I'd REALLY love to try out that controller.

I need to TOUCH that thing, I cannot even imagine how it controls.

We were using the Summer Sale thread to discuss it, but at this point it makes sense.

Quick link to those wanting to see their progress on the Steam Hardware Beta Candidate badge: http://steamcommunity.com/my/badges/15

The Steam universe group has a stickied thread with thousands of posts for people unable to get 10 friends. Kinda sad, really.

Anyway, I'm most interested in the controller, especially if the haptic feedback is any good. I also like having the buttons on the underside, because for YEARS I've wondered why no one has tried that since the N64. Considering how much focus they put on the trackpads, I would have thought that a pressure-sensitive trigger like the Gamecube had would make sense, too, but it doesn't seem to be in the cards. The buttons need serious improvement, though, especially the lower bar for easier reach.

Even if the whole exercise fails, you can bet that a lot of the tech from the controller will find its way into the next next gen consoles. Probably see it used on some laptops, too.

As for the Steam Machine (which is a far better term than SteamBox), I'm betting they'll do two major things to convince devs to code for Linux:
1) While it can be any configuration of hardware (I guess?) they'll have a simple rating system to know min-specs. Say a 1-5 scale, and it's rolling so each year (as new hardware comes out) the scale moves down one, so you'd have 2013 5 becomes 2014 4 becomes 2015 3 etc. Or just have two-three tiers per year and treat them like versions. "Supports Windows 9 or higher, Mac OS X-2 or higher, Steam Machine Module 12 or higher" This makes it easier for devs to target hardware instead of having to test a bazillion different configurations and cards, and easier for more casual game consumers to know if their SteamMachine can run it or not.
2) Increase the amount of money the publisher/devs take home if they do a simultaneous release for Windows and for SteamOS.

SteamOS will likely have a number of finely-tuned graphics libraries that can now be heavily relied upon that wouldn't otherwise appear in Linux or be a default part of the installation. Essentially creating a framework in addition to an operating system.

>>181032
They can't get 10 friends? Get out and play games, my nigs.

My issue is I can't get the controller achievement. I don't own a gamepad newer than the PS2 pad, hilariously enough. I can't stand using a controller at my keyboard and the only game genre I'd really desire one for is fighting games and I'm not a big fan of those.

Still. Dat Controller, I want to try it.

>>181036
Someone in the IRC group was offering to log into your Steam account on their computer, play a bit with their controller, then return it back to you once you have the badge.

I'd offer the same, but I'm lazy.

Very interested in trying the controller. Seems they put a lot of effort into it so I'm curious on how well it works.

The controller looks like they put all into trying and make one that could possibly play stuff like RTS but would play like hot garbage for action games. Half of the face buttons on the left side, what? Have fun trying to push them while moving.

http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/TommyRefenes/20130928/201219/My_time_with_the_Steam_Controller.php

Super Meat Boy dev gives the controller a try with SMB and Spelunky; thinks it works pretty well.

>>181039
Tell them thanks, but I'll have to decline since I'm not comfortable giving out a password.

>>181066
No, no, part of the process is that you change the password on your account before you hand it over, they play, tell you when you're done, and you go in and change the password back.

That's how I got my Tux.

>>181067
What's stopping him from changing the password himself?

>>181078
Steam Guard.

>>181080
oh

Interesting controller design... but keyboard macros are kind of super important for most of the games I play; so this clearly isn't a product for me.

Damn interesting design though.

>>181102
yea FPS with a controller is crap no matter how you work it.

>>181103
Was thinking more RTS and dungeon crawlers, but ya FPS's too to a lesser extent I suppose.

>>181102
While this is unlikely going to be a replacement for a super player, I think x/y/b/a/ will work for macro replacement for those with a few, simple macros.

For something like TF2, I envision this:
Left pad: movement
Left pad click: crouch (toggle?)
Right pad: direction
Right pad click: jump
Left trigger: M1
Right trigger: M2
Right bumper: M3 (middle button)
Left bumper: Medic

So you have x/y/b/a, the middle screen for macros that don't need to be called in the heat of battle, and that still leaves the two buttons underneath (which might actually make better M1/2 action buttons, we'll see.)

