Wait, so when are the other two announcments happening?
Wait, so when are the other two announcments happening?
http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/
Its got a countdown timer and everything. Around 2 days from now is the next one.
First announcement is SteamOS.Announcement is pretty obviously Steambox related. I don't think there will really be a "SteamOS", Gaben showed up at Linux Con talking about how he thinks Linux is the future of gaming, so I'd be willing to bet Steambox will be Linux-based, even if it boots out of the box with a steam wrapper of some kind.
Makes the second announcement obvious, that being the Steambox for the SteamOS.
Third announcement is...? Half Life 3 released on Sega Saturn as a Japan only exclusive.
That's exactly what the page says.First announcement is SteamOS.Announcement is pretty obviously Steambox related. I don't think there will really be a "SteamOS", Gaben showed up at Linux Con talking about how he thinks Linux is the future of gaming, so I'd be willing to bet Steambox will be Linux-based, even if it boots out of the box with a steam wrapper of some kind.
Makes the second announcement obvious, that being the Steambox for the SteamOS.
SteamOS combines the rock-solid architecture of Linux with a gaming experience built for the big screen.
That's exactly what the page says.First announcement is SteamOS.Announcement is pretty obviously Steambox related. I don't think there will really be a "SteamOS", Gaben showed up at Linux Con talking about how he thinks Linux is the future of gaming, so I'd be willing to bet Steambox will be Linux-based, even if it boots out of the box with a steam wrapper of some kind.
Makes the second announcement obvious, that being the Steambox for the SteamOS.QuoteSteamOS combines the rock-solid architecture of Linux with a gaming experience built for the big screen.
A linux distro geared specifically to gaming sounds pretty neat to me.I'm actually kind of curious how this works. I considered going Linux, but didn't mostly because WINE seemed like too much of a hassle and not as efficient/buggy with some games, compared to just running Windows.
Probably, it doesn't. I honestly doubt it'll suddenly be able to run all Windows games. Valve is just trying to force a standardized platform, in order to make porting easier.A linux distro geared specifically to gaming sounds pretty neat to me.I'm actually kind of curious how this works. I considered going Linux, but didn't mostly because WINE seemed like too much of a hassle and not as efficient/buggy with some games, compared to just running Windows.
Eh, I still want to know if this SteamBox will be a Micro PC (like that wossname, the Piston or whatever it was) or a Console.Frankly I don't see what the big difference is. They talk about Big Picture, which is just a gamepad interface for Steam. I imagine their steam OS will have controller support from bootup like a console, and that will be the biggest difference compared to any other linux distro. That aside there's absolutely no reason for them not to include M+KB support, even if most of the new work they're doing is to not require it. If it's linux based, I'd expect it to do pretty much everything linux could do normally, including, say, office programs and web browsing.
The difference between a console and a micro PC is that a micro PC still has some versatility. You can plug in a keyboard and a mouse and play with those if you so desire. And it will most likely have web browsing. It's not entirely a console (purely gaming and bullshit social media nowadays) but not entirely a PC (much more focused on gaming).Eh, I still want to know if this SteamBox will be a Micro PC (like that wossname, the Piston or whatever it was) or a Console.Frankly I don't see what the big difference is. They talk about Big Picture, which is just a gamepad interface for Steam. I imagine their steam OS will have controller support from bootup like a console, and that will be the biggest difference compared to any other linux distro. That aside there's absolutely no reason for them not to include M+KB support, even if most of the new work they're doing is to not require it. If it's linux based, I'd expect it to do pretty much everything linux could do normally, including, say, office programs and web browsing.
Sure, they can still have word processors, web browsing, etc., but they would simply be extra stuff you could do. They wouldn't be the focus. I think gamers would appreciate that.Well, I want access to the internet to check guides, mods and whatnot. The only thing I really need is an internet browser and I can also do word processing, presentations and all that stuff.
My bet is it's going to be something similar to the Nvidia Shield thing. It'll be a basic PC with mediocre specs, but will lean on the abilitiy to stream all your games from your pc.
Anyone wanna bet that the Blue Sun is gonna make place for another announcement?
