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[LilJoka]

I wonder if that's going to be limited to Link or they'l expand it to IHS in general. I mean, you already can do that, but with Alt-Tabbing or adding non-Steam games.

I believe the link will be exactly how IHS works at the moment. So you need to add as non steam shortcuts.

 

[Rosur]

Thinking about a Steam Controller for my pc and retiring my 360 one. Hopefully it is supported by companies and not just ignored/ have to use workarounds.

 

[PelekotansDream]

Glorious, I was going to build a small form factor computer to sit beside my TV but will get this steam link thing instead.

 

[ashecitism]

Thinking about a Steam Controller for my pc and retiring my 360 one. Hopefully it is supported by companies and not just ignored/ have to use workarounds.

It's a generic HID device, your PC will see it as kb&m on default. Krejlooc made a post earlier saying he used it on Win98, some early consoles etc, out of the box. Anything that's compatible with kb&m. So, legacy mode is a non-issue, native mode is up to developers. And I think it also has xinput emulation.

 

[Unai]

It's a generic HID device, your PC will see it as kb&m on default. Krejlooc made a post earlier saying he used it on Win98, some early consoles etc, out of the box. Anything that's compatible with kb&m. So, legacy mode is a non-issue, native mode is up to developers. And I think it also has xinput emulation.

I think that part is just speculation right now? I don't remember they saying anything about it.

 

[ashecitism]

Me neither, but I think Krejlooc mentioned it. Might be function that's in conjunction with Steam. Like, for ex last time I read IHS had xinput emulation on the client side.

 

[lensoftruth]

I think that part is just speculation right now? I don't remember they saying anything about it.

Built into steam already

 

[Kamakazie!]

I hope they will either:
- Bring a load of apps to link such as Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime etc
- Bring out a steam IGS app for the likes of FireTV, Roku etc.

I really don't want to have 2 boxes for streaming TV & Films or Games, and I don't really want to have to have my main PC running just to stream TV & Films.

Apps for things like Netflix etc. would also be a boon for the wider Linux community as it is currently a nightmare to get those services working on Linux properly, and will be until they all move fully away from Silverlight.

 

[pastrami]

Would I be able to plug in anything USB and have it send that raw data to the PC? For example, I'm quite content with my Dualshock 4. Could I just plug in a Bluetooth receiver into the Link and use it with the server PC? Assuming it's all set up beforehand of course.

 

[UnrealEck]

Would I be able to plug in anything USB and have it send that raw data to the PC? For example, I'm quite content with my Dualshock 4. Could I just plug in a Bluetooth receiver into the Link and use it with the server PC? Assuming it's all set up beforehand of course.

I think you'll be able to have your DS4 bluetooth linked to your PC but I'm not sure how good bluetooth for range and going through walls etc. But if you link it to your PC, you'll have even less latency for controls. I think I got this to work before. I'll need to check again though.

 

[Unai]

Built into steam already

That's really good to know!

 

[Boombox On]

I think that part is just speculation right now? I don't remember they saying anything about it.

It does, otherwise, putting an analog stick on it would be pointless.

 

[ashecitism]

The Steam Controller page mentions GameCube-like triggers with secondary clicks. My interest for this went to the roof!

edit: damn, the controller only releases in November. Oh well!

I like the idea of dual stage triggers

Return of the GameCube triggers :O
Awesome

The controller will have dual stage triggers. Nice!

btw any reason triggers like those haven't caught on?

 

[Sorcerer]

Forgive my ignorance.

How does the Steam link work exactly?

I am assuming that when I use it, the game is actually being played on the pc at the same time I am streaming it to the tv?

This pretty much means that whenever I use the link my pc is occupied and cannot be used for other purposes?

 

[Sendou]

• The best controller configurations were found to be the ones where you don't take your thumbs away from the trackpads - implying abxy mapped to the pads as well as the analogue stick on the other pad
• Suggestion that the button diamond and analogue stick are just to help you transition over to the pads - which was also the suggestion when the analogue stick was first spotted by SteamDB and someone asked Valve

That totally makes sense and should be a superior solution to existing gamepads where you have to move your right thumb all the time just to do the basic things in games. Not sure why I didn't really recognize that sooner. Most of the Steam controller hands-on seem to focus on button placement being wrong. That doesn't necessarily matter as much if you would only map some rarely used commands to ABXY.

