Valve Reportedly Planning A Steam Console To Compete With PlayStation & Xbox

Valve is planning to launch a Steam Console in order to compete with PlayStation and Xbox, based on a new rumor.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Steam console interesting

[VenomUK]

I’m sold.

(As long as the power-price ratio is right)

[VenomUK]

I watched a bit of content about this on YouTube and what PC-fam people are saying is they believe this Steam OS operating system is now so good it could be a real challenger to Windows. I have no experience with these things, but I do know that Discord started off as a gaming only service and it has grown beyond that.

If Microsoft makes new hardware then this is this is the competition it should be most concerned about. Because Digital Foundry have said that the new Xbox will be a cross OS gaming device that can play Microsoft games and Steam games. So Microsoft needs to release its product before this comes out.

[--Onilink--]

Honestly, at this point I don’t think MS will place any particular emphasis on the sales of any given hardware they release. I think of it more of a Surface kind of hardware brand at this point. They will probably have a couple of SKUs and a handheld but ultimately just care more about having gamepass and all their games available in as many devices as possible, so just as you don’t need a Surface laptop to use Windows/Office, they still have a Hardware brand anyway to go with their actual subscriptions/products

Makes sense given how at this point there is just no way they will make any real headway in terms of console sales for next gen if are only going even more multiplatform for their games, so they might as well just focus on selling hardware that is not being sold at a loss and that still provides some brand visibility and just go all in on gamepass and game publishing everywhere they can

[RaidenBlack]

Not the first time tho,
They tried before with Steam Machine.
But this time, its different.
They've already got a hit with Steam Deck. Just need to expand the model range.

[crazyCoconuts]

They now have that magic Proton. I hope they succeed.

[JEECE]

The Steam Machine concept was pretty half-baked. It was one of those things where, by the time the results actually started to show up, it felt like Valve had already lost interest in the idea. Also, they came out with that idea probably a few years too early.

I agree it could be different now if they follow the steam deck model though. I'm definitely interested. They have to have a real controller though. That one they had before is a tragedy.

[Brazz]

A hit? What are Steam deck numbers? 5M, 6, perhaps 8M? This is not a hit, this is WiiU and Vita level of Sales.

Steam needs to step up their game. Atm, their console is far behind the competition.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

With how far SteamOS and Proton has come, it might be worth the effort to try the Steam Machine concept again.

[crazyCoconuts]

@Brazz - you're making the mistake of thinking Steam Deck is the platform. It's not - it's Steam. And Steam has a huge install base. Valve is willing to give SteamOS away for free and let other people sell the hardware because it's the Steam store that they want you have front and center of your experience right now. Shifting people ever so slowly away from a completely open Windows based environment (where Windows is the biggest drawback) to a more purpose built Steam-centric environment that has the flexibility of a PC with the trimmings of a console. In the end, Steam wins even if they only shift 15% of the PC install base to Steam Boxes because either way, you're using Steam

[Christopher]

*** Steam needs to step up their game. Atm, their console is far behind the competition. ***

They're merely filling a niche market that might take off over time. Steam doesn't need to do anything, they own the PC market. But instead of just letting others take over hardware, they're helping to do that.

PC handhelds in general aren't major market sellers. But over time they could become more major competition just be existing and competing with Switch 2 and the like while having a way more massive library of games that support the Steam Deck.

[blackblades]

I mean they know not to expect to sell like 50mil or even 30mil. This time its a different era, also since it'll be a pc-console Sony might not like having there games on it.

[Jingsing]

Hit? 5 million sales? I remember the Vita was called a flop at 15 million sales.

[ABizzel1]

this is their second time doing this, except this time they’re fully in control of the hardware, which is for the best. I don’t see this big or real challenge or issue for PlayStation in or Nintendo, but Xbox is likely to feel some pressure from this as it’s another GamePass box, but with more PC support.

If the price and performance is solid it could see modest success $599 with a custom Ryzen AI Max.

[thorstein]

Exactly. What would be the difference between this and an Xbox other than you'd be able to play even more games on a Steambox.

Xbox is already going multiplatform. They already have a Steam store.

[lelo2play]

Valve already have a Steam console...

