Steam Machine

OhmMega · February 10, 2014

Anybody heard of it yet or interested at all? Newest venture from Valve, an interesting take on a console computer hybrid. I think I'll install SteamOS on my PC and give it a try.

The best part is it'll support new aftermarket hardware like Oculus Rift!

I cant wait, as an original PC gamer I'll be happy if it takes off and conquors the dictatorship consoles (PlayStation, Xbox).

http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamMachines/

http://www.oculusvr.com/

Chris · February 10, 2014

So you are PC Master Race? Im a console guy. The Steam Machines don't impress me. It is just a small form factor PC with a Linux based OS

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OhmMega · February 10, 2014

Games are designed on the PC. So when you don't need to compile and modify your content to work with bastard hardware compared to its original design and testing environment, much time and effort is saved.

One of the major benefits to a developer with the steam platform is compatibility. The advantage consoles have is they are the same. No console deviates in hardware or software as they are controlled by the vendors. The steam machine offers a level of scaleability to the end user with a range of officially supported hardware and drivers that are tested and updated for the steamOs.

If people enjoy being sheep and forced to comply with what another entity deems suitable for profit then keep your consoles.

If people enjoy the freedom of the open market and community driven content and competition then the steam platform is a welcomed change.

Chris · February 10, 2014

Its not a sheep thing. For me it is convenience. I dont want to play pc games in bed bur I can with a console because of the input device

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OhmMega · February 10, 2014

The Steam Machine has a controller with track pads where the joysticks would be. The track pads allow much more precise and intentional movement. Its essentially a console with console features, but it is far more expandable.

The cool thing for gamers of the pc ganre is it can use a mouse and keyboard. I use an XIM3 adapter on my Xbox right now and it helps significantly but its not quite perfect.

Chris · February 10, 2014

I understand that but bot all games are compatible with steam os. I started playing on pc but I prefer console. Cant really explain why

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OhmMega · February 11, 2014

It will take time to grow and gain affiliations with developers. I prefer the Xbox as my platform because of the popularity.

My biggest hope for the steam machine is community involvement. Dedicated servers that anybody can rent or host. Competition games and leagues. Community developed content.

DLC is total bull and pisses me off. I understand longevity of a game does not benefit publishers, I think they need to be more creative in making revenue than locking out a game from modifications.

Something that would be great for consoles is cross platform play. The segregated PlayStation and Xbox communities could be allowed to play with minimal effort from developers. But it will be very difficult for microsony to play nice and allow such an atrocious idea.

I can see the steam platform bringing play back into the community instead of profit into big corporations.

Chris · February 11, 2014

I have been discussing that with people. Now lets say I have a game for my PS4. Now you have the same game on Steam, and my brother has it for Xbox One. We should all be allowed to play online together. Hell I would pay an extra subscription fee for that service

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OhmMega · February 24, 2014

Decided to build a new gaming rig.

Intel i7 4770k

MSI Z87-G45 Motherboard

MSI GTX760 2gb

16gb Corsair XMS3 DDR3-1600

120gb Samsung evo SSD

(2) WD Blue 1tb hdd's mirrored

Corsair 600 watt psu

I've loaded SteamOS beta on it. Im still messing with the config to get the games to load on the disk drives. And the raid setup is no easy task with Linux, contrary to my belief as its used extensively in server applications.

Although its a learning curve modding Linux. If I had a single large format drive it would have been a breeze even for beta software.

This is my first ever Intel and nvidia setup so I'm curious to see how it performs. Coming from an ati background (9800 pro, 4870x2, 6870) and AMD processors its hard to grasp the concept that you can drop +$2000 on just a processor and video card, I find that insane.

Chris · February 24, 2014

From my reading, it is best to dual boot with a Linux OS. Some games I have seen have to run on a Windows PC that the Steam Machines will pull the game from. Basically the Steam Machines will basically be I/O devices and use the Windows PC as a server to run the games that arent compatible with Linux

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OhmMega · February 24, 2014

I still have my phenom2/radeon 6870 PC running windows. Streaming would be good for games unlike shooters. I have a media PC for my TV that may get replaced with this depending on music, Netflix, blu-ray codec support.

Only thing I'm lacking now is the fancy controller. I hope they kept the price below $100.

Chris · February 24, 2014

I like AMD's TressFX technology.

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StinkyCheese · June 15, 2014

I have been discussing that with people. Now lets say I have a game for my PS4. Now you have the same game on Steam, and my brother has it for Xbox One. We should all be allowed to play online together. Hell I would pay an extra subscription fee for that service Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

I doubt this will happen on a large scale until consoles finally die off, thus making it a non issue. PCs hold too many advantages (and disadvantages). For the price of a console you can build a PC that will beat the crap out of a PS4/Xbox 1 which = Higher frame rates, less bottle necking, possible lower ping. The disadvantages would be PC is easier to cheat which will make all the noobs shout hacker/cheater even more. Lazy game makers make half ass ports to the PC and in the process somehow lose controller abilities...

Maybe for casual games but for FPS or RPG probably not. Especially with the better RPG games having mod options that consoles still have yet to get.

I do however wish it would happen even with all the flaws since I refuse to over pay for games and a lot of my console friends are computer stupid. So yeah the new gen out dated computers so why not let us all play against each other!!!!! I think I read somewhere a couple games are going to attempt it, I just forget where, when, and what.

StinkyCheese · June 16, 2014

At E3 Alienware showed their version of a steambox as well. Uses xbox 360 controllers and is upgradable except for the graphics card which is on the mobo. Comes with Windows currently but they said they'd help you install steam os beta if that's what you wanted to do. Also has an overlay to make using just the controller easier in windows.

Since Alienware is usually so over priced I was shocked they put something out under the $600 mark. Granted that's probably the one with only an i3 in it though.