Anyone wanna bet that the Blue Sun is gonna make place for another announcement?
Didn't they speciffically say they had 3 major announcments though?
The thing is that SteamOS will most likely support the entire Steam gaming library without having to use WINE. While not a big deal and truly something that does not bother most Linux users, for some it just might be the tipping point to make them switch to a Linux-based OS.I highly doubt this. Most source games are linux compatible already... And frankly, if Steam were to try and make it's OS "NT Compatable", we probably would have heard SOME sort of legal fallout already.
They can lie. Or work through technicalities.Anyone wanna bet that the Blue Sun is gonna make place for another announcement?Didn't they speciffically say they had 3 major announcments though?
If the SteamOS is just for playing games, it's going to fail hard, as no one will want that on their main machine and anyone who wants a "games machine" will go and buy the much more refined xbox or playstation.What is they want to play on PC rather than consoles?
While everything you wrote is an entirely legitimate complaint, I highly doubt it will turn out like that in the end.The thing is that SteamOS will most likely support the entire Steam gaming library without having to use WINE. While not a big deal and truly something that does not bother most Linux users, for some it just might be the tipping point to make them switch to a Linux-based OS.-snip-
I just noticed that my local Best Buy also set up a HUGE PC gaming section. They took away nearly a third of the console section to dedicate specifically to PC gaming. Several brands of awesome gaming accessories, both budget and high-end. Is this a new thing in all Best Buys? I'm really impressed and happy about it.
It just seems silly to have a big blue sun in the middle of the screen with no aparent connection to anything.They can lie. Or work through technicalities.Anyone wanna bet that the Blue Sun is gonna make place for another announcement?Didn't they speciffically say they had 3 major announcments though?
What is they want to play on PC rather than consoles?(Assuming that is was meant to be if.)
While everything you wrote is an entirely legitimate complaint, I highly doubt it will turn out like that in the end.Before I start here, I don't like the use of the word complaint. It's more like apprehension. I've not seen anything from valve to be legitimately unhappy, and like everyone else, I'm only speculating.
I do not believe that SteamOS will require constant connection to the internet, nor that installation of Steam will even be mandatory. The whole "Steam" and "Valve-approved" thing is most likely just a gimmick to make it spread a bit faster as an OS.
As for the WINE thing: It wouldn't have surprised me if Valve did make a secret pact with WINE or something similar, but that is just speculation.
Again, what does not help either of the arguments is just how few actual details we are being given. The presentation has been painted with a lot of wide strokes and some key details have been left out. What we have here is pretty much the holy grail for speculators and conspiracy theorists due to all the vital things Valve left out of their presentation. Which is quite possibly just another marketing stunt to make the news spread faster.
We'll just have to wait and see, I guess.
or something like that ( 0 + 0 )[ O + O ]
Steam universe expanding + SunIt just seems silly to have a big blue sun in the middle of the screen with no aparent connection to anything.They can lie. Or work through technicalities.Anyone wanna bet that the Blue Sun is gonna make place for another announcement?Didn't they speciffically say they had 3 major announcments though?
Most people seem to be fairly certain that it's gonna be SteamOS (confirmed), SteamBox and Library Sharing, but maybe the blue sun thingie could be an announcement for Source 2.
I only hope the gaming stores here in Belgium will gear themselves a bit more to PC gaming :/
There's a big problem with visual connection. As far as being a page go the sun is kind of just stood out there in its own frame, making it necessary to scroll down the page to see the actual announcement buttons; but it doesn't actually add anything to the aesthetics of the page.I dunno, they do stuff like that quite often.
I apologise for my poor choice in wording.While everything you wrote is an entirely legitimate complaint, I highly doubt it will turn out like that in the end.Before I start here, I don't like the use of the word complaint. It's more like apprehension. I've not seen anything from valve to be legitimately unhappy, and like everyone else, I'm only speculating.
I do not believe that SteamOS will require constant connection to the internet, nor that installation of Steam will even be mandatory. The whole "Steam" and "Valve-approved" thing is most likely just a gimmick to make it spread a bit faster as an OS.
