SteamOS

Because that SFF cased HTPC with intel HD3000 GPU just can't run Crysis 3 under windows. Or that fist-sized Atom PC.

Not that many titles

This is where SteamOS comes to play: since it allows user to stream windows/steam games from that uber-powered gaming rig that's big and noisy in another room. A small low-powered (Atom?) HTPC can run anything that your gaming PC can? Since this is notebookreview, lets' say HTPC is old AMD Neo based netbook...

For the moment I can't really think many games that I'd rather play in living room than on my game PC. That's matter of taste however. There will be a killer app/game released in future, I'm sure of that.

I like the concept and I'll definitely test this when I can.

It's as scary as World War Z was a horror movie...

 

I really hope it won't resort to that. If that happens I probably just gonna pass it, just like I do with recent EA games.
It's already bad enough to have craploads of various programs to run a number of specific games. Imagine we would have to have installed like five different OSes to run games. Oh wait, we already have to do it too...

 

Wow no discussion of the new controller?

Sent from my G2

 

I think people are too busy crying into their beers that the third announcement wasn't Half-Life 3. I mean, the interwebz had worked themselves into a FRENZY about the unveiling of a game that, most likely, doesn't exist.

I think it looks cool, but I think its claim that it'll work for every game available on Steam is a bit overambitious. Borderlands and Call of Duty? Sure, no problem. But I don't see how you could command an RTS like Company of Heros or C&C3 with it (both of which are on Steam).

 

You mean they actually went to all that trouble of creating a new controller, despite the fact there is already a perfect controller (as in keyboard and mouse)?

Well, at least one game with number 3 was announced. That's a good news. Let's stay positive!

Maybe they've meant "every game available on Steam for Linux" .

 

I think a lot of people prefer a controller to KB&M when sitting on the couch in front of the TV, and that's what SteamOS is trying to capture.

 

I guess you're right.
Dammit Valve, stop spoiling PC Master Race with stupid couch gaming!

 

Yep, I agree... not meant to replace the keyboard and mouse at the desk, but when I'm on the couch or in the recliner, a well working controller would be awesome. I hope they are onto something and look forward to trying one as regular controllers are great for driving, flying, and action games, but I hate them for FPS or anything else.

Seems they are trying to emulate the mouse and keyboard type controls, so I don't see why it wouldn't work with any game on Steam. Of course if it's enjoyable or an improvement is the big question. I hate touch controls but do like trackpads, so I'm quietly optimistic and will definitely give one a shot when given the chance.

 

I'm ok with this actually, that's what I was complaining about before. You need a solid alternative to the existing controller to make gaming as responsive or as close to a keyboard and mouse. But yeah, controlling an RTS with such a controller with a game designed for keyboard mouse just doesn't seem like it'd cut it.

 

Real-time strategy games involve a LOT of hotkeys. A hotkey binding for each of your ten unit groups, a half-dozen action commands on the keyboard, keys for building specific buildings and units...there simply aren't enough buttons on a controller for this. The same is true with flight sims. Sure, the trackpads could handle your basic three control surfaces, but think about all the hotkeys in a serious flight sim (like IL-2 Sturmovik, which is on Steam) for everything from engine management to managing various sorts of ordinances.

 

I can only assume this scenario is where the middle touchscreen on the controller comes in and then pops up on the screen for additional menus or pages of related controls, ie an engine screen, an ordinance screen etc. They mention this in the description... and its not like cowl flaps are a split second must have handy all the time button

 

Good point, that would certainly work for IL-2, but not RTS games. And everything is a "must have handy all the time button" in the Command & Conquer series...

 

I see this as only the first version. I think the next version, or the final released version will show marked improvements. I hope it works, as I find the current console controllers to imprecise, and the KB & mouse hard to use on a couch. Too bad we need to wait six months at least.

 

Purchased this controller last year and it worked very well, seemed to be well designed, but it seems I just don't have the same kind of finger muscles I used to have as a kid playing 8-bit NES. Unfortunately anything other than keyboard and mouse, even this new Valve controller will probably make my hands or fingers to cramp up after a few hours.

Currently use this ergonomic Razer keypad together with this wireless trackball mouse, seems to be the most comfortable combo for any type of game, works fine on the living room sofa as well.