I just get this feeling that Valve has a genuinely good product with Steam Controller but they're not doing a very good job of selling it. Not saying it's an easy task by any means but there has to be a better way than what they have been doing for the last year and half.

This pretty much means that whenever I use the link my pc is occupied and cannot be used for other purposes?

That would be correct.

 

[LUXURY]

I will be purchasing this. I'm excited.

 

[Sorcerer]

That totally makes sense and should be a superior solution to existing gamepads where you have to move your right thumb all the time just to do the basic things in games. Not sure why I didn't really recognize that sooner. Most of the Steam controller hands-on seem to focus on button placement being wrong. That doesn't necessarily matter as much if you would only map some rarely used commands to ABXY.

I just get this feeling that Valve has a genuinely good product with Steam Controller but they're not doing a very good job of selling it. Not saying it's an easy task by any means but there has to be a better way than what they have been doing for the last year and half.



That would be correct.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

 

[nacimento]

If they get Bethesda it's over. Looking at skyrim sales and mod community ... This would be a megaton. Hard to imagine right now, but who knows. I didn't expect WB Games on linux with their games a week ago and yet here we are ...

It won't be over as long as a lot of people use their gaming PC's for other stuff as well... And that's not gonna change. But it's great to have both options as long as there are no OS exclusives (I know there are now, but I see this as a step to having the most PC games on all OS).

 

[Xdrive05]

Some questions about Steam Link, hoping the answers exist:

1) Does it only transmit the video and audio signal? Or does the Steam controller (and/or wireless Xbox controllers) connect to it as opposed to the controllers still needing a connection to the source PC?

2) Any word yet on latency issues? Should Steam Link be suitable for fighting games or would there be significant added latency?

3) Does it only transmit Steam games, or does it transmit the video signal for any output from your video card? (ie can you operate your OS through it, like the web browser, steam media files, etc)

4) Would a wired ethernet connection between your router to Steam Link provide better performance than using the wireless (as far as latency, bandwidth etc.)?

Thanks in advance for any answers you fine folks can provide at this time. I have to make some big A/V living room decisions soon anyway, so I'm hoping Steam Link can solve most of it without needing more devices.

 

[Newline]

Will be snagging a steam controller and eventually a VR headset. I currently live in a flatshare to steam link isn't an option for me. However when I move to my own place I will grab one for sure.

I'm so hyped for source 2 right now.

 

[Sendou]

Some questions about Steam Link, hoping the answers exist:

1) Does it only transmit the video and audio signal? Or does the Steam controller (and/or wireless Xbox controllers) connect to it as opposed to the controllers still needing a connection to the source PC?

2) Any word yet on latency issues? Should Steam Link be suitable for fighting games or would there be significant added latency?

3) Does it only transmit Steam games, or does it transmit the video signal for any output from your video card? (ie can you operate your OS through it, like the web browser, steam media files, etc)

4) Would a wired ethernet connection between your router to Steam Link provide better performance than using the wireless (as far as latency, bandwidth etc.)?

Thanks in advance for any answers you find folks can provide at this time. I have to make some big A/V living room decisions soon anyway, so I'm hoping Steam Link can solve most of it without needing more devices.

1) Controllers connect to Steam Link when streaming.

2) Check this thread for impressions. Basically: it adds latency but it shouldn't be an issue depending on your setup (router) and your sensitivity to these issues.

3) You can launch any application you have added as a shortcut on Steam. I'm not aware about controlling OS on host being possible at the moment. As for streaming media files you should be able to make a shortcut for your media players of choice and stream them that way. Same with web browsers although that might be sub-optimal to using Steam's native web browser.

4) Yes.

 

[Boombox On]

Some questions about Steam Link, hoping the answers exist:

1) Does it only transmit the video and audio signal? Or does the Steam controller (and/or wireless Xbox controllers) connect to it as opposed to the controllers still needing a connection to the source PC?

