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[Sorcerer]

The second I saw the analog controller on the left side of the controller, I figured that was pretty much the end for haptic feedback.

Just add the second analog on the right, get rid of the haptic feedback and get it over with.

 

[Arkanius]

Everyone that says "Steam Machines have no point to exist" don't understand that Valve is doing all this to build an ecosystem to get away from Microsoft.

The number of Linux titles and all next gen engines supporting Linux should give you an idea of the ripple effect they caused.

Hell, every thing demoed of Unreal Tournament right now was on Linux. 600 titles on Steam for Linux. GoG now supports Linux. Most fan favorite kickstarter games come with Linux support.

 

[outunderthestars]

Everyone that says "Steam Machines have no point to exist" don't understand that Valve is doing all this to build an ecosystem to get away from Microsoft.

The number of Linux titles and all next gen engines supporting Linux should give you an idea of the ripple effect they caused.

Hell, every thing demoed of Unreal Tournament right now was on Linux. 600 titles on Steam for Linux. GoG now supports Linux. Most fan favorite kickstarter games come with Linux support.

My problem with this whole effort is that I as a consumer don't see any benefit from it. I end up paying roughly the same as a windows based gaming machine to get a product with only 10% of the games library.

 

[Arkanius]

My problem with this whole effort is that I as a consumer don't see any benefit from it. I end up paying roughly the same as a windows based gaming machine to get a product with only 10% of the games library.

Well as a consumer, you don't see the benefit now, but you will in the future if Valve can push it in the direction it wants.
Linux allows you a way lower OS overhead, better performance and it's free and open source. For example, Kerbal Space Program is a better game in the physics simulation department because of it.

If Linux starts getting attention, instead of being treated as a second class citizen, EVERYONE (Except MS and it's shareholds) wins. OpenGL will also get pushed forward which will:

1) Lower API overhead
2) Facilitate ports between cross-gens/cross-architectures.

Also, most people are not sold on the idea of Steamboxes, because... They are not ready, nor are they here yet. Steam Controller is being iterated to be the best compromise possible and SteamOS and Linux base are being worked on. Driver support (Open and Closed source) are also getting in shape.

Steamboxes are a better target for 2015 not this year. The library will grow this way as well.

 

[DOWN]

Might we say interest in the Steambox has... Evaporated?

 

[SerTapTap]

The second I saw the analog controller on the left side of the controller, I figured that was pretty much the end for haptic feedback.

Just add the second analog on the right, get rid of the haptic feedback and get it over with.

What why? Haptic feedback is one of their most touted, if mostly poorly explained, things. I don't see why an analog stick means anything for haptic. As long as they use the touchpads don't they basically have to use haptic to make it not feel like using an awful...touchpad?

 

[Kris Pistofferson]

My problem with this whole effort is that I as a consumer don't see any benefit from it. I end up paying roughly the same as a windows based gaming machine to get a product with only 10% of the games library.

Isn't that true of any new platform? Neither the PS4 nor Xbox One have particularly large software selections but people are still drawn to them on usability and a promise of things coming in the future. Losing compatibility is always unfortunate but that can happen with any upgrade. WinXP took away A3D support while Vista took away EAX support, for two examples, and moving to a 64-bit OS took away 16-bit support for another one. All of them sucked at the time but I can't say they didn't pay off in the long run.

SteamOS already has one big usability advantage over Win8 in that it's far more HTPC and controller friendly than Win8. Not being able to use my 360 controller in the Metro interface was the only reason that I don't use it as my HTPC OS and is (in my opinion) the one area where Microsoft completely dropped the ball.

 

[Shadowhaxor]

SteamOS already has one big usability advantage over Win8 in that it's far more HTPC and controller friendly than Win8. Not being able to use my 360 controller in the Metro interface was the only reason that I don't use it as my HTPC OS and is (in my opinion) the one area where Microsoft completely dropped the ball.

Playing devil's advocate for a moment. Does it matter? How many games do you actually launch from Windows any more vs Steam or Origin? Wouldn't having a batch script in place to launch Steam and restart it if it crashes be all you need, especially since you can control Steam with a controller (wired or wireless).

I gave on on waiting for the real unveiling of the SteamOS and I've stopped running the releases as the latency was still a huge issue for me. The amount of native games is simply dwarfed by the number of games that you need to stream to the SteamOS and honestly regardless of how much a push Valve does I really don't see the hundreds if not thousands of devs both major and indie just dropping ship to develop solely for Linux. And those that will develop for Linux would like do a Windows version first and a Linux version as a second thought unless a title is a crowd-funded title with Linux being a stretch goal.

