Yeah, Valve’s Still Experimenting With Hardware

"Even basic input, the keyboard and mouse, haven’t really changed in any meaningful way over the years"

Well, that is not really true, the consoles have come up with countless iterations of controllers, none of which work as well as my keyboard and mouse.

Obviously selecting and assembling PC parts is not the problem, they need an OS, a graphics API, both of which is property of Microsoft, who happen to have their own console, their own DRM and soon their own windows store.

A "steambox" wouldn't be PC compatible (= backwards compatible) without Microsoft. This is the dilemma, which will make or break steam.

It would be like building a console from scratch, maybe they can port Source engine games and use their UI and E-shop experience, but will it be enough?

I rally hope something comes of this.

If they're making hardware, it's probably just going to be a controller (something like the VR helmet they mentioned awhile back), a mouse, or a keyboard. Somehow, making a Steam OS or Steambox console doesn't seem "in-character" for them. But I wouldn't be surprised if I'm wrong, either.

@SupeRaven said:

I would venture that they'll create a "certified" platform (ie: system requirements) that vendors like Dell/Alienware and HP can then meet or beat. The vendors could then have their machines emblazoned with a "Steam 2012 Certified" badge, you know like the "Windows 7 Ready" badges. I don't think we'll see an actual SteamBox from Valve.

I'll also float the idea that with such a certification the vendors can load Valve's Linux distribution with Steam as the core application, at the factory. Thus dual-booting Windows and Linux.

Just as I posted my message I found your reply ;-) But I agree with you on this completely. I think this is the direction they want to head in.

@Shivoa said:

As I look down at my pointing device that uses a high dpi, 500fps camera to difference the reflected patterns of the desk surface illuminated by a mix of laser and LED light to track the movement, paired with 8 buttons and a wheel in a comfortable shell that contains a weight block that can be adjusted to my ideal demands, all sitting on some Teflon glide pads...

I've gotta say the old rubber ball, two button pointing device I used several decades ago doesn't really compare. For gaming I'd say there has been a significant advance in making a dependable and highly accurate device for my right hand.

I have to agree with this sentiment. Trying to do "something different", just because you're tired of mouse & keyboard, leaves you with things like Kinect, trackballs, motion controllers. I'm not being sarcastic, I think those things are mostly lame, not that they don't have their small place in the corner. Ergonomic gamepads fit the bill, when mouse & keyboard fall down.

Iteration has occurred, and improvements have been made. Want to make better mice? Better keyboards? Better gamepads? Sure, but that is a highly competitive market.

This all may very well tie into the Big Picture Mode they announced a year ago: http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/thebigpicture.php

My guess is they're looking for a hardware guy not because they want to built their own console, but to come up with a design for a "Steam-PC" with dedicated pheriphals (controller, remote, case design) and partner up with a big hardware manufacturer like Dell or HP. They'll produce the "Steam-PC" that'll run a dedicated version of Steam (Perhaps even a Steam OS considering their recent hate against Windows 8). I don't believe Valve is big enough or has the resources to build their own hardware (they have like what, 350 employees?) but I could see them collaborating with large PC manufacturers.

Anway, the Big Picture Mode is going into Beta very soon, so we'll probably see in what direction they want to go with this.

If they use this to make it more straightforward, less intimidating, and less expensive to have a rewarding PC gaming experience, then I am all for this. I think this is exactly what they are doing, btw.

I have a lot of friends who would dive into PC gaming if they wouldn't have to learn about hardware and drivers.

This is what I like about GB, rather than running it as "Valve confirms hardware production" like IGN, they call it was it really is, dabbling and experimentation.

@Vigorousjammer said:

If valve makes a console, I want the power switch for it to be a valve that I have to turn.

Hear, hear! No valve mechanism, no purchase from me.

Eh... meh.

I'm all for this! A Valve-branded computer, or really any piece of hardware made by Valve is a sure-buy from me. They've more than earned my trust and respect over the years.

They are trying to invent something (at least they are thinking they are doing so)

If valve makes a console, I want the power switch for it to be a valve that I have to turn.

@Skanker said:

@jasondesante said:

I understand that you guys don't like covering stuff you don't like (PSN+ for example, anything non xbox360 really)

Oh boy, this again. Despite the crew constantly saying PS+ is great and the 360's Gold being a ripoff, people still claim they're 360 fanboys. Pay attention, homie.

Strange, they were talking about PS+'s advantages over XBL in the most recent podcast (maybe the one prior.) It's a topic that comes up pretty often; virtually every time they talk about hating the content Microsoft pushes on them and that fact they cant find their games.

