Exciting developments are on the horizon for the next-gen living room PC. A former Xbox executive is appealing to Valve to grant third-party access to SteamOS for crafting their own versions of Steam Machines. Concerns have surfaced about the pricing of this innovative gaming PC, sparking a buzz across the gaming community.
Steam Machines and Pricing Concerns
The Steam Machine, a sleek, cube-like gaming PC, aims to be more user-friendly than typical desktops, running on the streamlined SteamOS. Recent discussions have centered around its cost, with reports suggesting it might be pricier than anticipated. Linus Sebastian from Linus Tech Tips has hinted that it won’t adhere to the traditional $500 console pricing model, based on insights from a meeting with Valve personnel.
Mike Ybarra, previously with Blizzard Entertainment and Microsoft’s Windows and Xbox teams, has added his voice to the conversation, advocating for Valve to permit third-party companies to develop next-gen Steam Machines. He argued that this move would potentially boost Steam store revenue.
“Dear @valvesoftware,” Ybarra mentioned in a tweet, “please just let 3rd parties use SteamOS and make the HW with many different configurations. SteamOS will take off and your Store revenue will only go up.”
Ybarra’s remarks were in light of the forecast that Valve’s Steam Machine might exceed $750 in cost. Industry chatter suggests a price range of $700-$800, compared to the base PS5, which is priced at $549.99, and the PS5 Digital Edition at $499.99. Meanwhile, the PS5 Pro is marked at $749.99.
The Potential for Third-Party Innovations
Ybarra believes that allowing third-party involvement could lead to more affordable options. However, it’s essential to note that third parties can already utilize SteamOS, with products like the Lenovo Legion Go S exemplifying this possibility. Valve has expressed openness to other hardware manufacturers using SteamOS, contingent on their willingness to invest in the hardware.
Historically, Valve allowed similar third-party collaborations with the initial Steam Machine models a decade ago. Though, despite the opportunity, widespread adoption and production did not occur.
Ybarra also suggested Microsoft should consider integrating SteamOS into their systems, though he conceded this is unlikely. “This is what Xbox should do, btw,” he said, adding that they might prioritize Windows integration with features like AI and co-pilot tools.
Microsoft’s Hybrid Console Vision
Microsoft has its own plans for a PC/console hybrid. Reports indicate that the next Xbox might support PlayStation games available on PC through Steam, offering titles such as Sony Santa Monica’s God of War and Insomniac’s Spider-Man. This capability could mark a significant shift in the gaming landscape.
According to reports, the upcoming Xbox will allow players to remain within the Xbox ecosystem or switch to a Windows PC mode, granting access to a vast array of games, including those from Blizzard’s Battle.net and Riot’s launcher.
Stay tuned for more updates on Valve’s latest hardware announcements, including our hands-on experiences with the Steam Machine and Steam Controller. We’ve also dug into what’s next for the Steam Deck 2.