SteamOS is presented

[cobito]

Today begins a series of announcements around Valve's software distribution platform. What has been touched upon is the announcement of SteamOS, which appears to be the operating system that will power the Steam Box. After Gabe Newell's statement that Linux is the future of video games and the availability of more and more titles for the Linux version of Steam (1, 2, 3, 4…), it would not be surprising that the operating system runs on the Linux kernel. According to the official announcement, it will be free to download and will have a free license for hardware developers. This does not make it very clear what kind of license it will have, whether the source code will be released, whether modifications will be allowed, and so on. What it does seem to make clear is that Valve's primary goal will not be to sell hardware but to enhance its platform by making it available for more devices with the idea of "an operating system with a free license for manufacturers." That is to say that one might expect that with the release of SteamOS, SteamOS "consoles" from multiple manufacturers with all kinds of hardware would appear. I suppose something similar to Android as a system for smartphones from multiple brands.

[Yorus]

They definitely want to make their platform spread like foam because the business is in games. We'll see where it goes and if that will make it disconnect a bit from the PC world as we know it or if they will try to do something more standard that allows us to work and do other tasks. Personally, I think they are moving more towards the "consolized" PC, TVs, mobile devices..., with a very defined environment, perhaps like a kind of XBMC but also used to load games.

[cobito]

Ummm, things are getting interesting: Steam Machines

Not only will third-party hardware appear, but you will be able to choose a custom configuration.

What are the features of the Valve prototype?
We will tell you more about this soon. Remember, Remember, there will be various products to choose from, with a large number of different features, prices, and performance levels.

Can I build my own machine to boot it up with SteamOS?
Yes.

Can I pirate this product? Boot it up with another OS? Change the hardware? Install my own software? Use it to build a robot?
Sure.

It seems that it will be a generic x86 machine specially designed for gaming. This could perhaps give rise to the existence of configurations that offer great performance in games without having to sell a kidney to be able to buy it. Will it combine all the advantages of the console with all the advantages of the PC? The market will tell…

In a couple of days the third news will appear.

By the way, a few hours ago it was announced that nVidia is going to start publishing technical documentation about its GPUs so that the Nouveau project (the free driver for Linux nVidia cards) can offer a competent driver. Whispers say that Valve has been behind this although I cannot give any reliable source. This fact would give a conclusive clue about which manufacturer will power the graphics of Valve's hardware.

[cobito]

Me, last: a gamepad.

Can I use the controller if I don't have a Steam machine?
Yes, it will work perfectly with any version of Steam.

I am a developer, how can I include support for the Steam Controller in my game?
On the same day we ship the controller prototypes, later this year, we will release the first version of the API for developers.

It looks like they will be leaving quite a bit of freedom to use the gamepad on any platform where Steam can run.

[Yorus]

Well, Valve wasn't bluffing and it's proving it. I don't know which direction this will take, but although it looks like they want to "consoleize" the PC, on the other hand it seems that what they want to do is open up the world of consoles, since we'll be able to build our own PC that can use SteamOS.

We'll see what happens with the Windows and Linux versions of Steam, since the first one with the move to Windows 8 doesn't seem to be a goal for Valve, and the second one will depend on how much they want to remain compatible with the most common Linux distributions, as currently with Ubuntu and adaptable to others.

As for the controller I've read everything, but there are too many visionaries who already know it will be a success or a failure. Until I use it I won't give my opinion, although maybe this won't happen, because my graphics card is the most underutilized part of my PC because I don't play much.

[cobito]

@Yorus:

We'll see what happens with the Windows and Linux versions of Steam, since the former with the move to Windows 8 doesn't seem to be a target for Valve, and the latter will depend on how much they want to remain compatible with the most common Linux distributions, as they currently are with Ubuntu and adaptable to others.

The truth is that I don't think Valve will stop supporting Windows and Linux. Valve's most important goal is to make their platform accessible to as many users as possible because their business is in the service. I would say that the only purpose of this move is precisely that, to bring Steam to that sector of users that it could not access: console gamers who like to play sitting on their couch with their TV and controller, something that cannot be done with a PC unless you spend time and money conditioning it and don't mind having an expensive PC dedicated exclusively to gaming.

@Yorus:

As for the controller, I've read everything, but there are too many visionaries who already know it will be a success or a failure. Until I use it, I won't give my opinion, although this may not happen, because my graphics card is the most underutilized part of my PC due to how little I play.

I find it quite interesting from the point of view of handling. I must note that the last console I had was a Megadrive and the last one I played was a PS2, so I don't know what the current controllers are like. But what I see in this one is that it transfers the precision of the mouse to the controller and that is a determining factor because that has been the handicap of consoles since shooters have existed.

I already say that the market is unpredictable and that this, in the same way that it can be a resounding failure, can be a milestone in the world of digital entertainment.

