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Steam Universe; In light of recent announcements
Topic Started: Sep 27 2013, 03:09 PM (830 Views)
savepoints
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Move the thread if you want to...


Earlier this week Valve said they would be making 3 big announcements over the course of the week;
Quote:
 
Last year, we shipped a software feature called Big Picture, a user-interface tailored for televisions and gamepads.
This year we’ve been working on even more ways to connect the dots for customers who want Steam in the living-room.
Soon, we’ll be adding you to our design process, so that you can help us shape the future of Steam.

Three pictures were given as hints as to what the announcements would be about, and so I'm gonna use these pictures as "headers" for each section of this thread. Now, let's get to it...


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SteamOS
In short, SteamOS is a free, stand-alone linux-based operating system "designed for the TV and living room". With the SteamOS, they have achieved significant performance increases in graphics processing, and are now moving on to improving audio performance and reductions in input latency at the operating system level. SteamOS will also be released as open source.

Four new features focused on the living room.
(Note that these will be avaliable on the SteamOS, as well as the Steam client).

In-Home Streaming: Allows for all your Windows & Mac games to be played on the SteamOS as well. Just turn on your existing computer, start Steam, and the SteamOS machine can stream the games over your home network to your TV. As it's streamed across your local network (unless you have really bad internet), general latency should be very low, and as such should not be a problem.

Music, TV, Movies: "We’re working with many of the media services you know and love. Soon we will begin bringing them online, allowing you to access your favorite music and video with Steam and SteamOS." Probably refers to things like Netflix and Spotify being made more accessiable through Steam, in some way.

Family Sharing: The recently announced "Family Sharing" allows users to make their library of games avaliable to other people, while everyone keeps their own progress and achievements. Read more about it HERE.

Family Options: Additional control over what titles can be seen by whom, and so on. Seems to me like standard parental control.


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Steam Machines
Previously (and still) refered to as the "Steam Box", these machines come in great variety so that you can choose the one that "makes the most sense to you". It has been stated that Valve is working with multiple partners to bring a large selection of Steam boxes, and as such the previous statement probably means they will vary in performance power, as well as prices. All Steam machines will be running SteamOS.
It has also been stated that the Steam machines are "completely open and upgradeable".

Useful information from the FAQ
When can I buy one?!
Beginning in 2014, there will be multiple SteamOS machines to choose from, made by different manufacturers.

Will I be able to build my own box to run SteamOS?
Yes.

Can I hack this box? Run another OS? Change the hardware? Install my own software? Use it to build a robot?
Sure.

Can I download the OS to try it out?
You will be able to download it (including the source code, if you're into that) but not yet.

Am I going to be using a mouse and a keyboard in the living-room?
If you want. But Steam and SteamOS work well with gamepads, too.

Any other information has just been said to be "revealed later on". You can read more about the "Valve Prototype Beta" and how to become a Steam Box tester HERE.


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Steam Controller
A Different Kind of Gamepad
 
We set out with a singular goal: bring the Steam experience, in its entirety, into the living-room. We knew how to build the user interface, we knew how to build a machine, and even an operating system. But that still left input — our biggest missing link. We realized early on that our goals required a new kind of input technology — one that could bridge the gap from the desk to the living room without compromises. So we spent a year experimenting with new approaches to input and we now believe we’ve arrived at something worth sharing and testing with you.

The Steam Controller is designed to work with all the games on Steam: past, present, and future. Even older titles without controller support will be playable with this nwe gamepad, by basically "fooling the game into thinking you're using a keyboard and mouse". The Steam controller offers a new and, "vastly superior" control scheme, built with high-precision input technologies and focused on low-latency performance.

Spoiler: click to toggle


Dual Trackpads:
The most prominent elements of the Steam controller are its two circular trackpads. Driven by the player’s thumbs, each one has a high-resolution trackpad as its base. It is also clickable, allowing the entire surface to act as a button. The trackpads allow far higher fidelity input than has previously been possible with other traditional handheld controllers. Also worht noting that the Steam Controller’s resolution approaches that of a desktop mouse.
Because of the superior precision and high resolution of the trackpads, the Steam controller should allow for more "intuitive" gameplay in RTS, shooters, strategy games, etc.

