Valve to manufacture hardware?

[Tutonic]

There's a great interview with Gabe Newell here, where he talks about the possibilities of Valve creating their own hardware.

Whilst highly unlikely, it does raise the intriguing prospect of some sort of Steam-OS powered console.

Also, Gabe's beard is awesome.

[kregoron]

I love steam! (compared to Origifail!)
But would be interesting to see a new player on the field, tho consoles market already seems crowded

[Tutonic]

I can't really see it happening myself, though it's possible that Valve could create the software (Steam?) for another companies console/hardware.

The profit margins for hardware manufacturing are virtually non-existent, it's really hard to see how Valve could compete with Microsoft & Sony here considering that both of those companies (both bigger than Valve) are only able to sell their hardware at a loss.

It's also worth noting that Valve are big fans of open-source, maybe they'll do something wacky like their own Linux distro with Steam fully integrated? Sort of like a media centre, but built for gaming around the Steam platform.

[kregoron]

It's also worth noting that Valve are big fans of open-source, maybe they'll do something wacky like their own Linux distro with Steam fully integrated? Sort of like a media centre, but built for gaming around the Steam platform.

they would be limited to OpenGL, as i doubt MS would license DX, or they would have to create a new platform o.O

[T-Bag]

they would be limited to OpenGL, as i doubt MS would license DX, or they would have to create a new platform o.O

They don't mind OpenGL. They use it for all the games they port to Mac. More developers are cooperating to enable games on OpenGL too because apparently they make them in it anyway and convert them to DX later (I can't remember why, perhaps something to do with the console versions of games?).

I'd be happy to use linux as my primary OS for the most part if games ran equally well on it.

[kregoron]

Atm OpenGL support in games cannot compete with DX, DX has a lot more features to improve image quality and performance (still) but the last few years its been gaining on DX with the support of a larger community and ATI's support both in the form of OpenGL and OpenCL (Open source CUDA thing)

Tho i realised last night that Valve could use a modified version of Windows 8, as the Metro interface would work just fine for consoles, and that would give them DX support and hence the possibility to use nearly their full game repository on the console.. that would give it a edge over most other consoles

[ArithonUK]

I think Gabe & co should go back to making games. I'm still waiting (and most unhappy about it) for the conclusion to Half-Life 2 (episode 3) which WAS PROMISED and never delivered! As a consequence, I have very little respect for Valve and no longer trust anything they say.
They also care little for their customer service. When their site was hacked last year and credit card info stolen, the only way you'd have known was if you subscribed to a "Steam News" RSS feed. They NEVER INFORMED AFFECTED CUSTOMERS BY EMAIL!! How poor is that?

[kregoron]

No doubt valves track record isnt the best, but i guess that is the same as most other companies of that size, they dont really care about if they loose a 1000 members, they know they will have to return as steam is such a dominent factor on the game scene

hence the same reason they could acatually pull a new console or something off

It actually reminds of when people started talking about google entering the social networking scene.. people asked but why???

the reason is simple, they can..

Ive actually been thinking if they are lurking with some kind of Onlive equivalent...

[kregoron]

http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/2/2840932/exclusive-valve-steam-box-gaming-console

tadaaa

[GhostMjr]

Well looks like we might not be bringing our pc's to LAN's in the future!

Hope they allow us to choose whether to use a mouse and keyboard

[TE_owner]

But what does it do that a windows computer can't, surely it would be much more limited than any windows computer in terms of compatibility, programmes it will be able to run etc..

[Gandalf]

lolz...


http://www.cad-comic.com/cad/20120305/

[kregoron]

COMPANION CUBE!!!!!!!! id take one!

[TE_owner]

lolz...


http://www.cad-comic.com/cad/20120305/

I'm throwing my money at the screen but nothings happening WHY!!!

[T-Bag]

But what does it do that a windows computer can't, surely it would be much more limited than any windows computer in terms of compatibility, programmes it will be able to run etc..

It would be a windows machine. Just one that someone with no experience could buy and know it would work with all games. You could also manage the drivers and updates entirely with steam. You always have the right graphics drivers or aren't far away from updating them from one easy source.

If the price is right it's a nice idea...if it's just a £1500 PC sold for £2000 then obviously it's not going to take off...