In addition, the philosophy that Valve has taken on this matter (open, hackable, without limitations beyond purely technical ones...) is an added value. All those annoyances that cause opacity and obscurantism that Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft apply to their products cease to exist. And that's despite Steam applying DRM in its maximum expression.

[whoololon]

@Yorus:

Well, Valve wasn't bluffing and it's proving it. I don't know which direction this will take, but although it looks like they want to "consoleize" the PC, on the other hand it seems like what they want to do is open up the world of consoles […]

It looks more like they want to expand the world of consoles, sweeping everything they can from the PC world.
In any case, I agree with you: the news (from the original source) itself is murky and inconcise, it's like wanting to announce something without saying anything.
Maybe they got tired of reading in the forums about console players complaining that PC users could enjoy mods for games, which were sometimes better than the game itself. Who knows.;D

[cobito]

The SteamBox prototype specs have been posted. As expected, they will be pretty competent gaming machines:

GPU: some units with NVidia Titan, others with GTX780, with GTX760, and with GTX660.
CPU: Intel i7-4770, i5-4570, and i3
RAM: 16GB DDR3-1600 (CPU), 3GB GDDR5 (GPU)
Storage: 1TB/8GB Hybrid SSHD
Power supply: Internal 450w 80Plus Gold
Dimensions: approx. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 tall

All generic hardware except the case for which they will release the CAD blueprints.

More info: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamuniverse#announcements/detail/2145128928746175450

[_Neptunno_]

@cobito:

The SteamBox prototype specs have been released. As expected, they will be pretty competent gaming machines:

GPU: some units with NVidia Titan, others with GTX780, with GTX760, and with GTX660.
CPU: Intel i7-4770, i5-4570, and i3
RAM: 16GB DDR3-1600 (CPU), 3GB GDDR5 (GPU)
Storage: 1TB/8GB Hybrid SSHD
Power supply: Internal 450w 80Plus Gold
Dimensions: approx. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 tall

All generic hardware except the case for which they will release the CAD blueprints.

More info: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamuniverse#announcements/detail/2145128928746175450

Wow, what a bunch of cucumbers… more or less like my PC so I'm cool xD

Anyway I think this will give a strong push to Linux and the gaming world, but it will also bring Linux even closer to a lot of users.

Saludos!!

[cobito]

Steam controller video

[YOUTUBE-HD]eeAjkbNq4xI[/YOUTUBE-HD]

[Bm4n]

It's strange though being a prototype it's normal and it looks good, it's not ideal for shooters but it seems to handle better than a pad. Let's see how it compares to the ps4 controller that they've said will be compatible with PC...

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[cobito]

Valve has unveiled a prototype of the Steam Machines. It's what was expected: a normal x86 computer inside a custom-made box.

Before the year ends, 300 prototypes will be sent to beta testers.

[cobito]

This Friday the first units will be shipped of Steam Machines. On the other hand, from that moment on, images of SteamOS will be made available to the public, the Linux distro that Valve has created for the machine that, in theory, will work on any x86 computer and will be the first specifically focused on being used for commercial games.

[victorpexacos]

Is it known what distro it is based on?

[cobito]

I think absolutely nothing is known about the components it integrates. But it wouldn't surprise me if it were an independent distro with its own desktop environment. Anyway, Valve started by offering Steam in packages for Ubuntu, probably because it's the most popular distro, although who knows.

The truth is that I don't think it's a groundbreaking distro or that its development follows the philosophy of free software as we users of the system are accustomed to, but if it becomes popular, it will probably deeply affect the Linux ecosystem.

In a couple of days we will know what it's about.

[cobito]

Valve's OS is now available. As they mentioned, it's not suitable for Linux novices and its installation requires a hard drive exclusively for this system. Also, it seems that for now it is only compatible with nVidia cards so I don't know if it will work in virtual machines.

It will have its own window compositor that will allow for smooth transitions between games, Steam, and SteamOS.

It is based on Debian 7.1 (stable) with some updates such as a recent version of the graphics drivers or Kernel 3.10.

In the end, I have to eat my words about it being an independent distro and not following the usual free software philosophy because all the software contained in the system is open source and has a bug tracker.

Announcement.

Details.

[Yorus]

I'm glad it's based on Debian, in case you need to tweak it. The exclusive disc thing is a bit of a pain, but I wonder if Valve will fully migrate to this system or keep the current client for Ubuntu and derivatives.

On the other hand, Nvidiq continues to position itself better in the Linux world, and they better, because PS4 and XBox One are AMD territory.

[victorpexacos]

From what I've read, it also incorporates gnome 3 as a desktop and can be used as a normal debian system, adding repositories, installing any compatible package, etc.

I suppose the Steam Machine's graphics will be Nvidia since for now it only incorporates their drivers.

A distro based on beta, but I hope with a great path ahead.