A Steam console?

[sabrage]

If a Steam console's prices matched its PC counterpart, it would be a force to be reckoned with indeed.

[Damm64]

Yeah i don't have anything to say...


I really wanna see more consoles in the next gen, PS3 and XBOX are the same thing (well a few exclusives for each system but that's all).

[diesel_dan]

I'd definitely be interested in a Steam box. If they can successfully apply the advantages of conventional console ownership to the PC realm, what's not to like?

Maybe it's because my exposure to PC gaming is extremely limited, but I feel like I'm missing out on tons of great stuff by not having a Steam account. For a guy that's not interested in building a gaming PC, this is a terriffic opportunity!

[sabrage]

I'd definitely be interested in a Steam box. If they can successfully apply the advantages of conventional console ownership to the PC realm, what's not to like?

Maybe it's because my exposure to PC gaming is extremely limited, but I feel like I'm missing out on tons of great stuff by not having a Steam account. For a guy that's not interested in building a gaming PC, this is a terriffic opportunity!

Your PC is up-to-spec enough to run tons of classic games. Go to Good Old Games and load up.

[fastbilly1]

If it can play my GoG titles aswell, I am in for one as a HTPC at most any price. But if they can get it down to sub $500, I might buy two. That way we could have four of roughly the same spec pcs in the house. Since I dont upgrade my pc as often as I should, it is little more than a console that lets me modify my settings and inputs (gaming wise atleast). so this is perfect for me. Ill run a steam boxen 1 lan for a couple years, then upgrade to steam boxen 2s, etc etc. As long as they keep putting four packs on sale, I am still sold.

Then again, if this drops at $800, I am back to configuring pcs...Either way I am fine with it.

[J T]

3. It standardized the games. PC games have always had multiple options with tons of settings and even then still may not work with your specific graphics card or something else. If this meant that I could run a nice PC games without compatibility issues and they looked great and ran smooth, well obviously that would be awesome.

This is a double edged sword. One of the PCs greatest strengths and weaknesses is that game designers aren't beholden to any set standard for hardware like console developers are. This is what allows PC games to push the capabilities of hardware to the max. But, the downside is what you point out: there are a ton of compatibility issues and it's never a 100% guaranatee that you'll be able to get a game running on your PC even if you meet the sys reqs.

Personally, I'm happy with Steam as it is, so I don't need a console. My concern is just that the console not have a negative impact Steam's business for standard PC users.

[MrPopo]

If it can play my GoG titles aswell, I am in for one as a HTPC at most any price. But if they can get it down to sub $500, I might buy two. That way we could have four of roughly the same spec pcs in the house. Since I dont upgrade my pc as often as I should, it is little more than a console that lets me modify my settings and inputs (gaming wise atleast). so this is perfect for me. Ill run a steam boxen 1 lan for a couple years, then upgrade to steam boxen 2s, etc etc. As long as they keep putting four packs on sale, I am still sold.

Then again, if this drops at $800, I am back to configuring pcs...Either way I am fine with it.

One thing I've noticed this generation is that hardware requirements have leveled off, for the most part. I build my PC back in 2007 using one step down components from the highest end. The whole thing cost me $1000. Since then the only upgrade I've made is to the hard drive for space reasons and I still have no problems running any of the latest games on high settings. Unlike the mid 90's, you don't have to upgrade your PC every couple years anymore. I'm still waiting until 2 TB SSDs come down to a level that doesn't require a second mortgage to upgrade again.

[KDub]

You are correct JT

But I feel that if they are going to make a console styled system for these games they should be ready to rock for that system. If the company still wants to make the game have options for other PC systems (be it on the same disc or a separate release) I'm fine with that. But there better be an "Optimized for Steam Box" setting or something so I can just pop it in and it runs beautifully haha. The beauty of a game console is the pop in and play ability.

[fastbilly1]

If it can play my GoG titles aswell, I am in for one as a HTPC at most any price. But if they can get it down to sub $500, I might buy two. That way we could have four of roughly the same spec pcs in the house. Since I dont upgrade my pc as often as I should, it is little more than a console that lets me modify my settings and inputs (gaming wise atleast). so this is perfect for me. Ill run a steam boxen 1 lan for a couple years, then upgrade to steam boxen 2s, etc etc. As long as they keep putting four packs on sale, I am still sold.

Then again, if this drops at $800, I am back to configuring pcs...Either way I am fine with it.

One thing I've noticed this generation is that hardware requirements have leveled off, for the most part. I build my PC back in 2007 using one step down components from the highest end. The whole thing cost me $1000. Since then the only upgrade I've made is to the hard drive for space reasons and I still have no problems running any of the latest games on high settings. Unlike the mid 90's, you don't have to upgrade your PC every couple years anymore. I'm still waiting until 2 TB SSDs come down to a level that doesn't require a second mortgage to upgrade again.

I built mine in 08 and have only upgraded ram, OS, and Harddrives. And like you, have had no problem running nay game. Which is why I am ok with this. I dont upgrade like I use to, so a console like platform for pc games is fine by me. If it doesnt pan out I am ok with that aswell.

I just like the idea of four same specced pcs that dont cost me an arm and a leg and can run the games we like to play. That and if I buy two pcs now, and then want to buy two more in six months, I do not want to have to hunt for each piece - this is more of a problem with GPUs than anything else. If steam throws this up on their site and I can buy two now and two of the exact same device later, it just makes everything easier on me.

[sabrage]

If it can play my GoG titles aswell, I am in for one as a HTPC at most any price. But if they can get it down to sub $500, I might buy two. That way we could have four of roughly the same spec pcs in the house. Since I dont upgrade my pc as often as I should, it is little more than a console that lets me modify my settings and inputs (gaming wise atleast). so this is perfect for me. Ill run a steam boxen 1 lan for a couple years, then upgrade to steam boxen 2s, etc etc. As long as they keep putting four packs on sale, I am still sold.

Then again, if this drops at $800, I am back to configuring pcs...Either way I am fine with it.

One thing I've noticed this generation is that hardware requirements have leveled off, for the most part. I build my PC back in 2007 using one step down components from the highest end. The whole thing cost me $1000. Since then the only upgrade I've made is to the hard drive for space reasons and I still have no problems running any of the latest games on high settings. Unlike the mid 90's, you don't have to upgrade your PC every couple years anymore. I'm still waiting until 2 TB SSDs come down to a level that doesn't require a second mortgage to upgrade again.

I built mine in 08 and have only upgraded ram, OS, and Harddrives. And like you, have had no problem running nay game. Which is why I am ok with this. I dont upgrade like I use to, so a console like platform for pc games is fine by me. If it doesnt pan out I am ok with that aswell.

I just like the idea of four same specced pcs that dont cost me an arm and a leg and can run the games we like to play. That and if I buy two pcs now, and then want to buy two more in six months, I do not want to have to hunt for each piece - this is more of a problem with GPUs than anything else. If steam throws this up on their site and I can buy two now and two of the exact same device later, it just makes everything easier on me.

Chiming in - built my comp in late 2007, and it's still running strong save a video card and RAM upgrade. My old one was XFX, so I COULD have gotten it fixed when it broke, but I never registered for the lifetime warranty. Didn't make the same mistake for my 6850, which I had to send back within 3 months :/