2) Any word yet on latency issues? Should Steam Link be suitable for fighting games or would there be significant added latency?

3) Does it only transmit Steam games, or does it transmit the video signal for any output from your video card? (ie can you operate your OS through it, like the web browser, steam media files, etc)

4) Would a wired ethernet connection between your router to Steam Link provide better performance than using the wireless (as far as latency, bandwidth etc.)?

Thanks in advance for any answers you find folks can provide at this time. I have to make some big A/V living room decisions soon anyway, so I'm hoping Steam Link can solve most of it without needing more devices.

Assuming it works like In Home Streaming - and it would be strange if it didn't:

1) Technically you can connect the controller to either the client or the server; it doesn't really matter.

2) With a decent router, the latency should be very small.

3) Anything you can launch from the Steam client should work.

4) Yes

 

[Opiate]

He did neither. He just wanted a link but I took it as being told im lying even though we just found out all the info last night. I'm also feeling salty right now.

I think you should be careful in the future to not equate "I would like to see the evidence of this" with "I think you're lying."

Wanting to see facts which support a claim is a totally reasonable thing. Don't be upset by it. In fact, I caution against the opposite; don't just let people say things you did not know, and accept them without question.

 

[friday]

Man, I think I am going to have to get a Link. Really happy Valve are pushing the stream tech, I like it much more than having to build a second computer.

 

[Corgi]

You can launch Origin and Battle.net through Steam, and add links to standalone games you've bought from GOG, etc.

thats pretty great! Because I feel like most of the games I play on pc that don't have native controller support are Origin and bnet games (ME trilogy, sims, diablo3)

 

[MUnited83]

Some questions about Steam Link, hoping the answers exist:

1) Does it only transmit the video and audio signal? Or does the Steam controller (and/or wireless Xbox controllers) connect to it as opposed to the controllers still needing a connection to the source PC?

2) Any word yet on latency issues? Should Steam Link be suitable for fighting games or would there be significant added latency?

3) Does it only transmit Steam games, or does it transmit the video signal for any output from your video card? (ie can you operate your OS through it, like the web browser, steam media files, etc)

4) Would a wired ethernet connection between your router to Steam Link provide better performance than using the wireless (as far as latency, bandwidth etc.)?

Thanks in advance for any answers you fine folks can provide at this time. I have to make some big A/V living room decisions soon anyway, so I'm hoping Steam Link can solve most of it without needing more devices.

1) Controller is connected to Steam link.
2) Latency is fairly low. Should be fine for fighting games but no exactly optimal.
3)You can add any program to Steam as a non-Steam game and it will stream it regardless. Not sure about being able to control it and open browsers though.
4)Yes, wired>wireless.

 

[LUXURY]

I'm confused after reading all of this. What would be the best decision for me if I want to play games like Left 4 Dead 2 on my living room television. My pc is in the same room, but it would be better to be on my bigger screen and be able to sit comfortably. Do I get the Steam Link or Steam Box? From what I gather, Steam Link sort of streams your current games off of your existing computer, and my computer isn't the best. Now a Steam Box to me seems like it it's a console in itself, with Steam Games? Can I transfer what I have? Keep my accounts? How does that work. I think Steam Box is my better option.

 

[dork]

half life 3 is going to end up launching as a VR game/bundled with that VR headset

 

[Backlogger]

Linux support a dozen controllers including X360, XB1, DS3, DS4

What about the wireless Xbox 360 controller, does Linux support the wireless adapter?

 

[Sendou]

I'm confused after reading all of this. What would be the best decision for me if I want to play games like Left 4 Dead 2 on my living room television. My pc is in the same room, but it would be better to be on my bigger screen and be able to sit comfortably. Do I get the Steam Link or Steam Box? From what I gather, Steam Link sort of streams your current games off of your existing computer, and my computer isn't the best. Now a Steam Box to me seems like it it's a console in itself, with Steam Games? Can I transfer what I have? Keep my accounts? How does that work. I think Steam Box is my better option.

