Valve Says No Steam Machines Until 2015
Valve Software updated the Steam Universe discussion group on Tuesday with news that Steam Machines will hit the market in 2015, not 2014 as originally reported. The delay stems from the controller, which Valve's Eric Hope says has received a "ton" of feedback.
"We're now using wireless prototype controllers to conduct live playtests, with everyone from industry professionals to die-hard gamers to casual gamers," reads the update. "It's generating a ton of useful feedback, and it means we'll be able to make the controller a lot better. Of course, it's also keeping us pretty busy making all those improvements. Realistically, we're now looking at a release window of 2015, not 2014."
"Obviously we're just as eager as you are to get a Steam Machine in your hands," the update continues. "But our number one priority is making sure that when you do, you'll be getting the best gaming experience possible. We hope you'll be patient with us while we get there. Until then, we'll continue to post updates as we have more stories to share."
Hope doesn't mention the other 13 companies that are producing Steam Machines. As stated in previous reports, Steam Machines cannot ship until Valve gives the green light, as the controller is part of the Steam Machine requirement. What's possible is that the hardware partners will release their solutions anyway without the controller and Steam Machine stamp of approval.
Steam Machines will come in all shapes and sizes, but the "preferred" form factor seems to be the console-like design as seen with iBuyPower's prototype. This model sports an AMD CPU, a discrete GPU, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a 500 GB hard drive. Prices for Steam Machines will begin at $499 and soar up to $5,999.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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southernshark Wish they could have just used a Sony PS4 controller as I like the way it fits my hands.Reply -
icemunk It's smart for Steam to wait before it introduces their "console" since by release date, they'll be pumping out machines for $400-500, that will possibly have 3 gigaflops, or more; leaving both the PS4 and Xbox One in the dust.Reply -
doomtomb Typical Valve. Extremely naive of them. So they are trying to equally dedicate time to the controller, the software, and the box. But all people really want is the box, and it doesn't matter how good the controller is if the software sucks and you have to install Windows on it. The controller is really the least important part, the 360 controller already has the most adoption in PC titles.Reply -
gm0n3y ReplyTypical Valve. Extremely naive of them. So they are trying to equally dedicate time to the controller, the software, and the box. But all people really want is the box, and it doesn't matter how good the controller is if the software sucks and you have to install Windows on it. The controller is really the least important part, the 360 controller already has the most adoption in PC titles.
I tend to agree with you. I'd like to see them release the system without their controller and let the sellers bundle whichever controller they want with it. Then when their controller is ready, they can release it for some good PR. -
airborne11b Steam OS is linux based, so there are 3rd party controllers that are shaped like the PS4 and Xbox one controllers that will probably work fine with steam box.Reply -
Zeh I strongly disagree with above posts. Without a good controller, it's just another console. If it can come along with a better controller, decent price/performance and decent software, they've got a winner.Reply
Doesn't matter if they have to wait a year or two after PS4/XB1 launch, specially if Steam Boxes can outperform consoles, cause console generations tend to last long. -
joaompp I'm with Zeh, all I care about is the controller, if I want steamOS I'll just download Lubuntu, it'll be close enough.Reply