The Steamboy is real and coming Q4 2016

[noiseredux]

remember this thing?



Well, it's happening: http://www.pcgamer.com/steamboy-or-smac ... m-machine/

it boasts 4GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, a 720p touch screen and HDMI output. According to a press release published earlier this year, it'll carry an "AMD embedded G-Series SoC 'Steppe Eagle' with Jaguar-based CPU and GCN-based Radeon graphics".

I'm conflicted, probably because it's still over a year away. If it were out right now, I'd probably be trying to get one right now. But much can change in a year. It's priced at $300 for pre-orders, and a year from now those specs might feel quite a bit 'cheaper' than $300.

Having said that, I'm very interested in seeing how the physical build is. I'm definitely not ruling one out yet.

[isiolia]

I thought Steamboy came out in 2004...

[noiseredux]

I thought Steamboy came out in 2004...

ha, maybe that's why they changed the name to Smach Zero... which is nonsensical and I hope they figure out a better name prior to release.

[dsheinem]

Is this just for streaming? If not, those specs are a joke.

[noiseredux]

Is this just for streaming? If not, those specs are a joke.

it has SteamOS on it - so yes, you can stream to it.

For native games, of course they're paltry specs and you'll be sticking to 2D games or lighter stuff. I'd imagine stuff like Shovel Knight, Escape Goat, etc would be great on here. So it would make sense to me as a PC version of a 3DS or whatever.

[dsheinem]

Is this just for streaming? If not, those specs are a joke.

it has SteamOS on it - so yes, you can stream to it.

For native games, of course they're paltry specs and you'll be sticking to 2D games or lighter stuff. I'd imagine stuff like Shovel Knight, Escape Goat, etc would be great on here. So it would make sense to me as a PC version of a 3DS or whatever.

Can it do non-Steam stuff too? The vast majority of Steam 2D games I'd want to play are already on Vita and/or 3Ds...and the former streams PS4 games, too.

I am just trying to figure out the appeal to this for anyone who isn't exclusively a Steam gamer...

[noiseredux]

I am just trying to figure out the appeal to this for anyone who isn't exclusively a Steam gamer...

then I think you're putting too much thought into it.

[Gunstar Green]

Interesting thought, I hope the interface is idiot proofed to only let you purchase games on it that will run on it. It doesn't interest me personally but I can see why people might want it.

[dsheinem]

I am just trying to figure out the appeal to this for anyone who isn't exclusively a Steam gamer...

then I think you're putting too much thought into it.

Is this any better/cheaper than existing PC streaming handhelds? Again, I'm trying to find some reasons to want the thing: what kind of things can I play on it that I can't play on the go already?

[noiseredux]

Is this any better/cheaper than existing PC streaming handhelds? Again, I'm trying to find some reasons to want the thing: what kind of things can I play on it that I can't play on the go already?

what are the other existing PC streaming handhelds you speak of?

The closest one I can think of is the Shield Portable, which is an Android device and does not support SteamOS so getting some non-supported (by Nvidia) games to stream to it is a challenge. Plus, being Android based means that those indie PC games I mentioned won't run on the Shield.

I think you've already answered your own question though. This is a portable device for people who do all their gaming on PC and don't want/have a 3DS or Vita. That's not you, which is why you don't see the appeal.

I honestly have no idea what indie games are on 3DS/Vita or not, so I can't make you a list. But I mean, whatever 2D shmups, fighters, platformers, puzzle games, etc are on Steam I'm guessing would be great on this thing. Are they already on 3DS/Vita? I don't know cuz I don't pay attention to either.