77 réponses à ce sujet

[deuce985]

I don't understand how Linux is a healthy thing? Doesn't that basically eliminate any possibility we can link Steam accounts and just play all our PC games on the Box? Most games don't run on Linux. So how is it going to launch with "thousands of games".

I can't see that as being a smart decision, unless I'm missing something.

The biggest thing for me is the open platform. I wonder if that means modding will be allowed? Too many times I read about the handicaps Sony/M$ put on their devs on their console. Example, you have to pay to release patches on PS3/360. Another handicap is DLC/patch size limits on both networks. High royalty demands, etc. Steam Box could attract more development...

Modifié par deuce985, 07 janvier 2013 - 05:33 .

[Chromie]

deuce985 wrote...

I don't understand how Linux is a healthy thing?

Valve is definitely up to something.

[Cyberarmy]

Skelter192 wrote...

deuce985 wrote...

I don't understand how Linux is a healthy thing?

Valve is definitely up to something.

I think they are  trying to make every game playable on linux with their linux version of steam. Because as deuce985 mentioned there are not many games working on linux. I dont think they go for linux only games.
But how they are going to do such thing is beyond my mere understanding

[naughty99]

deuce985 wrote...

I don't understand how Linux is a healthy thing? Doesn't that basically eliminate any possibility we can link Steam accounts and just play all our PC games on the Box? Most games don't run on Linux. So how is it going to launch with "thousands of games".

Article says...

Valve electronics engineer Ben Krasnow reportedly confirmed that the Steam Box will run on Linux as well.

Doesn't seem likely that it would only run Linux and not Windows. It's available to run on Linux for Linux fans (and perhaps there might be some frame rate improvements for some games), but big picture mode already runs OK on Windows 7.

People don't tend to buy PCs solely for gaming, everyone needs to use other applications. I don't have any particular loyalty to Windows, but so far there is no Linux equivalent to Adobe Creative Suite or most of the other apps I use.

Modifié par naughty99, 07 janvier 2013 - 11:05 .

[Chromie]

Steam’s December hardware survey shows early Linux take-up

[wolfsite]

www.gnu.org/philosophy/nonfree-games.en.html

An interesting write in regards to Linux and Programs like Steam using it.

[Chromie]

Confirmed: Valve will exhibit living room PC hardware at CES


EDIT: Xi3 had a kickstarter for their modular motherboards maybe Valve is working with them on this.

Modifié par Skelter192, 08 janvier 2013 - 03:59 .

[Gatt9]

Cyberarmy wrote...

Skelter192 wrote...

deuce985 wrote...

I don't understand how Linux is a healthy thing?

Valve is definitely up to something.

I think they are  trying to make every game playable on linux with their linux version of steam. Because as deuce985 mentioned there are not many games working on linux. I dont think they go for linux only games.
But how they are going to do such thing is beyond my mere understanding

Several ways.

First,  theoretically,  nothing prevents a user from installing windows on the box,  it's a PC after all.  That's up to the user though.

Second,  since most games today are developed targeting the ancient hardware of the existing consoles,  there's plenty of cycles to spare,  and can be run through things like Wine.

Third,  Valve could write a wrapper that translates DirectX calls to OpenGL calls in Assembly,  making it very fast performing and should have little negative impact.

Fourth,  studios could convert their existing titles to Linux.  Depending on the engine it could be easy (Unity) or hard (In house).  Many games are already able to support Linux,  because IIRC,  the PS3 is Linux based so the engines would have to have significant support already.

I'd imagine we're looking at a combination of the last three.

[Cyberarmy]

Could this be   "The Steambox"?

[Inquisitor Recon]

Dammit Gaben. I'll buy one if you give me Episode 3. I'll buy two even! Why do you torture me like this?

[Cyberarmy]

ReconTeam wrote...

Dammit Gaben. I'll buy one if you give me Episode 3. I'll buy two even! Why do you torture me like this?

Sadly there is not even a little hint about HL 3/Ep 3... They should have at least made Ep3 and gave some closure for HL2 but no...... Lets troll the fans!

Longer fans wait higher their expectations become. In HL 3 case it's nearly K2 high.

[Chromie]

I wouldn't be surprised if Half Life 3 was exclusive to PC/Steambox.

[billy the squid]

Cyberarmy wrote...

Could this be   "The Steambox"?

Sweet. This is actually rather interesting, something Valve may well have looked at. Console gaming's ease of use and the necessity of PCs to be upgraded as well as the potentially daunting prospect of upgrading a PC with little knowledge of how to do so.

