I think it would be really cool if Valve released a console that just ran SteamOS. I think they could be a real competitor in the space. Especially after the success of the steam deck! The console market really NEEDS competition to stave off rising costs.
Thoughts?
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I used to be a console gamer but once I actually learned how to upgrade and maintain a PC… yeah I don’t think I’d go back to any kinda of console. With the dock, the steam deck is basically a console and I rarely if ever use it like that lol
True I hear ya about the steam deck being docked could be someone’s home console and about pc being great, which it is and I love mine. But with regards to going pc or console I look at them as separate or complimentary of each other with both satisfying different scenarios. A console and pc is a different thing, I have a pc I can go and play games on and do work but I want my console for under my tv when I am sitting in the sofa chilling alone or with friends and family, it doesn’t need to be as powerful as a pc and shouldn’t cost anywhere near as much as the ps5 pro either, Sony need to stop chasing pc performance and focus on optimised gaming experiences for reasonably priced console hardware...just look how well Nintendo is doing after all with its super underpowered old hardware Switch. Sony has lost the plot, and due to the lack of console competition from Xbox right now I think steam entering the Frey could shake things up a bit and make it more interesting and competitive 💙 I just want strong competition across the board so us gamers get the best games and value without anyone pulling the strings and setting wild prices 💰
a Steam machine?
I think the biggest problem with this one day being possible is that Valve doesn't take much action if it's not under pressure. As the console universe is already very defined, it's always difficult to enter this market and stay alive (apart from the fact that many Steam users are PC-only gamers, a lot of them, and this would reduce the acquisition audience even more).
It's not unusual for new companies to enter the console market though (even if the latest ones are now swiftly forgotten - Google Stadia, Ouya, Intellivision Amico).
Valve has been in the industry close to 20 years so wouldn't be the worst company to enter the market. Microsoft is probably the newest still standing in the video game console market and came out strongish with the Xbox
I completely agree that Valve would be one of the most competent companies to enter this market and stay there (the steam deck is proof of their success with handhelds). I just don't think they'd risk it. I hope I'm wrong, it would be amazing to have your entire steam library to play on PC, Console or Steam deck! That's the future I want haha
Isn't that the Steam Deck?
I think they tried this years ago but they abandoned it. Im not sure if I would get somthing like this however never say never.
It is an interesting idea. I didn't know the Steam Deck could be docked, and honestly I like the idea of dockable consoles, I think they are perfect for having the balance between chillin on your sofa playing on the big telly and taking it with your for your daily commute.
I play most PC games with keyboard and mouse, especially FFXIV. I would love to keep a lower profile PC just for editing and streaming and play FFXIV on my PS5 but I can't because it doesn't support mmo mouse. So for me to move my PC games to a console that would be a must, to support keyboard + mmo mouse.
They've already tried a “console” and it didn't work out, as they left the machines to other companies, just guaranteeing the software. I think they're going to turn their attention to the handheld market
Instead a hardware i would pay for a Gaming Cloud Service similar to ShadowTech or Nvidia GeForce Now, that would be a dream 😎
You mean a PC?
What I really want is the return of Steam machines at a various price points:
Casual gamer - the affordable option with parts that would allow a gamer to play a lot of the popular games (e.g. Fortnite) on modest graphic settings.
Regular gamer - the middle option with parts that support playing new releases on low settings as well as all the popular games.
Grind gamer - The high-end option with parts that would allow a gamer to play new releases at or close-to their highest settings.
A console is just an end-to-end closed PC and that's bad for everyone when it comes to Steam.
I remember when the Valve released its Steam Machines back in 2014. And how I was a PC Gamer since a child in the time I though that i was a great idea. But it was just a PC, you could do it with any PC using an ITX MOBO to fit in a small case. And if you wanted a similar experience you could download the Steam OS, the same System that came with the Steam Machine, the same one that came with the Steam Deck.
Now we have the Steam Deck, and if you say that you don't need the portable function of it I recommend you buy a PC and Install or pay to Install the Steam OS, but I highly recommend you buy a license to Windows.
I think it would be quite interesting from the console market perspective. Steam already dominatrbthe pc and imac market and have major success in its gsming marketplace and recently swth the return of handheld gaming (yes i know nintendo already did it but steam changed it u up big time). I dont think they need to release a console but would definitely be interesting to see what they would do if they released a console.
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