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[Kacho]

Xbox grand and handheld with I told you to ass out of the box is like 20 bridges too far. They just be building steam boxes for valve for free.

wut

I've read this three times and I don't understand. You hitting that bottle, homey?

 

[Crayon]

wut

I've read this three times and I don't understand. You hitting that bottle, homey?

Holy s*** this speech to text.

That s*** is hilarious though I'm going to leave it for posterity.

 

[Interfectum]

wut

I've read this three times and I don't understand. You hitting that bottle, homey?

 

[Interfectum]

Apple entering the high budget gaming space with a dedicated device is the Half-Life 3 equivalent of tech news.

Yeah I heard the same shit when Apple entered the TV box and VR space. Their name doesn't guarantee success and they would have absolutely no patience or desire to appease the hardcore gaming crowd (ie the very crowd they would need for a high budget game machine to succeed).

 

[Nintendo's Witch]

Is this and Xbox?

 

[64bitmodels]

Because things that sale more, tend to get more support from the companies that make them.

The system has gotten itself a major revision a year after release & the software gets daily updates. Valve also have not been quiet about their plans for the deck in the future.

Itll be fine

 

[Nvzman]

Yeah because Valve sure is delivering so many great exclusive banger titles these days. What an an awesome thing to do for gaming, what we need is more hardware

Yes, because generic third person mass appeal slop and $700 barely impressive hardware without a disk drive is any better?

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Yes, because generic third person mass appeal slop and $700 barely impressive hardware without a disk drive is any better?

Oh no

Not the disc drive you won’t get on mediocre hardware at a higher price with the Slop Machines either

 

[mckmas8808]

But it is getting support and Proton is constantly getting updates. Dev support as well since they have to manually get their games steam deck verified. So again I ask, why would I care?

It’s not a console where they have to rely on 3rd parties making ports or support it with their own first party. Vita and Wii U flopping was different because they needed all that and it wasn’t worth it to keep supporting it. PSVR2 is about to suffer the same fate.

So you aren't fully aware on how business works then, huh?

 

[mckmas8808]

So many skeptics… yet here we are, lol.

The Steam Deck has done well enough for Valve to push forward with a new controller, an updated Steam Deck, a new console, and even a new VR headset. And let’s be real—the Steam Deck will likely outsell the PS5 Pro, PSVR2, and PS Portal combined. If the Deck is an “ultra-niche, pointless device,” what does that say about Sony’s last three products?

The bottom line is that these are engagement devices, not meant to be compared 1-to-1 with the cornerstone platforms of major ecosystems like the PS5 or Switch. They serve a different purpose, and that’s worth understanding.

ARE YOU ON CRACK!?!

Do you understand how many units the Steam Deck is estimated to sell per year?

 

[Crayon]

ARE YOU ON CRACK!?!

Discount brand-x crack.

 

[Topher]

wut

I've read this three times and I don't understand. You hitting that bottle, homey?

Holy s*** this speech to text.

That s*** is hilarious though I'm going to leave it for posterity.

lol....think I read that a dozen times trying to figure it out.

 

[El Muerto]

Might be a decent device if this is true. And if it gets AFMF support then that's a plus if you have a 4k tv, as of now the deck doesnt have AFMF.

 

[Topher]

So you aren't fully aware on how business works then, huh?

That ain't it man. We are not talking about a business model that relies on massive adoption rates for the company to see returns. Consoles are sold at a loss (or tiny profit) in order to gain market share and make money through services and software sales. Steam Deck is not like that. Frankly, neither is PS5 Pro. Bottom line: if Steam Deck was making Valve lose money then they would stop making the thing but here we are getting newer models, more colors, etc. So gamers should "care" about sales only to the extent that it means continued support for the device like BennyBlanco said.

 

[Bry0]

Might be a decent device if this is true. And if it gets AFMF support then that's a plus if you have a 4k tv, as of now the deck doesnt have AFMF.

The “AMD lilac” bench he is referring to actually has a 8540u and a 7600m xt.

 

[analog_future]

Xbox grand and handheld with I told you to ass out of the box is like 20 bridges too far. They just be building steam boxes for valve for free.

 

[reinking]

Is this and Xbox?

Are we all Xbots?

 

[Crayon]

Are we all Xbots?

Not quite.

This is a cat bot.

