Obviously we have next to no details about Valve's new hardware that they are working on, but if I were a betting man, I would put money down that their console launches with Half-Life 3. It would be a very strong start for the console, and while the game would obviously come out on PC as well, I imagine having Half-Life 3 launch with their console would cause tons of people to get on board with their new machine from day 1. That also helps to explain why they've been so silent about the game, they want to reveal it running on their new console.
Valve Corporation
Company »
The developer of many acclaimed game franchises such as Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal, Day of Defeat, Team Fortress, Left 4 Dead, and Dota. They are also responsible for the massively successful PC digital distribution service Steam.
Valve's new console and Half-Life 3
They recently announced they're working on Source 2 right? Half-Life 3'll probably be announced when they've got some yield from their work on that engine to show. Or they'll be all cagey about it and have a tech demo with something Half-Life looking but not actually say it's Half-Life.
@Marz: Right, but it's hardware that they are going to be trying to push into people's households. I'm just saying Half-Life 3 seems like a good way to do that.
If I was in charge of Valve, I don't think I'd ever want to touch Half-Life 3. There's no possible way it could ever live up to the biblically proportional expectations of the Internet.
@Marz said:
@Snail said:sounds more like custom OS with HTPC parts.@Marz: Gabe also said it would be a "very controlled" system, or whatever his expression was. Sounds more like a an (affordable) console that runs PC games than a personal computer per se.
Again, doesn't matter what it sounds like, Valve still want sell.
they aren't releasing Half Life 3 any time soon. Definitely not with their Steam Box PC@Marz said:
@Snail said:sounds more like custom OS with HTPC parts.@Marz: Gabe also said it would be a "very controlled" system, or whatever his expression was. Sounds more like a an (affordable) console that runs PC games than a personal computer per se.
Again, doesn't matter what it sounds like, Valve still want sell.
I would definitely be more willing to purchase Valve's console if HL3 was announced for it especially if it was a timed exclusive for a year (I say timed because Valve wouldn't want to badly upset fans but at the same time move some hardware).
@Marz said:
@Snail said:sounds more like custom OS with HTPC parts.@Marz: Gabe also said it would be a "very controlled" system, or whatever his expression was. Sounds more like a an (affordable) console that runs PC games than a personal computer per se.
Where did you get the HTPC notion from?
Still, a custom, inflexible, UNIX-based OS on prepackaged hardware for an affordable price sounds plenty like a console to me - even if that OS is a modified version of Linux and it only plays PC games. I guess it's a console for PC games is what it is.
@Cold_Wolven said:
I would definitely be more willing to purchase Valve's console if HL3 was announced for it especially if it was a timed exclusive for a year (I say timed because Valve wouldn't want to badly upset fans but at the same time move some hardware).
If it's announced for Valve's "console" then it's also announced for PC, because that thing will supposedly run a version of Linux.
@Marz said:
@TheMatrixOnline said:they aren't releasing Half Life 3 any time soon. Definitely not with their Steam Box PC@Marz said:
@Snail said:sounds more like custom OS with HTPC parts.@Marz: Gabe also said it would be a "very controlled" system, or whatever his expression was. Sounds more like a an (affordable) console that runs PC games than a personal computer per se.
Again, doesn't matter what it sounds like, Valve still want sell.
I guess I forgot the part where it turns out that you are Gabe Newell, and you know exactly how far along Half-Life 3 development is. I'm not saying that I know either, or that they have even started developing it for sure. I'm just saying that it could possibly launch with their console.
@Marz said:
valve's hardware is just a PC yo... if anything they'll just have a custom Linux OS preinstalled with their boxes.
I mean, you could kind of say that about any console. I know what you mean, but I feel like the functionality of consoles is growing closer to that of other home computing devices.
@TheMatrixOnline said:
@Marz said:
@TheMatrixOnline said:they aren't releasing Half Life 3 any time soon. Definitely not with their Steam Box PC@Marz said:
@Snail said:sounds more like custom OS with HTPC parts.@Marz: Gabe also said it would be a "very controlled" system, or whatever his expression was. Sounds more like a an (affordable) console that runs PC games than a personal computer per se.
Again, doesn't matter what it sounds like, Valve still want sell.
