Rumor: Valve working on "Steam box" gaming console

[Sandman42]

Quote:

According to sources, the company has been working on a hardware spec and associated software which would make up the backbone of a "Steam Box." The actual devices may be made by a variety of partners, and the software would be readily available to any company that wants to get in the game. ... Apparently meetings were held during CES to demo a hand-built version of the device to potential partners. We're told that the basic specs of the Steam Box include a Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GPU. The devices will be able to run any standard PC titles, and will also allow for rival gaming services (like EA's Origin) to be loaded up.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/2/284...gaming-console

[Burns11]

So it's a Valve branded gaming PC.

[Mbalmer]

I have been reading about this and I am yet to see a difference between this and a regular gaming pc other then they are making a controller that has removable parts.

I have been planning to take the plunge and build a gaming pc, but with Nvidia's new cards coming out, "steam box", Ivy Bridge from Intel, and the questions surrounding when the next generation of consoles will come out, I think I am going to hold off for the moment. I really just want to play all the great racing games on the pc that aren't offered on consoles. (plus all the skyrim mods and such)

Anyway, I think I will wait a couple of weeks and see what shakes out. Maybe by that time these rumors will be facts and I can make a better decision at that point.

What does everyone else think about this "Steam Box?"

[BurghFan]

It's an interesting concept, though I really don't see myself buying a system just to play computer games on when I already have a PC on which I am perfectly comfortable playing said games.

[Cusefan]

Quote: Originally Posted by BurghFan

It's an interesting concept, though I really don't see myself buying a system just to play computer games on when I already have a PC on which I am perfectly comfortable playing said games.

This is something that is right up my ballpark, I love PC gaming but lack the funds to buy a PC that would play games I am interested in. I am interested in how downloading mods would work in this.

[Burns11]

I wouldn't expect this to be cheaper than anything you might build yourself or some other ready built box, if anything I expect it to be more once they slap a fancy case around it and plaster it with Valve logos.

[mestevo]

Unless they can price those specs at mid-range console prices, I couldn't be less interested. Steam's platform is fantastic, the 181 games I own on it are valued at nearly $3000, but my admiration for that does not extend to branding some computer.

Will be interesting to see if this is anything more than an Alienware-style deal... just a partnership with multiple companies to make branded gaming computers.

[Sausage]

If the prices are competitive and they make it where future games hold up; I may have look into it. Never been a PC gamer, but read some great things and would love to play many of the games.