Are you satisfied with the current performance of your rig? If yes then Steam Link with wired connection is a very good option. If not then a Steam Machine is nothing else but a full-blown new rig. It's not necessarily the best option since the price-to-performance ratio isn't as good as a rig you build yourself. If you don't want to hassle with that and still want more powerful PC then Steam Machine is a good option for you. Your Steam account can be used on as many platforms as you want. Only limitation is that you can't play games online on two different locations if they're from the same Steam account. You can transfer your saves without hassle through Steam too if the game supports that (L4D2 does).

half life 3 is going to end up launching as a VR game/bundled with that VR headset

Doesn't really sound like it. I'm thinking Valve's first VR game outside of that demo will be a new IP.

 

[robotrock]

Are you satisfied with the current performance of your rig? If yes then Steam Link with wired connection is a very good option. If not then a Steam Machine is nothing else but a full-blown new rig. It's not necessarily the best option since the price-to-performance ratio isn't as good as a rig you build yourself. If you don't want to hassle with that and still want more powerful PC then Steam Machine is a good option for you. Your Steam account can be used on as many platforms as you want. Only limitation is that you can't play games online on two different locations if they're from the same Steam account. You can transfer your saves without hassle through Steam too if the game supports that (L4D2 does).



Doesn't really sound like it. I'm thinking Valve's first VR game outside of that demo will be a new IP.

F-Stop

 

[LUXURY]

Are you satisfied with the current performance of your rig? If yes then Steam Link with wired connection is a very good option. If not then a Steam Machine is nothing else but a full-blown new rig. It's not necessarily the best option since the price-to-performance ratio isn't as good as a rig you build yourself. If you don't want to hassle with that and still want more powerful PC then Steam Machine is a good option for you. Your Steam account can be used on as many platforms as you want. Only limitation is that you can't play games online on two different locations if they're from the same Steam account. You can transfer your saves without hassle through Steam too if the game supports that (L4D2 does).



Doesn't really sound like it. I'm thinking Valve's first VR game outside of that demo will be a new IP.

Thank you for the reply. Eh, my computer isn't really all that. Surprised it runs Left 4 Dead as good as it does. I need to make a choice here. I've been meaning to build my own computer but my sole purpose was for these games honestly, and now I don't know if that's needed. The Steam Machine might cancel that out.

 

[Sendou]

Thank you for the reply. Eh, my computer isn't really all that. Surprised it runs Left 4 Dead as good as it does. I need to make a choice here. I've been meaning to build my own computer but my sole purpose was for these games honestly, and now I don't know if that's needed. The Steam Machine might cancel that out.

If Left 4 Dead is your thing then you should make sure that the system you build/get is future proof enough to run Source 2 considering Left 4 Dead 3 is just around the corner. Even if it's reasonable to assume Source 2 will scale well it will still require more power to run than L4D2 for example.

 

[ashecitism]

What about the wireless Xbox 360 controller, does Linux support the wireless adapter?

I think so, yes.

 

[Sendou]

I think so, yes.

Otherwise it should work but there's this issue that causes the led lights around the Xbox symbol blink continuously when you play. Not sure if someone figured out a way to make it stop. I don't have experience with it myself.

 

[ashecitism]

Valve might have fixed that for SteamOS.

 

[Tregard]

So I'm feeling pretty confident Left 4 Dead 3 is going to come out in November to tie in with the controller and headset, would that be other people's general feelings? They definitely need a "poster child" game as it were, and we know L4D3 is far along now.

 

[Compsiox]

I think you should be careful in the future to not equate "I would like to see the evidence of this" with "I think you're lying."

Wanting to see facts which support a claim is a totally reasonable thing. Don't be upset by it. In fact, I caution against the opposite; don't just let people say things you did not know, and accept them without question.

I tend to trust people on GAF more because if something is wrong people are quick to point it out. I always double check information outside of here but that just might be me.

 

[Makareu]

Sorry if it has already been asked, but do we know if there is an option where you can choose to either stream Steam or your PC display (desktop, whatever active app) ?

If there is a possibility to choose between bringing your whole PC on your TV or only Steam while your PC remains available for something else by someone else (Steam as a background app), then I'm in.

 

[LUXURY]

If Left 4 Dead is your thing then you should make sure that the system you build/get is future proof enough to run Source 2 considering Left 4 Dead 3 is just around the corner. Even if it's reasonable to assume Source 2 will scale well it will still require more power to run than L4D2 for example.

