THE BORE

General => Video Game Bored => Topic started by: Eschaton on September 25, 2013, 11:43:40 AM

Title: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Eschaton on September 25, 2013, 11:43:40 AM: http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamMachines/
http://steamcommunity.com/games/hardware
http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/

The saga continues... :heh

Finally, a multiple choice answer

Entertainment is not a one-size-fits-all world. We want you to be able to choose the hardware that makes sense for you, so we are working with multiple partners to bring a variety of Steam gaming machines to market during 2014, all of them running SteamOS.

But first, Valve’s prototype

While these products are still in development, we need your help. As always, we believe the best way to ensure that the right products are getting made is to let people try them out and then make changes as we go. We have designed a high-performance prototype that’s optimized for gaming, for the living room, and for Steam. Of course, it’s also completely upgradable and open.

This year we’re shipping just 300 of these boxes to Steam users, free of charge, for testing. You can make yourself eligible to get one. How? Read on!
Here’s how to participate

Want to make yourself eligible to participate in the beta? Add yourself to the list of candidates by completing the Eligibility Quest on Steam. Sound hard? It’s not.
THE HARDWARE BETA ELIGIBILITY QUEST:
Before October 25, log in to Steam and then visit your quest page to track your current status towards beta test eligibility
1. Join the Steam Universe community group
2. Agree to the Steam Hardware Beta Terms and Conditions
3. Make 10 Steam friends (if you haven't already)
4. Create a public Steam Community profile (if you haven't already)
5. Play a game using a gamepad in Big Picture mode

You can complete the steps in any order. Once you’ve completed all of the steps, you’ll be awarded a special badge, and you’ll officially be among the pool of people from whom we’ll choose beta participants / hardware recipients.

On October 25th, the list will be locked. So complete the quest before then!

Your help is critical to our design process. Your feedback will shape both the new OS version of Steam and the new category of gaming machines that will run it.
Questions!
When can I buy one?!
Beginning in 2014, there will be multiple SteamOS machines to choose from, made by different manufacturers.
I’m pretty happy with my PC Gaming setup, do I have to buy a new piece of hardware now?
No. Everything that we’ve been doing on Steam for the last 10 years will continue to move forward.
If you guys are delivering an OS to hardware manufacturers, why is Valve also making its own box?
We're conducting a beta of the overall Steam living-room experience, so we needed to build prototype hardware on which to run tests. At Valve we always rely on real-world testing as part of our design process. The specific machine we're testing is designed for users who want the most control possible over their hardware. Other boxes will optimize for size, price, quietness, or other factors.
How will you choose the 300 beta participants?
A small number of users (30 or less) will be chosen based on their past community contributions and beta participation. The remainder will be chosen at random from the eligible pool.
Should I create lots of Steam accounts to increase my chances of getting selected?
No, that won’t work.
What are the specs of the Valve prototype?
We'll tell you more about it soon. Remember, there will ultimately be several boxes to choose from, with an array of specifications, price, and performance.
Where’s a picture of it? How big is it?
We promise we'll tell you more about it soon.
When will the prototypes ship?
This year.
Will beta testers be allowed to share info about their experience and post pictures and opinions online?
Yes, that really is the whole point. The input from testers should come in many forms: bug reports, forum posts, concept art, 3D prints, haikus, and also very publicly stated opinions.
Will I be able to build my own box to run SteamOS?
Yes.
Can I hack this box? Run another OS? Change the hardware? Install my own software? Use it to build a robot?
Sure.
Can I download the OS to try it out?
You will be able to download it (including the source code, if you're into that) but not yet.
If I’m not in the beta, how can I help and contribute feedback?
The Steam Universe Group is where feedback is being collected. Most areas of the group will remain open for participation by all Steam users. Some may be limited to beta participants only, but there will be plenty of ways to contribute feedback for everyone.
What games will be available during the beta?
The nearly 3,000 games on Steam. Hundreds already running natively on the SteamOS, with more to come. The rest will work seamlessly via in-home streaming.
What is SteamOS? What’s included?
Here's a link to what we said earlier about SteamOS. We'll have more details to tell you, soon.
Am I going to be using a mouse and a keyboard in the living-room?
If you want. But Steam and SteamOS work well with gamepads, too. Stay tuned, though - we have some more to say very soon on the topic of input.
Title: Re: SteamBox
Post by: Tasty on September 25, 2013, 12:07:13 PM: (http://i.imgur.com/2ScIPANl.png)

