1mo ago

Valve is about to win the console generation

xeiaso.net Valve is about to win the console generation

Valve does nothing and still wins

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Steam @lemmy.ml

xeiaso.net /blog/2025/valve-is-about-to-win-the-console-generation/

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TL;DR: The Steam Machine's specs are on par or better with the PS5.
So, old.
- Sure, it's old, it's also the current console generation...
  
  I think it’s a bit premature to announce that someone is about to win something when they haven’t released it yet and the last time they released ~~something~~ a desktop console it flopped
  Edit
  Oh boy, I thought it was clear we were comparing desktop consoles to desktop consoles.
  I am not referring to the Steam Deck, the handheld system.
  I’m referring to the Steam Machine, which was a desktop console and it did poorly.
  
  The Steam Deck was a flop? I was unaware.
  I think if there are objective specifications of a device, and the device's specifications are measurably better than another device there's nothing wrong with comparing the two.
  However, the root of my response, which has been so gracefully sidestepped, is regarding the root of the comment that the PS5 is old. Yes, it may be a few years old, but it is still the current console generation.
  I guess everyone should just go out and chuck all their old consoles into the giant mountains of E-waste because we should all be setting up to have the newest most powerful thing!
  
  My old ps2 is actually still running and I replay some old favorites from time to time haha
  
  I guess that’s one way to react.
  
  By what metric did the Steam Deck "flop"?
  
  There's a type of person who associates being number one with being the only thing that has value. When something with less power by their metrics does well by different metrics it's an assault on their worldview. It's the same reason truck drivers get angry at hybrid drivers.
  
  Or I’m right because I’m referring to the Steam Machine, not the Steam Deck, and its flop was so magnificent that you’ve never heard of it.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine_(computer)
  Are you the kind of person who would publicly admit you were an ass for no reason?
  
  We have all heard of the steam machine. But valve has released so much more successful hardware since then.
  
  The article is about the new steam machine. I’m talking about the “steam machine” or non-handheld specifically.
  
  The metric that I didn’t say deck, and that you never even heard of the steam machine
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine_(computer)
  
  The steam machine is not at all the last thing they released. The steam deck, the valve index, and the HTC Vive were all considerably successful hardware releases since the failure of the original steam machine.
  
  In regard to the article being a desktop console. My apologies for thinking that was obvious.
  
  the last time they released something
  Maybe you just didn't know that the last time they released something was the Deck?
  You should check it out, it's pretty cool!
  
  Article is about a desktop console. I was referring to the desktop consoles. My apologies for thinking that was obvious.
  
  Lmao I love a good pivot.
  Cheers.
  
  I updated the original comment, it’s not a pivot, it’s being more verbose for those like yourself who are less inclined to understanding, and more eager to grab the dopamine from being mean.
  
  A do-over because you fumbled the ball and want to save face. Yeah, we get it.
  
  I did fumble the ball when I was not specific enough for the target audience.
  
  The Steam Machine did not sell well, however it gave Steam the bandwidth to work on Proton and SteamOS which ultimately lead to the deck, that did not flop.
  Might I interest you in the much lesser well known Steam Link? Also a Desktop-Console-type device. It gave Valve the experience to give us the ability to Stream games to other computers on the network via Steam, thus saving distributed space.
  Or the Steam Controller, which is also referenced in the article? They learned lessons and fixed the problems with it for the Deck control scheme, which is now being used to create a better product.
  Or the Valve Index, which is also referenced in the article? They learned many lessons by using this as a test bed, that allowed them to make the Steam Frame.
  All you have done in this entire thread is indicate that you don't understand iterative development, and that a company would be willing to make mistakes to learn from them and improve.
  
  So do you think that it’s a guarantee that the new Steam product will dominate the console system and do more sales than the Ps5, for example?
  
  I think it will bring Valve to dominating the console market in their class, a concept that you should be well familiar with, given your clear explanations of how like things should be compared.
  Will it outsell the Ps5? Probably not on release, no. Will it be better than the Ps5? Probably, if only because it has broader flexibility.
  Will the Steam Box outsell the Atari VCS, Evercade, and Polymega? Almost certainly, but hey, I'm only trying to compare like to like.
  Will the Steam Frame outsell the Meta Quest 3 and the HTC XR and Vive Focus? It definitely has the potential to be super competitive if not on top.
  Will the Steam Controller be the dominate PC-Console type controller? Maybe, the memory of the Old Steam controller is going to die hard and slowly.
  
