this post was submitted on 17 Nov 2025
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If Valve creates an "entry point" for living room PCs, the console-beating Steam Machines will follow, argues Baldur's Gate 3's publishing director (www.rockpapershotgun.com)
submitted 2 days ago by ZippyBot@lemmy.zip to c/gaming@lemmy.zip
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[–] magic_lobster_party@fedia.io 64 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Relevant part of the article.

Larian Studio's Publishing Director Michael Douse took to Twitter to argue Valve aren't looking to make a device that exceeds the power of the consoles, they're making a baseline. "They're probably betting on the fact that anyone who wants more demanding PC hardware on their TV is part of the audience who know how to turn any PC into a Steam Machine," Douse argues.

[…] Douse says, Valve are setting a baseline. "If Valve can once again normalise and thus create that entry point there is potential for big growth in that new market". Once Gabe and his kin establish a baseline, other companies, such as ASUS and Lenovo, can roll in with their more powerful machines.

[–] neukenindekeuken@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago

Larian proving again and again, that they get it.

[–] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 30 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I think he's absolutely right, and I hope Valve has considered this (and they probably have). This needs to be a door-opener, not a powerhouse.

[–] fonix232@fedia.io 17 points 2 days ago (7 children)

Most definitely.

Valve's main success here will be establishing SteamOS as a de facto replacement for some 60-70% of PCs. Hell, I've built a gaming PC a little over a year ago, and am still running Windows on it, but only for one reason: no first party support from SteamOS.

Once that's sorted... My need for Windows will disappear basically, aside from the very occasional ancient Windows utility I might need to use (old Rockchip flashing tools come to mind), but those usually run quite well enough in a VM.

Make a baseline Steam Machine, let people adapt their PCs to it easily, and you won over the gaming market. Expand that with support for third party launcher integration and you've literally got every single fanboy, gamer, etc., on your platform.

[–] pivot_root@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

am still running Windows on it, but only for one reason: no first party support from SteamOS.

For the most part, it SteamOS isn't really necessary to get a serviceable desktop gaming experience. Pick a well-supported rolling release distro or a derivative, install Steam and Proton, and games mostly just work.

It's not perfect, but it's usable. The only real pain point around gaming is getting HDR working properly.

Closed-source software is a different story, however. Discord's Wayland support is basically nonexistent and the AFK detection thinks you're always in front of the computer, suppressing mobile notifications.

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[–] NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Of course they have considered it. It is literally their model for handheld form factor gaming laptops (aka "Steam Deck"). And it is what they tried with round 1 of Steam Machines.

The real problem is going to be... all the problems that those of us with a Linux HTPC have. Streaming of media won't be a thing since most services have DRM that relies on HDCP handshakes these days. Also people are going to learn the fun way why that AMD setup only supports "HDMI 2.0" (although there are workarounds to get most 2.1 functionality out of a display port adapter). Let alone just general weirdness that tends to not come up when everything is one integrated device.

Consoles have gone a LONG way towards ruining "it just works". But I spent an hour or so yesterday finally flashing my display port dongle and it involved a second device to SSH into my HTPC and, in the process, I ended up needing to re-pair my xbox controller afterwards. I am used to that kind of bullshit and think it is fun. The first time that happens to someone you can expect all of social media to start caring that GabeN is a weird rich lunatic and insisting that Kojima-san and Sony will fix everything with the PS6 or whatever bullshit.

[–] fushuan@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Streaming of media won't be a thing since most services have DRM that relies on HDCP handshakes these days.

Can you elaborate? I can listen to streamed music from streaming apps, I watch streamed videos via YouTube or other platforms like dropout or beacon, and I host a jellyfin server in a debian box which I then watch in my endeavour desktop no problem. I also stream sometimes via discord or twitch to me friends.

Which "Streaming media" am I missing?

[–] NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Basically all the services more oriented at TV/movies (Amazon, Max, probably the movies you can buy on Youtube, etc) all tend to either lock all content behind an HDCP handshake or higher resolution streams.

So you might be able to watch the latest Glenn Howerton movie on your linux HTPC but it will be a lower res stream with no HDR or surround sound. It is a very known problem that sheepishly comes up any time someone asks about how they can build their own nvidia shield or whatever.

[–] fushuan@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh, well... I usually prefer to watch those with an eye covered if you catch my drift...

Either that or we use our androidTV TV to watch them in the proper app.

In all fairness, it IS a valid issue, yet more minor than how you presented it xD. But yeah, it sucks if you want to have a Linux home cinema instead of using the smart tv, agreed.

[–] NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

The PS3, in large part, sold because it was THE best blu ray player out there. At a time when games on the Sony were actively worse than any other platform (because the CBE was a mofo for third parties), the PS3 was heavily buoyed by it weirdly being one of the cheapest blu ray players out there. And the PS2 was a REALLY good DVD player which heavily contributed to its market dominance.

For people who already have an AVR and are used to doing all their own infrastructure, it matters less. For people who essentially plug one box into the one "good" port on their TV? When there is one 1k USD box that can only do games and one 1k USD box that does games and netflix and youtube and disney plus?

It might not be a huge deal in the long run (especially with TVs having a lot of this functionality built in) but it is a talking point with no good answers. And that impacts the idea of it being "an entry point".