 

[mckmas8808]

That ain't it man. We are not talking about a business model that relies on massive adoption rates for the company to see returns. Consoles are sold at a loss (or tiny profit) in order to gain market share and make money through services and software sales. Steam Deck is not like that. Frankly, neither is PS5 Pro. Bottom line: if Steam Deck was making Valve lose money then they would stop making the thing but here we are getting newer models, more colors, etc. So gamers should "care" about sales only to the extent that it means continued support for the device like BennyBlanco said.

You guys are right about that specifically. But lets stop playing dumb. If the Steam Deck was selling 15 million units a year vs. 2 million a year.........Valve would not treat those two outcomes the same. Why do we have to play stupid? It's okay if you and BennyBlanco don't care about sales if the product is getting support, but others do care because companies react differently to something that's selling crazy high vs. something that's selling "well enough".

 

[reinking]

Not quite.

This is a cat bot.

..and this is a chicken bot.

..but in this new world of Xbox, we are all Xbots.

 

[Crayon]

..and this is a chicken bot.

Good lord. I tip my hat to you.

 

[Bry0]

You guys are right about that specifically. But let’s stop playing dumb. If the Steam Deck was selling 15 million units a year vs. 2 million a year.........Valve would not treat those two outcomes the same. Why do we have to play stupid? It's okay if you and BennyBlanco don't care about sales if the product is getting support, but others do care because companies react differently to something that's selling crazy high vs. something that's selling "well enough".

Sure, but Valve is not a publically traded corporation, and presumably from Gabe Newells comments on the deck, I don’t think there measure of success was ever something like 15 million units a year. I think in the context of valve and their expectations, the deck is clearly a huge success for them, thus you can reasonably expect good support going forward. In fact, I think the deck is a safer bet than something like a legion go which is going to get new variants every year.

 

[64bitmodels]

You guys are right about that specifically. But lets stop playing dumb. If the Steam Deck was selling 15 million units a year vs. 2 million a year.........Valve would not treat those two outcomes the same.

Yeah, but those outcomes don't exist as of now, so let's not really think about that.

We're in the here and now, and reality says that even if the system sold 100k units LTD Valve would support it. That's just their M.O. It isn't as expensive on them as something like the PS5 is to Sony, and they don't need constant growth like a public company. They can afford to have side hustles like this with ease.

The only device I can think of that they've 100% abandoned is the original Steam Machines, for good reason. And this thread has proven that they've not abandoned the concept behind them, at least.

 

[DavJay]

I don’t get steam box. I want a pc because I don’t want a console but here’s a Pc that is like a console. Guess it’s not for me.

 

[digital_ghost]

And people thought PS5 pro was expensive.

Steam machine starting at only $1300.

 

[mckmas8808]

Sure, but Valve is not a publically traded corporation, and presumably from Gabe Newells comments on the deck, I don’t think there measure of success was ever something like 15 million units a year. I think in the context of valve and their expectations, the deck is clearly a huge success for them, thus you can reasonably expect good support going forward. In fact, I think the deck is a safer bet than something like a legion go which is going to get new variants every year.

Oh it 100% will be supported. If Valve makes this Steam Machine, it'll be fine. I'm just explaining why some people care about how much their devices sale.

Yeah, but those outcomes don't exist as of now, so let's not really think about that.

We're in the here and now, and reality says that even if the system sold 100k units LTD Valve would support it. That's just their M.O. It isn't as expensive on them as something like the PS5 is to Sony, and they don't need constant growth like a public company. They can afford to have side hustles like this with ease.

The only device I can think of that they've 100% abandoned is the original Steam Machines, for good reason. And this thread has proven that they've not abandoned the concept behind them, at least.

And the Steam controller. But yes, for the most part Valve is good at supporting their hardware.

 

[Crayon]

I don’t get steam box. I want a pc because I don’t want a console but here’s a Pc that is like a console. Guess it’s not for me.

I like pc and console and I LOVE this, so the math checks out here.

 

[Kacho]

I don’t get steam box. I want a pc because I don’t want a console but here’s a Pc that is like a console. Guess it’s not for me.

Very profound

 

[Three]

I don’t see the point of Valve doing a Steam Machine again. PC gamers like to upgrade their PCs over time, and a console would likely be a dead end box.

Stay focused on Steam Deck, VR, and Steam OS.

I think it's to push steamOS. The first time they failed it was because of the poor performance and compatibility on linux.