I guess I forgot the part where it turns out that you are Gabe Newell, and you know exactly how far along Half-Life 3 development is. I'm not saying that I know either, or that they have even started developing it for sure. I'm just saying that it could possibly launch with their console.
IT'S NOT AN INCENTIVE TO BUY THEIR CONSOLE BECAUSE WE ALL OWN PC'S.
Unless they do something really awesome with their game that takes advantage of those awesome custom-drivers they produced with NVIDIA for Linux I guess. Maybe their "Steam Box" would be able to run the game on max, and the fact that it is on Linux and already had those drivers pre-installed gave the game some exclusive neat graphical features, like PhysX stuff?
Even still, at best it would only be a sweet bundle for a newly-released product. It's not a selling point.
@Mcfart said:
WHat's the point of releasing HL3 with their console?
A - It's not a console. It's a PC with Steam Stickers.
B - HL3 is coming to PC, 360, PS3, Wii, Wii U, 3DS, DS, GBA, GBC, 720, PS4, etc...why would releasing it with their Steam Box help launch sales?
I don't think it has to launch same day on every console. Valve can very easily stagger the launches. Also I'm pretty sure it will be more like a console than a PC is based upon the articles I have read.
@Snail said:
@TheMatrixOnline said:
@Marz said:
@TheMatrixOnline said:they aren't releasing Half Life 3 any time soon. Definitely not with their Steam Box PC@Marz said:
@Snail said:sounds more like custom OS with HTPC parts.@Marz: Gabe also said it would be a "very controlled" system, or whatever his expression was. Sounds more like a an (affordable) console that runs PC games than a personal computer per se.
Again, doesn't matter what it sounds like, Valve still want sell.
I guess I forgot the part where it turns out that you are Gabe Newell, and you know exactly how far along Half-Life 3 development is. I'm not saying that I know either, or that they have even started developing it for sure. I'm just saying that it could possibly launch with their console.
IT'S NOT AN INCENTIVE TO BUY THEIR CONSOLE BECAUSE WE ALL OWN PC'S.
Unless they do something really awesome with their game that takes advantage of those awesome custom-drivers they produced with NVIDIA for Linux I guess. Maybe their "Steam Box" would be able to run the game on max, and the fact that it is on Linux and already had those drivers pre-installed gave the game some exclusive neat graphical features, like PhysX stuff?
Even still, at best it would only be a sweet bundle for a newly-released product. It's not a selling point.
If Half-Life 3 isn't an incentive the buy their console, then I don't know what could be. I imagine that all of their games that will launch on their console will also be on PC. Similarly, many games that come out on consoles today also come out on PC, but plenty of people still buy consoles, and console versions of games.
the incentive is that they already have a popular store front, convenient, easy to use, there are some people out in the world who think PC gaming is complicated, the Steam Box is just an easier way for them to get into PC gaming. It's sorta like apple.... you buy their devices because you are already familiar with their store and their eco system.@Snail said:
@TheMatrixOnline said:
@Marz said:
@TheMatrixOnline said:they aren't releasing Half Life 3 any time soon. Definitely not with their Steam Box PC@Marz said:
@Snail said:sounds more like custom OS with HTPC parts.@Marz: Gabe also said it would be a "very controlled" system, or whatever his expression was. Sounds more like a an (affordable) console that runs PC games than a personal computer per se.
Again, doesn't matter what it sounds like, Valve still want sell.
I guess I forgot the part where it turns out that you are Gabe Newell, and you know exactly how far along Half-Life 3 development is. I'm not saying that I know either, or that they have even started developing it for sure. I'm just saying that it could possibly launch with their console.
IT'S NOT AN INCENTIVE TO BUY THEIR CONSOLE BECAUSE WE ALL OWN PC'S.
Unless they do something really awesome with their game that takes advantage of those awesome custom-drivers they produced with NVIDIA for Linux I guess. Maybe their "Steam Box" would be able to run the game on max, and the fact that it is on Linux and already had those drivers pre-installed gave the game some exclusive neat graphical features, like PhysX stuff?
Even still, at best it would only be a sweet bundle for a newly-released product. It's not a selling point.
If Half-Life 3 isn't an incentive the buy their console, then I don't know what could be. I imagine that all of their games that will launch on their console will also be on PC. Similarly, many games that come out on consoles today also come out on PC, but plenty of people still buy consoles, and console versions of games.