As for the WINE thing: It wouldn't have surprised me if Valve did make a secret pact with WINE or something similar, but that is just speculation.
Again, what does not help either of the arguments is just how few actual details we are being given. The presentation has been painted with a lot of wide strokes and some key details have been left out. What we have here is pretty much the holy grail for speculators and conspiracy theorists due to all the vital things Valve left out of their presentation. Which is quite possibly just another marketing stunt to make the news spread faster.
We'll just have to wait and see, I guess.
The thing is, what you've laid out there is practically word for word what I'm hoping for. Unfortunately, the last time I got something I was hoping for like that... Hell I don't even remember it ever happening.
Yeah, my outlooks are grim, but, this is entirely founded on how the technology market has been recently.
Though honestly, I think it's a pretty positive thing when after a couple of years of utter crap, the worst I can say about this is "You don't really want to install it on your main computer."
I'm still betting that SteamOS, being the "next evolution from Big Picture", is just a wrapper they have that lets you boot up your Linux device with your controller and go directly to the steam interface.You say that like it is a bad thing.
Well, there's just O + O in the circle, my parentheses were ... well parentheses.or something like that ( 0 + 0 )[ O + O ]
*cough* Sorry.
Fayrik might have confused it with the [ O ]Well, there's just O + O in the circle, my parentheses were ... well parentheses.or something like that ( 0 + 0 )[ O + O ]
*cough* Sorry.
Or I'm completely missing your point :-\
I apologise for my poor choice in wording.I don't see any bad wording there at all.
But this is basically the difference between optimism and pessimism. None of those two outlooks are bad (as I said, your apprehensions are valid and you have every right to feel this way), but I just preffer to not speculate and see what I get when I get it instead of building up opinions based entirely on speculation.
.... and I just worded that poorly again, haven't I?
Fayrik might have confused it with the [ O ]This is exactly what happened. I apologize.
I'm still betting that SteamOS, being the "next evolution from Big Picture", is just a wrapper they have that lets you boot up your Linux device with your controller and go directly to the steam interface.If it were so simple, I would totally put Mint on dual boot on my laptop with that. Freakin' amazing.
we have some more to say very soon on the topic of input.Related to the next announcement?
Oculus rift Support? ... Probably not.Quotewe have some more to say very soon on the topic of input.Related to the next announcement?
Yes, that really is the whole point. The input from testers should come in many forms: bug reports, forum posts, concept art, 3D prints, haikus, and also very publicly stated opinions.
Upgradeable consoles.
Gentlemen, the next step in console evolution has been achieved. And it has nothing to do with that social media bull.
QuoteYes, that really is the whole point. The input from testers should come in many forms: bug reports, forum posts, concept art, 3D prints, haikus, and also very publicly stated opinions.
If anybody here gets one of these boxes, all opinions must be in haiku form.
Not really.Trust me, if you brand it as a console, the mindless sheep that dominate the market will see it as one. Most likely, there will even be flashy speculatory titles in various tabloidal gaming magazines about how "Valve Entered The Console War" with "Stunning New Tech".
This is a living room PC. Nothing special has happened. You don't have to treat is as something extraordinary just because they grabbed a PC and taped Console in it.
I like the idea behind it, and greatly encourage them to continue, but it's not like it's world changing.
Not really.Trust me, if you brand it as a console, the mindless sheep that dominate the market will see it as one. Most likely, there will even be flashy speculatory titles in various tabloidal gaming magazines about how "Valve Entered The Console War" with "Stunning New Tech".
This is a living room PC. Nothing special has happened. You don't have to treat is as something extraordinary just because they grabbed a PC and taped Console in it.
I like the idea behind it, and greatly encourage them to continue, but it's not like it's world changing.
Marketing is the key word here.
Not really.Trust me, if you brand it as a console, the mindless sheep that dominate the market will see it as one. Most likely, there will even be flashy speculatory titles in various tabloidal gaming magazines about how "Valve Entered The Console War" with "Stunning New Tech".
This is a living room PC. Nothing special has happened. You don't have to treat is as something extraordinary just because they grabbed a PC and taped Console in it.