Haptics:
"Trackpads, by their nature, are less physical than thumbsticks. By themselves, they are “light touch” devices and don’t offer the kind of visceral feedback that players get from pushing joysticks around. As we investigated trackpad-based input devices, it became clear through testing that we had to find ways to add more physicality to the experience. It also became clear that “rumble”, as it has been traditionally implemented (a lopsided weight spun around a single axis), was not going to be enough. Not even close."
Instead, the Steam Controller is built around a new type of haptic feedback, employing dual linear resonant actuators (ikr). These are small, strong, weighted electro-magnets which are attached to each of the dual trackpads. They are capable of delivering a wide range of force and vibration, allowing precise control over frequency, amplitude, and direction of movement.
"This haptic capability provides a vital channel of information to the player - delivering in-game information about speed, boundaries, thresholds, textures, action confirmations, or any other events about which game designers want players to be aware. It is a higher-bandwidth haptic information channel than exists in any other consumer product that we know of. As a parlour trick they can even play audio waveforms and function as speakers."

Touch Screen:
In the center of the controller is a high-resolution touch screen. The screen allows an infinite number of discrete actions to be made available to the player, without requiring an infinite number of physical buttons. The screen is clickable ("like one large button"), and this is supposed to make sure there's not accidental selection of sorts.
"When programmed by game developers using our API, the touch screen can work as a scrolling menu, a radial dial, provide secondary info like a map or use other custom input modes we haven’t thought of yet."
To avoid the need of dividing the players attention between multiple screens, the touch screens display is overlayed on top of the game they’re playing.

Buttons:
Every button and input zone has been placed based on frequency of use, precision required and ergonomic comfort. There are a total of sixteen buttons on the Steam Controller. Half of them are accessible to the player without requiring thumbs to be lifted from the trackpads, including two on the back. All controls and buttons have been placed symmetrically, making left or right handedness switchable via a software config checkbox.

Posted Image

Shared configurations:
In order to to support the full catalog of Steam games, a so-called "Legacy Mode" has been implemented, which allows the controller to "present itself as a keyboard and mouse". In its most basic form, this serves as something like "X-Padder", but a bit more refined. A configuration tool can be used to map actions to keys, or you can browse and share configurations made by other people.

Posted Image

Openness:
"The Steam Controller was designed from the ground up to be hackable. Just as the Steam Community and Workshop contributors currently deliver tremendous value via additions to software products on Steam, we believe that they will meaningfully contribute to the design of the Steam Controller. We plan to make tools available that will enable users to participate in all aspects of the experience, from industrial design to electrical engineering. We can’t wait to see what you come up with."

Useful information from the FAQ
I’m a happy Steam customer happily using my happy mouse and keyboard. I don’t want a controller?
You can’t make a sentence into a question by just putting a question-mark at the end. But we’re happy you’re happy, and by all means keep using whatever input method makes sense for you. Rest assured, we won’t abandon you. We love mice and keyboards, too.

Can I use a controller if I don’t have a Steam machine?
Yes. It’ll work very well with any version of Steam.

Any other information will be avaliable in the Steam Universe Community Group, such as the specs for the prototype SteamBox, which will be posted in the coming week.
Edited by savepoints, Sep 27 2013, 03:09 PM.
 
ReptilePZ
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Big Sweaty Moose Bleepers
So... either get an HDMI cable to connect your PC to your TV or... SteamBox.

Hmmm, tough choice.
 
savepoints
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Won't really be the same tho, even if it appears to be.

There's also speculation (and rumors) that the "in-home streaming" will be based on the specifications of your Steambox. This means that you'd be able to stream games from your shitty pc which can barely run Minesweeper, and it'd play at 60+ fps on your Steambox.

Again, speculations.

EDIT: The reason for this would be something like... You don't stream the game as you do on a service like "On-Live", but rather you stream the "game files", and as such the steambox is basically running the game by itself, with some help from your main PC.
Edited by savepoints, Sep 27 2013, 03:21 PM.
 
ReptilePZ
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Big Sweaty Moose Bleepers
Or, you just have one PC so you don't have to bother with all that crap. Streaming < fucking HDMI cable


The only thing that would make buying a steambox reasonable is if the price was really, REALLY low. And the machine was really, REALLY good in terms of specs.
Edited by ReptilePZ, Sep 27 2013, 03:25 PM.
 
Tiennou
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So the Steam Box is basically another console in different models with different specs, etc, except you can upgrade it and you can "plug" your PC on it, making you able to play all the games you already bought on Steam ?
 
savepoints
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Steamboxes are gonna be a lot cheaper than any high-end gaming PC for sure, and as such we come back to what I said in the previous post. You want to play games without spending a fortune on a gaming PC? Buy a SteamBox and stream it.

@Tien, Yes, basically. In actuality, it's more or less targeted at current console-players, or people who just like gaming in their living room/on their TV, and maybe not as much at hardcore PC gamers. The different specs and such on the different models are there as variety, so you can choose the perfect balance between price and performance for yourself.