On that note if someone creates a workable replacement for the keyboard / mice combo I see no real reason for the Steam Controller. I'd love to play some RTS or FPS's with an actual K/M setup on my HTPC but i'm also beyond tired of waiting on the Steam Controller and all of it's renditions..

But I really do want one!

 

[SerTapTap]

Playing devil's advocate for a moment. Does it matter? How many games do you actually launch from Windows any more vs Steam or Origin? Wouldn't having a batch script in place to launch Steam and restart it if it crashes be all you need, especially since you can control Steam with a controller (wired or wireless).

I gave on on waiting for the real unveiling of the SteamOS and I've stopped running the releases as the latency was still a huge issue for me. The amount of native games is simply dwarfed by the number of games that you need to stream to the SteamOS and honestly regardless of how much a push Valve does I really don't see the hundreds if not thousands of devs both major and indie just dropping ship to develop solely for Linux. And those that will develop for Linux would like do a Windows version first and a Linux version as a second thought unless a title is a crowdfunded title with Linux being a stretch goal.

The usability angle is totally irrelevant as far as the OS goes--Steam OS is literally just Steam Big Picture launching at boot. You can set up a Windows PC to do the exact same thing and operate it entirely using the controller. You don't need a batch script, you can set this up right now with non-Beta Steam after ticking a couple of boxes in the Big Picture Mode settings menu.

 

[Shadowhaxor]

The usability angle is totally irrelevant as far as the OS goes--Steam OS is literally just Steam Big Picture launching at boot. You can set up a Windows PC to do the exact same thing and operate it entirely using the controller. You don't need a batch script, you can set this up right now with non-Beta Steam after ticking a couple of boxes in the Big Picture Mode settings menu.

Agreed but I use the script in the event that Steam crashes, which it has done on me due to the shear amount of streaming I do with OBS or Shadowplay. But other than that seriously all one has to do is drop the shortcut into startup and that's it as long as Big Picture mode is configured.

 

[Denton]

Sure, misguided as in 3rd party manufacturers are producing a machine in which they can't subsidize through game sales, thereby forcing the fact that every system sold has to be sold for profit, in turn resulting in a high retail price.

...totally not anything similar whatsoever, right?

I never said the situation was the exact same, which is why I have no idea why you even thought that. Read the whole post next time.

Ok, from that single perspective they are somewhat similar, but the comparison as a whole is still misguided. 3DO was closed proprietary DOA platform, whereas open PC is already ruling.

Some of the smaller ones are also good for native gaming. Valve's own prototype was roughly around the size of an xbox one, and could house high-end components.

Form factor is by far the biggest appeal for me. A tower pc enclosure looks out of place in the living room, imo. Something that can easily fit inside a tv cabinet is ideal. I just hope Valve will release a commercial version of its prototype some day, or at least make the CAD files for its enclosure available.

Hah, in my post I consider the Valve prototype "the big one"
By small I meant something that fits a palm. Btw if I remember correctly Valve's prototype is even smaller than Xbone. I really hope they decide to sell it or bring it to market somehow, that case looked really awesome.

 

[ACIDTITAN]

How come we are seeing all these controllers from every company but it's taking valve years to finish the steambox controller honesty slow it already looks butt ugly just use the 360 template like everyone else.

Just saying for the most basic thing...

I hope they scrape the latest design and go for more of a original one without gimmicks

 

[SerTapTap]

How come we are seeing all these controllers from every company but it's taking valve years to finish the steambox controller honesty slow it already looks butt ugly just use the 360 template like everyone else.

Just saying for the most basic thing...

I hope they scrape the latest design and go for more of a original one without gimmicks

There's no reason for them to make a 360 clone, people could and would just use 360 controllers. They're trying to make it better for mouse controlled games. And...failing at every other regard, judging by reviews/redesigns.

 

[ashecitism]

How come we are seeing all these controllers from every company but it's taking valve years to finish the steambox controller honesty slow it already looks butt ugly just use the 360 template like everyone else.

Just saying for the most basic thing...

I hope they scrape the latest design and go for more of a original one without gimmicks

Do you think the DS4, XB360 and the likes were made in a day? Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo also iterated on their design for years until they came up with the final. Microsoft spent $100m on the XB1 controller. This is normal, we're just seeing it public. Also, this is a different enough design that it requires much work.

 

[atpbx]

It's a terrible and pointless idea.

I will be extremely surprised if the whole idea of it isn't swept under the carpet by the end of near.