1050°

Valve will release PC/console next year

"The nice thing about a PC is a lot of different people can try out different solutions, and customers can find the ones that work best for them."

wishingW3L4876d ago

so after so much denial the rumors became true. lol

-Mika-4876d ago

I don't understand... What does this mean? How will the PC/console look? Im really confused right now.

snake_eater4876d ago

It will probably look like one of these:

https://www.google.pt/searc...

The big question is: what kind of hardware will be used and if it's possible to upgrade the box.

yeahokchief4876d ago Show
pr0digyZA4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

@yeahokchief
I disagree with your tone , so I disagreed and put you on my ignore list (I have PS3,PC,360,vita so I don't care what anyone plays on)
In about 10-20 mins we wont even see yours or my comment though as you get added to spam list.

edit:"This site gives a false impression of discussion and conversation" with a comment like
"Can't wait to see what the scumbag losers who ONLY play pc games have to say about this because they can't talk trash about their master" why would someone think this site has meaningful conversations especially when coming across as hostile like that.

AKS4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

@yeahokchief

What about anything that you're claiming about PC fanboysim can't also be said for fanboys of other formats? There's nothing unique or special about fanatics of a particular platform.

Which games are exclusive to whatever format is not something you're going to work out on N4G. People will buy what they like. Having a game available on multiple formats does not limit what other people can buy or do. I'm playing Far Cry 3 on the PC I built. If you want to play it on PS3 or Xbox, go ahead and do that. I don't give it a second thought. I bought both Borderlands 2 and Battlefield 3 on both PC and PS3 so I could play with both sets of friends. No one seemed harmed or oppressed by that (other than me and my wallet). Or if a game is part of an exclusive deal with one platform and find that's the best arrangement for them, they have every right to do that.

Your blanket statements about PC gamers is pretty offensive, so if you were not trying to be a dick, I think you've failed miserably. I have been doing most of my gaming on a reasonably high end PC recently, but you can look at my comment history and see that I've picked Journey as my favorite game of 2012 and plenty of console games as my picks for GOTY in the past, including MGS4, Demon's Souls, Red Dead Redemption (well, tied with ME2 actually), and Dark Souls (which at the time console-only). A good game is a good game.

The consumer will decide whether digital distribution or physical media (or both, which is more likely) is the future. If you don't like digital distribution, buy it some other way. BTW, all of the console developers also happen to sell games via digital distribution now, and it continues to move in that direction. I don't expect that trend to suddenly reverse.

BattleAxe4876d ago

I'm very interested to see what valve comes up with. This might stop me from turning my XBOX 360 Slim (which I never play) into a living room PC. I hope its relatively powerful and sleek looking.

4876d ago
NewMonday4876d ago

This is nothing new to me, this is my way for over 15 years now, even spread this habit around my friends and family, i'm using my PC on my 65'TV right now.

the big question is will the SteamBox run on Windows or Linux?

Razmossis4876d ago

The last thing the industry needs is another console. Developer time money and sales are already spread so thin this generation that too many companies have had to close down, one more console will just spread the industry thinner.

People WILL buy it, therefore if a developer doesn't port their game to it they will lose out on sales they would have otherwise had if there were less consoles for people to own.

My comment may seem anti-consumer, but in the end, the quality of titles will go up, the development time/cost will go down, meaning that developers will be able to put more into their games pre-launch instead of relying on DLC to make their money. And games will be less broken on release.

AKS4876d ago

@Razmossis

Are you also considering that more competition tends to lead to better products? If you are assuming that if there was one or two platforms that the manufacturers would feel just as pressured to produce games in a timely manner and for good price and pass on savings and benefits of a shorter development time, you might want to think again. Your assertion that less competition would somehow result in higher quality games is very questionable.

NewMonday4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

@Razmossis

i think it's safe to assume no porting will be necessary, any game on the Windows steam store will rune on the box. the console will only be an extension of something that is already their.

and their is something we forgot to consider, that the Steam console will be digital only

Mounce4876d ago

I think what Gabe is probably going to do is do what the consoles are doing. Yet do it for PC's

Make efficient PC desktops that have decent power at an affordable cost. Like how PS3 was considered efficient even at $599. I'd probably easily buy my next computer as a Valve-PC if said theory was true. Unsure about 'Console' though as we don't need anymore console competition, but I do like more options to make great PC's. Lol

pixelsword4876d ago

This TOTALLY explains why Half Life 3 never came out; it's probably already made.

...Along with Doom 4.

shutUpAndTakeMyMoney4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

It will look like a simple console but upgrade like a pc so console gamers can keep up.

I know "just build a pc".

But It's not for pc gamers. It's for console gamers who want to game on a pc with a console experience. Basically a casual pc.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Now seeing that it's valve I wonder if it will be nicely priced?

