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Valve is about to win the console generation

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Re: Valve is about to win the console generation

#311

Post by moomin »

Normal_gaussian wrote: post #60
robomc wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah I mean... can I play Fortnite, BF6 or the upcoming GTA on steamOS?

Probably not. Kernel level anti cheat is the problem. I know BF6 isn't proton safe. Fortnite is the same. GTA VI will probably run single player on proton fine, GTA V does. Multiplayer will probably not. The multiplayer with kernel level anti cheat will keep Sony safe through at least another generation; Microsoft is less safe as they're so vulnerable this generation anyway.

After the CrowdStrike debacle, it’s amazing Microsoft isn’t coming for kernel-level gaming patches.

Re: Valve is about to win the console generation

#312

Post by embedding-shape »

Orygin wrote: post #283
embedding-shape wrote: post #278

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Valve also said something like "ARM gaming won't be a thing for us for a very long time", but seems tides can change :) I wouldn't put too much weight into any publisher/developer saying what they aren't doing, even if they were working on HL3, they'd keep that under very tight wraps.

I mean, there are plenty of info available on the status of HL3 (code named HLX) and all point to it not being a VR title. Also I don't think ARM is really a thing for them, even now. They want to support running software on the headset, and sure why not enable compatibility layers to play some small games, but the end goal is clearly streaming from a PC. Maybe if some good ARM cpu hit the market they will pivot, but…

> there are plenty of info available on the status of HL3 (code named HLX) and all point to it not being a VR title

Anything besides rumors? AFAIK, there is absolutely zero official information beyond the rumor mill.

> Also I don't think ARM is really a thing for them, even now.

I mean, then you're just looking the other way intentionally, they're quite literally adding support for ARM now, https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/11/codeweavers-launch-a-n... That's not something you do on a whim, it's a calculated step towards something.

And they're clearly setting up the new VR head to both do standalone gameplay for people without PCs, and to do streaming from PC.

None of the Steam hardware seems to have only a single use in fact, all of them are multipurpose, not sure why the VR headset should be any different, especially when what we know points to it also being multipurpose, quite explicitly so at that.

Re: Valve is about to win the console generation

#313

Post by LandR »

christkv wrote: post #254

Unless it's reasonably priced who is the market for this box? If it's at 499 - 599 then it's probably selling well but at 799-899 I'm not sure who would buy it. If it's your first computer you still need more gear like screen, keyboard and mouse etc.

I'd maybe buy it to get access to games I want to play on Steam that I can't get on PS5 to play on the sofa in my living room.

It's a small box, it can sit next to the tele without looking awful, and if I just need to get a controller, that's fine too.

Re: Valve is about to win the console generation

#314

Post by Hikikomori »

Orygin wrote: post #268
altairprime wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but that works just as readily on consoles as it does PCs, so it doesn’t affect immutable Steam any more or less than any other gaming steam. Sealed protections are still valuable regardless!

It affects console too, but watch game publishers disable linux support, blaming cheaters while producing graphs that don't support their arguments. While console packs and cheats are rampant, and their game servers even being hacked during competition.

For good reason, anticheat on linux are basically useless. Not that cheating isn't rampant on other platforms, but you don't have to leave the door open on purpose.

Re: Valve is about to win the console generation

#315

Post by TiredOfLife »

josephg wrote: post #247
ninetyninenine wrote: post #193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Steam needs IP. Something as iconic as Kratos or Mario. That's how you go toe to toe with consoles.

I bought a bunch of games for console over the years that I can't play any more. I have about a dozen games on the switch. In another console generation, nintendo will make all my existing switch games unplayable again. I feel like you don't really buy console games. You rent them for one console generation. I mean, I can't tell whats worse - that Nintendo has the gall to try and sell me the same game for switch that…

Switch 2 plays all* switch 1 games.

