In continuation of their “Big Picture” mode, Valve recently announced their first hardware project in partnership with Xi3, codenamed “Piston” or simply “Steam Box.” Still in the development stage, the Steam Box intends to play a game through Steam, running high-spec consoles on big HD TVs.
Xi3’s own 7-series system is the major inspiration behind the Steam Box; hence, the size and power usage would be very similar. Through the Steam Box, Valve plans to bring the extreme gaming experience of a high-end PC to our living rooms. According to Jason Sullivan, Founder and President of Xi3, “This new development stage product will allow users to take full advantage of their large high-definition TV displays for an amazing computer game experience,”
But, is this not what Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have been doing since the very beginning of console gaming? Certainly, but the likes of XBox Live and PSN can never be Steam. Steam, through its humongous database of games and brilliant network of gamers, brings an integrated gaming environment, in addition to the amazing hardware that the Steam Box will contain; and all that will fit in your hand. Plus, other consoles have their own space and will continue to have one because of the new dimensions being added to the general gaming experience, like Microsoft’s “IllumiRoom” concept or Nintendo’s “Wii U”
There is still no word on the OS of the steam box, though Valve recently announced their open beta of Steam for Linux, and they have not been so accepting of the whole new Windows 8 thing. So, we might as well see a Linux-based Steam Box in the near future.
Valve is yet to say a word on the specs, release date, and pricing of the “Steam Box.”