 

[Trogdor1123]

I can see Valve creating a dock that allows you to use your own GPU. Company called Beelink does this with their mini PCs

https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-External-Graphics-Compatible-Discrete/dp/B0DFWNP7KX/ref=sr_1_2?crid=M4F8F5F0J8GK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2JCdr6WGCaO4GqHKbQQvNrT5S6ZsQM4NcMp0bOG9bUX5RNmSprZVLWWbMcMle0Te310dTxADGzzYFoMkuvs6yhdEpTpqjiSlwenU_c0A5wWkisXDEjVxMkePzwdaEVqOuawpdLhSO7RZwD9VkH4G1Z1OvXo2SnUZaKxgL2xvt8tRaH6ohc4N_xPGYwIjI_jKQ2FTboNr1-Itt7_flg11KMZDDdOGit7q-XFd9IjMk7hzkhrUamiyxWfxr_5ahrWxhiGc5z8-D-DF8QsIkGfbY0C_3hz7Nx-HRM2QcxgDioc.Py7G5P2ZDHMw0pTP3PWeqbe2kiZLOfkqSOlIgWAyaO8&dib_tag=se&keywords=Beelink+EX+Docking+Station&qid=1733504484&s=electronics&sprefix=beelink+ex+docking+station%2Celectronics%2C106&sr=1-2

Im waiting for the day we can do that with our phones. The windows phones from years ago were marching down this path but it never caught on.

 

[Sorcerer]

edit

 

[64bitmodels]

And the Steam controller. But yes, for the most part Valve is good at supporting their hardware

Just like steam machines it seems like they haven't abandoned the concept because of the rumored SC2 in development.

I don’t get steam box. I want a pc because I don’t want a console but here’s a Pc that is like a console. Guess it’s not for me.

If you've got a PC, especially a compact one, this doesn't have much use for you. PC SteamOS3 would be a way bigger bombshell IMHO.

I'd be interested to see how they tackle it though after 10+ years worth of mistakes and lessons from a lot of their previous hardware.

 

[ozz ex machina]

Oh no

Not the disc drive you won’t get on mediocre hardware at a higher price with the Slop Machines either

I don't really care about this but that argument is so fucking stupid when pricing in the PC ecosystem for digital games is great value and competitive. You can get keys for most games on launch for a good price.

Console digital pricing, especially Sony - is incredibly grotesque and anti-consumer. There is zero logical reason to charge the costs they do for their digital titles. Thus the disc drive is quite essential.

 

[Perrott]

Even the $700 PS5 PRO with the massive install base of Sony consoles suffers from bad optimization in some games.

But the $700 Steam Machine with its ZERO install base somehow should work 2x time better!

$700 Steam machine wouldn't be held back by whatever rationale that prevented the utilization of a more modern AMD CPU architecture on the PS5 Pro SoC, which would likely come alongside the flagship features that had been setting these processors apart from the competition on the PC front, namely their 3D V-Cache.

Neither would it be limited by the clock frequency-based backwards compatibility of the current PlayStation ecosystem, which has likely prevented Sony from going nuts with a high-frequency PS5 Pro design due to the uncertainties in regards to how that would bode for backwards compatibility on the PS6.

Valve simply doesn't need to have any of those considerations in mind when designing their own hardware, so they in turn have more possibilities ahead of them than Sony.

 

[March Climber]

So many skeptics… yet here we are, lol.

The Steam Deck has done well enough for Valve to push forward with a new controller, an updated Steam Deck, a new console, and even a new VR headset. And let’s be real—the Steam Deck will likely outsell the PS5 Pro, PSVR2, and PS Portal combined. If the Deck is an “ultra-niche, pointless device,” what does that say about Sony’s last three products?

The bottom line is that these are engagement devices, not meant to be compared 1-to-1 with the cornerstone platforms of major ecosystems like the PS5 or Switch. They serve a different purpose, and that’s worth understanding.

ARE YOU ON CRACK!?!

Do you understand how many units the Steam Deck is estimated to sell per year?

Interfectum You're 20-40 years too soon for your take. The only way I can see Valve speedrunning a console war win is if they go up on stage and do this:

Or this:

and severely undercut the competitors with a powerful handheld. Otherwise this future of Steam eventually winning in the long run won't happen for decades.

 

[mayham2199]

If they don't fix Steamos and MP games it's going to be DOA.

 

[Topher]

You guys are right about that specifically. But lets stop playing dumb. If the Steam Deck was selling 15 million units a year vs. 2 million a year.........Valve would not treat those two outcomes the same. Why do we have to play stupid? It's okay if you and BennyBlanco don't care about sales if the product is getting support, but others do care because companies react differently to something that's selling crazy high vs. something that's selling "well enough".

