Sounds like a cool concept but I could see Microsoft arguing that a game console with "box" in its name could confuse consumers and file a lawsuit

[TKz]

Some kind of console that you could update the parts off would be fantastic. Especially when you also consider that getting games from Steam is so much easier than the physical copies you have to wait for with PS3 or 360. (or the digital copies that usually cost about £20 more) Could definitely see this causing an increase in the cost of PC games though.

[METALMAN]

pffffffft old news

[AnnIQ Edison]

Sounds like a cool concept but I could see Microsoft arguing that a game console with "box" in its name could confuse consumers and file a lawsuit

STEAM MACHINE!

[StevenRichardsRules]

Edited March 4, 2012 by StevenRichardsRules

[The Lusophone]

Watch it flop.

[apsham]

It doesn't even exist yet and we're already anticipating a flop?

[EWB's Best Poster.]

Nor will it exist.

Valve debunked the rumor. No steam box

[thatshortguy]

Nor will it exist.

Valve debunked the rumor. No steam box

...yet. The various designs of controllers and other hardware amounts to the smoke. There's a fire here somewhere, and we have not heard the last of this yet.

[New Damage]

It's not smoke, it's steam.