Ask Slashdot: Can Valve's Steam Machines Compete Against the Xbox One and PS4? 348
Nerval's Lobster writes "Valve has announced SteamOS, Steam Machines, and a Steam controller — the components necessary for it to create a viable living-room gaming experience. Valve's strategy with these releases seems pretty clear: create a platform based on openness (SteamOS is a Linux-based operating system), in contrast to the closed systems pushed by console rivals such as Sony and Microsoft. If Valve chooses to release Half-Life 3 in conjunction with its Steam Machines' rollout, it could help create further buzz for the system, given the years' worth of pent-up demand for the next chapter in the popular FPS saga. But can Valve's moves allow it to actually compete against Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony on equal terms? What do you think?"
Re:Google Play model... (Score:4, Informative)
There's a danger of segmentation, of course. But I think the way Valve is approaching this is quite brilliant. The PS4, XBone, and Wii platforms have the advantage of being "do-it-all" machines, but they're also prohibitively expensive (at least in the cases of the PS4 and XBone) and might not be interesting to casuals, fans of games requiring lesser resources, or even hi-end gamer enthusiasts. Valve is taking a page from Android and casting a wide net.
Plus, if I buy a PS4 game, I can only play it on a PS4 (more than likely, I can only play it on my PS4); whereas if I buy a game from Steam, I can play it on literally any machine that meets the system requirements.
I like that.
Re:I think they plan to compete on the premium end (Score:5, Informative)
"Does Nintendo really think they can compete with Atari, Magnavox, Intellivision, and Coleco with their upcoming 'NES'? Can they really elbow their way into this crowded market full of entrenched and experienced companies?"
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"Does Sony really think they can compete with Sega, Nintendo, NEC and Neo*Geo with their upcoming 'Playstation'? Can they really elbow their way into this crowded market full of entrenched and experienced companies?"
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"Does Microsoft really think they can compete with Sony, Nintendo, Sega, 3D0 and Atari with their upcoming 'Xbox'? Can they really elbow their way into this crowded market full of entrenched and experienced companies?"
Yeah, I think history says it can be done.
Re:I think they plan to compete on the premium end (Score:3, Informative)
When you say you knew that Neo-Geo was expensive I feel as though you were being coy about what premium meant. Neo-Geo was arcade quality games in your home.
Re:I think they plan to compete on the premium end (Score:4, Informative)
When you say you knew that Neo-Geo was expensive I feel as though you were being coy about what premium meant. Neo-Geo was arcade quality games in your home.
More than merely arcade quality, it was identical to arcade hardware, plus extra circuity to modulate audio and video suitable for consumption by TVs, and some superficial physical changes to keep arcade operators and home users from being able to run the same cartridges.
Re:I think they plan to compete on the premium end (Score:4, Informative)
All you need right now is an HDMI cable and a controller for your pc.
So if any of them are sick of not having a controller* it's there own fault.
*Which is less responsive then a keyboard,
Re:Biggest monitor is a TV, and majority have no H (Score:4, Informative)
Don't forget that size is a function of viewing distance. The 24" TFT on my desk is "bigger" than the 50" flatscreen in the living room unless I start sitting on the coffee table instead of the couch...