[Bathyj]

I predicted this around a year ago. Xbox needs to go full third party and leave the hardware business and then allow room for an actual competitor and valve it's pretty much the only one that can do it. Steam boxes had a go before but the market was too crowded with Xbox still being a viable console back then and with the rise in popularity of PC game now it's the time for them to try again.

[blackblades]

I'll buy, got plenty of free epic store games free online for my fighting games. Also freedom for the devs.

[Profchaos]

Yeah I was reading this earlier my first thought is if you want to make a successful console you need no traces of PC in it at all by that I mean you must have 100% of actions must be able to be performed from a controller and you can't have a single shred of kbm.

I owned the steamlink years ago and I always hated it because firing up any game often resulted in running back and forth to the PC to click out of a pop up or type creds into a launcher it was simply to painful to use essentially for streaming games like fallout New Vegas or GTA IV which were more in at the time

If I was ti comit to a steam console I'd want a perfectly streamlined experience and that just not what i get on steam today there is ro much friction when I try and launch a game

[crazyCoconuts]

They kinda already did that with SteamOS on the Steam Deck

[jwillj2k4]

Cant be a kinda. No way would i switch back and forth between the two sitting on my couch. I’ve done it before it’s terrible.

[crazyCoconuts]

There are trackpads for mouse input so you use them to enter text on a virtual keyboard or a a mouse in a pinch. It's pretty good considering it's still a "PC"

[Profchaos]

That's the thing though it can't be close enough it needs to be flawless the second you interrupt a user booting a game you're failed be that old or new

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

They're pretty close, maybe you can use a wireless mouse and keyboard for the few times when you do need them, or maybe they can make a controller that mimics the Steam Deck layout, that gets around desktop mode albeit awkardly.

[__y2jb]

I do agree with what you are saying but it's impossible to implement. a 20 year old PC title that has some small elements that cannot be mapped over to a pad simply cannot be patched to fix the problem. The steam deck solution of a soft kb and track pad do help quite a bit though.

The good news is that most new PC titles now will be thinking about steamdeck during development and will not contain these sorts of problems as we move forward.

[ocelot07]

First attempt 10 years ago fell flat. Steam deck has been great and gives me hope this new steam console will be a success.

Interestingly, Apparently Sony recently cancelled pc ports of Demons souls and GT7. I wonder if that has anything to do with this potential steam console.

[badz149]

they haven't sell THAT many units of the Deck though

[ocelot07]

I know the deck is in the region of about 5 mil. That's not great compared to PS5 or even Xbox Series.

It's a very low powered pc that's runs Linux. But for what it can do it's pretty good. Plus it's up against more powerful handhelds that run windows and are compatible with a lot more games.

I think a steam console will fair a lot better sales wise. But then again remember. If you have a decent pc you already have a steam console. So you won't need one.

[Angyobangyo]

Steam deck has made an enough impact for companies like MSI and Asus to take a dip into the handheld market. It has sold well enough for competition to emerge.

[Profchaos]

I'm sure Sony and many others have licensing agreements in place saying you have the console rights or the PC rights if the device type changes outside of the rights holders control it could result in the rights holders pulling the product there's historical context for this when coleco had the console rights to donkey Kong but made it playable on their home PC causing them to almost lose all publishing rights

[Obscure_Observer]

That would be amazing!

VALVE´s new console won´t be competing against Xbox, though.

Phil will be more than happy to port Xbox games to Gabe´s new console!

Its gonna be a STEAM vs Playstation battle.

Next gen Xbox and the Switch will be doing their own thing.

[Alos88]

How do you always manage to turn every topic back to Xbox?

[Nintentional2]

The title of the article includes Xbox, what are you talking about??

[Alos88]

It's an article about Valve making their own console, it's barely relevent to the conversation. Don't defend his obsession.

[-Foxtrot]

Because he doesn’t care about Steam or Valve, he just sees it as an opportunity of them crushing Sony…another company to root for against PlayStation.

[gold_drake]

propaganda.

[S2Killinit]

If this is true, its because Steam is seeing an opportunity to fill the void as MS exits console space and switches to a monthly subscription service. They want to replace xbox.

[Obscure_Observer]

"They want to replace xbox."

Exactly.

[crazyCoconuts]

Right. Xbox lost the console war, and has fallen back only to find that they need to now defend Windows.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Almost all the Xbox games are already on Steam, or at least the Windows/Microsoft store.

