Steam box in the works says Gabe Newell - possibly Linux-based Steam OS, game changer?

The gif at the end of this article sums up my reaction after reading it, VAVLE IS FINALLY PUTTING TOGETHER THE STEAM BOX! Yes the Steam Box will become a reality in the near future with Valve designed hardware and Linux at the heart of the OS although this isn't confirmed but if so, all those who said Linux was the future deserve vindication albeit not in the way they might have hoped, at least not yet. Have a read, what are your thoughts? If the system has the cutting edge hardware that's also upgradable since it's a PC but with a console feel to it and Steam at it's core for cheap software, would the other consoles even be relevant aside from their exclusive titles? I think as far as 'game changers' go this is it :)

http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/8/3744314/gabe-newell-valve-console-living-room-steam-box

asked Dec 08 '12 at 16:25

mutley2209
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I think it's about time. Game developers have had to put up with platforms that were either bloated in the UI or light in the hardware for a long time now. There's no reason that something similar to a small form factor computer couldn't be configured as a high performance gaming platform. Game developers are every bit as knowledgeable and talented as OS developers. I think their inside insight is going to bring about much better platforms. Good for you Valve!

answered Dec 08 '12 at 17:23

ClosetFuturist
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It'll run as a PC style console so i'm assuming Gabe will want it to be as flexible as a PC for upgrades so developers can enjoy the same flexibility they have on PC titles as opposed to console development working with out of date tech. As long as upgrades could be sold in packages say each year or every two years and are easy plug and play install it'll be a game changer on a few levels, think about that kind of revenue stream each year or so when hardcore and even some casual players upgrade their system and what that'll do for game development! Allot of people run a cheap computer as a media centre as well so it could fulfil that function also if it is indeed based off Linux will that make developers even happier?

(Dec 08 '12 at 18:14) mutley2209

I think standardization may be the goal here. A comfortable platform with strong hardware and a light UI would outperform anything else. It would also decrease the workload by not having to port it to a number of machines they have no control over. I doubt they will be as modular as a PC. I doubt they would need to be. I think it's wise for them to choose Linux because they can benefit from the open development. I would love to see platform modding communities too. It may take a while to take hold and they may be kind of expensive at first, but I think it's a great idea. I posted that I hoped Valve would do something like this in a thread here several months ago, but I had no idea they were already considering it.

(Dec 08 '12 at 23:19) ClosetFuturist

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