Playing stupid? I'm talking about a real business model and you are bringing up hypotheticals. I have no idea how Valve would react if SD sold 15 million a year. So you tell me. Outside of Valve simply making a lot more money, how would Valve react differently?

Oh it 100% will be supported. If Valve makes this Steam Machine, it'll be fine. I'm just explaining why some people care about how much their devices sale.

I know why console owners care. It is because consoles traditionally come from a model where if one company doesn't get much traction then support for their product from third parties will fall off and the console will die on the vine. Much like the old Steam machines. New Steam devices don't work that way. Out of the box, Steam Deck has over 10k playable games. Valve doesn't have to sell at a loss to gain market share on Asus or Lenovo. Every device sold in the PC space has Steam at its center. So obsessing over sales is very much a console centric thought process and that is coming from someone who has been highly engaged in console sales discussions for many years.

 

[Perrott]

Interfectum You're 20-40 years too soon for your take. The only way I can see Valve speedrunning a console war win is if they go up on stage and do this:

Or this:

and severely undercut the competitors with a powerful handheld. Otherwise this future of Steam eventually winning in the long run won't happen for decades.

Valve's hardware strategy is not about "winning" anything, but to just further the engagement of the most hardcore or potentially hardcore Steam users by giving them extra reasons to engage with their storefront and ecosystem over those of the competition.

Steam Deck was a great success for them because they captured part of the gaming crowd that used to favor the Switch as the de facto platform for indie games, due to its portability factor. And now that Xbox seem to be moving away from a traditional console and shifting towards what sounds like consolized-PC designs (both in handheld and "home console" form factors), Valve might want to face them head-on and compete for that particular niche of the market, since they are much better equipped to offer a better user experience, with a superior storefront, a richer catalogue of titles and, quite possibly, a more well-rounded hardware design across both the Steam Deck 2 and this alleged Steam Box.

 

[Esparadrapo]

and severely undercut the competitors with a powerful handheld. Otherwise this future of Steam eventually winning in the long run won't happen for decades.

Valve won the moment Steam launched. Dunno what else they need to prove. There isn't a single PC that isn't a potential Steam customer. Besides a supposed Steam Machine refresh Valve is testing its client under ChromeOS and also developing the Proton equivalent for ARM.

Valve just needs to be there watching the enshitification of Windows.

 

[Crayon]

If they don't fix Steamos and MP games it's going to be DOA.

Yeah look at steam that can't even play fortnite. doa.

 

[64bitmodels]

know why console owners care. It is because consoles traditionally come from a model where if one company doesn't get much traction then support for their product from third parties will fall off and the console will die on the vine. Much like the old Steam machines. New Steam devices don't work that way. Out of the box, Steam Deck has over 10k playable games. Valve doesn't have to sell at a loss to gain market share on Asus or Lenovo. Every device sold in the PC space has Steam at its center. So obsessing over sales is very much a console centric thought process and that is coming from someone who has been highly engaged in console sales discussions for many years.

This is also one of the reasons why the handheld space exploded when the Deck came out as opposed to the Switch's release. This type of model where hardware relies on an outside all-encompassing online ecosystem is far cheaper for companies to sustain than sustaining a seperate ecosystem for every new hardware product they release. Switch was an example of a success using the older model which is why nobody decided to bite- they were uncontested in that field. But when your game library is tied to PC or the PS/Xbox store instead of the handheld itself, it becomes a lot easier to justify making new hardware.

Valve came out with a handheld that hooks into the already existing Steam ecosystem and library- their approach and RELATIVE success with the model was what encouraged other companies to try their hand at the effort.

 

[Topher]

This is also one of the reasons why the handheld space exploded when the Deck came out as opposed to the Switch's release. This type of model where hardware relies on an outside all-encompassing online ecosystem is far cheaper for companies to sustain than sustaining a seperate ecosystem for every new hardware product they release. Switch was an example of a success using the older model which is why nobody decided to bite- they were uncontested in that field. But when your game library is tied to PC or the PS/Xbox store instead of the handheld itself, it becomes a lot easier to justify making new hardware.

Valve came out with a handheld that hooks into the already existing Steam ecosystem and library- their approach and RELATIVE success with the model was what encouraged other companies to try their hand at the effort.