[Inverno]

Actually they'll be directly competing against everything MS as it'll most likely be running Linux and using proton. Ideally this would push people away from using windows all together.

[Angyobangyo]

Only you want a silly console war whilst others have grown up and moved past cheering for a billion dollar corporation!

[Lexreborn2]

A steam console would be cool for sure, but they will need to secure some form of exclusive content to still make it worthwhile. The primary reason my Xbox series x sees little play is because any and everything worth playing on it I can play elsewhere.

I am not in the interest of constantly buying devices that all do the same thing with no unique experiences. It’s become increasingly easier for everyone to wait out the timed exclusivity windows to buy the games they want where they want. So, if a steam console is real make sure you release some solid content the competition doesn’t have.

But, they have to understand as well that means they will need to accept the slow adoption rate as well.

[RaidenBlack]

"form of exclusive content to still make it worthwhile."
First off, does Steam Deck needs exclusives to survive?
And next, Steam has many PC exclusives. Its the preferred launch platform for indie devs.

[Lexreborn2]

Steam deck still has a relatively small install base as well. So, I’m pretty sure if they had real exclusives from steam not indies people would be more inclined.

This is how the console space has operated. In which you would need to view it from that perspective not the PC views.

[crazyCoconuts]

Steam transitioning into the console space is so unique in so many ways. For this first phase, i think they may be competing more with Windows than they are PlayStation, but ultimately they'll be fighting for the same customers. Unless they can come up with some unique and persistent way to differentiate, they'll eventually want exclusives to chip into PS' user base i think.

[Michiel1989]

The perfect time to reveal HL3 and L4D3. Just imagine they announce a console + those 2 games, the internet would be on fire.

[Lexreborn2]

If they announce those portal 3 and team fortress then with an ability to see performance metrics and customize to the machines abilities. Then I could see people being interested for sure

[RaidenBlack]

HL3 and Portal 3?
I'd buy the damn console just to support that decision (coz I won't be allowed to kiss Gabe)

[DivineHand125]

Assuming the steam console will be capable of playing every game that you can currently play on the steam deck and more, they don't have to worry much about getting exclusive content.

There are many games on steam you can play right now that are not available on the PS5 or Xbox. There is also the fact that steam supports multiple peripherals where as the current consoles use proprietary hardware. PCVR is only possible because of steam at the moment.

There is also mod support that can breath new life into older games and the features that makes steam the best launcher on PC. From a console perspective, basic features like cloud saves and online play are locked behind a paywall on plastation.

[blackblades]

Its basically an all in one system. It plays Xbox, playstation, pc, mobile, emulates systems of Nintendo and others. Customize everything about it, you decide what to see as an adult. Free online and much more.

[CrimsonWing69]

Didn’t they try this before? Like, the price will dictate whether this can have any legs, but then again Steam is PC for me and the big 3 are the consoles for me. I wouldn’t have any interest adding a Steam console to the mix.

[Obscure_Observer]

Well, according to some people Xbox will be leaving the console market very soon, so, someone else will obviously step in and fill the void.

In such scenario, I would much rather have STEAM taking Xbox´s place than Google or Amazon.

Edited: A NVidia console also would be great to take over Xbox´s place.

[S2Killinit]

I actually agree with you. Google and Apple would be more of what MS is and does. Nvidia i dont know about.

[Obscure_Observer]

@S2Killinit

"Nvidia i dont know about."

Nvidia would be awesome since they have their own technology in hardware, cloud infrastructure and close relationship with big publishers.

Not to mention that competition between Nvidia vs AMD in the console space would push for more innovation in gaming which would only bring benefits for gamers overall.

[crazyCoconuts]

Nvidia would probably put out some cool hardware, but would be starting from scratch as a platform.
Nvidia branded Steam Box with SteamOS FTW

[DodoDojo]

Without exclusive software it's not going to compete with anyone. Most would opt to stick with PC.

[Software_Lover]

I really just don't see the purpose. I have a steam console, my pc.