Xbox series plays all xbox one and even a bunch of xbox 360 games

Ps5 plays all* ps4 games

Every console has moved to essentially off the shelf soc so backwards compatiblity comes as a side effect

Re: Valve is about to win the console generation

#316

Post by vintermann »

bloqs wrote: post #191
Normal_gaussian wrote: post #46

Valve certainly won't win it, but they're bringing the heat where it wasn't before. SteamOS is the important part here - if it is proven to be a good console experience (which the deck has basically proven already) then licensing of the OS to other manufacturers will put a lot of pressure on integrated h/w s/w manufacturers. Unlike the handheld format, the tvbox console is fairly easy to manufacture and is tolerant o…

their biggest fight is this: "what, i cant play COD online? Or Battlefield? or fifa? or Rocket League?... but thats all I play, and it costs more than a ps5? ...whats the point?" These games have gigantic followings that ship hardware year after year. People on hackernews are substantially broader-minded than your average console gamer. On the above basis alone, most of the regular gamers I know will not buy one of t…

There are presumably mobile games which have even bigger playerbases. Most of the "regular gamers" of this sort I know will probably not buy a console either. Does it matter?

It really says most about what people you hang out with.

Re: Valve is about to win the console generation

#317

Post by rkangel »

acdbddh wrote: post #216

As much as I love hacking with various things, there are reasons why I buy "closed products" for myself and for my family. I like to do hacking when I want it (with ESP32, rpi etc). I don't want to be forced to serve as a free IT support guy anytime someone presses a wrong button. When it comes to gaming consoles, I want them to serve reliably to my family. The game console must be fun, optimized for best experience…

If you buy a Steam Deck and just use it as a handheld console and never select "reboot to desktop mode" it will act just like a closed console. The exceptions compared to something like a Switch:

- For some games (usually those oriented around keyboard and mouse) you need to go and select one of the community control configurations, and maybe tweak it a bit. For example, I needed to do this with FTL to make it easily playable

- Occasionally (and I've basically had to do this once, in my 2+ years with a Steam Deck) you need to go and select a different Proton version to make it work. ProtonDB tells you what to do

This is all rare though. The vast majority of games have a control setup for using a controller, and they definitely do if they've ever been released on console. And they will Just Work.

Re: Valve is about to win the console generation

#318

Post by vintermann »

ninetyninenine wrote: post #193
Normal_gaussian wrote: post #46

Valve certainly won't win it, but they're bringing the heat where it wasn't before. SteamOS is the important part here - if it is proven to be a good console experience (which the deck has basically proven already) then licensing of the OS to other manufacturers will put a lot of pressure on integrated h/w s/w manufacturers. Unlike the handheld format, the tvbox console is fairly easy to manufacture and is tolerant o…

Steam needs IP. Something as iconic as Kratos or Mario. That's how you go toe to toe with consoles.

I know a lot more about Team Fortress, Portal and Half-Life than I know about Kratos. Valve already have their "meme IP".

Re: Valve is about to win the console generation

#319

Post by paride5745 »

bee_rider wrote: post #298
b3lvedere wrote: post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Gordon Freeman and Glados should be able to handle that.

Probably not, unless they learn to count to three, those series seem to be over. Valve seems to be more of a platform company these days (a very good one, though).

Remember Valve released HL: Alyx to promote their first VR headset.

It is not unreasonable to get a pair of titles to promote these two new products.

A man can dream, but a new HL for the Steam Machine and a new Portal for the Frame would be great.

Re: Valve is about to win the console generation

#320

Post by vintermann »

swiftcoder wrote: post #263
jonkoops wrote: post #214

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It doesn't need IP, it is already THE marketplace for PC gaming. People will get a box like this to play the library they already own, or get great deals on new games.

> it is already THE marketplace for PC gaming Yeah, but console gamers don't necessarily know or care about that. If you want to cut into the console market, you kind of have to meet console gamers halfway

But only halfway. You don't need to have exactly the same market as an existing console. It's not as if the existing consoles have exactly the same market as each other either.

And Valve is already a lot more than halfway from what I can tell.

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