 

[March Climber]

Valve's hardware strategy is not about "winning" anything, but to just further the engagement of the most hardcore or potentially hardcore Steam users by giving them extra reasons to engage with their storefront and ecosystem over those of the competition.

Steam Deck was a great success for them because they captured part of the gaming crowd that used to favor the Switch as the de facto platform for indie games, due to its portability factor. And now that Xbox seem to be moving away from a traditional console and shifting towards what sounds like consolized-PC designs (both in handheld and "home console" form factors), Valve might want to face them head-on and compete for that particular niche of the market, since they are much better equipped to offer a better user experience, with a superior storefront, a richer catalogue of titles and, quite possibly, a more well-rounded hardware design across both the Steam Deck 2 and this alleged Steam Box.

I agree with everything you're saying and I have also stated your points before. My rebuttal towards the other poster was more towards the idea of Steam Deck 'winning' something. That future is not something that will come anytime soon and it will take decades and mistakes from other parties for them to chip away at the console userbase, especially now that everyone is entrenched in their respective ecosystems.

Edit: Also they have to keep building on their SteamOS to make it better for console users. Yes, it is miles better than last year or last decade, but when a friend of mine tells me he traded in his Steam Deck for a Switch because it's simply easier to use, I realized they still have a ways to go for that one button download/plug-and-play/standardized controls on start feel that consoles offer. I like my Deck but I'm also into tech, customization, changing multiple settings on the back end, etc. Not everyone wants that level of freedom.

Valve won the moment Steam launched. Dunno what else they need to prove. There isn't a single PC that isn't a potential Steam customer. Besides a supposed Steam Machine refresh Valve is testing its client under ChromeOS and also developing the Proton equivalent for ARM.

Valve just needs to be there watching the enshitification of Windows.

As long as 300+ million people keep buying consoles and have their library on consoles, they haven't won anything on the couch side of things. On PC? Sure, you can easily say that Valve has won with GoG and Epic being the two little step brothers who are saying 'we're still here' but that's not what I was talking about earlier.

 

[Esparadrapo]

As long as 300+ million people keep buying consoles and have their library on consoles, they haven't won anything on the couch side of things. On PC? Sure, you can easily say that Valve has won with GoG and Epic being the two little step brothers who are saying 'we're still here' but that's not what I was talking about earlier.

Capcom's PC sales beat all consoles combined. Guess where the vast majority of those sales took place.

 

[March Climber]

Capcom's PC sales beat all consoles combined. Guess where the vast majority of those sales took place.

You're too zoomed in trying to win a minor argument. Zoom out.

It's you who's fencing his couch to earn pity points.

Also find a way to troll better or actually engage better in discussion. Not bumping the thread for this.

 

[Drew1440]

Very interested to see if Valve can deliver a box that is price competitive with the 4K Twins. I wish they would use Intel as an alternative to AMD, nothing against them but it's nice to have processor diversity.
As interested if this means a return to video game developemt, this box will benefit from some exclusive software.

 

[Esparadrapo]

You're too zoomed in trying to win a minor argument. Zoom out.

It's you who's fencing his couch to earn pity points.

 

[demigod]

So many skeptics… yet here we are, lol.

The Steam Deck has done well enough for Valve to push forward with a new controller, an updated Steam Deck, a new console, and even a new VR headset. And let’s be real—the Steam Deck will likely outsell the PS5 Pro, PSVR2, and PS Portal combined. If the Deck is an “ultra-niche, pointless device,” what does that say about Sony’s last three products?

The bottom line is that these are engagement devices, not meant to be compared 1-to-1 with the cornerstone platforms of major ecosystems like the PS5 or Switch. They serve a different purpose, and that’s worth understanding.

ARE YOU ON CRACK!?!

Do you understand how many units the Steam Deck is estimated to sell per year?

Damn, beat me to it.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

I don't really care about this but that argument is so fucking stupid when pricing in the PC ecosystem for digital games is great value and competitive. You can get keys for most games on launch for a good price.

Console digital pricing, especially Sony - is incredibly grotesque and anti-consumer. There is zero logical reason to charge the costs they do for their digital titles. Thus the disc drive is quite essential.

As was posted in another thread, steam and console digital pricing is usually the same or similar these days. There is no advantage here. The prices are set by publishers

If you want to go with the lowest cost possible, a disc drive console beats them by a mile

 

[twilo99]

off topic but this is by far the best take I've heard on the Apple situation