  So, you think it’s too soon to call it then?
  
  Not in it's actual class, no. It's going to be far more powerful and useful than the VCS, Evercade, and Polymega. With a fairly low count to compete against looking at Steam Deck sales.
  Against the Console giants? Maybe, but it entirely depends on markets and like products. Something you have been so keen to point out. That said, it will absolutely have more computing flexibility than any of the big console makers, it's the only one compliant out of the gate with the EU Rights and Cybersecurity Resilience acts. Moreover given that there are There are 135 million Monthly users of the Steam services, 123 million on Playstation Network, it's going to prove that a consumer console company with more users than the Playstation Network has the ability to comply with these regulations.
  In at least that metric they're already doing better than Playstation is. So, I'd say too early to call definitively, however not too early to say it's going to do better in at least several metrics.
  
  So, do you think it is a guarantee that valve is going to “win a console generation” with this specific unreleased product?
  Or do you think perhaps it is too soon to be making that kind of statement?
  
  Oh, cool, we have defined goals now.
  Win the console generation? In terms of computing flexibility, having a console that does more than play a walled garden's worth of games, and actually contributes to competitiveness in a market dominated by players who are intent on making each of themselves a monopoly? Yes, absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt. The same way Valve "won" the handheld PC market, Volvo "won" the automotive safety market, and Johannes Salk "won" the vaccination market by not patenting the Polio vaccine.
  I consider that "winning", but my outlook on what is good for an ecosystem and market is built on the principles of true market economics, growth potential, benefit to all consumers (not just those who purchase a specific product), and having computing devices that aren't abysmally stuck in one mode despite having a substantial amount of power that could be used for other things.
  Will it have the most sales? Probably not, but having the most sales generally means you sacrificed some morals here and there, and Valve doesn't have a tendency to do that.
  
  So, back to the original question…. The article said it was “about to win,” which I assume means it will win upon release.
  It seems a lot of people are getting a bit fussy with me saying it’s too soon to say that.
  So you think it’s not too soon to say it? Having not seen it, or how it performs, or how the sales go?
  
  I think it’s a bit premature to announce that someone is about to win something when they haven’t released it yet and the last time they released something a desktop console it flopped
  Why is an 11 year old console that has been followed up by several successful hardware releases including a device that is basically a desktop with a screen built-in relevant at all to an assessment of the new Steam Machine?
  
  IMO… is not relevant to compare the steam deck, because the handheld market and in the desktop market are very different people.
  I do not have a steam deck, but I would probably be interested in a new steam desktop, since I game primarily on a console and would like better access to the PC market.
  However my point was it was premature to declare it a winner, when 1) it has not yet been released and 2) when other consoles currently on the market are still dominating the steam deck when it comes to sales.
  Clearly we have different opinions on that and you are viciously opposed to mine.
  I do think this could be a good way of converting steam deck users to desktop consoles.
  
  The handheld and console markets are not that different though.
  I think the author makes a good case for why the ecosystem is set up right for a success here.
  But clearly you're viciously opposed to my opinion.
  
  Only because you approached this topic with hate instead of a friendly conversation. This suggests mental issues… but this is Lemmy, and that’s pretty much all of us.
  
  No hate, just honesty. You interpreting it as hate suggests mental issues... but, ya know.
  
  I love a good pivot, nice
  Cheers!
  
  Oh me too, let me know if you see one!
- The Switch was also old at launch, and it completely dominates the market to the point where Sony openly reclassified it as "not a competitor" to save face.
  Nintendo is an evil, horrible company, but at this point they proved beyond a doubt that, yes... The specs race IS a red herring and the most dollars do NOT care.
  
  Well, the switch has relatively no competition and a long history of good titles.
  If the steamdeck could be priced at Switch levels, I think it might dominate. Obviously there is a huge hardware difference making that price high.

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