Depending on just how precise I can be with the touchpads, this might work for me because I only have 3 or 4 macros in TF2 (and using the config files, I can switch macros by class so each class can have a different macro fro the same button).

It would also work better in conjunction with the Oculus Rift, IMO.

Oh ho?

http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/17763/article/valve-s-just-trademarked-half-life-3/

(In Europe.)

>>181181
SHRIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!

>>181181
>Mighty No. 9 is about to hit 4 mil
>Sonic is now in Smash Bros U
>now this

Today is a good day for gaming.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/04/valve-steam-machines-beta-specs/
Steam Machine Beta program specs released:
>GPU: some units with NVidia Titan, some GTX780, some GTX760, and some GTX660
>CPU: some boxes with Intel : i7-4770, some i5-4570, and some i3
>RAM: 16GB DDR3-1600 (CPU), 3GB DDR5 (GPU)
>Storage: 1TB/8GB Hybrid SSHD
>Power Supply: Internal 450w 80Plus Gold
>Dimensions: approx. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 in high

>Valve says it isn't ready to show off the box just yet, but offers more details than the prototype's initial announcement: the prototype is built entirely from "off-the-shelf PC parts," and is "fully upgradeable." In fact, aside from the prototype's custom housing, Valve says, "anyone can go and build exactly the same machine." The company even plans on sharing the CAD files for the housing, should you wish to directly replicate Valve's efforts.

>>181300
isn't 450W too little for something like the Titan or a 780?

>>181308
Yeah, that does seem a weak for such cards. Perhaps they have some sort of streamlining in the mobo or SteamOS that means it doesn't need as much power?

>>181300
... how is this different than my gaming rig then?

>>181310
well a solid state drive does help curb some of that power needs and it its onboard GPU then that would again aid in better power use.

>>181316
It's actually a hybrid (1TB HDD, with an 8GB SSD used for storing the most-used files like the OS) so the power savings aren't as great as just an SSD (since it will still have to turn platters and move the head for anything else.)

>>181181
Looks like it was probably a hoax. :(
http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/01/half-life-3-trademark-filed-by-valve

>>181347
Watching Trademarks is not a great way to get games confirmed anyway. Companies trademark terms that they never use all the time to prevent other companies from using them.

>>181348
Yes, but after five years since Episode 2 and barely a mouse fart, those of us who want to see the story play out will grab onto any and everything possible. :(

>>181357
They won't work on it unless they want to. Doesn't matter how much it'll sell or how big the demand is.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/25/5146398/ibuypower-steam-machine-499-radeon-r9-270

>>183255
>For the price, you won't be getting Windows, only Valve's Linux-based Steam OS, which could be an issue starting out.
Oooooo so close Valve. So close.

>>183256
How are you at all surprised? Valve has been against Windows and for Linux sense W8 reared its deformed head.

Guys, that's not Valve's product. Yeesh.

>>183259
But it's clearly centered around its ideals.

>>183258
Doesn't matter; it can't run a vast majority of Steams library without Windows.

>>183264
Which is why more companies are going to start porting to it.
Or at least looking into it. Well see how successful they are at it.

>>183265
While having Steam's backing is a reason for companies to port to SteamOS (instead of porting to "Linux", though games made for SteamOS should work on other distros given the right packages,) I think they're doing it for the same reason that Valve is making SteamOS: Microsoft continues to build their Walled Gardens, mimicking Apple, which will make it harder for devs to put out games and will also take a cut of their sales. (At least, more than Steam would; I don't know what Valve's cut is.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXCbdn00pKY

>>183899
It's gorgeous.

>>183268
Eh; I'm still building a new gaming rig this January instead. I own too many "windows exclusives" to just go with the linux only steam box and I doubt much of my library would receive port support. Also even if the $500 price tag is true, I can still build a really nice PC for $200 less.

>>183924
You could likely dual-boot, and the given hardware would probably receive better support by Valve.

Steam Machine Tear Down

>>183954
So what are the possibility's when messing around with the Steam box guts after seeing this video? Would/could you guys change anything inside to beef up the power?