@TheHT said:
They recently announced they're working on Source 2 right? Half-Life 3'll probably be announced when they've got some yield from their work on that engine to show. Or they'll be all cagey about it and have a tech demo with something Half-Life looking but not actually say it's Half-Life.
It's about time, if they did.
I was blown away by Source when I first saw Half Life 2. But booting up Portal 2 to finally start it--for real, this time? It's showing its age.
The people interested enough in Half-Life 3 to buy a new machine for it will just buy a PC, or more than likely already have one.
@TheMatrixOnline said:
@Snail said:
@TheMatrixOnline said:
@Marz said:
@TheMatrixOnline said:they aren't releasing Half Life 3 any time soon. Definitely not with their Steam Box PC@Marz said:
@Snail said:sounds more like custom OS with HTPC parts.@Marz: Gabe also said it would be a "very controlled" system, or whatever his expression was. Sounds more like a an (affordable) console that runs PC games than a personal computer per se.
Again, doesn't matter what it sounds like, Valve still want sell.
I guess I forgot the part where it turns out that you are Gabe Newell, and you know exactly how far along Half-Life 3 development is. I'm not saying that I know either, or that they have even started developing it for sure. I'm just saying that it could possibly launch with their console.
IT'S NOT AN INCENTIVE TO BUY THEIR CONSOLE BECAUSE WE ALL OWN PC'S.
Unless they do something really awesome with their game that takes advantage of those awesome custom-drivers they produced with NVIDIA for Linux I guess. Maybe their "Steam Box" would be able to run the game on max, and the fact that it is on Linux and already had those drivers pre-installed gave the game some exclusive neat graphical features, like PhysX stuff?
Even still, at best it would only be a sweet bundle for a newly-released product. It's not a selling point.
If Half-Life 3 isn't an incentive the buy their console, then I don't know what could be.
An affordable little PC with good support and perhaps further sales/discounts when buying from the Steam store from a Steam console.
Simple, if marketed well with clear reminders of just how good Steam sales are.
@mlarrabee said:
@TheHT said:
They recently announced they're working on Source 2 right? Half-Life 3'll probably be announced when they've got some yield from their work on that engine to show. Or they'll be all cagey about it and have a tech demo with something Half-Life looking but not actually say it's Half-Life.
It's about time, if they did.
I was blown away by Source when I first saw Half Life 2. But booting up Portal 2 to finally start it--for real, this time? It's showing its age.
Source was showing its age in 2006. They do some nice stuff with lighting but come on, that engine has been bad at a lot of things for a while now, most notably structures and water look pretty bad. TF2 still looks fab though.
They used Half-Life 2 as a trojan horse for Steam, it makes sense they would use Half-Life 3 in a similar fashion.
Im hoping its just a cool, mini PC case, with a built in motherboard that supports AMD and Intel chipsets. Built in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Xbox wireless adapter and has its own ios that boots into Steam that also has basic web browser and has apps like Spotify, Youtube, Netflix. Can get a Nvidia or AMD version of it or just the case bare bones so you can put your own components in and fits in your TV cabinet.
@Marz said:
valve's hardware is just a PC yo... if anything they'll just have a custom Linux OS preinstalled with their boxes.
If it'll have a Linux OS, does that mean that from the Steam library only Valve's games and a handful of indie games will be accessible from it? Or is the OS irrelevant?
I don't know much about the technical aspect but since not all games on Steam are available for Mac, I wonder if the same applies to Linux.
yeah i think the major hurdle Valve has to get through is the lack of Direct X support as that is a Microsoft thing. I don't know the legaility of using tricks to get direct x running on linux but i'm sure Microsoft would be all over that and sue Valve up the ass or something. Mac and Linux supported games are usually running on OpenGL, so yes essentially only a handful of games will be working unless they worked out a deal for direct x integration into their OS.@Marz said:
valve's hardware is just a PC yo... if anything they'll just have a custom Linux OS preinstalled with their boxes.
If it'll have a Linux OS, does that mean that from the Steam library only Valve's games and a handful of indie games will be accessible from it? Or is the OS irrelevant?