Tho now that I think about it, a Steambox is much more akin to a PC, than a console. It's fully upgradable and "hackable", allowing you to change the OS, software etc.
Edited by savepoints, Sep 27 2013, 03:36 PM.
 
Tiennou
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Then I don't see the point in comparing the Steam Box with a PC if it's just another console which happens to stream your PC's stuff and to be upgradable.

It'd make more sense to compare it with other consoles.
Edited by Tiennou, Sep 27 2013, 03:40 PM.
 
savepoints
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Technically, you're right. While it does have the capability of streaming games from your PC, this is mostly used for Windows or Mac games, which don't run natively on the SteamOS. What I might have forgot to mention in the OP is that Valve has been working with many developers on this, and a lot of games will be released natively for SteamOS.

So yes, it'd make more sense to compare it to other consoles at this point.
 
ReptilePZ
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savepoints
Sep 27 2013, 03:32 PM
Steamboxes are gonna be a lot cheaper than any high-end gaming PC for sure.
I sure hope so, but I somehow doubt it. And if they are going to be significantly cheaper, then they're probably gonna be a lot slower as well. So it's essentially a glorified mid-range PC. The only interesting thing that's come out of this is a new, free, gaming-centric OS and a new controller. Was hoping for something better than what they've come up with (in reference to the controller) but eh. SteamOS does sound interesting, especially in combination with AMD's new API.
 
beastman721
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I can say, from a practicality stand point, the Steam Box makes sense for people like me. While I could probably save up and buy a high end PC, I feel like it would be somewhat of a waste of money to drop 1000+ usd on a pc just to be able to play higher-end games.

Personally, I don't see it as a wise investment when I've got student loans and other bills to pay.

If you're kind of a "fringe gamer" like me, bordering on hardcore and casual, it's a great thing. I might end up getting it when it comes out, though I'd probably do a good bit of research on it. Maybe it seems like a niche market, but I like the fact that Valve is catering to gamers who either can't afford or don't want a high end pc. I think it makes sense, it's a good thing.
 
ReptilePZ
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beastman721
Sep 27 2013, 05:33 PM
I can say, from a practicality stand point, the Steam Box makes sense for people like me. While I could probably save up and buy a high end PC, I feel like it would be somewhat of a waste of money to drop 1000+ usd on a pc just to be able to play higher-end games.

Personally, I don't see it as a wise investment when I've got student loans and other bills to pay.

If you're kind of a "fringe gamer" like me, bordering on hardcore and casual, it's a great thing. I might end up getting it when it comes out, though I'd probably do a good bit of research on it. Maybe it seems like a niche market, but I like the fact that Valve is catering to gamers who either can't afford or don't want a high end pc. I think it makes sense, it's a good thing.
But... you can already buy mid-ranged PCs. The SteamBox *is* a PC, they just use a fancy name, it's quite literally the equivalent of Alienware's X51 console sized PC, for example - it's just that Steam are using different marketing techniques. And I seriously doubt that a Steam Box will cost any less than a standard PC with the same specs. I'd love to eat my own words if I'm wrong though.
Edited by ReptilePZ, Sep 27 2013, 05:56 PM.
 
Tiennou
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ReptilePZ
Sep 27 2013, 05:47 PM
The SteamBox *is* a PC, they just use a fancy name, it's quite literally the equivalent of Alienware's X51 console sized PC, for example - it's just that Steam are using different marketing techniques. And I seriously doubt that a Steam Box will cost any less than a standard PC with the same specs.
Well tbh, I don't think people at Valve are stupid enough to sell something that would be more expensive than a standard PC. It would kinda be like "hey guys, we're tired of doing business, so here u go, some shit you shouldn't buy and we'll just retire".

Thing is Valve is trying to rival against the other consoles, not PC. It's about Steam Box vs PS4 and xBox One (and WiiU but lol).

And like the new xBox will spy on you 24/7, the Steam box's main selling point is that you can play your PC games and upgrade your shit.

I really don't see why Valve would try to rival against PC. It's literally their entire business, most of their revenues come from Steam. What they don't have though, is all the people who play on consoles and those people have money. Unfortunately, they don't have Steam on their shiny console so Valve don't get any of their money. So what to do ? Release a console, with Steam, people buy the console, giving money to Valve, people buy games on Steam, giving money to Valve.

I really don't think the point of the Steam Box has anything to do with PC gamers.
They simply give PC gamers the option to play the games they bought for their PC on TV if they buy the console. Other than that, it's all about Valve who want to enter the console market because that's the only place of the video game industry where they don't get any money at all.

I'm not saying Steam Box is going to work great or anything. But in the event it does, all it means is that Valve will be at the same spot as Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony, and they'll have more customers. As for us, PC gamers, we'll have more "friends" to play with and that's it.

