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Valve creating its own game console?

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DVDBack23 @ Mar 03, 2012 21:02 | 11 comments

There has been speculation on the matter for some time, but the rumors appear to be heating up.

Verge has uncovered evidence that Valve, the company behind PC game digital distribution platform Steam has been working on a gaming console for some time now.

The console would be called the "Steam Box" and the devices would be made by many partners, with the software made readily available for anyone who wants to sell the device.

Part of the rumor is that during CES, Valve held meetings to demo an in-house version of the Steam Box to potential partners. The specs of the console are a Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and an unknown NVIDIA GPU. The devices will run all PC titles and will be allowed to load other platforms, like EA's Origin.

Making the system nice for partners is there won't be a required devkit and no licensing fees to create software for the platform. Many current and future USB peripherals will work with the box but Valve is looking to create a proprietary one that ships with all new devices. Said controller will also have swappable components, meaning depending on the game you can switch out or add pads and buttons.

Additionally, Valve is somehow integrating biometric feedback into the device.

Verge says the Steam Box could be unveiled (at least in part) at the upcoming GDC event or during this summer's E3 showcase.

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Comments

Comment by: dab0ne (Mar 03, 2012 21:49)

Soooo it's a computer, or is it something like OnLive?

Comment by: DVDBack23 (Mar 03, 2012 21:57)

Originally posted by dab0ne:
Soooo it's a computer, or is it something like OnLive?

An HTPC made for gaming and the TV in mind, with a proprietary controller and an open-source nature, for the most part.

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Comment by: Morreale (Mar 03, 2012 22:55)

Down. It's different but I think the console market needs a shake-up. Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, each producing consoles of similar performance, price points, and share like 90% of the same games. What happened to competition?

Comment by: plutonash (Mar 03, 2012 23:12)

Originally posted by Morreale:
Down. It's different but I think the console market needs a shake-up. Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, each producing consoles of similar performance, price points, and share like 90% of the same games. What happened to competition?

I kinda like how there's not many exclusives with consoles. It just hurts other consoles. I mean yes the important exclusives are still there. Mario, halo, and god of war but can you imagine if COD was an Xbox exclusive? Sony people would be jumping off tall buildings.

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Comment by: xtago (Mar 03, 2012 23:52)

It's steam with an GUI designed for TVs, valve have already said they where doing that, I read that in a mag last night so it has to be very old news.

Will run on a PC with windows or what ever, all the GFX cards already have 1080P or above HDMI outputs etc and with bluetooth keyboards mice etc easy to setup.

Comment by: Morreale (Mar 04, 2012 01:02)

Originally posted by plutonash:

Originally posted by Morreale:
Down. It's different but I think the console market needs a shake-up. Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, each producing consoles of similar performance, price points, and share like 90% of the same games. What happened to competition?
I kinda like how there's not many exclusives with consoles. It just hurts other consoles. I mean yes the important exclusives are still there. Mario, halo, and god of war but can you imagine if COD was an Xbox exclusive? Sony people would be jumping off tall buildings.

Sure, but it would also force Sony to work harder and produce better games to compete with such an exclusive like that.

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Comment by: Hopium (Mar 04, 2012 18:23)

i can only wish valve success, but i'll stick to my pc.

Comment by: megadunderhead (Mar 04, 2012 22:03)

interesting but stupid because if you make it a online system only gamers will just unlock the device take the device offline and install there own hacked steam games

Comment by: DXR88 (Mar 05, 2012 04:16)

its just a PC with a Strictly for Gaming OS, its bout dame time some one made one.

if its a success, MS is going to lose alot of market share, no doubt steam will be sued into oblivion as well

Comment by: bobiroc (Mar 07, 2012 01:10)

So this is going to be an $600+ console that is essentially a PC with a custom GUI over Windows?

I guess it will be good for the lazy people that rather pay more for something they can put together themselves for less money.

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Comment by: Anonymous User (Mar 12, 2012 20:10)

I would buy it. I made a promise to myself: If there was ever a fourth console video game competitor, I would give them a chance.