I wouldn't mind seeing an open platform become more popular with AAA devs.

Anyway they should put HL3 on desktop and steam box to sell it.

BlindGuardian4876d ago

so that's why he's holding back HL3

SilentNegotiator4876d ago

Meh. I don't need Steam on a console. But this is probably a good move for them; if they go all out on advertisement, they could REALLY dig into the console market.

At least this explains the pointless Big Picture mode. I mean, were we REALLY supposed to be like "ZOMG Awesome! I can use M/KB to open Steam, and then switch to a controller to shop and select the game I want to play!"

kneon4876d ago

@shutUpAndTakeMyMoney

The problem with this is that most non-pc gamers don't even know what steam or valve is. There is no brand recognition once you get away from the core gamers, and those that care already have PCs.

I just don't see a big market for this.

SonyWarrior4876d ago

this is bad news for sony/microsoft... valves system = supporting mods and no approval system for game patches I think valve might take it next gen...

Simon_Brezhnev4876d ago

I aint going to even lie yeahokchief comment is funny as hell.

miyamoto4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

So what will this be a PC that want's to be a console or console that want's to be a PC?

Wow! Four console competition!
bring it!
the more the merrier!

lfclee4875d ago

In no other words to describe it has a games console with access to all your downloads straight from steam.

AAACE54875d ago

Most likely it will be a console that is easy to upgrade.

+ Show (18) more repliesLast reply 4875d ago
DeathDealers4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

Uh oh, i sense "only on PC" for quite a few games, portal 3, half life 3, counter strike and left 4 dead 3.

tehpees34876d ago

Valve have always been very bias to PC. The only reason they stopped was because PC gaming was "doomed".

Thefreeman0124876d ago

I highly doubt they would do that since they would be losing a big market opportunity,HL has always felt better on the PC tho and the ports over never felt as genuine or visceral

SJPFTW4876d ago

naww. only reason traditional consoles like the PS3 and XBOX have exclusives is so they can move and sell their console hardware.

Doesn't make sense for Valve to make their games exclusive to PC because most PC gamers won't play on a 'valve console', so Valve derives no benefit from it from a business point of view

MariaHelFutura4876d ago

...And now everyone knows the reason Half-Life 3 didn't become a reality sooner. Expect Half-Life 3 next year.

dirthurts4876d ago

That would be a serious box seller. If that's what Valve is holding out for, they've got a pretty good plan.

Cueil4876d ago

there is no way they limit HL3 to just their PC... and really that's all it's going to be... a PC in a small form factor... if they're going to be running some custom Linux distro I see no reason why anyone would bother... Linux is free... building your system is pretty cheap and compiling a distro isn't nearly as hard as it use to be... pointless pea-cocking by Valve

FanMan4876d ago

if that is an exclusive for this console i will be very surprised/pissed. no way in hell they would make all the pc owners buy this box to play half life 3.

MariaHelFutura4876d ago

I'm more thinking PC and "Steam Box" only.

ALLWRONG4876d ago

I don't think we will be seeing any more Valve games on Xbox or Playstation.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4876d ago
Jinkies4876d ago

This is great

So let me get this straight...I don't have to spend a ton of money of building up a PC and keep on updating it to play on some great PC shooters?

Oh and does this mean I could download, for example, L4D and play the mods? It would be like a console version but with mods.........HOLY CRAP imagine Elder Scrolls 6, console users could enjoy mods.

I think I'm getting a head of my self but it could branch out there....right

mynameisEvil4876d ago

It's very curious how they plan on making a profit. I highly doubt this box will be sold be over a thousand dollars, like a good PC costs, so that means that they're putting a whole hell of a lot of faith that each person buys enough on Steam to counter-act the loss for each system sold.

Another thing that strikes me as strange as how they're marketing it. So, it's a console-PC hybrid, essentially, so you can have all of the advantages of PC gaming without the trouble of it. However, they say it's a highly managed/controlled thing, which means that you DON'T have all of the advantages of PC gaming. The thing with PC gaming is that it's so open-ended and it extends so much further than just playing on a... SteamBox, really. I can play most every game that's ever come out on PC with the help of emulators, DOSBox, or a whole bunch of fixes. The number of games that can't be played on Win7 is very few. And even if some can't, I can just use a unused part on my HDD to put WinXP or '95/'98 and go from there. There's just so few limitations that I can't exactly figure out who Valve is trying to sell this to. PC gamers? No, due to the reason I just described. Console gamers? Not really, since they can just go with PS3, Wii U, 360 or, later, PS4 and NeXtBox. To be honest, I haven't really met many people that are interested in something in-between.

Meh, whatever the case, this system obviously isn't for me.