:bow GabeCube :bow2

:gaben
Title: Re: SteamBox
Post by: Joe Molotov on September 25, 2013, 12:25:39 PM: 35 minutes till Armaggaben.
Title: Re: SteamBox
Post by: fistfulofmetal on September 25, 2013, 12:41:52 PM: I really hope they have two basic things.

first is an actual PC with tiered hardware. this is for guys who want to get into the PC gaming ecosphere but don't want to buy a massive gaming PC

second is a streaming box for the express purpose of pumping feed from your massive gaming PC to any room in the house via wifi so I can game on the couch.
Title: Re: SteamBox
Post by: MCD on September 25, 2013, 12:44:57 PM: Man, Nvidia is desperate.
Title: Re: SteamBox
Post by: Sho Nuff on September 25, 2013, 12:46:49 PM: Quote from: MCD on September 25, 2013, 12:44:57 PM
Man, Nvidia is desperate.
Why come?
Title: Re: SteamBox
Post by: MCD on September 25, 2013, 12:53:37 PM: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=654859
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=524673
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=532032
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=523884
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=532107
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=532857

I might have missed some.

Edit: What Shark said.

I think only the Shield and Surface 2 are using Tegra 4 while everyone else is using Snapdragon so they are losing everywhere lately.
Title: Re: SteamBox
Post by: TakingBackSunday on September 25, 2013, 01:02:35 PM: Goddamit, I don't have a gamepad
Title: Re: SteamBox
Post by: Tasty on September 25, 2013, 01:06:05 PM: Quote from: BrandNew on September 25, 2013, 01:02:35 PM
Goddamit, I don't have a gamepad

I have the USB SNES one I got from my secret santa last year, I should see if that will work...
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Diunx on September 25, 2013, 01:11:12 PM: I want the one that looks like a Mayan piramid.
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: fistfulofmetal on September 25, 2013, 01:40:35 PM: I totally have played a game with a gamepad in Big Picture Mode motherfucking Steam!
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: huckleberry on September 25, 2013, 01:58:58 PM: this thing, so far, has been a huge waste of my already short attention span.
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Steve Contra on September 25, 2013, 02:12:33 PM: Wait was something announced today?
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Rufus on September 25, 2013, 02:19:29 PM: Quote from: Eschaton on September 25, 2013, 01:50:59 PM

If you guys are delivering an OS to hardware manufacturers, why is Valve also making its own box?
We're conducting a beta of the overall Steam living-room experience, so we needed to build prototype hardware on which to run tests. At Valve we always rely on real-world testing as part of our design process. The specific machine we're testing is designed for users who want the most control possible over their hardware. Other boxes will optimize for size, price, quietness, or other factors.

Interesting. Trying hard not to wave people off. Cant tell if theyre implying that they won't release one :beli
So, a buyer's guide from Valve and custom boxes that come with Win8+SteamOS dual-boot or just SteamOS for some savings from OEMs.
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on September 25, 2013, 02:25:30 PM: Quote from: Steve Contra on September 25, 2013, 02:12:33 PM
Wait was something announced today?

no
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Huff on September 25, 2013, 02:45:48 PM: Boring. Need specs and prices.

Thanks for the announcement of an announcement
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Rahxephon91 on September 25, 2013, 02:47:55 PM: Add me bros.

I'd use a steambox for sure, I mean console PC sounds like its for me.
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Rufus on September 25, 2013, 03:08:18 PM: It's what you already have, but with custom Linux on top. You've already arrived.
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: D3RANG3D on September 25, 2013, 08:10:08 PM: Next Gen on PC is going to be a cluster fuck, AMD/Dice are working on a new low level API called Mantle.

spoiler (click to show/hide)
You know Nvidia will too now :bluesteel
[close]
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: pilonv1 on September 25, 2013, 09:03:06 PM: Who doesn't have 10 friends on steam?
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: D3RANG3D on September 25, 2013, 09:04:42 PM: Quote from: pilonv1 on September 25, 2013, 09:03:06 PM
Who doesn't have 10 friends on steam?

spoiler (click to show/hide)
Andrex
[close]
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Tasty on September 25, 2013, 09:09:37 PM: Quote from: D3RANG3D on September 25, 2013, 09:04:42 PM
Quote from: pilonv1 on September 25, 2013, 09:03:06 PM
Who doesn't have 10 friends on steam?