I don't know much about the technical aspect but since not all games on Steam are available for Mac, I wonder if the same applies to Linux.
@mlarrabee said:
@TheHT said:
They recently announced they're working on Source 2 right? Half-Life 3'll probably be announced when they've got some yield from their work on that engine to show. Or they'll be all cagey about it and have a tech demo with something Half-Life looking but not actually say it's Half-Life.
It's about time, if they did.
I was blown away by Source when I first saw Half Life 2. But booting up Portal 2 to finally start it--for real, this time? It's showing its age.
Honestly, if everything about Source 2 was the same except I didn't have to load a new map every time I walked 10 ft., I'd be totally fine with that.
It may sound like nitpicking, but goddamn Half-Life 2 had tons of loading pauses that really killed the momentum, especially during sequences like the driving hover boat or dune buggy. If that whole game could be played as one seamless experience, I'd remember it far more fondly than I do now.
Still holdin onto this hope aren't we? You have a better chance of getting Half Life 4 than you do half life 3.
It might not be a console, cause if it is a console it will only be a console that goes out of date faster than other consoles (compared to PC games systems)
The Steam box will be a Stream box allowing users to transmit and send data to and between their Big screen and computer. Using local network and specialized algorithms Valve aims to give the user an experience of sitting by the computer with similar input response but sitting at the big screen away from the computer.
Local streaming will work like onlive but allow for much higher response time while letting the user use his own hardware for a hardcore experience. It might also have support for streaming over the internet for some supported titles and maybe a subscription fee.
99$
There might also be an app for that (iPad Steam gaming).
@TheHT said:
They recently announced they're working on Source 2 right? Half-Life 3'll probably be announced when they've got some yield from their work on that engine to show. Or they'll be all cagey about it and have a tech demo with something Half-Life looking but not actually say it's Half-Life.
I'm just really scared we'll see some nice looking, but wholly generic FPS demo at E3, then end title card, "Half-Life 3."
Oh, also, Half-Lif3.
@JudgeDread: The problem with that theory, though, is that Gabe said in that Kotaku interview that other hardware manufacturers are probably gonna release their own versions of whatever the hardware is. I don't see Valve licensing out their sling box tech so Asus and MSI, etc. can make their own versions of it.
Newell said he's expecting a lot of different companies to release these types of packages—"We'll do it but we also think other people will as well," he told me—and that Valve's hardware might not be as open-source or as malleable as your average computer.
"Well certainly our hardware will be a very controlled environment," he said. "If you want more flexibility, you can always buy a more general purpose PC. For people who want a more turnkey solution, that's what some people are really gonna want for their living room.
@Marz said:
@TheMatrixOnline said:the incentive is that they already have a popular store front, convenient, easy to use, there are some people out in the world who think PC gaming is complicated, the Steam Box is just an easier way for them to get into PC gaming. It's sorta like apple.... you buy their devices because you are already familiar with their store and their eco system.If Half-Life 3 isn't an incentive the buy their console, then I don't know what could be. I imagine that all of their games that will launch on their console will also be on PC. Similarly, many games that come out on consoles today also come out on PC, but plenty of people still buy consoles, and console versions of games.
@TheMatrixOnline: Additionally, a game only counts as an incentive to buy a console when it is only playable or when it is a better experience in a console you don't have. Exclusives are system sellers. So your logic doesn't make a lot of sense there.
@TheMatrixOnline: Also, I just now realized how much I fucking adore the combination of your username and avatar.
Half life 3 will probably end up being held up if Valve does not feel they are introducing a novel and interesting mechanic though.
Anyway, new steam box or no, my guess would be that the hardware push is not specifically connected to their software releases. The hardware stuff is probably to address the fall off in people purchasing PCs more than anything else. Specifically if tablets end up being the main web browsing tool, and maybe basic tax software is ported to it (US concern), it pretty much leaves the PC being useful for games for a lot of people.
Please Log In to post.
This edit will also create new pages on Giant Bomb for:
Beware, you are proposing to add brand new pages to the wiki along with your edits. Make sure this is what you intended. This will likely increase the time it takes for your changes to go live.Comment and Save
Until you earn 1000 points all your submissions need to be vetted by other Giant Bomb users. This process takes no more than a few hours and we'll send you an email once approved.
Log in to comment