Why does it have to be fast? you're not using your heartbeat snipe to players in CoD. The example's provided where your heartbeat is measured and then the AI director can do his thing in L4D, for example, wouldn't require instant feedback to work, and not only that, but this stuff is all peripheral to the standard controller setup. I'd say think of it more like a rumble pack than a wiimote.
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Verge Interview: Gabe talks about the Steambox
- Thread starter Mr_Elysia
- Start date
Why does it have to be fast? you're not using your heartbeat snipe to players in CoD. The example's provided where your heartbeat is measured and then the AI director can do his thing in L4D, for example, wouldn't require instant feedback to work, and not only that, but this stuff is all peripheral to the standard controller setup. I'd say think of it more like a rumble pack than a wiimote.
LoftyTheMetroid
Member
That's kind of my point. He dismisses motion controls using some arbitrary standards (never mind that pointing controls meet them), but doesn't apply those to biometrics.
And even disregarding pointing controls, it could be argued motion controls provide just as much ancillary value as biometrics. Certainly on a "rumble pack" level. As long as they aren't misused for quick, responsive actions, I feel like they can really enhance an experience. (Finishers and wrestling moves in No More Heroes comes to mind.) It's not any worse than, "Mash these buttons tear off the minotaur's head!" And they're only going to get better, resulting in more potential for meaningful gameplay applications.
If we have "core" gamers complaining about swinging their swords improperly in Skyward Sword, imagine their reaction biometrics. "Hey, I didn't feel stressed! Why is this messing up?!"
This is the part of the interview that fascinates me the most, because it shows a great understanding of controls as an interface of your body which in turn, is yet another interface as well (your brain's ). This cement my conviction that neural interface (that is, mind interface) is the future of gaming. Biometrics is a step in this (right) direction, but I wonder how much far they will take it. Still, exciting times for everyone!
Gabe Newell gets it. The GAF anti motion control "wii ruined gaming" brigade does not. It is not an standard, but it is simply an alternative method of control that makes it a far more engaging, visceral experience in certain type of games, unless you are one of these freaks that plays Dance Central with a controller.
KennyLinder
Member
http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/8/3852692/valve-linux-steam-box-local-gaming-server
A new article with pricing mention? "Midrange to cost around $300"
A new article with pricing mention? "Midrange to cost around $300"
the lowest tier only 99$? What power could be in a 99$ steambox oO?
KennyLinder
Member
Streaming. Didn't he compare the base model to a streaming device, like Apple TV or Onlive (I assume). Would be enough for basic games and streaming. The $300 price point will be the interesting one as if done right could put a serious dent into traditional console gaming.
Like I said yesterday, I can see PC games coming with "Steam Level" specs on them so you'd know what you could run and how it would run on your "Steam Box" system.
Half Life 3 is Steam spec 2+3 only for example
First off, to the Windows 8 defense force. Cut it out. It turns out that after the lovefest that happened for Win 7, a lot of people, for many different reasons don't like 8. Deal with it.
All his talk about biometrics has me excited. It also puts them hiring sign language people a few years back into a new light. And Abrash's constant talk about wearable computing, which of course isn't related to the Steambox as I recall, but knowing how Valve works must have washed off on other teams. I love this type of Skunk Works thinking when it comes to tech.
All his talk about biometrics has me excited. It also puts them hiring sign language people a few years back into a new light. And Abrash's constant talk about wearable computing, which of course isn't related to the Steambox as I recall, but knowing how Valve works must have washed off on other teams. I love this type of Skunk Works thinking when it comes to tech.
This sounds great, good flexible gaming server that I could run whatever I want on it. It'll be a pretty good all-in-one box.
actually looking forward to what additional stuff they can do with it
alexandros
Banned
Pricing is surely worthy of a new thread, since many people are primarily interested in it. You up for it, KennyLinder?
ColonelColon
Member
This bit is interesting. What could he mean by this? Could it be bundled with games?
Perhaps a machine capable of playing what is now a vast array of indie games? Perhaps Steambox scales down to indie-only games ala Ouya all the way up to crazy spec'd Alienware etc models? It could double-up as a streaming box too, perhaps?
edit: I just realised I answered a question that wasn't even asked. lol.
KennyLinder
Member
Or heavily subsidised like mobile phones. I can also see the model like satellite TV coming too. Get the box for free, pay £x a month and get games for free. Different tiers for "AAA" games, "Indie" games or whatever.
Times a changing.
have you even seen Ubuntu Unity
Vinterbird
Member
Yup. It's honestly all I want. Something that makes it easier then drilling holes in walls and dragging HDMI cables from the office to the living room.
Really, anything that tries to bring PC gaming into the mainstream is a win for all of us. The Steam model is superior to the console model. Even if I don't ever buy one of these, this will garner developer support and more indie presence, which means more and cheaper games for all. This to me is a more significant development than whatever can come out of the closed environments of the PS4 or 720. Looking forward to seeing what Valve does.
exmachina64
Banned
Most intelligent reason I've seen.
Partly because of RSI and partly because I'm usually on my laptop I use a thumb trackball for games. It took a week or two to adjust and feel comfortable and while I'll never know if it's 100% as accurate as a mouse (especially a I'm terrible at FPSs anyway) it's certainly closer to it than it is to a stick, and the speed of turning is obvoiusly night and day. It's way, way better than dual analogue IMO and it would conform easily to the current pad layout.
electricpirate
Member
I thought the "good" box would just be some kind of streaming end point, but the article is a little unclear.
grimshawish
Banned
Gully State
Member
I can definitely see the potential in biometrics. Gabe's gaze example is pretty cool and I could see that bringing a whole level into immersion with the game knowing exactly what you're looking at and adapting that information into how the AI reacts to the player or even highlighting things in subtle ways such that the player doesn't miss it etc...
Refreshment.01
Member
I dont care if they have a console operating with cold fusion, that powers your house and cures cancer. They have done nothing yet.
Did you saw the post i was replying to? Motion controls get critisized while they have been the most important contribution to input in years, specially the Wii Remote, which is a design that should be iterated and improved.
Valve has been a long time talking about input methods but had done exactly zero here. The first thing they should have done is create an standard for what we use and have been use and go from there.
Sentenza
Member
I can't stop laughing right now.
i guess to some extent there could be some truth in that sentence, especially if we measure "importance" in sales and not in quality of the experience, but still...
Sentenza
Member
No one has any clue about how large the Linux catalogue is going to be when this thing will be released. Possibly not even Valve itself, at this point.
For what we know they could even have already dozens of agreements in place to port the full library.