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[BocoDragon]

Right, but these games lack the marketing to typically reach console gamers and thus are not part of their social circle's zeitgeist. My friends list on consoles seems to switch games weekly or monthly based on what the newest release is. I just don't think they're used to combing through Steam for recommended titles or looking outside the typical AAA release calendar.

It's not like console gamers are attracted only to AAA big releases by nature. That's a relatively recent phenomenon because development realities killed the mid-range title, so AAA and heavily promoted indie is all that console gamers have been given this generation. But the libraries of PS2 or 360 are lined with niche titles that did quite well.

If the console gamer has access to Steam, then they'll start to discover games in the way PC gamers do (social media word of mouth, humble bundles, Steam sales). There's nothing about a console mindset that is against that... it's just that this generation has only offered them AAA titles.

 

[bede-x]

Most of them are way too expensive, with maybe the low end Alienware Alpha being the sole exception (and possibly only in the US). Prices need to come down if they want to find any kind of succes.

 

[Wrestlemania]

My view on Steam Machines:

The controller looks useless. I can't believe they thought that not having some kind of pointer system would be OK. That was the only thing I was interested in.

As poorly thought out as the controller.

What. Have either of you used the controller yet? Having had one for a week and a bit now, it's hard going back to a normal dual stick controller. There are definitely some improvements to be made, but the inputs available and the customisation options put it way ahead of standard controllers.

 

[Shard]

I think another thing that killed the hype factor for the Steam Machines was this initiative just took too long to get out the door.

 

[BlitzBlake]

I'm very interested in them, especially after reading a post that they are in fact cheaper than building your own equivilent gaming rig from pc parts (at least in Australia)

http://games.on.net/2015/06/steam-m...r-and-early-november/comment-page-2/#comments

I assume you're referring to the comment down the bottom with PC Case Gear prices in AU$, to which he directly compares to the RRP of the base steam machine model... in US$... But doesn't bother to convert it to AU$......

 

[Usobuko]

No interest in Steam machines and controller, personally, I would rather Valve just channel their resources to Steam VR.

 

[Kezen]

It's fair to say they have......

Run out of Steam.

 

[KnownAsEpic]

Steam Link is enough for me. It even lets me stream my windows desktop to my TV!

 

[The_Poet]

Theres no hype because they are just PC's, and PCs have been around for decades.

 

[grmlin]

I'm a Mac guy. The only reason I still have a (now old and rather slow) Windows PC is PC-Games.

The idea of a "small" steam machine running modern games at 1080p in 30-60fps in my living room is very appealing to me. I don't want to mess around with custom PC builds anymore.


I don't expect the first generation of hardware to do wonders though. And I'm still highly skeptical that the linux platform gets the support it needs to really take off.

 

[SprachBrooks]

I'd be interested in one actually; I'm not hyped for it though but I will keep an eye out in the event that a decently spec'd and priced one comes along.

 

[jabuseika]

-

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

What. Have either of you used the controller yet? Having had one for a week and a bit now, it's hard going back to a normal dual stick controller. There are definitely some improvements to be made, but the inputs available and the customisation options put it way ahead of standard controllers.

While I do play some FPS' on PC, a few but not many, most of my PC usage is RPG/MMO, strategy, and console/arcade games (especially of the emulated kind).

It definitely doesn't have the keys for the MMOs or MOBA I play. It might be OK for the slower RPGs that are also present on console, like Skyrim or Fallout, but won't help my HOMM sessions or Disciples guilty pleasure. I thought at one point it would have some sort of pointer control but it solely has a touchpad for mouselook for certain first person games. And it's looking like a pretty bad fit for console gaming/emulation/arcade as you can imagine. It's definitely do-able but I doubt it'd be preferable, outside of certain first person or dual-stick games. It would've been awesome to see a pointer control or gyro mouse capability, and actually made at least some games doable.

But that may be a bit of ignorance. I just haven't seen anyone try to play any games I'd be actually interested in with a Steam controller

 

[Wrestlemania]

While I do play some FPS' on PC, a few but not many, most of my PC usage is RPG/MMO, strategy, and console/arcade games (especially of the emulated kind).