I like the idea behind it, and greatly encourage them to continue, but it's not like it's world changing.
Marketing is the key word here.
It's true. You can supposedly still use a keyboard with it, so we'll have to wait and see what actually differentiates it from PC's. (If anything)
Upgradeable consoles.
Ok, so, it sounds like, reading the FAQ things, that you'll be able to stream from PC for any game that doesn't run on Steam OS, and play games directon the box for those that do. I'm hoping one of the retail options is a cheaper box designed just to stream, because that's all I want. Anyways, very cool. It makes sense, since valve seems to want to promote being very open source with it's things.
Doesn't the license of Linux include that any OS based on it MUST be the same license or similar (aka open source?)
Doesn't the license of Linux include that any OS based on it MUST be the same license or similar (aka open source?)My understanding is that kernel must be open, but the stuff built on top of it doesn't have to be.
Doesn't that FAQ say you can get and modify the source code for it? I'm not sure what everyone's freaking out about.
On an aside, that blue sun, those funky icons? It looks like cell division to me. Thoughts? The idea to me seems that Steam has grown enough that through fission, it can clone across to the living room and continue to grow.
Doesn't that FAQ say you can get and modify the source code for it? I'm not sure what everyone's freaking out about.
On an aside, that blue sun, those funky icons? It looks like cell division to me. Thoughts? The idea to me seems that Steam has grown enough that through fission, it can clone across to the living room and continue to grow.
My money is on them representing what the symbols mean. First one was an OS, second is a box, third one is most likely some sort of controller. They patented a modular controller back in '11. (http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20110105231) I imagine that is finally coming to fruition.
You are now one out of 34,719 eligible beta candidates.
Good Luck!
My money is on them representing what the symbols mean. First one was an OS, second is a box, third one is most likely some sort of controller. They patented a modular controller back in '11. (http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20110105231) I imagine that is finally coming to fruition.
I'd expect something more ergonomic than that in a final design, it looks like tapping the buttons would make your thumbs cramp up (ever use the D-pad on a 360 controller a lot?)Well it's the modular controller that's patented, not the shape of the controller.
I'd expect something more ergonomic than that in a final design, it looks like tapping the buttons would make your thumbs cramp up (ever use the D-pad on a 360 controller a lot?)
You know, that gets me thinking, why didn't anybody think of putting buttons at the back of the controller, so you could use thumbs for the sticks, index fingers for triggers and middle and/or ring for buttons?
Going off of what I think are hints with the icons, the first is revealed to be SteamOS and is a circle. The second is likely this "SteamBox", a branded computer hardware bundle that comes with the operating system and an attempt at making a standardized gaming computer, similar to consoles, that developers will use.
The third circle, two circles with a plus sign in-between, is an attempt to throw people off of the first circle and the second circle in a box. Instead of the circle relating to the SteamOS, I believe that it's going to be a specialized gamepad controller (the circles being analog sticks, the plus sign representing either the dpad or the four buttons). A lot of people just use XBox controllers, but seeing that Steam is making their own OS and their own potential console for computer gaming (my guess), all they're missing for the living room is the other advantage of console gaming: some games just work better with controllers.
Am I going to be using a mouse and a keyboard in the living-room?says that I'm likely right.
If you want. But Steam and SteamOS work well with gamepads, too. Stay tuned, though - we have some more to say very soon on the topic of input.
The N64 controller did it. One button probably doesn't count though.I'd expect something more ergonomic than that in a final design, it looks like tapping the buttons would make your thumbs cramp up (ever use the D-pad on a 360 controller a lot?)You know, that gets me thinking, why didn't anybody think of putting buttons at the back of the controller, so you could use thumbs for the sticks, index fingers for triggers and middle and/or ring for buttons?
http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamController/
Gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme.
/me drools
It's interesting to see a controller step away from the dual analog design. I think I'd be hesitant to pick it up before trying it out myself though. I've never ever liked trackpads.I just realised that the controller reminded me of something. I've got what it is.
It's interesting to see a controller step away from the dual analog design. I think I'd be hesitant to pick it up before trying it out myself though. I've never ever liked trackpads.