[blackblades]

Its not for everyone, they probably more keen to get console players on board knowing we dont wanna mess with PC headach

[Levii_92]

Well since Microsoft have completely given up on XBOX i say bring it on. I want a new player to enter and potentially shake things up cause all these companies have become so pathetic, well except Nintendo i guess which are also pathetic and bad in their own ways but at least they haven’t given up and never will give up on their IP’s and will keep them where they belong unlike what MS has done and Sony is slowly doing.

Also to compete with Xbox? Yeahhh you don’t need to that Valve.

[S2Killinit]

Personally i wouldn't want anyone else to enter console space. Because no matter who it is, it will be for all the wrong reasons. God help us if its one of these huge corporations like apple or google.

On your comment, unfortunately MS is pushing competition into PC and scorching console’s importance in the process, Sony needs to compete so they are forced to also chase them there while at the same time not abandoning their console roots. (That’s my take)

[lukasmain]

They are not going to get most PC players to buy one, so they are hoping to lure Xbox and Playstation fans? But they all have massive digital libraries they aren't leaving. I feel like MS are going to have a console 100% next gen. I feel like this Steam console is not going to sell the way Playstation or Switch does. But we will see. It would have to be super user friendly and plug and play and with a super fast UI. You can't have it like Steam and just move the joystick on your controller as a mouse cursor on a big store front. It will be interesting if this rumor is true.

[S2Killinit]

Yeah i dont see them succeeding. MS will have another xbox for sure. Steam is probably doing this because they know MS intends to become more PC, so steam is trying to come into console space to compete with them on equal footing.

[XBManiac]

An AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 based console could make the difference until next generation of PlayStation arrives in 2027. This would be great for PC gaming, as developers could have another intermediate fixed hardware like PS5 Pro, so they could test some next gen technologies before they are mainstream.

[victorMaje]

Competition is always good. This could be interesting to play games in your steam library like the steam deck but on your TV. It makes me want a GOG console :)

[Hereandthere]

Day 1

[-Foxtrot]

If they go all in and don’t do something like the Steam Machines where it felt like they were just dipping their toe in the water, along with a really weird controller, then I could see it working.

Let us download and play our Steam Library on the console and give games the same kind of mod support you find on PC. Do that and I’d consider it.

However if they do they need to start making games again and having exclusives to draw people in.

[Ravenkiss]

I'm not against it at all, if it's getting coded for a single specific hardware and optimized, I'm all for it.

[blacktiger]

I'm sold
Steam (anti Microsoft) sold
Linux (anti wimdows) sold
Console (anti hyper inflation) sold
And I'm sold

[isarai]

Could work, especially with Xbox. Kind of becoming more of a software company now

[Travesty]

I seen this coming.. it was rumored since last year.. if Microsoft exits the hardware side, they will flourish being the biggest publisher.
I’m kind of curious how Steam will handle being in the console business.

[S2Killinit]

MS is not the biggest publisher. The article you are probably thinking of was for “one month”. (The month COD released). Otherwise MS is the third publisher after Sony and one other which is the largest.

[Travesty]

I know they’re not the biggest publisher.. I’m just stating they would flourish being a big publisher being multiplatform as in future tense as in all their main titles being multi platform that could potentially make them one of the biggest publisher if not the biggest.

[JEECE]

If nothing else, having a set hardware target for steam games to hit should help with the current VRAM crisis.

[Cockney]

The question on everyone's lips
Is it an xbox?

[andy85]

I can't figure put how this'll do. Steam is obviously wildly popular. But how many of then are buying a console when they have their PC which they can just connect to a TV anyway. The Steam Deck sold 5 million even with their massive user base but other handhelds sold up to 100 million and above. The vast majority of casual gamers who don't touch PC don't really know what Steam is. PS players arent leaving PS for a rival console or theyd just get an Xbox which will run largely the same games (espeically if they want the value of Gamepass). If Xbox didn't have a next gen in the pipeline id see more merit as their players would likely go there with their Gamepass sub. I don't know who it is for.

[Christopher]

I agree with the "why make a console" portion. I will say that the other handhelds are handhelds that have existed for decades in the market as a primary market for the companies involved. Other PC handhelds have sold less than Steam Deck on individual models. I do think it is the best selling PC handheld model yet and could grow further as time goes on. It's literally their first entry into the market of handheld gaming devices.

[andy85]

It is their first entry but steam has well over 100 million users and less than 5% have bought their handheld. Just can't see how an actual console when steam users have their PC is selling more than a few million.