Jinkies4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

Well I think it's really a console, all this PC/Hybrid stuff is basicaly what Microsoft did with the first Xbox, that was basicaly a small PC at a cheaper price....

I think there saying it's a PC/Hybrid because they could be scared that it would tick off the PC audience they have and they would think that Valve are ditching them, aka selling out when all there really doing is expanding. Wait untill this thing gets going I bet they'll start marketing it as a full console with it's own controler and online (which they already have...Steam)

Plus it has Source 2 coming up and Half life 3...then they'll make Team Fotress 3 which will be a massive online game with cross platform elements to play with PC owners, then will come L4D3 etc.

mynameisEvil4876d ago

The original Xbox was far from a small PC...

Also, Valve wouldn't be stupid enough to try cross-platform play between PC and consoles. Why? Remember the 2007 Shadowrun game with cross-platform play? The 360 players were just beat down by PC users because PC users have a mouse. And when it comes to shooters, you flat-out can't beat a mouse. All cross-platform play would anger console gamers who are playing online against people who have the constant upper hand.

JONESY64876d ago

But console fan-boys say a controller is better.

FragMnTagM4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

@Evil and Jonesy,

I don't know why everyone says mouse is better. Sure it is more accurate, but I can play just as well, if not better, with a controller as I can a mouse.

In fact, I play BF3 on my PC with a controller more often than the mouse and KB. My K/D ratio is damn near identical. I can barely pilot a vehicle (especially choppers and jets) with a mouse and KB though.

On the other hand though, I do like sniping with a mouse a hell of a lot better when you have to be that precise.

However, I am no slouch with a controller when sniping, but I have a definite edge with a mouse in that department.

There are pluses and minuses to each for me and I can use them interchangeably without a huge difference.

papashango4875d ago

They already have everything in place for modding with the steam workshop. I don't expect the kind of configuring we do currently on pc for mods and such to be allowed on the steam box. BUT the workshop I imagine will be how the moddings done.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4875d ago
Saigon4876d ago

did any one notice Gabe said XBox 8 (Infinity) and PS4...is that a typo by the author?

Oh_Yeah4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

This is trouble for Microsoft. They better get their assess working on exclusives because this is going to be the console for 3rd party support. I'll be getting this along with the next playstation.

Cueil4876d ago

it's a PC... why would you pay Valve for a PC?

4876d ago
Abdou234876d ago

I think alienware already proves that this kind of thing is a huge rip-off. Price will determine the success of this thing because it should compete with consoles prices, Not to deal with it as a Normal PC.

jivah4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

Alienware have nowhere near the amount of influence as valve as there just a subsection of dell. But valve has the pixie dust to pull it off.

And the fact that gabe is keeping valve a private entity rather then trading public. holy shit will they make bank

akaakaaka4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

I would have buy one this year, not next year when PS4 will be out,
let me explain this.
PS3 has been out for to long and they are just milking it and yes next year will start with many what seem good polished games but come on we want new teach already.
Well if the ps4 last this long and a high end cheap console/pc launch on the right time I will buy it and it will make the wait easier untill the ps5 launch.
If there is no new ps4 in 2013 and this is out and it has great servers and stress less setting and 1080p 60fps in games like far cry 3 and bf3 I will get it, but I'm sure the ps4 will be out in 2013 and make this irrelevant to me.

aquamala4876d ago

It's a PC box that plays pc games on steam, using the "big picture" mode available now and meant to be used like a console with a controller, that's what I want

INehalemEXI4876d ago

wow im stunned at this , steam is the sh!t.

FanboyPunisher4875d ago (Edited 4875d ago )

With the controller leaks, and the big picture UI beta; I knew valve was just making a HTPC to compete with consoles.

I imagine it will mirror computers with hardware to a certain degree to keep it compatible with the steam library.

Now steam has a chance to get massive and completely replace dvd and bluray data formats imo.

Look at canadian internet today...
http://speedtest.net/result...

only a matter of time when we'll be able to download games in <5 minutes.

4875d ago Replies(1)
+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 4874d ago
Muffins12234876d ago

Im guessing if you already have a gaming pc there's no reason to buy this?This is awesome,all valve games will be exclusive on there console and pc.

Norrison4876d ago

Their games have always been kind of exclusive to PC, they constantly update their games on PC unlike the console counterparts, compare TF2 on console to TF2 on PC.

ExCest4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

@ Norrison,

I believe that Valve had always wanted to move into the console industry. The problem was just with Sony and MS with their update and server policies. So, with Valve's infinite money, they wanted to make one themselves and bring it within one Valve year. (When Valve says one year, they mean three. /valvetime)

Knight_Crawler4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

Day 1 buy for me too.

The only question now is if Valve PC/Console becomes a hit which one of the big 3 will go the way of the Dream Cast.