>>183969
depending on how the software is written it might be easiest to swap out video cards and hard drives. CPU and Memory might be a little harder depending on placement and stuff.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/235460/
IT BEGINS

>>184123
>The good news:
Holiday sale already started
The game releases pretty soon all things considered
Even at full price it's still a great discount
Boss fight and Theater Modes
Includes all DLC

>The Bad news
Doesn't look like any new content or rebalancing was done
Might not have any tie in items with TF2 I could sell

First generation Steam Machines revealed, about a dozen in total:
http://store.steampowered.com/news/12175/
Prices start at $499.

Here's their CES brochure, with pretty pretty pictures, which is taking FOR FUCKING EVER to load.
http://media.steampowered.com/store/steammachines/SteamMachinesBroc_WEB.PDF
But I wouldn't bother; half of them don't have full specs listed (and all the specs are basic, at that) and Alienware only has a picture of the case, nothing else.

>>184701
I actually had the opportunity to use one.

It's not bad, but do not drop the controller. I'm not sure how much it will change for release, but the plastic felt remarkably cheap.

Steam Machine won't be doing well anytime soon. Most are too expensive for what they are and you're better off installing Windows 8 or 7 on them. I am disappointed.

>>184733
Yeah. I was expecting something along the lines of "tiers", where the ones you buy are not as customizable but are a bit cheaper thanks to mass production, but these are all over the damn place.

Someone looking to get a new gaming rig who is also turned off by Windows 8 might look into one of these, but existing gamers (both console and PC) are not going to flock to these.

Anyone know if Valve will be selling the controller separately? If that's not uber-expensive, I would be interested in picking up just the controller and using it with my existing setup.

>>184734
Ya I'm a bit disappointed with how this all turned out. I thought there was going to be a base model that you could buy and upgrade yourself like a computer (because that's exactly what it is) but this... eh. Pass.
I like they're pushing Linux too, but most of my games are PC exclusive to start with so this won't work as a computer or console replacement for me like I was hoping.

Granted if it follows the same adoption path Steam took it'll be a few years before it gains traction.

...and then they collectively become the market leader.

500 bucks to play PC games on a TV?

>>184780
Versus $50 for an HDMI cable, Wireless keyboard and mouse.

>>184781
> Wireless keyboard and mouse

Absolutely disgusting.

Also, this is obviously not for somebody who already owns a gaming PC.

>>184785
Those people have consoles.
Consoles that are cheaper.

Yeah. With those prices and setups, all these are really good for are more reliable Linux compatibility (except for the "purists" who refuse to use binary blobs.)

If SteamOS gets some good exclusives, that might change things a bit, but there isn't going to be a wave of movement.

Touchscreen has been dropped from controller, replaced with regular buttons. New configuration is unknown, but it sounds like it's not the prototype/beta's "four corners" setup.
http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/15/steam-controller-changes/
Booooooooo.

>>184879
They're just going back to the first model I saw way back when the center was 4 large buttons anyway.
As long as the "track pad" bowls are left in place instead of D-pads or Analog Sticks it'll work because the second those things go, it's just another regular controller that's ass for most computer games.

>>184880
Right, the track pads are the big thing about the controller. However, when they first revealed it (see the OP image), they said it would have a touch pad in the middle that could have been used in a number of ways. But, since the focus is the track pads, the beta units they sent out just had four large buttons in the middle to do a bare-bones emulation of the track pad (which would work in a similar fashion, but shiny); I'm sure this also made them much cheaper to produce.

The final unit was supposed to have the touch pad, but now that's apparently changed. The Steam Controller link in the OP still has a large section about it, though.

Valve is going to release Steam Music, part of Big Picture and SteamOS. Group to join for Beta Invite: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/steammusic

Whether this is just support for playing music through Steam or an iTunes competitor is unknown.

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamuniverse#announcements/detail/1838898818826593734
New photo of the changes to the controller.

Considering how much extra attention the pads will need over D-pads, I'm disappointed in the button placement; I would think they'd be harder to reach in a timely manner. I would have preferred they went along each pad; that way you need only a relatively similar stretch for each.

>>186103
Looks like they tried that original and QA demand was at least high enough it was changed.

Little bit sad we've also sacrificed any pretense of having the touch pad but given the added cost, impracticality of it as a customizable technology and the spectacular and catastrophic failure of the WiiU it's hardly surprising it got axed.

We gotta wait to see what this looks like as a final product especially given it's a camel.

Still pumped though.