It definitely doesn't have the keys for the MMOs or MOBA I play. It might be OK for the slower RPGs that are also present on console, like Skyrim or Fallout, but won't help my HOMM sessions or Disciples guilty pleasure. I thought at one point it would have some sort of pointer control but it solely has a touchpad for mouselook for certain first person games. And it's looking like a pretty bad fit for console gaming/emulation/arcade as you can imagine. It's definitely do-able but I doubt it'd be preferable, outside of certain first person or dual-stick games. It would've been awesome to see a pointer control or gyro mouse capability, and actually made at least some games doable.

But that may be a bit of ignorance. I just haven't seen anyone try to play any games I'd be actually interested in with a Steam controller

You may have a point about MMOs/MOBAs, I haven't tried many. You can map a huge number of button inputs through mode switching, so that's not a big problem. How quickly and accurately you can aim a pointer with the trackpad and gyro compared to a mouse is really the only difference maker.

It is 100% capable as a replacement, a superior one at that, for console games. The combination of rollerball emulation and optional gyro aiming gives aiming and camera control which is far better than you can do with a stick.
At the moment the only issue is some games not playing well with a combination of joypad and mouse inputs, but that'll resolve itself over time.

 

[Greddleok]

Because Steam is the PC brand. In the narrow minds of the console warrior class, Steam is dirty.

This is the stupidest thing I have read in long time. Grow up.

The reason no one is excited, is because it's a PC. There's not really anything new to be enthused about.

 

[GhostTrick]

This is the stupidest thing I have read in long time. Grow up.

The reason no one is excited, is because it's a PC. There's not really anything new to be enthused about.

TO be honest, I think it could be exciting. Really, it's just that the offer is terrible and overpriced.

 

[grmlin]

They're just entry level, underpowered PCs.

Not everybody can afford a high end PC for gaming. So I'm fine with that. I want something small and silent for my living room.

Is the Alienware Steam Machine the Alpha you can already buy with Steam OS?

 

[Beautiful Ninja]

Not everybody can afford a high end PC for gaming. So I'm fine with that. I want something small and silent for my living room.

Is the Alienware Steam Machine the Alpha you can already buy?

Yeah, the Alpha is the Windows version of the Alienware Steam Machine.

 

[thekiddfran]

Did anybody think these would be a success?

 

[ISee]

As a PC gamer who builds his own PCs? No, I am of course not interested. If I would be interested in a PC running STEAM OS I'd build one myself, because most steam machines seems to be overpriced or underpowered in the first place.I even wonder why people even think that PC gaming is so difficult and that steam machines are less complicated. They are just regular PCs.

 

[Haunted]

I think most GAFers aren't really the target market.


Actually thinking about it, I don't really know who the target market is that could get excited about these machines.

 

[Spiritwalker]

I think Steam Machines will ultimately fail in capturing a big audience. They'll probably stop making them in a few years.

 

[jimbobsmells]

I'm a Mac guy. The only reason I still have a (now old and rather slow) Windows PC is PC-Games.

The idea of a "small" steam machine running modern games at 1080p in 30-60fps in my living room is very appealing to me. I don't want to mess around with custom PC builds anymore.


I don't expect the first generation of hardware to do wonders though. And I'm still highly skeptical that the linux platform gets the support it needs to really take off.

Exactly the same here.
The Alienware Alpha is actually pretty appealing to me. I'm just holding out for a skylake update first (if it ever happens), hopefully before the next Xcom is released.

 

[LeleSocho]

Not interested in Steam Machines until OEMs understand that the trashy "pc gaming" designs are... well... trashy

 

[funkypie]

I feel like they have been releasing forever, yet still haven't come out yet.

 

[Klossen]

Prebuilt PCs are already a rip-off. And then you have pre-built PCs trying to be consoles.

No thank you.

 

[BocoDragon]

Prebuilt PCs are already a rip-off. And then you have pre-built PCs trying to be consoles.

No thank you.

You say that, but everytime I've looked into building my own PC, I get better performance per dollar buying a prebuilt than if I bought my own components.

Maybe if I were aiming for a high end spec, it would be cheaper to build my own. But at mid/low range, it seems like the effect of manufacturer's wholesale buying parts makes for a cheaper machine....

