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If DECK is successful, Steam console will follow.

sunnysideup

Banned
If steam deck is successful, we are bound to see a new type steam console class of hardware.

The idea behind the deck is to get other hardware manufacturers to make the deck once the software platform is established. And if valve can get the software/hardware working we will see a console in the same vein within a year or two.

This will make the entry level pc-console much much more accessible, cheaper to the big masses.

Just think when you can buy a steam deck, steam console from cheap brands like asus, lg, msi, lenovo, tcl,

Its going to be the new gaming standard like dvd.
 
Isn’t that Steam Machines? They already tried that. I just think they want to carve out a new product category for PC gaming. Portable PC gaming.
They tried it as their own initiative.

This would be market driven instead. Steam Machines failed because of confusion, inadequate software, and manufacturer hesitance. This time, if the Deck succeeds, it would prove the software is ready and the market is willing, thus manufacturers would be much more ready to agree upon specific "tiers" of prebuilt PC, and ship them with SteamOS preinstalled, knowing that it's actually a desirable and desired product.

That said, I still don't think it will happen. They'll make SteamOS 3.0 available for free, and people will just install that as usual (or buy prebuilt desktops or laptops with the OS installed). There will be no specs standardization, it'll just be another OS in the mix, except one known specifically as a "gaming OS".

What I wonder though, is whether the Steam Deck might lead to standardizing the new class of hardware, the "deck", a mobile PC form factor that is not strictly for productivity or entertainment, and isn't designed with portability to the detriment of all else. The name's likely inspired by Shadowrun's "cyberdecks", anyway. Basically, it'd be the name for a slightly less portable "tablet hybrid PC" that has specialized hardware built in.

Thus the Steam Deck is a "gaming deck", a portable handheld PC for gaming, with built-in gamepad. Something like the Cintiq Companion is an "art deck", with robust stand and extra art controls, plus stylus dock (and digitizer, obviously). Both are still PCs in their own right, can still be used as such, but they have a specific purpose in mind foremost.
 
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sunnysideup

Banned
Ive seen multiple interviews with the valve folks where they have stated they wanted other hardware manufacturers to get on board.

I am to lazy to find them.
 

Fredrik

Member
it was half assed.

The deck is the forerunner for an new platform standard.
Okay but why the ASUS, MSI, LG consoles? I don’t think a closed up design will work unless there is a standardized hardware. Having a million different variations with unique driver issues and varied hardware quality etc just makes it less accessible.
 

sunnysideup

Banned
Okay but why the ASUS, MSI, LG consoles? I don’t think a closed up design will work unless there is a standardized hardware. Having a million different variations with unique driver issues and varied hardware quality etc just makes it less accessible.

The steam console/deck is mostly a software platform. I hardware spec will probably be open, but not completely open.
 

BennyBlanco

aka IMurRIVAL69
Isn’t that Steam Machines? They already tried that. I just think they want to carve out a new product category for PC gaming. Portable PC gaming.

Steam Machines were not designed or manufactured by Valve. They just provided the OS for shitty prebuilts from alienware etc.
 

Codes 208

Member
Ive seen multiple interviews with the valve folks where they have stated they wanted other hardware manufacturers to get on board.

I am to lazy to find them.
It was during the ign Q&A but they mean other variations of the steam deck handheld, like a microsoft or lenovo branded portable
 
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StreetsofBeige

Gold Member
Isn’t that Steam Machines? They already tried that. I just think they want to carve out a new product category for PC gaming. Portable PC gaming.
And they flopped. High price, like 10 different ugly looking models and I think the game support stunk due to Linux.

You never know. Maybe if they just focused on one really good, sleek and well priced Steam machine, it can work.
 

justiceiro

Marlboro: Other M
Is literally the other way around. Deck exist because no other company can take the costs so low. Steam machines failed for this very reason.
 

RoboFu

One of the green rats
umm in a time where people are waiting to see when consoles end you want to add another one? lol


but really this is the problem w ith steam machines. People cannot grasp the concept that they are not consoles, they dont work like consoles. There is no guarantee games wwill run or run well.
 
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Fbh

Member
The appealing thing about the deck is the form factor, paired with a well liked and recognized brand like Valve and with a relatively affordable price.
A "home console" version of the deck, provided Steam keeps their focus on openness and flexibility, would essentially just be a pre build PC that ships with Steam OS.

The only way I can see such a product being relevant is if they manage to offer it for a low price. If they can sell a decent quality pre build PC that's actually cheaper than building one yourself I guess I could see it becoming a thing.
But unlike a traditional consoles, there's no closed ecosystem that would help the company offset the low hardware profits, so I doubt Steam would go for it.
 

Jagz

Member
Steam OS is going to particularly be great for people that specifically want to build HTPC's. You could download KODI for Linux, and launch it as a shortcut from Steam, for example.
 

