PC gaming leader Valve has officially unveiled its new gaming console, the Steam Machine, aiming to rival established giants like Xbox and PlayStation. This groundbreaking machine advances the original Steam Machine that was created back in 2014. It aims to provide gamers with a unique living room gaming experience that combines the benefits of a home console and gaming PC.
The Steam Machine runs a Linux-based SteamOS, providing an ideal platform for a tight integration with Valve’s huge gaming catalog. This portable black box device’s uniqueness lies in its versatility with no wires at all to the device providing a truly wireless gaming experience. It also natively delivers 4K resolution at 60 fps. This feature lures in high-end gamers who salivate over the highest possible graphics and performance.
Perhaps the most hyped feature of the entire Steam Machine platform is its custom controller. The controller’s bottom half is dominated by two large, clickable trackpads. These trackpads are similar to a computer mouse, providing users with detailed, precise control and navigation. The design utilizes an unusual strip cut-out around the bottom. This long strip, unique to any other Kindle, accommodates a power button and three USB ports for some unexpected ease of use.
Valve has touted the Steam Machine as a “streaming-first” device, suggesting it will focus more on online gameplay and streaming services. This method reflects the current state of the gaming world. Digital distribution and online multiplayer experiences just became extremely popular!
At present, about 25 million players are online on Steam at any one time. Of those, 6 million are actively playing, by Valve’s standards. This large and active user base might just give the Steam Machine a fighting chance in the brutal console wars.
“a powerful gaming PC in a small but mighty package” – Valve
The biggest disappointment to the gaming community will be the huge price jump from the last Steam Machine. That previous model was $499 (£300). That jump makes sense considering all the technology and new fancy-shiny features crammed into the new model.
So Valve this week revealed the upcoming release of the Steam Frame virtual reality (VR) headset. This addition, combined with the Steam Machine, takes its ecosystem of gaming products even further. With these latest moves, Valve is looking to strengthen its dominant place in the gaming industry. Simultaneously, it strikes a balance between the casual gamer and the hardcore immersive VR market.