 

[Shari]

Well it's not really a Steam Machine anymore if you're just gonna run Windows on it. I consider running SteamOS one of the primary reasons to call these PC's Steam Machines and not just PC's.

Ok so when One gets W10 will stop calling it a console a will start calling it a PC.

Because, logic.

 

[Klossen]

You say that, but everytime I've looked into building my own PC, I get better performance per dollar buying a prebuilt than if I bought my own components.

Maybe if I were aiming for a high end spec, it would be cheaper to build my own. But at mid/low range, it seems like the effect of manufacturer's wholesale buying parts makes for a cheaper machine....

Low range, maybe. I'm not that knowledgeable in the low range. Mid and high range? I really doubt that. Maybe you found a pretty good deal for a prebuilt? Because the prebuilds I'm seeing are absolute rip-offs. You have a 700€ rig selling as 1200€ being prebuilt because reasons. Then there's also the risk of you buying a prebuilt with some weird motherboard and upgrading it becomes impossible, which in turn really turns down the value.

 

[Askherserenity]

Most of us knew it would end up exactly like this when these things got announced. It's for a market that barely even exists. Why would GAF be hyped when most of us who care about pc gaming build our own pc's and know how to make it affordable.

Also, Valve did a horrible job at marketing them and it's just a mess of launch. They could have done this right.

OR not done it at all and just really worked and marketed their streaming dongle.

 

[Sutton Dagger]

The machines with actual Windows 10 look pretty cool, Steam OS' library is just not there at the moment.

 

[RionaaM]

As someone who built their own PC last month, I have no need for a Steam Machine. I can use the Steam controller on my own rig (provided I can find one), and several of the advantages apply to all kinds of PCs, not just Steam Machines (like sales, upgradeability and a vast library of games). Besides, with Steam OS being a Linux-based system, it will run many less titles than a Windows computer, which kinda ruins the whole thing.

Maybe you're right about the price being lower, I don't know. So far, that's the only positive thing I see about them, if true. Otherwise you'd be better off purchasing the parts one by one and building it yourself.

I assume you're referring to the comment down the bottom with PC Case Gear prices in AU$, to which he directly compares to the RRP of the base steam machine model... in US$... But doesn't bother to convert it to AU$......

Oh you dirty, dirty OP...

OK, there are absolutely zero advantages for getting a Steam Machine vs building your own PC then.

 

[jimbobsmells]

Low range, maybe. I'm not that knowledgeable in the low range. Mid and high range? I really doubt that. Maybe you found a pretty good deal for a prebuilt? Because the prebuilds I'm seeing are absolute rip-offs. You have a 700€ rig selling as 1200€ being prebuilt because reasons. Then there's also the risk of you buying a prebuilt with some weird motherboard and upgrading it becomes impossible, which in turn really turns down the value.

You mean reasons such as labour, part sourcing, costs, profit margin... You know usual stuff to run a business?

 

[Mithos]

Price makes it uninteresting.
Alienware alpha (i3 model, 4GB ram) ~775$us (6590SEK), had the pricetag been half of that maybe.

I know there are other brands/models out there, but this is the one I know atm, YES I KNOW alienware = expensive.

 

[ISee]

Ok so when One gets W10 will stop calling it a console a will start calling it a PC.

Because, logic.

As far as I understand it you can easily change parts in most steam machines like GPU, RAM, HDD etc. (even a CPU upgrade let's say from an i5 to an i7 of the same generation should be doable in most cases). Of course there are some exceptions to that.
So yes calling a Steam Machine a PC after installing win10 on it is way more accurate then calling the Xbox ONE (with win10) a PC, especially because 'native' PC programs should run flawlessly on a 'Win 10 Steam Machine' and because it uses PC parts.
But let's just wait and see how well (or bad) the xbox is going to run native PC software in the future. Maybe it is going to deserve the name PC as well.

 

[Ushay]

Windows >>> SteamOS

I can see the benefits of a dedicated OS for PC gaming, but having a full fat (explorer,other apps etc) OS to game on can't be beaten in my eyes.

 

[Klossen]

You mean reasons such as labour, part sourcing, costs, profit margin... You know usual stuff to run a business?

