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SteamMachines

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Re: SteamMachines

#281

Post by webjprgm »

sondh wrote: post #268
vignesh_vs_in wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

XBox wired controller works well with mac as well thanks to the open source driver ( http://tattiebogle.net/index.php/ProjectRoot/Xbox360Controll... ). I have never faced any issue using the controller to play steam games on my mac.

I have kernel panic with this driver unfortunately. Wired XBox 360 with iMac 2011 and MacBook Pro 2012. Not sure what caused the issue... Because of it, I installed Windows via BootCamp and play all games over there, a bit inconvenient.

Which version of Xbox360Controller and what Mac OS version? You might want to try an older pre-64bit version of the driver if that will work on your OS.

Or you could try to debug the source if you're up for that. I would try but don't have the expertise to help without seeing it and tinkering with it.

Re: SteamMachines

#282

Post by Shorel »

breckinloggins wrote: post #22

I'm excited about where Valve is going with this, of course, but to be honest I'm concerned about controllers the most. Buying a good controller for a PC is not hard, but it's not simple either. Picture yourself as a "living room console guy" getting into PC gaming. You'd like to use a controller for a certain game. Consider: - You can use your XBox360, PS3 controller, or WiiMote, but that's not obvious. You'll need…

You worry too much about nothing.

Simply use the Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710 for all Steam boxes, problem solved.

It's to me, better than all controllers you mention. It supports BOTH DirectInput and XInput APIs.

Re: SteamMachines

#283

Post by Shorel »

jasonkester wrote: post #108
breckinloggins wrote: post #22

I'm excited about where Valve is going with this, of course, but to be honest I'm concerned about controllers the most. Buying a good controller for a PC is not hard, but it's not simple either. Picture yourself as a "living room console guy" getting into PC gaming. You'd like to use a controller for a certain game. Consider: - You can use your XBox360, PS3 controller, or WiiMote, but that's not obvious. You'll need…

Steam seems to have standardized on the XBox 360 controller. At least that's what they support with their current "couch mode" thing. So it seems like you don't need to worry too much about choosing the wrong controller since there is only one choice at the moment. It works pretty well, for what it's worth.

My Logitech controllers work with Big Picture mode as well.

Even my steering wheel, while not practical to use with that application, is recognized.

Re: SteamMachines

#284

Post by Shorel »

breckinloggins wrote: post #39
simias wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That might have been true in the past (I remember having some trouble with a SideWinder controller on a dedicated control port in the 90's) but these days the 360 wired USB controllers are as plug'n'play as it gets (on windows at least). It Just Works. PS3 controllers are a pity though, you need those shady ad-ridden closed source third party drivers.

Very true, but remember that the issue I'm addressing is more about branding and marketing than about the tech. For example: "Wait, you mean I have to buy an XBox 360 controller to use my Steam Machine?" Well, no, but it's better that way. "What do you mean, isn't there a Steam Controller." Not exactly, you see any Steam Machine is compatible with any number of controllers. "So why can't I buy this other controller I…

> "Wait, you mean I have to buy an XBox 360 controller to use my Steam Machine?"

Why wouldn't Valve include a controller with their Steam Machines?

Your argument makes no sense.

Re: SteamMachines

#285

Post by pearjuice »

Right now when it comes to computers, there is an implicit monopoly. There is only 1 company on the planet that supplies both their own hardware and an operating system of their own bundled with it. This company is Apple. Because they supply both hardware and software, they can sell a "complete experience" to customers who, quite frankly, will lap up anything they hear about computers and their 'black magic'.

But Valve are about to change this.

The so called Steambox announced a day or so ago is now going to be in direct competition with Apple's own devices as Valve can now offer this "complete experience" package too. If you want to know why this is so important you only need to realise that the term "Mac" for most people refers not only to the computer itself, but to the operating system also. No other company has anything that comes close to this, but soon Valve will, and the more time passes and the more people get accustomed to the range of available Steamboxes, the most ground Valve will gain, and the more Apple will lose.

