I say, regardless of any new facts coming to light... FUCK YES!

Okay, now I am going to tamp down my enthusiasm and list all the reasons why it would "fail":

• If it is just a streaming device that gets your PC onto your big screen, then it doesn't help all the people who don't currently have good enough computers.  Even so, there is a large enough market out there (including the current 20 million users).
• If they just license a technology and a brand to multiple manufacturers.  This would be easier for Valve, but look at the companies who have tried this before and failed (3DO, CDi).  Now those companies didn't have Valve's big ol' sack of cash to throw around (nor the brand loyalty), but still, consumers have shown in hte past they don't take to multi-form factor consoles under one umbrella.
• No matter what they do, the console community will name it a "fail" because it will only sell a fraction of the entire console market (you can make plenty of money out of a niche, look at Apple).

And that's about it.

I'd love to be able to play PC games on my TV, particularly when you consider the value for money Steam delivers over traditional consoles. I was already tempted by the Alienware X51, but if a smaller, non-keyboard device came out, that would be even better.

aspro said:

I'd love to be able to play PC games on my TV, particularly when you consider the value for money Steam delivers over traditional consoles.

I already do.

I'm thinking the Steambox will be a very stripped down PC. Like  Maybe $300 but subsidized by some kind of Steam subscription. (So $300, but that includes 24 months of a Steam service that is a plus version of what they already do).

No.

robio said:

Here's the question I'd have to ask anyone who wants this. Is it worth throwing down $300 to play simulators and strategy games. Outside of those two genres PC exclusives are pretty far and in between. Even MMO's are just as widely available on consoles these days. Seems like everything else is already available on the 360 or whatever MS console is out. And even those two genres are going to suffer a little bit unless you use a keyboard and mouse. And the way I see it, once you start using a mouse and keyboard you're already limiting the appeal of this console.

If you're going to choose between this and an MS console then I can see some decent arguements for why this should exists, but really i don't see many people choosing a Steam console over an MS one.

Ok so there's a dissenting opinion for you. Enjoy.

There are plenty of PC games I don't play because my PC is so old.  My PC is awesome enough to do everything else I need, but not gaming.

I'd get this to augment my other consoles, not replace. I'd also like to take advantage of Steam sales etc...

EDIT: But it may not be $300. They could go the AppleTV/ Boxie route and sell a $99 dongle type thing to stream from your PC.

aspro said:

Steam Box. Want One?

No.

Fuck no. I will stick to laptops and game on consoles.

aspro said:

Sad Tuba.

We shouldn't be surprised. Valve hasn't made anything for years, and probably won't make anything ever again as long as they can keep making money from Steam.