Valve Launches $49 Steam Link, SteamOS-Powered Streaming Device

[discordian]

I expected a streaming solution but not only powered by a dedicated Linux box but maybe together with a BT joypad just as app for Android and iOS and Windows 10. Valve has the opportunity to create a vendor neutral solution. All you need is a fast WLAN connection and hardware with h264 decoder, basically all tablets/phones with at least 1280x720 res should work. A Netflix client could be added to that box as well. Next future step is playing games over Internet. Currently you should buy Sony devices for PS4, Windows 10 for Xbox One, Nvidia devices (or Limelight) for Geforce streaming, stupid vendor lock which is not a technical problem, pure marketing.

Sure, will happen immediately after they allow sales of their games on competing platforms, or even standalone (without a DRM-Server).

[OneTimeShot]

Valve has the opportunity to create a vendor neutral solution.

This. Well, to start with at least.

There are too many incompatible set-top boxes built on custom-rolled Android/Linux. If these devices start being built on SteamOS, with their main feature set including Steam game streaming, we'll start to see some traction.

Although I'd prefer to see a straight Linux games console platform, I can imagine a progression from streaming box to "actually I can run this particular game locally", through to "actually you don't need a Windows computer in the other room".

I think that ultimately there will need to be a balance of processing "cloud and local" - local devices don't have the processing power, but cloud has too much latency. Both ends will run Linux, though.

[BSDude]

They should've went with something like "Pipe" instead of "Link". Sounds more in-line with the naming of products inside the company.

[dh04000]

Missed out on a great opportunity for steam stream.

Steam PIPE

[sarmad]

Valve delays are actually planned in their favor. Linux is still growing in game # and now it will even faster with Unreal and Source 2 for free.

The cool thing is they can't blame valve at this moment if their sales are poor.

Also waiting for Next holidays ensure valve has more value to compete: More games ( maybe new Valve title!?) , VR headset, steampad, TV stream stick, BETTER AND CHEAPER HARDWARE or pc parts to go against consoles.

So yeah, Valve time is strategic time. Open the foset slowly...

If they want SteamOS to succeed they need to make full movement, not shy steps. If a Windows based Steam Machine offers all that SteamOS machine does, including the Steam Controller, then there will be very little incentive for people to buy the SteamOS machines. It's very much worth it to pay a little extra and get around 80% more games. This in turn will lead to very little incentive for developers to target Linux and the cycle goes on until SteamOS is abandoned completely. This WILL happen unless Valve do something to force developers to target SteamOS (like for example preventing them from using the Steam logo if the game doesn't target SteamOS or something like that).

[MoonMoon]

If they want SteamOS to succeed they need to make full movement, not shy steps. If a Windows based Steam Machine offers all that SteamOS machine does, including the Steam Controller, then there will be very little incentive for people to buy the SteamOS machines. It's very much worth it to pay a little extra and get around 80% more games. This in turn will lead to very little incentive for developers to target Linux and the cycle goes on until SteamOS is abandoned completely. This WILL happen unless Valve do something to force developers to target SteamOS (like for example preventing them from using the Steam logo if the game doesn't target SteamOS or something like that).

SteamOS and Steam on Linux are not here to further gaming on Linux, this is merely a side effect. The only reason why SteamOS and Steam for Linux exist is because Valve fears that some Microsoft policy about their own app store might prevent Steam from being available for Windows or may cut into Valve's profits. They realized that building (almost all of) their own business on the products of just one software company is a very risky strategy. Valve needs SteamOS to be a success so that they have an alternative route to go in case something like that happens, simple as that, and you can be pretty sure that they will throw their complete weight into the ring to make that happen.

[profoundWHALE]

Steam PIPE

Steam Engine

[Licaon]

If they want SteamOS to succeed they need to make full movement, not shy steps.

http://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamos_sale/
Each game is a "step"!

eg; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YDJN7MkZMk&hd=1

[eidolon]

...will lead to very little incentive for developers to target Linux...

I wonder if in-home streaming will in time disincentivize Linux-targeted development to some degree anyway, particularly for those game companies that were never keen on the prospect of supporting Linux in the first place.

[sarmad]

http://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamos_sale/
Each game is a "step"!

eg; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YDJN7MkZMk&hd=1

This is awesome news. Yes, those kind of games is what can push SteamOS forward. Hopefully Valve can keep those coming.