Re: SteamMachines

#286

Post by Shorel »

z999 wrote: post #264
rodgerd wrote: post #170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or you: Buy Logitech F710 wireless controller. Plug Logitech controller in. Notice modern Windows games auto-detect Logitech controller as XBox controller. Play games. It's not rocket science. And frankly, most PC gamers are pretty familiar with jumping through far more hoops than that.

It costs the same as the wireless X360 controller for windows, does it have any advantage over it?

Much better layout IMHO, and compatibility with DirectInput API (used in some games).

Re: SteamMachines

#287

Post by Mikeb85 »

Steko wrote: post #273
Mikeb85 wrote: post #243

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just curious, but what's more compelling about Apple's ecosystem than Sony's, Microsoft's, or Steam's? The PS4 is strongly targeting indies, Microsoft already has, and Steam is more than anyone. Steam already has a ton of traction, and now they're making it possible to roll your own console, in addition to future hardware. Why would I, as either a developer or a player, bet on Apple, when they have a reputation for b…

"what's more compelling about Apple's ecosystem than Sony's, Microsoft's, or Steam's?" You might say the same thing about mobile games and the 3DS and PSP/Vita. What was more compelling about Apple's ecosystem than Sony's or Nintendo's? (1) there were a lot more devices shipped. (2) they have a lot of credit card numbers on file (3) relatively fewer restrictions. "more closed and oppressive than the others" Right bec…

Right now, I'm working on a pet project. I hope to target PC, Linux and Steam. I've seen all the statistics concerning the various platforms. iOS isn't compelling, as the average selling price (among paid apps) is quite low, and median revenue for iOS developers is abysmal (http://maniacdev.com/2011/10/survey-says-median-ios-game-rev...). Android is worse.

Take a company like Mojang, obviously an outlier, but they sell a popular app on PC, Xbox, and mobile. Their financials are somewhat public, and their all-time mobile sales are around 1 quarter of their yearly salves... And of course, they became a hit on PC. They also do twice the yearly revenue as Rovio.

When I was thinking closed and oppressive, I was thinking vs. PC/Linux (you can distribute your app through many channels), so you're right that Steam, XBL and PSN aren't very open, but they're becoming more open.

As a player, a decent iOS gaming device (iPad retina) costs more than a PS4 will cost at launch. Apple's not going to put out an Ouya competitor, the internals they put in the iPhone 5S would put them in the same price range as the PS4 for vastly inferior hardware.

Re: SteamMachines

#288

Post by redblacktree »

xanderstrike wrote: post #217
redblacktree wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You could buy a console and a XIM3[1]. You could dominate any FPS, I think. [1] http://xim3.com/

I blew the money to get one of their EDGE devices. It's not what it seems. The way FPSs interpret mouse movement is by mapping units of mouse movement onto units of rotational movement. If you move the mouse x units to the left, your view will rotate f(x) units (an absolute relation). When mapping joystick movement, the location of the joystick determines the speed at which your view rotates. If the joystick is x uni…

Well damn. Thanks for the review. I guess I expected it to Just Work. Glad I never wasted the money on it.

Re: SteamMachines

#289

Post by sejje »

gknoy wrote: post #205
sejje wrote: post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or just, you know, have your kids obey the rules. Without your daily intervention.

Ah, I want to live in this magical fictional world too. (:

I worked at a YMCA with kids for 7 years. As many as 35 at a time by myself.

This is no magical fiction world, I assure you.

Respect them, have reasonable rules, discipline every single rule violation (most important), and have fun. Suddenly you'll find kids are awesome.

Re: SteamMachines

#290

Post by eli_gottlieb »

locusm wrote: post #248
eli_gottlieb wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would hope not, actually. Many people are nowhere near hardcore enough to spend the money and time for Virtual Reality Gaming over regular gaming.

OK Debbie Downer, what evidence is that based on? Even when I've shown non gamers the general impression is very positive...

Downer? Just because VR nowadays is a nice experience doesn't mean that casual gamers like, say, myself might want to save a few hundred bucks by sticking with a TV set. It's a nice add-on. It doesn't have to revolutionize the world of gaming forever.
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