[Christopher]

I agree with you on the 'home' console, I was just saying that the handheld pc console wasn't as 'dire' as you made it out to be. I think if they keep it up, in the long run it could take off in certain nations where people tend to have to go to gaming cafes or live in much smaller living spaces where having other devices doesn't work. I don't think it will reach Nintendo levels, but it'll increase the sales on their storefront at least.

[andy85]

Oh I wasn't meaning it was dire, I just meant that the attachment rate of the Steam Deck is tiny so I'm not sure who a Steam console is aimed at.

[SimpleSlave]

Call it the Steamcast and release Half-Life 3 exclusive to that console. They can afford it... 👍

[Destiny1080]

xbox couldn't compete and they own half the industry

i welcome my steam overlords, but its a wait and see for know

[Psychonaut85]

Interesting. I personally would rather see a console that competes more on price than power. Small slimline console that is affordable and lets me play all my older/indie games on a tv easily. Just me though.

[RiseNShine]

It's the logical next step after Steam Deck, SteamOS is pretty mature at this point, the interface is a perfect fit for consoles, it supports thousands of games and can use the existing library of millions of gamers, and with the current trend of big publishers going multiplatform, It's a no brainer. The thing here is, will Sony and MS keep supporting Steam if they are a direct competition in the console market?

[garystew350]

Yikes not this again. Steam Machines were a total flop, If they do release another console you can say good bye to all the Sony ports. They will yank those off of the store front so fast. With GTA 6 not being release on PC's you can bet that it won't show up on a steam console anytime soon which would mean death for the system.

[FTLmaster]

Feeling some déjà vu rn

[anast]

It's like your very own portable Blockbuster. You can rent but not own.

[z2g]

I’m intrigued!

[dmonee]

And so it begins!

[Traecy]

The Steambox did nothing, if true it'll probably be more of the same.

[mastershredder]

The tech could be cool, the people behind it, NOPE, not in a million years. Gabe does not need to inhale any more cash, yachts or beef wellingtons. and you know that mofo is literally breathing-in beef wellingtons like particulate at this point.

[PRIMORDUS]

So now we will have 4 consoles competing if this is true. 😂

[neomahi]

Exclusives sell. How's PlayStation gonna compete with that if they're porting all their games to PC, and Steam for that matter? I tell ya, Gabe Newells goin for the throat! Nintendo is gonna be the only survive because they have pride in their hardware. There's no Nintendo game on PC

[franwex]

About time a new challenger arises (yet again?). Hopefully it’s not a streaming box only.

[glennhkboy]

Hasn't Valve tried that before, with Steam Machine(s)?

[cell989]

So pretty much a gaming PC?

[UltimateOwnage]

I’m all in for a Valve console after the SteamDeck proved they’ve got what it takes to deliver what users want and make it perform incredible for the price. Is even be very happy with just a Valve Controller that was a screenless SteamDeck. The track pads and sticks are fantastic and I want them for all my PC games now.

[Npugz7]

We have seen this before and it failed miserably

[No Way]

A console is cool. Now if only we could get Sega to re-enter with a Dreamcast 2. But, the question is - what exactly would Steam put on there? Whatever is on Steam? Wouldn't they have to pay the developers/publishers to be able to do so? They don't own any developers that I know of, so where would the exclusives be?

[Solitariussaint]

No physical media = no purchase.

[DreadedGirlBoss]

Didn't they already try this though with the Steam Machine?

[MeteorPanda]

Give me a steam os

[rob-GP]

'If' this happens, you can bet that Sony will either pull all their games from Steam (whilst demanding Valve makes it impossible to even launch them on the new console), or they'll tell Valve to just block them from being played on the device.

I highly doubt they'll sit back and let them bring out a console that plays their games. I imagine they may also need to gain licenses and permission before making the games playable on the device as publishers have only gave permission to sell the games on the Steam Store, not a console - similar to how GeForce Now has to have permission before including games it their service

[Terry_B]

Digital Only I bet. And thats totally okay

[Deathpreacher]

flop 100%

[__y2jb]

This totally makes sense. Basically the same deal as a steamdeck (windows games running via proton, big screen mode UI) but with more horsepower. It would finally allow the PC to get into the living room.