Weekend tech reading: Valve working on a "Steam Box" console?

LOL @ "The Verge". That site is to tech news what Metro is to UIs - total FAIL. They almost make Engadget look good. Also, regarding the Steam console: if their planning such a thing its going to work like OnLive, not a proper console - I guarantee it.

If they make it they should call it something like the Steam Engine.

That was pretty ambitious for 1983.

Steam Engine would be an awesome name.

Well the only reason Onlive differentiates itself from its competitors is the fact that it caters itself towards those who can't afford a decent gaming rig and/or want to game on the go. A steam "console" would be no different than a PC, and presumably worse because you probably won't be allowed to upgrade without voiding the warranty. I don't see the point in that at all.

I'm glad everyone read the article and noticed that it will actually just be a prebuilt computer. Oh wait, no one did that and resorted to making stuff up.

Dude, the title says "Valve said to be working on 'Steam Box' gaming console".

And the article says otherwise.

Oh valve, why do you hurt me by releasing no information on the fate of gordon freeman? The box is cute but if there's no half-life, it is useless to me.

So that, actually juse be a prebuit computer.

Here's hoping Half-Life 3 won't be a "Steam Box" exclusive...

People are taking this Steam console stuff way out of proportions and context that it's almost making me nauseous. Gabe said they would make hardware if they *needed to* in order to achieve or go forward with one of their *software projects* but that they **don't want to make hardware** and want to let the people who are good at it, be the ones making the hardware.

So what have we learned? Valve DOESN'T WANT to make hardware. But if they need to they will.

They said they are apparently going to use Intel CPU (i7 Sandy equiv) and Nvidia GPU for their Console.

Oh, for ****s sake.

Did no one read the article?

Too long, didn't read. Here's hoping Steam doesn't try selling pre-built computers with no upgrade capability.

On the Penny Arcade article where he originally made the comments about making hardware he also kind of indirectly stated that Half-Life's next installment is in development. He said something like "we don't want to say something then disappoint them" (by delaying the release) and that they basically will announce projects once they are more fully baked. And that response from Gabe was his reply to Ben's question regarding Half-Life 3.

I guess it'd be easier to understand if you go read the article. My paraphrasing isn't so great haha.

While I still doubt the rumour, I don't see this particular point as a significant issue. Most people just don't upgrade. Consoles aren't upgradeable (except for disk space) and people are okay with this, and laptops also are not upgradeable (except for disk and RAM) and most people choose them over a desktop.

A console based on PC hardware might cost less than a comparable PC of that form factor, and be attractive for that. Given a console OS it will also provide better gaming performance than a PC with similar hardware. So the idea is not without merit.

then read it, you understand more

I've always thought there was a massive potential for a "consolized" PC platform. Standardize the hardware, lock into just a few resolutions (720 and 1080 probably), and streamline the OS for the gaming experience. Possibly modularize the hardware to allow for some easy incremental upgrades along the way (such as a GPU module).

I suppose something like Windows 8 could be molded to be an optimized quick-launch operating system, but it might be too clumsy to fit the simple gaming console concept. I have pondered a stripped down and customized Linux gaming build in the past, that could provide an "instant on" feel, would be able to portal to something like Steam as the default, and could still provide some of the basic HTPC functionality when desired (basically like the PS3 before they axed the "other OS" options)... Other than the whole issue of porting everything to Linux, that is. Bleh.