Topic: The Steam Universe is Expanding

[gpw11]

Hmmm...
 I can sort of understand why Valve would do it that way. They don't want to support an entire OS, just their own little gaming corner of it. If you want an entire OS then you can go install Ubuntu and then run Steam on it...let Ubuntu handle the OS support.

So SteamOS is going to be used to run on a box you have dedicated to gaming and almost literally nothing else. If you want to do real Linux stuff you get real Linux and then run Steam on it. Or, considering Valve recently said they will not be making anything exclusive to SteamOS, you can just keep running your Windows box and ignore all this stuff.

I never really thought it was going to be any different and I think the people hoping for a completely new and fully functional Windows-esque operating system had their heads in the clouds.

[Xessive]

I've always been curious about the idea of an OS dedicated to gaming. Or imagine if a game would need to be installed and booted into like an OS all to itself with direct access to the hardware (assuming it is provided adequately). Imagine the performance? Then I realized that's essentially what consoles are.

[idolminds]

I just don't really know who the OS is aimed at. You build a kickass PC to run games and then slap SteamOS on it so it can do NOTHING ELSE? Ok so maybe you special built a system for the living room...and you're never going to want to use it for Netflix or Skype or even just displaying photos and video? If you're just a console gamer buying a Steam Machine as a console...thats going to be more expensive and not have as many games? Shit, even if you wanted to dual boot Win7 and SteamOS you have no reason to because there wont be any exclusives.

I guess making linux development a bit of a thing is nice, I'm just not sure what use this is ultimately going to have.

[Xessive]

I'm sure some systems might be dedicated but I think the idea is the streaming Steam Machine. If you have a system that's not crazy spec-wise but all it will do is stream to your living room from your beastly machine elsewhere, then it would make sense. Much like any streaming box (WD, Roku, Boxee) with its own proprietary OS.

[Cobra951]

Why would you spend beaucoup bucks on a streaming box, though?  This all so far makes no sense to me.  Maybe it's just a step in a planned evolutionary path for Valve.  As it stands, it brings nothing that can't be had with established systems already.  Console?  Covered.  Streaming?  Covered.  Linux?  PC hooked to TV?  Steam access?  All covered.  Now if you have a hardware-standard kickass system that can run PC games on a new streamlined OS which gives them direct hardware access, that's something new.

[Xessive]

First look: iBuyPower's Steam Machines prototype

[idolminds]

SteamOS download coming Friday

However, Valve advises to "wait until later in 2014" to try the OS "unless you're an intrepid Linux hacker already," suggesting the initial release of SteamOS won't necessarily be mainstream-friendly.

[Quemaqua]

Sure hope they do a better job with that than the laptop I bought from them. That was the one whose motherboard literally burned a hole in itself due to the obscene heat the fucking thing generated.

[idolminds]

Controller be changing.

[Xessive]

Steam Music on the way.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-reveals-steam-music-features/1100-6417502/

[Quemaqua]

I always found Steam to be the iTunes of the game distribution world. Now it can also be the iTunes of the music distribution world! Synergy, ladies and gentlemen.

[MysterD]

I always found Steam to be the iTunes of the game distribution world. Now it can also be the iTunes of the music distribution world! Synergy, ladies and gentlemen.

Hopefully, Steam's MP3 music prices compete w/ Google Play and Amazon MP3.
Seriously, GP gives away a fair amount of songs for FREE or real cheap in sales; and some albums when paying attention can be had for like $2-7.
Amazon MP3 is consistent and often matches GP and even has some albums for $5.

So, yeah - hopefully, Steam's competitive w/ the rest of the club.

[idolminds]

So far it seems to just be a built in music player and not a music store, though I wouldn't put it past them to start doing that.

[Xessive]

I just tested out the Steam In-Home Streaming beta and it is working incredibly well!

The first bit of good news is I can finally have two systems with Steam logged in. Once they're paired (which is also made extremely easy though Steam's settings), it's a simple operation. The "Installed" list of games shows you all the games that are installed (on both systems). Any game that is not installed on the system you're using with have a "Stream" button instead of "Play." It's so simple and painless.

The quality of the streaming can also be controlled through the settings. You can leave it to automatically adjust depending on your network capability or you can configure it to your liking e.g. only 1080p/720p/480p, manage network traffic, prioritization, etc.

I've tested it out with all sorts of games and the results are blowing my mind. The latency is really low, so games that are very sensitive still play really well. I've been playing Batman Arkham Origins, Castlevania Lords of Shadow 2 and Mirror of Fate HD (which is awesome if you love Metroidvania btw), and BioShock Infinite. The visual quality is fantastic, streaming at full 1080p, and I didn't experience any input delays. It felt like I was playing it as intended.

I haven't tested if it works with non-Steam games that are dded to the games list though. Hmm, it would be sweet if that works too!