 

Curious, as I used to love trackballs but haven't used one in 15 years, how does it work for gaming? I've been curious but there just aren't that many still on the market. Is it a viable option of gaming? I'd love to find a good alternative to the mouse but a standard controller simply isn't it. Steam controller I look forward to but it's quite a ways off... maybe a trackball is the solution! Are FPS's a viable option with the trackball when not at the desk? I have to imagine they are better than I could ever possibly be aiming with a stick.

 

What about A-10 Warthog for example? I don't see how one could use a controller around virtual cockpit.
So this "works with every game" is a bit of exaggeration

 

Yeah, complex flight simulators you need every keyboard key available and then some.

 

This can be worked around... Simply hold down left trigger and all of your other buttons have a dual purpose. Same for right trigger. The game could make it so that they are not set by default and you set them as you like.

Something like, hold left trigger and hit A to save current selection. Then right trigger to attack /move.

Gabe has been looking to do this for many years. If there is any company that can pull this off, it's valve.

 

I find it allows for more precise movement, whether working in creative applications or adjusting aim in fps games, etc.

It will be interesting to see how the Steam controller works, but I suspect it will be just as uncomfortable as any other controller. Perhaps when I used controllers as a kid I had developed a callus on my thumb or some different sort of finger muscles, and so many years passed without using a controller that it became rather uncomfortable to use one for more than a couple hours.

This particular trackball mouse is wireless, often use it when gaming on the sofa in a sort of home theater room with laptop connected to 1080p projector via HDMI.

 

I hate controllers. And TV's too.

 

Sounds like you bloody hate everything

 

What? Nooo.

Every time i try to play a FPS on a console, i can barely move around/shoot. When i have KB+M i feel at home.

 

Before consoles I don't recall hearing about auto-aim...

But I do have high hopes for this new controller. I will wait for some real world reviews before I decide anything.

 

Yeah that is actually a really good controller, especially for battery life the thing lasts forever, but after about 2 and a half years of heavy use my triggers died, well they work sort of, but even when I am not touching the triggers, which is really annoying, so now I am waiting on all these next gen controllers to release to replace it .

 

Other than being able to play PC games (which is an obvious bonus - seems like the PC has way more games I'm interested in these days), what benefits would there be to buying a SteamMachine over, say, an Xbox One or PS4? Is it simply the fact that you can play your PC games on the television that makes this a big deal? (By the way, I already play my PC games on a 32" TV hooked up to my Alienware laptop via HDMI. But it's not in the living room, so there's that )

 

I suppose the advantage for the SteamMachine is that it is a real PC that can run applications, and don't know about the pricing but isn't it supposed to be comparable in price to a console?

 

"You complete me...."

"You had me at KB+M"

 

This is just Valve being cry babies about Windows. That's how I see it.

Cry more Valve.

 

Personally I don't think a monopoly is good for any industry. As a consumer I like competition. So good luck to Valve.

 

I see this as good on many levels. One is competition tends to improve all products. This could reduce the price fir Windows, why pay for Windows when you can do the same things in Linux for free.

This is the gaming thread, so many have high end gaming systems. So what does this offer you? How about better performance out of your current hardware. Imagine paying for a 770M, but gett the performance of a 780M without overclocking.

 

I agree 100%, and I'm a Windows user (but the more competition there is, the better everyone's products are). The main thing is I just don't see what SteamOS offers that Ubuntu+Steam doesn't already offer, and you can be sure that Canonical has done a LOT more work into the non-gaming aspects of the OS than Valve has.

 

1 click wonder for people who cant make a usb boot drive.

 

I think you said it, the non-gaming aspects. I think Valve is focusing on the gaming aspects. Like better, and faster drivers. Better performance. Maybe things like voice chat. Etc.

 

Once Steam releases it, along with their magical controller and their alien SteamBox I'd like to see who jumps the gun first lol

 

Cry more Valve!

Also any of you actually used Linux and tried to install drivers for switchable graphics?

When you actually try to do the above, then come back with your joyous support for Valve's temper tantrum.

Cry more Valve.

 

Do you really need to post twice trying to make your point? Don't be ridiculous. And it's awesome that Valve is doing this. Tired of Windows and it's monopoly. As long as there are good drivers, I'll swtich to it anytime.

 

This isn't about giving customers more choices. This is Valve crying because they don't want to work with Microsoft anymore or pay MS a fee. It's about Valve being a greedy corporation trying to use FOSS to reduce even more overhead costs.

This has nothing to do with you or gamers. This is all about money. Don't fool yourself into thinking, oh yay, more competition to MS, yay more choices. Anyone who thinks that, frankly I think is an idiot.