Yeah that's true. Would you recommend a computer build or one of these devices?

 

[Helznicht]

How is Steam IH Streaming over a wireless AC connection? I'll probably snatch up a Link if it's good enough.

Eh, I moved to a gigabit switch last week and streaming is still so/so for me. I would think that a quad core 3 ghz pc wiht 4 gig ram would serve simple/old games such as the Quake 3 demo, Trine, NWN2, but still get alot of resolution degradation, especially noticeable when you are streaming to a bigscreen tv. I stream these games between 40-60 fps, but they come over so ugly, I usually just go downstairs and play them on the main PC.

 

[Sendou]

Yeah that's true. Would you recommend a computer build or one of these devices?

This is a good resource whether you end up building a computer or not. At the very least you'll learn how much you have to pay extra for a Steam Machine compared to building a similiar computer yourself.

Generally building your own computer gives you more control over the build, is cheaper and might be fun depending on what kind of person you are. That said some people want to pay extra just so they don't have to deal with building one. So it's hard to give one definitive answer here. Read through the thread I linked to see if that helps you make your mind.

Sorry if it has already been asked, but do we know if there is an option where you can choose to either stream Steam or your PC display (desktop, whatever active app) ?

If there is a possibility to choose between bringing your whole PC on your TV or only Steam while your PC remains available for something else by someone else (Steam as a background app), then I'm in.

Currently there is no such option available.

 

[Makareu]

Currently there is no such option available.

Thank you for the answer.

 

[Hakkelus]

Sorry if it has already been asked, but do we know if there is an option where you can choose to either stream Steam or your PC display (desktop, whatever active app) ?

If there is a possibility to choose between bringing your whole PC on your TV or only Steam while your PC remains available for something else by someone else (Steam as a background app), then I'm in.

I have wondered about this too. Would be so great, but is it even technically possible, I don't know.

 

[Xdrive05]

Thanks for the answers. I may have to buy a proper dedicated router to make Link work as well as I want it to. I'm just using the default AT&T "U-Verse" router. It has been fine for the Roku box and stuff like that. We'll see.

 

[GravityMan]

IHS over wired ethernet is best, but I have mine set up to use a wireless AC connection and it works nearly as well...obviously it's important to have a strong signal, -55 dbm or better. 1080p/60fps for most games I've played, with latency low enough for me to not really notice.

What about the wireless Xbox 360 controller, does Linux support the wireless adapter?

Yes Linux supports the wireless 360 controller, but in my experience the controller was wonky at times in Big Picture Mode and in some games. However this was with Ubuntu, not SteamOS. I'm sure the controller will work fine (wired or wireless) on SteamOS.

 

[SkylineRKR]

half life 3 is going to end up launching as a VR game/bundled with that VR headset

I wouldn't be surprised if this all is the reason why they didn't release HL3 yet.

Perhaps they're waiting for the right time. HL3 would be a nice killer app for their own ecosystem. When they're essentially being cut loose from Windows. Might be that HL3 will actually be a native VR game, for SteamVR and their boxes. It does work with the series. Won't launch with it though, I think Portal or L4D is earlier.

 

[Cizeta-Moroder]

Steam's arrogance and intent to become synonymous with "PC gaming" is kind of concerning, especially considering their living room/big picture fetish.
Can't wait to see what they'll proprietarize next.

 

[inkls]

Steam's arrogance and intent to become synonymous with "PC gaming" is kind of concerning, especially considering their living room/big picture fetish.
Can't wait to see what they'll proprietarize next.

lol

 

[Nzyme32]

Steam's arrogance and intent to become synonymous with "PC gaming" is kind of concerning, especially considering their living room/big picture fetish.
Can't wait to see what they'll proprietarize next.

They haven't made anything proprietary concerning PC gaming that I know of (not that that is even really possible on PCs). I really don't see it as arrogance either. They have some great features available on their service, Steam. No one has to use that, and living room PC gaming is entirely possible without them.

The fact that Steam are making it as accessible as possible with their features and hardware should be applauded.