It takes less than two hours, maybe three to put together a PC. You believe that work is equal to a 400€ price hike? Either way, even if there are good reasons, there's no reason to buy a prebuilt for gaming.

 

[nubbe]

Seems like they haven't fixed the AMD APU yet... soo... ehhh

 

[AaronB]

I enjoy PC games, primarily on Steam, but I haven't seen the need for a Steam machine. I'll probably only get one if it's competitive on price/performance the next time I'm looking to upgrade. It also must be dual OS with Windows 10 most likely, because I typically use the same PC for games and everything else.

 

[supersaw]

Maybe if their linux based pipe dream had some kind of wine port that could play the back catalogue but that would be a support nightmare for a company that already has a bad rap in regards to customer service.

I see them as DOA, the only way they could have got some buy in and free internet publicity for them is if they bundled them with HL3.

 

[kurahador]

What's there to hype? It's a gimped pc gaming in a fancy box.

It's like getting excited for the latest Ouya when you already have iphones or mid-to-high range android phones.

 

[Corpsepyre]

I think they were DOA a lot earlier.

 

[Dremark]

It seemed like a lot of people were hyped when it was first announced. I think a lot of that dampened over time though, maybe they out out details too early.

Regardless Gabe set it up well and has basically nothing to lose if it fails.

 

[Krejlooc]

Maybe if their linux based pipe dream had some kind of wine port that could play the back catalogue but that would be a support nightmare for a company that already has a bad rap in regards to customer service.

I see them as DOA, the only way they could have got some buy in and free internet publicity for them is if they bundled them with HL3.

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Steam_under_Linux#With_Play_On_Linux_.28POL.29

 

[lordfuzzybutt]

Overpriced prebuilt PCs pretending to be console. Hard to get hype for something like that.

 

[MaxiLive]

So numerous Steam Machines running Valves SteamOS are due to release next month but you wouldnt think so with the total lack of hype or even discussions online.

I'm very interested in them, especially after reading a post that they are in fact cheaper than building your own equivilent gaming rig from pc parts (at least in Australia)

http://games.on.net/2015/06/steam-m...r-and-early-november/comment-page-2/#comments

There are a lot of things that make them appealing to me:

The steam controller looks fantastic and offers new imput method as well as traditonal analog stick.

The hardware is upgradable and can destroy ps4/xbone.

There will be over 1000 day games available on day one, including many not available on ps4/xbone.

Games will be cheaper than ps4/xbone and no online subscription costs!

Why the lack of hype , gaf?

Most people who are fans of the Steam platform already have or would suggest getting a PC due to the limited games playable on the Steam machines at launch.

Well at least what console users would expect to be able to play , not all that many triple A games make their way to linux!

I think the boxes are/will be great for the general casual gamer who likes playing a few indie games or time consuming strategy games, it is a hard market to advertise to

 

[Quirah]

why there should be any hype? its for casual gamers. i believe 90% of GAF has enough knowledge to build their own gaming PC.

 

[Dynamite Shikoku]

I don't understand who would buy one

 

[careless mango]

You're right, there is no real hype for it. PC gamers already have PCs they play on and it's not at all like a new console or anything like that.

 

[BocoDragon]

I still think putting Steam in your living room is a wonderful idea. Why not have that ecosystem in that format? Why is that ecosystem married to a particular hardware? It makes sense to have a "console" one, despite the views of the established PC gamers who dominate this discussion. Seems like 90% of the people in this debate have bet on a "rig" already.

It's the execution here that looks wrong. I dunno... I think Valve's ideological dedication to pure openness has backfired. Let's leave it up to a bunch of PC makers with crappy industrial design? I think a little authority and oversight in the design process would have done wonders.

I think Valve should have made their own console design, kind of like how Microsoft had to lead the way in hybrid Windows tablets/laptops by making the Surface. If they would allow others to make their own designs after, then great!

Bottom line, I want more handsome designs than these. Sorry Alienware. Sorry IBuyPower. Sorry the rest.... your designs are tacky. You are not on the level of Sony, Apple, or even Microsoft (can't believe I'm saying that!) and if you are part of these groups and you're offended, hire design majors who specialize in this. Thanks.