As I said, this is just Valve crying and having a temper tantrum.

Oh and come back joyously when you've actually used Linux and actually tried installing switchable graphics drivers. You tell me how usable Linux is and come back when you actually see how well your GPU performs with Linux.
- Only thing Linux is good for is programming, web dev, web server and compiling apps without having to use MS Studio. Frankly most times when I use Linux its all text, no graphics at all.
- I seriously laugh at anyone who is excited about using Linux for gaming. This is so stupid it's not funny anymore.
- Most of you who are excited about SteamOS I suspect have never attempted to use Linux. I think Ubuntu sucks. Mint sucks. Debian sucks. For desktop use, I think Linux sucks. Sucks a lot.
- You can't even install Nvidia drivers with Ubuntu/Mint from Nvidia. Oh right, because Nouveau is built right into the kernel and even if you purge it, at boot it will reinstall or just remain there. You can try to blacklist it, then it may just screw up everything. Then you just have a nice black screen, no mouse, no terminal, nuthin. Hell even installing Intel Graphics is a pain unless you use the crappy drivers included in the packages. Intel only supports certain distros so if you use Mint, you have to fool Intel into believing you are using Ubuntu. Frankly I think Nouveau is worse than any trojan/malware I've encountered on Windows.
- Want to know what the current Nvidia drivers are for Ubuntu? Yeah it's 304. And 304 doesn't support Optimus. 319 does, but good luck getting that installed. Pfft, whatever, be happy about something that is as unfriendly towards notebook gaming as possible. Windows has far better power management for laptops.
- It's no wonder why Nvidia and Intel etc treat Linux like it's a puss sore.

The FOSS drivers suck, they suck so much. I can't say suck enough when describing FOSS drivers. Even intel wireless sucks. Not nearly as responsive or as quick as Windows drivers I've found. And audio drivers? Sucks more. Nothing compared to what you get when you install Realtek on Windows.

Oh and for all you who like to bash Apple? Well guess what, all the desktops available for Linux distros look like Apple OS and function as Apple OS nearly. It's sickening, makes me barf using Linux desktop sometimes, I feel so dirty that a FOSS would try to emulate the worst closed/proprietary system.

I only boot into Linux when I want to mess around and attempt to build something. Or to mess with my web server as frankly I prefer booting into Mint than to use cygwin. Other than that, Windows is superior for ease of use and personal desktop use in every way. For one, Windows 8 boots faster. Chrome/Firefox is more stable. I've had Firefox/Chrome crash plenty on Linux. Yeah even browsing the web is more pleasant on Windows. Driver support and performance is far superior on Windows. Messing with file system like EXT 2, EXT 4 and swap partitions, yeah way more pain in the than Windows. Even installing Windows is a breeze compared to Linux. Try installing Realtek drivers? Yeah that's a pain too, and messing with the audio mixer? Again pain in the . Nothing on Linux compares to Foobar2K... Nothing. Oh and Libre Office? Looks and feels like trash compared to the real Office.

I think it's hilarious you will be dual booting into SteamOS just to play a few games or stream games from your Windows machine when Windows has far better driver support and ease of use for personal desktop. Actually I don't find it hilarious, I think it's sad and pathetic since it seems most of you haven't even used Linux but cheering and all happy about something you know nothing about.

 

So you'd prefer a world without risks, where everyone dances to M$'s beat of the drum because its what we know? and somehow that's more choice for the consumer ?

SteamOS might suck, it might not. Can't knock them for trying whatever the motivation, Rome wasn't built in a day.

 

Wow, a lot of sucks, fool, idiot, stupid.. Pardon me, but I normally don't type that type of language.

It is difficult to take your points serriously with that type of language, expecially when used extensivly.

 

Steam OS is going to fail hard. Zymphad is spot on about Linux. Windows has its flaws but it's much better than any distro I've used on Linux.

Valve is doing this to try to stay relevant but I think in the end it will be origin that takes them down. Steam is becoming more and more of an indie platform.

Sent from my GT-N7000

 

So if Linux is bad now, then it will always be bad?

Both Nvidia and AMD have pledged support for Linux. Things are changing.

 

While he didn't bother to present his case politically correct ha, I have to agree with Zymphad as well. I have tried to give several Linux distros the benefit of the doubt as well, and every time I come running back to Windows for a pile of reasons and get tired of trying to find work arounds for what Linux lacks or is just plain above my level of experience to figure out or care to learn. I'm very happy with Windows; it does what I want easily and fast, and allows me to seamlessly play all the games I want to play as well as run my business day to day. Why complicate matters with a needless dual boot scenario?