The gaming market cant maintain 4 consoles so one will have to go.

My money is on Nintendo getting the console boot and will only focus on the hand held market.

Edit: Can you imagine the exclusive launch line up for the Valve console.

2 New IP's
Half Life Ep3
left for Dead 3
Portal 3
TF3
Counter Strike 2
Day of Defeat 2
Ricochet 2
Dota 3
Alien Swarm 2

Oh_Yeah4876d ago

I think Xbox is going to take the hit if consumer's are smart. It lacks free online and exclusives.

Jinkies4876d ago

@Oh_Yeah

Exactly and the problem is Microsoft relies on that money coming in from Live.

To be honest, if Valve play this right and by right I mean perfectly, they could possibly knock Microsoft out of the console industry.

DOMination-4876d ago

You seriously think valve will have 11 games ready to launch at the same time?

Akuma-4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

unless pc devs can optimize their games to run on this pc hardware without incident on ultra for at least 3 years without the need to upgrade then itll stand a chance. pc gaming is amazing because i love powerful hardware but its not a practical device for someone who wants ease of use, to play all games at max for at least 4 years and have all updates and software to work seamlessly.

ive downloaded drivers that needed to be deleted and re-downloaded again over and over. ive had issues where if im signed into origin i cant launch my games and all sorts of shenanigans. the ease of consoles with their reliability and support makes them way better than pcs. next gen consoles will be quite powerful the xbox 720 and ps4

asus maximus v extreme , 3 x gtx580, i7 2600k, 16gbs cors veng ddr3 1866,
im thinking of getting rid of my 3 video cards to get 1 gtx 690 for crysis 3

wishingW3L4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

if you have taken the time to read you wouldn't have written this comment.

Gabe: "certainly our hardware will be a very controlled environment. If you want more flexibility, you can always buy a more general purpose PC."

And just like PS4, Wii U and X720 the Valve PC/Console will probably use Radeon too and you know what that means right? It means that most devs will optimize for Radeon and not for Nvidia.

Nvidia must be crumbling in fear because AMD Radeon will be the one leading the market now.

Smashbro294876d ago

"And just like PS4, Wii U and X720 the Valve PC/Console will probably use Radeon too and you know what that means right? It means that most devs will optimize for Radeon and not for Nvidia."

I call bullshit on the grounds that the PS4 and 720's specs aren't official.

Think before you type.

Qrphe4876d ago

So far, only the Wii U is using Radeon.

xruiner894876d ago

Why would they do that when AMD are really dropping behind in the GPU market now and have even said themselves they are going to concentrate more on mobile chips for notebooks.

arjman4876d ago

@xruiner89

Maybe because consoles come under the mobile heading? They certainly don't count as desktop parts.

UnsoundOlive4876d ago

@xruiner89.
I think you thinking about their CPU/APU's. I thought they said they wouldn't compete with Intel in terms of raw cpu power.

Bladesfist4876d ago

@xruiner89 no they are not lol, in fact they are ahead of nvidia in stuff like multi monitor support. That is intel and amd with CPUs.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4876d ago
rainkore4876d ago

You in no way need to drop 3 680 in favor of a 690 to play crysis. You only need a single 680 to run it.

Here are the "recommended" specs:
Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8

Latest DirectX 11 graphics card

Latest quad core CPU

8GB Memory

Example 1 (Nvidia/Intel):

NVidia GTX 680

Intel Core i7-2600k

Example 2 (AMD):

AMD Radeon HD7970

AMD Bulldozer FX4150

aquamala4876d ago

Why does it have to play games at max settings? Console gamers already don't care to play games at max settings (they still play games at 720p or worse lol)

Kurt Russell4876d ago (Edited 4876d ago )

As someone who plays consoles over PC I would appreciate it if you didn't speak for me. It's not that I don't care about graphics, I have little choice. Put out a full 1080p powerhouse of a console and I will be buying that... until then sit back down and shut up, I don't want to play PC with you.

th3n00bg4m3r4876d ago

And the third installment of the console will never happen.

landog4876d ago

wonder if it will be more powerful than ps4 and xbox720?

steam is by far the most amazing platofrm i have ever used for gaming

i play on ps3/360/wii/ds/psp and pc

by far the best multiplayer, chat, communities, forums, mod portals, sales, everything all in one

steam makes psn and xbox live look like alpha ideas that have never left the lab

\cannot wait to see what they do with this

though, i will still build my own rigs most likely

i doubt it will be close to a gtx 680, i-7 2600k and 12gb ram:)

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SkilledGamer36d ago

This won't hold up, it's the game developers that licensed the music to use in their games with Steam being the distributor of those games. By that logic they would have to go after Nintendo, Sony and Xbox for also doing the same thing.