@jasondesante said:

I understand that you guys don't like covering stuff you don't like (PSN+ for example, anything non xbox360 really)

Oh boy, this again. Despite the crew constantly saying PS+ is great and the 360's Gold being a ripoff, people still claim they're 360 fanboys. Pay attention, homie.

@Popogeejo said:

@bybeach: You don't even know what their hardware is yet.

You are totally correct, but is there hardware that is ' different' from any other hardware out there? And look what happens to consoles, Oh, they usually settle for some interesting design, cpu config etc, and in 4-5 years time it is horribly outdated. hell, often at least equalled to right out of the gate by PC design. Is this the idea then, I am buying a pc console? A third box that gets replaced up there? And that besides my PC?

And another thing that bothers me, yeah steam does PC gaming, but Steam is NOT synonymous with PC games, they offer a service to play them. But so does disk and other down loadable. One thing I will not do, as much as I like steam, is invest in something that forces me to marry them.. It just wasn't true love, just a deep respect for what they have accomplished. Now I am at a loss....

The main problem is advancement of hardware design. Consoles have to allow for it by new models. PC's allow for it hopefully by upgrade. What does Steam have in mind that breaks out of this and makes you want to have their product?

I'm gonna start really small and just ask that they have the category/games management in the Steam client MAKE EARTH SENSE.

if they ever do make a steambox it had better be damn well steampunk with lots of exposed bronze and copper pipes and old analog gauges ....

If it innovates, sure. I'll check it out.

If it becomes some mandatory crap for Steam (which I highly doubt), then I'll be less than happy .

If its not about HL2 ep 3 then no one cares Valve. How about experimenting with giving us a game?

I'm interested in seeing what Valve comes up with, but I doubt it will replace the traditional PC. If anything does that, it's going to be the tablet.

I want whatever they haven't told me they're making.

yea valve continues to exist, dont see why its worth writing an article about though.

wheres the article about the international and how awesome it was?

Even if the GB staff don't play dota, why not be interested in it, seeing as how its something that others might like, and having a site where you help the readers find more stuff they're interested in, it might be a good idea to cover stuff like the international. I understand that you guys don't like covering stuff you don't like (PSN+ for example, anything non xbox360 really) but if you only cover the stuff you want then the audience will basically turn into clones of you instead of learning and expanding their tastes in games.

as others have said, I think this isn't about a SteamBox or whatever but about peripherals and new controllers. something that makes sense when you think about their VR & AR headset experiments and their direct support of the Oculus Rift. I bet they also have some really good ideas about where gaming is going and what type of input devices are going to sell well. The console handheld controller expanded what gaming means but I'm pretty sure it doesn't end there.

Sometimes, there's a reason for stuff. The steering wheel hasn't changed in 25 years either.

I would definitely buy a Valve console. They should call is the Whistle.

Steam Whistle.

@Praab_NZ said:

I wonder if he means systems or parts or both, are they really going to manufacture their own hardware? That seems like a crazy thing for a software company to do.

Microsoft did it, to great success 7 years later.

@Stubee: But then you lose the utility of a keyboard. I find keyboards are fine when playing something like an mmo, fps or rts game. But for anything that involves driving or third person action I tend to use a controller.

Jesus. I just wish Valve would pool their friggin resources already and put out Half Life ep.3/Half Life 3!

So the crux of the matter appears to be that currently, Steam's destiny is tied to whatever Microsoft decide to do with their operating system. There hasn't been a really decent alternative to Windows for PC gaming since.. well.. ever. Yes, yes. I know Mac's can play games now, but it's still not the platform of choice.

PC Gaming has been Microsoft's red headed step child since the 360 arrived on the scene. Hardware vendors, specifically those who tailor to the PC gaming market might be interested in developing for a platform other than Windows/DirectX if someone can create enough ground swell to demonstrate that it'd be worth their time. Remember OpenGL? With some love and attention that might provide a viable alternative. As for Operating system, Steam could adopt a flavour of Linux. The reason Linux hasn't made it big for gaming thus far is because the community is so splintered between different distros. If Valve could get people to unite behind a gaming flavoured version of Linux, who knows where they could go with this.

All wild speculation of course, and unlikely to happen anytime soon.

@Giantstalker Valve may ise it how they wish. But it's not just obvious to me, right?

@Giantstalker Valve can feel free to use it. These flashes of brilliance are their own reward!

I, for one, welcome our new overlords. May their knives be ever sharp.

As a person that started using a PC for gaming fairly recently, im finding mouse and keyboard extremely limiting as well. The mouse is great obviously but using WASD for movement is atrocious. Feels like using an awful dead. If valve could develop some sort of peripheral that allows for a mouse in the right hand and a controller style stick in the other then i would definitely be interested.

