You guys must know that I’m excited about Valve’s Steam Machines. I’m sure they’re just a gimmick, but it’s a gimmick that I’m happy to jump on. And apparently a bunch of over big names agree with me.
Engadget is reporting that 12 companies have signed on to support Valve’s Steam Machine initiative. No longer limited to iBuyPower’s prototype, it seems that we’ll be getting Steam Machines from:
- Alienware
- Falcon Northwest
- iBuyPower (obviously)
- CyberPowerPC
- Origin PC
- Gigabyte
- Materiel.net
- Webhallen
- Alternate
- Next
- Zotac
- Scan Computers
This is just the early list – who knows, maybe we’ll see even more companies jump on the band wagon. That said, this is a pretty awesome list; it will be great to see an Alienware version of the Steam Machine, especially considering how alien that controller design is to us all so far. All machines will run SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system.
I know a lot of people are thinking this will fail, and it might, but I must say that I adore the Valve ethos – let everyone work on what they think will be awesome, and it probably will be. In an interview with the Washington Post, Valve CEO and co-founder Gabe Newell explained:
So the key thing was that people bear the consequences of their own choices, so if I spend my time on it the only persons time I’m wasting is mine. Over time, I think people sort of recognize how useful it is for people to vote with their time. There is a huge amount of wisdom in people’s decisions about what they personally want to work on next.
I hope the Steam Machine is a success. I’ll have a way better chance of getting through my Steam backlog if I can do it from the comfort of my couch, especially if I get to use a controller with haptic feedback. Bring on those good vibrations. Of course, it’s probably worth noting that you could just build your own “Steam Machine” instead of paying the premium that many of these companies will charge.
Last Updated: January 6, 2014
VampyricSquirrel Monk
January 6, 2014 at 09:19
Welcome back Zoe… not like you really left anyway lol!
An Alienware console… expensive concept… but probably well worth it.
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 6, 2014 at 09:33
I think the OS will be far more important than the hardware when it comes to the Steam Machines.
VampyricSquirrel Monk
January 6, 2014 at 09:35
Very true… but it’ll be Linux based… and probably the most stable console around… other than the WiiU XD
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 6, 2014 at 09:50
I’ve never had problems with stability on my PC, what’ll make or break it for me is whether or not all my games can run on it.
VampyricSquirrel Monk
January 6, 2014 at 10:03
lol! My PC’s never remain stable for long… but then I think I’m a bit hard on my OS’.
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 6, 2014 at 10:22
My PC is now 3 years old, never reloaded, it’s only blue screened twice – both times while playing Max Payne 3, so I blame a shitty port for that, not the PC heh.
Kensei Seraph remembers Madiba
January 6, 2014 at 09:41
Is Origin PC related to the EA’s Origin?
Mark Treloar
January 6, 2014 at 10:04
No, and they suck. They no longer use AMD.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
January 6, 2014 at 09:47
welcom back Zoe!
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
January 6, 2014 at 09:48
Alienware and SteamOS? All I hear is “overly expensive open source gaming PC/laptops”
VampyricSquirrel Monk
January 6, 2014 at 10:04
Pretty much
Unavengedavo(aka. MadeYouLook)
January 6, 2014 at 10:02
The whole idea of Linux gaming finally being a reality isn’t all that it is cracked up to be, and I was one of the people that were excited about the prospect. There are some major companies on that list, but where are the game developers and publishers? We need to see them adopt it as well!
Rags
January 6, 2014 at 14:40
Agree, for Steam OS to succeed, they need EPIC, DICE and Crytek onboard at the very least.
Galbedir
January 6, 2014 at 10:42
I have faith in Valve when it comes to design and their products. They
definitely know what their doing in this business. Most of their games
are brilliant, and Steam in my opinion is one of the best things around
if you have a good internet connection. Im not saying the Steambox is
going to take away or convert any of the console fanboys, however it
will definitely be an awesome gadget to have if you have the money for
it.
iAmWeasel
January 6, 2014 at 11:10
Uh oh.. Gigabyte is one of the partners? Steambox just became Failbox.
Gareth L (That Guy)
January 6, 2014 at 11:12
So one of the 12 partners makes the entire idea a fail?
iAmWeasel
January 6, 2014 at 11:39
When your Gigabyte motherboard or GPU dies within 18 months then you will agree with me. *sets timer*
Gareth L (That Guy)
January 6, 2014 at 11:45
I’m now convinced that you don’t know what a partner is. They’re not making every Steambox with a Gigabyte board, if you don’t buy a Gigabyte-made Steambox then you’ll be fine.
bigshynepo
January 6, 2014 at 18:45
Underpowered and overpriced will be the theme of the Steam Machine.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
January 7, 2014 at 08:40
What exactly is a Steam Machine? I’m new to this