I really like Steam, and have heavily invested in their services and hope they are relevant and profitable indefinitely, but I can't say I'm excited about their own OS either. It's just something else to get working and keep updated etc... totally pointless and not needed, and honestly probably isn't even relevant to dedicated hardcore PC gamers that are willing to shell out $$$ every year or two on updated hardware. But, if they start releasing exclusives to the OS to attempt to force it on us, it will get rather frustrating.

I too see it as simply a way they are trying to carve out a bigger piece of the pie profit wise much more so than as a way they are trying to service their customers in a "better" way. Until they force it on me, that's ok, but when it becomes required to play their new games, I consider it a problem.

On a different note however, I am really excited to see their new proposed controller come together.

 

If they figure out a way to optimize gaming (the same way a console is optimized by the hardware) it might be worth it. I realize it is a terrible comparison and probably not relevant but IF the OS environment is more dedicated to "gaming" it could be worth it.

 

@Zymphad

Calling a corporation "greedy"? It's a business. It exists to make money. Same with game developers, same with hardware manufacturers. Valve is motivated by making money, but so is every other player in this game. Calling Valve a "greedy corporation" is about as nonsensical as spelling Microsoft with a dollar sign. It's silly.

Do I like Linux? Personally, no. I've fiddled around with Ubuntu and I didn't like it at all. Do I like Windows? Yeah, actually, quite a lot. Am I going to bash people who are excited about this or into this? NO. Why not? Because a more diverse market benefits all consumers. I don't think this is going to crush Windows gaming, but if it makes even a small dent in Windows gaming, it'll be a spur in the side of Microsoft to keep innovating and improving. Just like OSX has pushed Microsoft to improve Windows in the past, and just like the growth of ARM computing (people using iPads and Android tablets as their primary computing device) is making Intel get serious about decreasing the energy usage of their processors and improving the performance of their Atom lineup. All consumers win in a highly-competitive market.

 

I dont use Linux on the regular but I have tried 3 different versions of late and had no issues with any of them. Everything is so GUI driven now its just like Windows really for the average user, it would only be the back end admin stuff that would be a lot to learn.

When you can build a cheap computer for $500.00 and then have to pay $100+ for the Windows license I can see how going with Free Linux will really help keep cost down for a cheap gaming pc (system) and the more popular it is the more you can expect it to advance to be better and easier to use. Steam likes mods, there new way of introducing mods into gaming has taken off big and Linux being open source will allow the guys with the thick glasses and big brains to apply some of there personal knowledge to make your experience better.

Personally I trust those guys more than the ones who work for major companies sometimes to deliver a good product. Just think say XDA Developers and all the CM ROMS you can put on an Android device as compared to your carriers limited stock ROM.

Heck even my MP3 player is using custom firmware that is 20x better than stock.

 

That will be a very hard feat considering Steam carries over 2200 games:
Steam Search

And Origin only 144:
https://www.origin.com/en-us/store/browse/pc-download/basegame-ANW.html?q=

And only a handful are unique to Origin.

And Indie games gain more and more popularity because they aren't constrained by the likes of massive dictatorial and money grubbing hands of publishers like EA.

 

If we don't start on Linux, we will never move on. Fail hard indeed, it sucks indeed. I sure as hell will barely use it.

But sky is the limit, Linux gives us immense experiences to explore, so relax please.

 

Benefit of competition aside, here's an idea for your inevitable future MS Windows vs GNU/Linux discussions:

When talking about consumer personal computing, the ONLY thing that matters to the end user is the UI. Grandmas and CoD masters don't have any interest in fancy kernel designs, neither should they. So how about we forget the Linux concept all together, and focus on DE vs DE? Something like Gnome 3 vs Win7 Aero? 13.10 Unity vs Win 8.1? Or whatever-Stream-OS-will-have vs whatever-the-next-MS-product-will-have?

 

If valve doesn't risk failing they aren't innovating. Bring on SteamOS. I'll be right there testing it out to see if it fits in my gaming world.

 

Personally, I am most interested in the streaming function. If the streaming feels latency free on a 5ghz wifi, then I don't need to buy large gaming laptops with high wattage gpu's any more. I'll go back to building a desktop as a server and stream to a ultrabook.