Some stuffz:
The announcement of SteamOS is not the announcement of a Steam box. SteamOS is just a linux based Steam optimized OS, free and open source. What this means in practice is that Samsung can build a TV With Steam built in, Philips can make a dvr device with Steam built in, HP can built a nas with SteamOS, heck you can even install it on your Roomba if that's what you want. So instead of the OS owner dictating which companies are allowed to use their OS, everybody is free to take it. This is huge.
There will be 3 types of boxes - good, better, best. The simplest box will be a box with the stream capabilities revealed today. A 99 dollar apple tv like open source system on which you can play your pc games through streaming, but also works as an htpc. You can install xbmc netflix etc. On it, plus all the other stuff people will develop for it since its all open source. Primary target for the streambox will be current pc gamers who get an awesome roku/atv like open source box which can stream their complete Steam library.
The second box will be around 300 bucks and will be more console like in the sense that it has enough compute power to run games, has a good gfx card etc. This will be the competition for the xb1 ps4 market, and this is probably the main target for Valve since they want to expand their market. If this succeeds it will be HUGE. A no hassle console with Steam prices and sales, free and open to any developer, no subscription needed for multiplayer gaming, modding through workshop etc., you know, all the good stuff pcgaming has over consoles. I bet the timing of these announcements, shortly before the release of the new gen consoles, has something to do with this as well.
The third option will be some kind of super console, up to date with the latest hardware. Remeber this being open source any company can make their own systems and drop SteamOS on it, it doesn't have to be Steam fabricated. This means that instead of going through a 7 year cycle you can upgrade your console at any given time, drop SteamOS on it and you have your up to date console experience. A company like Nvidia could built their own box with a cartridge like gfx card which even your grandma could switch out if needed. Endless possibilities.
I also am confused at the short sightedness of some people saying the linux library is currently so small. Yes it is, but it is way bigger than any of the other future systems library atm, I can not buy a single xb1 or ps4 game at this point in time. I'm sure Valve has done their homework and knows developers are willing to work with linux, and Valve certainly has the knowledge and means to make this a succes and to incentivise developers into linux development. Cutting DirectX out of the game industry in favor of OpenGL is basically all that has to be done to cut Microsoft out of their hold on pcgaming. A boost by a company like Valve can make this happen.
I am excite! Hope you are a bit more excite now too.
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