If consoles are designed with a modular system in mind, upgrading them would certainy be more PC like, but far easier, for people with little to no knowledge or inclination to do so. It also seems to reap longer term benefits from the revenue of upgrading the system, over the years, rather than simply buying a new console every 5 years. 

[RinuCZ]

I have to say the concept of upgrades could be a real deal-maker. #pleased

It definitely allures a lot of people but I'm worried about a general lack of freedom with Steam (region policy, DRM, exclusivity, unpleasant to deal with for indies, etc.). It could push many things forwards, e.g. Linux gaming or a higher rate of console games converted to PC, but Valve also has many traits typical for console creators.

Either way, I'm curious how everything'll unfold. I keep fingers crossed that it won't be another closeted system hoarding exclusives.

Modifié par RinuCZ, 08 janvier 2013 - 03:32 .

[wolfsite]

Cyberarmy wrote...

Could this be   "The Steambox"?

First thing that jumped into my mind was Ouya.  Honestly though I hope this doesn't work, more because these systems appear to be pure digital meaning the companies have more power over the games then the people who buy them.  EG: If you purchase a game you won't be able to resell it which I know would hurt some gamers on a budget who essentially trade in old games to get new ones.  This also means console DRM such as always needing to be online or checking with publisher servers just to play the game.  More and more freedom being taken away from the consumer.

Also as we have seen with digital gaming a ton of clones can pop up, many of them bad....... go look at project greenlight, which would make it difficult for the cream of the crop to float to the surface.

Guess this means this gen is the end of collecting video games for collectors.

[Inquisitor Recon]

Cyberarmy wrote...
Sadly there is not even a little hint about HL 3/Ep 3... They should have at least made Ep3 and gave some closure for HL2 but no...... Lets troll the fans!

Longer fans wait higher their expectations become. In HL 3 case it's nearly K2 high.

Gaben won't be satisfied until there is a cult making human sacrifices in front of Valve HQ.

[Inquisitor Recon]

Galvanization wrote...
At this point, it's not even worth the weight.

So you're saying we need to offer them up as food to Gaben?

[naughty99]

billy the squid wrote...

Cyberarmy wrote...

Could this be   "The Steambox"?

Sweet. This is actually rather interesting, something Valve may well have looked at.

They didn't merely look at it, they invested in the company and have already announced that Xi3 is making the Steambox.

[Chromie]

Galvanization wrote...

ReconTeam wrote...

Cyberarmy wrote...
Sadly there is not even a little hint about HL 3/Ep 3... They should have at least made Ep3 and gave some closure for HL2 but no...... Lets troll the fans!

Longer fans wait higher their expectations become. In HL 3 case it's nearly K2 high.

Gaben won't be satisfied until there is a cult making human sacrifices in front of Valve HQ.

At this point, it's not even worth the weight.

I see what you did there. 

[Inquisitor Recon]

I really hope the whole "a fat joke a day keeps Episode 3 away" adage isn't true. The lack of any sort of mention about the entire Half Life franchise is cruel. But Gaben does not require food for substance, just the shattered dreams of those fans.

[naughty99]

It seems the "Piston" is one of several different prototypes



Damn that thing is tiny! It's about the size of a hamster.

While they couldn't discuss the price, they did say the device is based on its "performance level" X7A, which is priced at $999.

More info on the X7A:

Xi3’s new X7A Modular Computer is designed specifically for gamers, engineers and power users. Housed in the standard Xi3 chassis that measures 4.27x3.656x3.656-inches, the X7A Modular Computer packs a real wallop, especially for a machine roughly the size of a grapefruit that draws a mere 40Watts of power.

The X7A Modular Computer is available with up to

- A quad-core 64-bit, x86-based 32nm processor running at up to 3.2GHz (with 4MB of Level2 Cache),
- An integrated graphics processor (GPU) containing up to 384 programmable graphics cores (or shaders),
- 4GB—8GB of DDR3 RAM,
- 64GB—1TB of internal solid-state SSD storage (with up to 12Gbps throughput speeds),
- Three display ports providing maximum resolution of 4096x2160 (including 1 DisplayPort v1.2 and 2 Mini-DisplayPorts v1.2),
- Four eSATAp 3.0 ports,
- Four USB 3.0 ports,
- Four USB 2.0 ports,
- 1Gb Ethernet port, and
- Three audio ports (1 input and 2 outputs: 1 copper and 1 optical).

Designed to be used as a standalone machine or in clustered configurations, the X7A will run any x86-based Operating System, including Windows 8 and lower, Linux, UNIX, etc. Prices for quad-core versions of the X7A Modular Computer will begin at $1,100, with General Availability starting in February 2013.

http://www.businessw...ils-Xi3-Modular

Modifié par naughty99, 08 janvier 2013 - 10:59 .