Topic: Valve said to be working on 'Steam Box' gaming console with partners, could announce at GDC

http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/2/2840932/exclusive-valve-stea...

Theverge posts another exclusive. funny enough this is from the Verge Part of the site and not the Vox Games part which lends it more cred.

Recently there's been chatter that Valve — the company behind the massively popular gaming service Steam — has been considering getting into the hardware business. Specifically, there have been rumors that the company has been toying with the idea of creating a proper set-top console which could potentially pose a threat to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Valve co-founder Gabe Newell even recently told Penny Arcade: "Well, if we have to sell hardware we will."

So next will be interesting. Between this, the Sony Vita news, Xbox Showcase, and the rumored Nintendo X Crytech collab this will be a great GDC.

But the question I pose is if this turns out to be real and does gain traction which of the current console makers have the most to lose from this. I'm thinking this could hurt all three but have the impact of Sony the most of all.

I don't see the point. They already have the awesome Steam platform. They can just port Steam to Xbox or PS3 if they really wanted console gamers to get on board. I don't see them doing too well with an actual console.

lol at porting steam to the Xbox or PS3. Steamworks is as close as one could get. I could see the PS3/PS4 getting full steam but Microsoft is going to push xbox live on windows 8 hard. That and console manufacturer already have downloadable games on their online store and live off of licensing fees.

Now this could happen with those old Wii U rumors poping up.

So next gen we'll probably get:

Nintendo's Wii U
Sony's Playstation 4
Microsoft's Xbox 720
Valve's SteamWave (That's just what I think is a suitable name, or call it the GabeCube like Swiket said. XD)
Apple's iGame (OK, this one's probably not actually going to happen.)

Okay yeah, I guess it would be pointless with Xbox Live and PSN games already on there.

replace igame with an Apple TV running ios games. (it will still be more of a media device than gaming)

The problem is the market can't really hold on 4 consoles. So who's out.

Nintendo is too "old and wise" to be replaced. Steam would offer kick*** games with beautiful graphics at a high price, but these games will be cheaper than their XBox360/PS3 counterparts. It sure isn't Microsoft, so maybe..... Sony.

I would actually consider buying this console if it was released. I have a Steam account, but rarely use it because my PC is cr*p when it comes to running games. It can't even run Team Fortress 2!

Biggest reason why I would get one if I don't decide to make my own PC anyway. Would love to have a low power model that while can't play stuff like crysis can play indie games.

A more open source console sounds good especially if it means PC style mods but if its just a cut down PC think I'd pass, all depends on price and exclusives can't wait to see what they unveil and get some concrete facts.

It wouldn't be pointless; it would be competition.

Microsoft's the one that will get outof the console business. A dedicated gaming console doesn't fit Microsoft's broad corporate strategy, and Steam and Xbox gaming share the closest relationship. Too much overlap there.

Sony exclusives plus the fact that the Japanese studios prefer to develop for Sony consoles to Microsoft consoles is going to keep the platform alive.

from what iv'e read about this is that its not a console. from reading multiple articles it sounds much more like a gaming PC optimized for steam.

Not aimed at you but what's with all the hate for the boys down in Redmond. Anywho I could see this as Mircosoft aims to make a killing off the number of windows licenses this makes. On the flip side all leaked Roadmaps and Interviews with Steve Ballmer and his upcoming successor tend to indicate other wise. The Xbox isn't apart of their Enterprise Stragtey but its about getting Microsoft into the Living room as the Go to HTPC. Even the leaked Videos about Windows Phone and Windows 8 allude to Xbox staying.

Mircosoft is a very weird company and all the parts really don't work in unision as they should. (google is the same way and its annoying)

I'm not interested at this point. I like being able to sell or trade my old games when I don't want them anymore.

I hope it's true. I game on my Mac and it sucks not having access to the multitude of games Steam provides- even though I have 30-ish games already.. for Mac.. There's loads I'm missing out.

I'll be happy owning both a WiiU and SteamBox <3

Better get trade happy as this won't last real long, Developers and publishers are really unhappy with game retailers. Game and Gamestation are rumoured to be nearly bankrupt and EA won't give them ME3 stock on credit. We are going to see more and more anti-used campaigns (like the online pass) from publishers.

I heard that they might be making a console (from a rumor). But I don't care about Valve at this time. I use consoles.

If and when Valve decides to release a boxed hardware standard for PC gaming, I will gladly support it.
I think there's some great potential on what a Valve "console" could look like, maybe something as a nod to their fans like...

or the ever trusty...

Warning, A troll approaches
So does this mean I can have viruses on my dedicated gaming console?
The troll vanished into thin cyber air

I can't really see 4-way console war. especially since Sega said they would like to start making hardware again.