Beer Baelly

Al Pachinko, Konami President
steambox_met_controller.jpg
 

01011001

Banned
I think now a Steam console could have a chance... but also only if Valve does a single SKU with the same aggressive pricing as the Steam Deck

Steam Machines failed because they were literally overpriced PCs with shitty cases and running Linux (which back then still meant barely any Windows compatibility and only a few native Linux games)

now tho, with Series X like hardware, specialised like the Deck, it could work.

maybe even go all out and release a 700€ system that outclasses the Series X

but all I really want is a revised Steam controller! I want the same functionality of the Deck but in an ergonomic controller shape
 
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MaKTaiL

Member
Steam Deck is a glorified PC. I don't think they will. And I really think Steam Deck isn't going to be as sucessful as you guys think it will be. Only time will tell.
 

01011001

Banned
Steam Deck is a glorified PC. I don't think they will. And I really think Steam Deck isn't going to be as sucessful as you guys think it will be. Only time will tell.

well currently the Deck could quite literally not be more successful than it is. they are already telling people that it can take up until Q2 of 2022 to get the system shipped.

so basically, if they keep selling as many as they can manufacture, it's a success
 

MaKTaiL

Member
well currently the Deck could quite literally not be more successful than it is. they are already telling people that it can take up until Q2 of 2022 to get the system shipped.

so basically, if they keep selling as many as they can manufacture, it's a success
Cyberpunk sold millions of copies around the world. It still failed as a game. Sure, they might make a profit out of this but it might just be temporary. I personally don't understand the buzz around a 1.6TF/64gb device that costs as much as a PS5. People keep throwing the "BUT IT'S PORTABLE" card at me to justify but honestly I don't usually play anything when I'm out. But to each their own I guess. I still think it's way overpriced for what it offers.
 
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01011001

Banned
Cyberpunk sold millions of copies around the world. It still failed as a game. Sure, they might make a profit out of this but it might just be temporary. I personally don't understand the buzz around a 1.6TF device that costs as much as a PS5. People keep throwing the "BUT IT'S PORTABLE" card at me to justify but honestly I don't usually play anything when I'm out. But to each their own I guess. I still think it's way overpriced for what it offers.

they sell it at a loss most likely, at best they break about even, so how can it be overpriced?

this is cutting edge tech, handheld systems have their limitations, if those limitations are a deal-breaker for you is if course completely subjective, but objectively the Steam Deck is not overpriced
 
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MaKTaiL

Member
they sell it at a loss most likely, at best they break about even, so how can it be overpriced?

this is cutting edge tech, handheld systems have their limitations, if those limitations are a deal-breaker for you is if course completely subjective, but objectively the Steam Deck is not overpriced
16:10 LCD Screen
64GB eMMC (can't fit most games nowadays)
1.6TF GPU
Linux (ok, you can always install Windows I guess)

high quality GIF


EDIT

And Valve does not have a very good track record for supporting these new ideas in the long run so my guess Deck will die out in a year or two.
 
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01011001

Banned
16:10 LCD Screen
64GB eMMC (can't fit most games nowadays)
1.6TF GPU
Linux (ok, you can always install Windows I guess)

high quality GIF


EDIT

And Valve does not have a very good track record for supporting these new ideas in the long run so my guess Deck will die out in a year or two.

a 1.6TF RDNA2 GPU inside a handheld is cutting edge tech yes.

cutting edge tech is not the same as cutting edge performance.

also using the lowest model to support your argument with the eMMC storage is not fair as the other 2 models use m.2 SSDs

and also, all the games that Valve showed running on th Deck were running off of an SD card in the SD card slot every model has.
yes you read that right, every game we have been seen running so far on the Deck ran on an SD card.
 
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MaKTaiL

Member
a 1.6TF RDNA2 GPU inside a handheld is cutting edge tech yes.

cutting edge tech is not the same as cutting edge performance.

also using the lowest model to support your argument with the eMMC storage is not fair as the other 2 models use m.2 SSDs

and also, all the games that Valve showed running on th Deck were running off of an SD card in the SD card slot every model has.
yes you read that right, every game we have been seen running so far on the Deck ran on an SD card.
I'm comparing it to what a $399 Digital PS5 has to offer which is the same price as the lowest Deck model. Anyway, let's wait and see.
 
For a handheld console-like, more-or-less mass-manufactured product? It's got the same architecture as the newest consoles, better memory bandwidth per processing power than said consoles, and aside from a few things like the screen and SD card slot, nothing else about it is below par for high-end portable devices. So yeah, for a handheld it's quite cutting-edge tech. It literally uses an APU that is more advanced than any portable device has, something that hasn't even been *announced* yet.
 
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Thirty7ven

Banned
Lmao, so a steam machine, oh wait better yet, a PC? Fucking hell man.

And oof at those who think Steam will sell the deck at a loss…. Get a fucking grip.
 
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junguler

Banned
steam deck is already a console if you want to think of the plug and play nature of the them but it won't be a walled garden that restricts your options, charges you money to play online etc etc ...
 

KAL2006

Banned
The Steam Deck seeks to be good value for the tech inside. Building a gaming PC is very expensive, if Valve can match the power of a Series X and price it the same then I'd be interested.
 

Sorcerer

Member
A Steam Machine nowadays would have to be built with an APU as opposed to a GPU to keep the costs down I would imagine. That's probably fine for a handheld or console gamers, but probably not PC gamers.
 
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