Ceci est une ancienne révision du document !
As this is a big announcement for PC gaming, I would like to share this news with all you readers and speculate about this fresh news and what may come of it.
If you are unfamiliar with Steam, think of it as a service like ITunes, but for video games – with a friends list with chat and joining your friends’ games. It started off on Windows, but now it is branching out into different operating systems. Linux is going to be playing a big part with the new Steam Box and the new operating system Steam OS.
Valve took its time delivering the three announcements, each connected with the Steam Box, which has been rumoured since March 2012, but Valve has seesawed on the existence of the alleged hardware until now.
Steam OS
Monday September 23rd, Steam OS is revealed.
Steam OS is a Linux-based operating system built to stream Windows and Mac games, music, TV and movies from a computer to the big screen, along with support for Linux games. Steam OS will also allow users to stream over their home networks and onto their TVs. To top it off, Steam OS will soon be available for free.
Valve writes “In Steam OS, we have achieved significant performance increases in graphics processing, and now we’re targeting audio performance and reductions in input latency at the operating system level.”
“Game developers are already taking advantage of these gains as they target Steam OS for their new releases.” Valve talks about working with well-known media services for music, TV and movies on Steam OS. The new service incorporates Steam Family Sharing, allowing users to share their game libraries with friends and family, and will include robust parental controls.
Steam Box
Wednesday September 25th, The Steam Box exists.
Valve revealed the Steam Box under the name “Steam Machines.” These boxes will come in multiple forms and from different manufacturers in early 2014, but all Steam Machines will be shipped with Steam OS.
Valve is prototyping the Steam Machines by sending out 300 prototype boxes to Steam users for free to test. Steam has created an eligibility scheme so that you can be in the running to get a Steam Box to test (I have personally done this). So, if you would like to be in the run for a Steam box and have a steam account, login and join the “Steam Universe community group” and see if you are eligible, or how to become eligible, but this must be done before October 25th.
“Entertainment is not a one-size-fits-all world,” Valve writes. “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 Steam OS.”
Steam Controller
Friday September 27th, the bold Steam controller.
Valve revealed a new controller optimized for Steam and the upcoming Steam Machines, concluding the string of announcements aimed at bridging the gap between PC gaming and the living room. The controller will support the entire catalogue of Steam games released to date, and will include legacy support for the older titles that lack controller support.
Instead of using a well known method for a controller, Valve’s peripheral uses two track pads rather than thumbsticks and a directional pad. Balancing the lack of physical sticks, the controller uses haptic feedback, “allowing precise control over frequency, amplitude and direction of movement.”
The controller has additional features, such as a touch-enabled surface with a high-resolution screen. The screen can also be clicked as a button. When a player taps the touch screen, it displays an overlay on top of the game itself, so there will be no need to look down at the controller during gameplay. Valve also says, “The screen allows an infinite number of discrete actions to be made available to the player, without requiring an infinite number of physical buttons.”
With all the announcements made, there are still so many unanswered questions about the Steam Box, OS, and the controller – how much will it cost, etc… I will keep you up to date will all the Valve news, and if I am a lucky tester of the Steam Box. If any of you readers are lucky enough to get your hands on a machine, please write in to let us know how your experience is on a Linux gaming system.
Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21677119 (video)
http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/25/4762374/steam-box-hardware-spec