All in all, I don't think the Steam Box will be more expensive than PCs with the same specs. Unlike Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo, Valve has Steam, with thousands of games, ready to be bought and downloaded without moving your ass from your chair. The prices of their consoles don't need to be extremely high to be profitable, because their main source of revenue will be what it has always been - Steam, but this time, on console.
Edited by Tiennou, Sep 27 2013, 07:32 PM.
 
ReptilePZ
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First off, the whole point of marketing is making you think you want to buy some shit you don't necessarily need. Looks like Valve are doing an amazing job at it. But if they did say "hey guys, we're tired of doing business, so here u go, some shit you shouldn't buy and we'll just retire" instead of what they're currently saying then they'd be pretty stupid, yes. However, they don't seem to be tired of doing business so they've decided to *gasp* use marketing instead of being honest.

Consoles are PCs as well. I'm not saying Valve are trying to rival PCs, I'm saying that buying a PC and running SteamOS on it is the same thing as buying a SteamBox. A Steam Box is going to use the same parts as a stanard PC, so I don't see how Valve can cut the price (not like they're making their own CPU, GPU etc.) unless they sell their devices at a loss. And they have a very good reason to sell Steam Boxes over PCs, claiming otherwise is... naive at best - while they are not trying to rival PCs that have steam, they are trying to rival PCs that don't. You see, not every PC has steam on it, they've been trying to change that by forcing games into using Steam as DRM (you buy a physical copy yet are forced to register it on Steam, that's BS btw - there's a difference between giving me the option to use Steam and having to use it on order to play the game). Now they're selling PCs that run their own OS and already have Steam on them - they're just pushing their own products.

And of course they're targeting console owners as well, that's obvious - a PC for the living room, that's what consoles are, except they don't run PC games =/

Also, I never said Steam Box will be more expensive than a standard PC, I said it's probably not going to be (significantly) cheaper. If it is cheaper, I've already pointed out that "I'd love to eat my own words".

P.S. You trust Valve way too much.
Edited by ReptilePZ, Sep 28 2013, 04:19 AM.
 
savepoints
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Super Meat Boy developer Tommy Refenes shares his thoughts on the Steam Controller.

Image of all physical buttons

It's important to note that these are only the physical buttons. As can be read in the following article (and sort of in the previous one), the trackpads can be divided into sections, allowing for four more "buttons", or even eight radial sections.

"Select game developers used the Steam Controller. Here's what they said"
Edited by savepoints, Sep 28 2013, 07:31 AM.
 
Tiennou
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Chicka Bow!
ReptilePZ
Sep 28 2013, 04:07 AM
First off, the whole point of marketing is making you think you want to buy some shit you don't necessarily need. Looks like Valve are doing an amazing job at it. But if they did say "hey guys, we're tired of doing business, so here u go, some shit you shouldn't buy and we'll just retire" instead of what they're currently saying then they'd be pretty stupid, yes. However, they don't seem to be tired of doing business so they've decided to *gasp* use marketing instead of being honest.
My point was that their marketing focuses on console gamers more than on PC gamers.

Quote:
 
Consoles are PCs as well. I'm not saying Valve are trying to rival PCs, I'm saying that buying a PC and running SteamOS on it is the same thing as buying a SteamBox. A Steam Box is going to use the same parts as a stanard PC, so I don't see how Valve can cut the price (not like they're making their own CPU, GPU etc.) unless they sell their devices at a loss. And they have a very good reason to sell Steam Boxes over PCs, claiming otherwise is... naive at best - while they are not trying to rival PCs that have steam, they are trying to rival PCs that don't. You see, not every PC has steam on it, they've been trying to change that by forcing games into using Steam as DRM (you buy a physical copy yet are forced to register it on Steam, that's BS btw - there's a difference between giving me the option to use Steam and having to use it on order to play the game). Now they're selling PCs that run their own OS and already have Steam on them - they're just pushing their own products.

And of course they're targeting console owners as well, that's obvious - a PC for the living room, that's what consoles are, except they don't run PC games =/

I'm not denying that they're trying to get PC gamers to use Steam and buy their stuff, but like I said, their main focus remains console gamers. Who is going to determine whether the Steam Box is going to be successful or not will be console gamers is what I'm trying to say.

Quote:
 
Also, I never said Steam Box will be more expensive than a standard PC, I said it's probably not going to be (significantly) cheaper. If it is cheaper, I've already pointed out that "I'd love to eat my own words".

I misunderstood then, my bad.

Quote:
 
P.S. You trust Valve way too much.

wot
 
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