Uhm, am I the only one that things the placement of those four buttons seems really good? Like, it doesn't seem that hard to move your thumb up left or down left, or up right or down right.Hey, Dualshocks are symmetrical. (Also I really like Dualshocks and can't get the hang of the ABXY buttons 360 controllers have )
Personally it's marginally better than the "cluster of 4 buttons in the top right of an asymmetrical controller" that Microsoft and Sony can't get off.
Some more information about steambox specs. (http://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamuniverse#announcements)Ok, so the Steamboxes they're unveiling now are literally just computers with the SteamOS preinstalled. Not exciting, but expected. I'm still curious as to what the other Steamboxes will be, since apparently there are indeed others. The only thing I can think of is a dedicated streaming device in the vein of Apple TV.
Ok, so the Steamboxes they're unveiling now are literally just computers with the SteamOS preinstalled.
If anyone is curious there is now a gameplay demonstration of the steam controller (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeAjkbNq4xI). It demonstrated Portal 2, Civ 5 and Papers Please. All of which are very mouse heavy and the controller seemed to perform decently well. It still likely to be crippled in most PC games due to the lack of hotkeys which is particularly noticeable in the Civ 5 gameplay where actions are incredibly slow.
Technically it's capable with 90% of their library because it has a build in streaming option. Any game that doesn't run on SteamOS can be played on a nearby windows device and streamed to the steambox.
Don't know if they're going to develop support too. Doubt it, as Valve has a tendency for playing the long game.
Users who poke around the SteamOS can still get to Linux, though. They can also load Windows and productivity software onto a Steam Machine and use it for work as well as play.
From the linked article:QuoteUsers who poke around the SteamOS can still get to Linux, though. They can also load Windows and productivity software onto a Steam Machine and use it for work as well as play.
So if there were any windows games you really wanted to play you could probably set up your Steambox to dual-boot into windows.
Prediction: There will be few/no SteamOS-only games. Unless Valve is selling machines at a loss, you'll likely be able to go out and get more bang for your buck buying from a different OEM or building yourself.
Positives: You've got a computer, not a gaming system. You saved money. If you desire (not sure why you would, we've already established that there probably won't be SteamOS-only games), you can install SteamOS on it.
Negatives: Your new computer... doesn't have the Steambox case badge?
Valve has also stated that it's now only open to residents of the US only, citing "regulatory hurdles".
Valve has also stated that it's now only open to residents of the US only, citing "regulatory hurdles". This is understandable and even somewhat predictable but still disappointing to fans outside of the US, prompting quite the outcry in the comment section.Well yes and no. Yes, I can understand that there are regulations that could inhibit the ease of which an international scheme is executed.
... if track pads are good enough to basically sell a controller on their own ...
... if track pads are good enough to basically sell a controller on their own ...
I have a feeling it would be languishing in my e-junk drawer before long.
I preferred the old one, both in terms of looks and the potential of function.
This overhaul is just about indistinguishable from any other controller.
There is this thing, called a game keypad:Still, wouldn't be extremely comfortable to use at a couch as it's designed to rest on a flat surface about elbow height, which your lap isn't. Still requires a mouse, too.Spoiler (click to show/hide)
CAD
CADIf they keep up with exchange rates, I will be a very happy man.
EDIT: In fact, if they just set it at $1 CAD - $1 USD (which is how it is in game stores like EB Games/Gamestop, where games cost 59.99 CAD in Canada and 59.99 USD in the States) I will be happier, seeing as the CAD is more often lower than the USD than it is higher anyways. But Valve giving a bonus to non-Americans? I doubt it.
CADIf they keep up with exchange rates, I will be a very happy man.
EDIT: In fact, if they just set it at $1 CAD - $1 USD (which is how it is in game stores like EB Games/Gamestop, where games cost 59.99 CAD in Canada and 59.99 USD in the States) I will be happier, seeing as the CAD is more often lower than the USD than it is higher anyways. But Valve giving a bonus to non-Americans? I doubt it.
To be honest, we're so close to parity most of the time I can't really see this making a huge difference. And hey, just plan your spending around the stock market.