spoiler (click to show/hide)
Andrex
[close]

http://steamcommunity.com/id/amazingandrex/friends/
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: D3RANG3D on September 25, 2013, 09:11:07 PM: Quote from: Andrex on September 25, 2013, 09:09:37 PM
Quote from: D3RANG3D on September 25, 2013, 09:04:42 PM
Quote from: pilonv1 on September 25, 2013, 09:03:06 PM
Who doesn't have 10 friends on steam?

spoiler (click to show/hide)
Andrex
[close]

http://steamcommunity.com/id/amazingandrex/friends/

spoiler (click to show/hide)
>taking me serious
[close]
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Tasty on September 25, 2013, 09:27:08 PM: spoiler (click to show/hide)
>taking ME srs
[close]
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: D3RANG3D on September 25, 2013, 09:30:02 PM: Quote from: Andrex on September 25, 2013, 09:27:08 PM
spoiler (click to show/hide)
>taking ME srs
[close]

:neogaf
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Great Rumbler on September 25, 2013, 09:31:33 PM: You're both a bunch of yo-yos. Shut up, you yo-yos.
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: D3RANG3D on September 25, 2013, 09:33:31 PM: Quote from: Great Rumbler on September 25, 2013, 09:31:33 PM
You're both a bunch of yo-yos. Shut up, you yo-yos.

:umad
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Tasty on September 25, 2013, 09:34:57 PM: Quote from: Great Rumbler on September 25, 2013, 09:31:33 PM
You're both a bunch of yo-yos. Shut up, you yo-yos.

You shut up, pool sandal.
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: Human Snorenado on September 25, 2013, 09:55:59 PM: DOG PLZ

PLZ DOG
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: thisismyusername on September 25, 2013, 09:56:22 PM: Quote from: D3RANG3D on September 25, 2013, 08:10:08 PM
Next Gen on PC is going to be a cluster fuck, AMD/Dice are working on a new low level API called Mantle.

spoiler (click to show/hide)
You know Nvidia will too now :bluesteel
[close]

Hahaha, yeah. It's going to be REALLY interesting for PC ports of Ubisoft and EA titles with Valve going whole-hog toward Linux.

Yes, you can dual-boot and all that, but that begs the question: Who is going to jump ship from Windows outside of Steam-die-hards that don't care about EA/Ubisoft and other "Windows-exclusive" titles?
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: D3RANG3D on September 25, 2013, 10:03:32 PM: Quote from: thisismyusername on September 25, 2013, 09:56:22 PM
Quote from: D3RANG3D on September 25, 2013, 08:10:08 PM
Next Gen on PC is going to be a cluster fuck, AMD/Dice are working on a new low level API called Mantle.

spoiler (click to show/hide)
You know Nvidia will too now :bluesteel
[close]

Hahaha, yeah. It's going to be REALLY interesting for PC ports of Ubisoft and EA titles with Valve going whole-hog toward Linux.

Yes, you can dual-boot and all that, but that begs the question: Who is going to jump ship from Windows outside of Steam-die-hards that don't care about EA/Ubisoft and other "Windows-exclusive" titles?

We are going backwards to the days of Glide thanks Obama!
Title: Re: SteamBox
Post by: fizzel on September 25, 2013, 10:07:13 PM: Quote from: Shark Johnson on September 25, 2013, 12:48:03 PM
Quote from: Sho Nuff on September 25, 2013, 12:46:49 PM
Quote from: MCD on September 25, 2013, 12:44:57 PM
Man, Nvidia is desperate.
Why come?

AMD gettin' all those fat console contracts
Like nobody cares about tegra 4
AMD shittin' all over their titans for less

Probably those reasons?

Titan is a 780 with ram chips and a spoiler added, that they've been able to sell them for a grand for so long is outrageous.
Title: Re: (Invisible) SteamBox
Post by: cool breeze on September 25, 2013, 10:19:27 PM: Quote from: D3RANG3D on September 25, 2013, 08:10:08 PM
Next Gen on PC is going to be a cluster fuck, AMD/Dice are working on a new low level API called Mantle.

spoiler (click to show/hide)
You know Nvidia will too now :bluesteel
[close]

in the short term, yeah. eventually we'll end up in a better position, but until then :anhuld