As an industrial designer with only 3 years of experience, I have two comments:

1) I've worked with/for quite a few different types of companies and I can say that hiring one industrial designer is certainly a signal that they're at least interested in hardware. But if they're going to actually produce something, I suspect they'd need a larger team. Now it's possible they want one in-house I.D. guy to help them better communicate with an outside I.D. firm (such as Microsoft did with the 360). But they probably want this first I.D. guy to generate initial concepts (sketches, models, etc) they can use to get a feel for manufacturing, look and feel, etc. before bringing on more people to help develop a real product.

Then again, after reading the Valve Employee Handbook, I was enamored at how different they felt as a company, so they may want only one experienced guy to "Lone Ranger" this product vision into development. Only time will tell.

2) I've never wished I had 3 more years of experience under my belt more than I do right now. Working on a project as potentially awesome as this for a company like Valve would be an immensely cool experience. Like I said, that Employee Handbook made me yearn for more companies like Valve to take Industrial Designers. Believe it or not, the thing that matters most to most designers is work culture, not type of product. I'm not alone in saying that I can be passionate and excited about designing almost anything, but it's the people and culture that make the job great. When I saw that position appear on their job boards a few weeks ago, I was psyched! It at least means that someday I could work for a place with as cool of a culture and product as Valve.

People already bitch and complain about DRM (especially always-online DRM) on a regular basis.

Now Steam wants to bring our some form of potential hardware...which will more assuredly end up featuring a Steam-like setup that means all games on the console use...YOU GUESSED IT...ALWAYS-ONLINE DRM?!

No fucking thanks. Steam already ticks me off because of the DRM on it. I only buy from it because it's the only way that I have to buy some of the games that get released.

It seems like Valve is trying to make me go mad by talking about literally everything else on the planet other than Episode 3. Those diabolical bastards.

Obviously selecting and assembling PC parts is not the problem, they need an OS, a graphics API, both of which is property of Microsoft, who happen to have their own console, their own DRM and soon their own windows store.

A "steambox" wouldn't be PC compatible (= backwards compatible) without Microsoft. This is the dilemma, which will make or break steam.

It would be like building a console from scratch, maybe they can port Source engine games and use their UI and E-shop experience, but will it be enough?

They're hiring engineers. Engineers with 6+ years in the field, so I assume they are taking this rather seriously. As a computer engineer myself, I applied. Of course, I don't meet the qualifications YET! One day valve... One day.

@patrickklepek in the line "we’d rather hardware people that..." did you mean "we'd rather hire people"?

@bybeach: You don't even know what their hardware is yet.

I really appreciate Gabe Newell's candor in this.

I am at a loss as to why Valve would think their hardware better than any others except by spec. I just do not get the vision, since the most demanding games well..demand the best the hardware. What magic wand does Valve wave to make such games more universal for all, though I personally would wish it. Hell I am a pc gamer for the performance, not for holding up a pic of a high performance pc with one hand in the shower...

I'm also a real commie when I want to be, for everybody to have the same good thing, the same hi-spec performance.. it's just not how it seems to work...

Valve continue to do anything... ANYTHING except release Half-Life 3.

Yeah, I'm just bitter.

I wonder if this is just Steam covering any potential move from Microsoft concerning Windows 8 and the Windows App store, especially if Microsoft completely loses it and the Windows app store becomes the only Microsoft Approved (tm) way to install downloaded Internet software.

It wouldn't be a rational act by Microsoft to do something like that, but, we've already seen tons of companies that have done irrational things. And seeing the amount of money Steam and the Apple app store are raking in must be driving Microsoft crazy, especially since the OS market and business apps don't command the same margins.

BTW Patrick, your writing style is fine. You don't need to hear it from some complete stranger on the Internet, but keep on doing what you're doing.

JGH

I severely doubt that this will be an actual product any time before 2014, and anyone really speculating on what they think it is are probably in the wrong.

As I look down at my pointing device that uses a high dpi, 500fps camera to difference the reflected patterns of the desk surface illuminated by a mix of laser and LED light to track the movement, paired with 8 buttons and a wheel in a comfortable shell that contains a weight block that can be adjusted to my ideal demands, all sitting on some Teflon glide pads...

I've gotta say the old rubber ball, two button pointing device I used several decades ago doesn't really compare. For gaming I'd say there has been a significant advance in making a dependable and highly accurate device for my right hand.

The over use of "YEAH," in your article titles to sound edgy and out there is getting pretty annoying.