And, just to add on. Apps are INCREDIBLY important to the average person... and most power users. Just look at the various attempts to spin up a "free" phone whether it is Graphene or Linux Phones or whatever. People get started going through and might even figure out they can do 90% of what they actually do on the non-google solution. Then they realize they can't log-in to their credit card's app (which the companies more or less require you to auth with if you are calling them because they disabled your card before sending a new one...). And you can't log into your kid's daycare's camera system. And you can't watch AEW on the shitter. And so forth.

Which is why google is actively preventing sideloading and working with those apps to lock them into google play services. And you can bet the solution they come up with to continue to allow sideloading will further lock in the GP services side of things.

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[–] TheObviousSolution@lemmy.ca 9 points 1 day ago

With SSD, memory prices, and GPU prices still going up, releasing console-beating Steam Machines still seems way over the horizon to plan for. Once the AI bubble "pops", maybe .. but with so much going on in the world in terms of geopolitics also threatening to affect markets, I wouldn't dare to look into the future.

[–] ryathal@sh.itjust.works 25 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I think the goal is providing an alternate path for people migrating from windows 10 as much as it is a living room pc.

[–] Sludgeyy@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Ehh

I feel like most people that really care about their operating system are more than likely going to build a PC

Most people buying a pre-built device are like Apple users "It just works"

I have an expensive PC I built but I'm a console gamer

I enjoy a comfy couch, big TV, and controller.

It's the ease of just hitting a couple buttons and getting to play a game.

Could I hook my PC to my TV? Yes, but that would require me to move my PC from my desk.

Also things like controllers. If I hooked my PC to my TV to play something like Overwatch I'd have to play with m/kb people which I would be at a severe disadvantage if I played with a controller.

Like if Xbox overwatch allowed m/kb (yeah I know people cheat) I'd probably stop playing it.

It's the PC gamers that always want consoles to support m/kb. Console gamers do not want to play on m/kb.

In my mind lack of m/kb is why consoles exist

People aren't buying PS/Xbox for a living room PC. They want a console gaming experience

[–] offspec@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Most people locked out of upgrading from W10 to W11 have never built a computer and will never build a computer. They are liable to throw away their existing computer and purchase a new one. W10 is EOL and W11 has a restrictive list of prerequisites.

[–] Sludgeyy@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I agree with you.

But my point is someone that bought a W10 pre-built computer is not the person looking at the steam machine saying "Maybe a different operating system would improve my experience"

[–] ryathal@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

They may very well be thinking "steam says this works for everything I own" though, the OS likely isn't relevant if it still has a browser.

[–] Sludgeyy@lemmy.world 1 points 10 hours ago

But what you're saying is that it is to provide people with an alternative path from windows.

Even if the steam machine had windows on it, the majority of the same people would buy it.

My point is very few people are going to buy the steam machine to get away from windows

"Steam says this works for everything I own" Purchased no matter what.

Not "I want a new PC without windows, let me try out the new steam machine"

[–] Nelots@piefed.zip 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Does Overwatch not have crossplay?

[–] Sludgeyy@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Yes it does but you only get put in a crossplay lobby if your party is mixed.

On top of going against m/kb players, aim assist for controller is turned off.

It's really not that enjoyable and highlights why controllers and m/kb shouldn't be mixed.

It's like talking a snowboard to a ski jump contest. Snowboards are fun and can do a lot of different things than skis. And in a contest where everyone is snowboarding it's great. But you'll never win a jumping contest.

[–] LifeOfChance@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago (7 children)

Ive wanted to get into PC gaming for awhile but I just don't have the room or the care to set something up its why I use consoles. Every time I mention this ill get a billion messages about ways to make it work. I'm a simple person I want to plug it in and turn it on which is why I use consoles. I dont play enough games to justify a full set up. I plan to plug my PS5 controller into this (I think its able?) And enjoy.

[–] samus12345@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago

I plan to plug my PS5 controller into this (I think its able?)

Yes, because everything runs through Steam, which support the DS5.

[–] TheObviousSolution@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago

Unless you are going for console exclusives, a PC is upgradable and can be just about as plug and play, specially now with SteamOS. The SteamDeck has really helped normalized control schemes into their gamepad.

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[–] CCMan1701A@startrek.website -1 points 1 day ago

Have we forgotten the Nintendo Wii already? Sure its not a pc, but it was in nearly everyone's living room.

[–] zr0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Valve has amazing hardware engineering skills and I have no idea, why companies like ASUS struggle to compete. They struggled with the Steam Deck, they will struggle with the Steam Machine.

[–] Gladaed@feddit.org 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Because valve does not need to profit,since they get money from people buying games.

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

They don't need to worry about shareholders demanding maximum profit. They are still going to be looking to profit but they can do things for purposes beyond just extracting as much as possible in the short term.

[–] Gladaed@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Sony is a shareholder corp and still does that.

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago

With PC sales?

[–] pivot_root@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (4 children)

If other hardware vendors are going to follow, they have to be using SteamOS or something similar out of the box. Handhelds can somewhat get away with using Windows because of the touch screen, but a "console" experience that occasionally requires plugging in a keyboard and mouse to get past some controller-unfriendly menu or pop-up is just going to annoy users.

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