Post: Valve GDC 2015 SteamVR/Controller and more
03-08-2015, 11:45 PM #1
ResistTheSun
In Flames Much?
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); GDC was a couple days ago, sorry for the delay :p
Valve released details about Steam machines, Steam link, Steam VR and the controller.
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Steam Machines
Valve has released details about the steam machine program.
14 different models with a rough release date of November 2015 with a range of hardware combos from intel based systems to mini systems.
Ranging from $400 to $5,0000 depending on the model and hardware configuration.
Controller is going to cost $50 same release date as the steam machines.

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Same old problem?
Biggest problem I see with the whole steam machine project is the hardware configuration along with the lack of standardized performance measures. Product is aimed at a certain demographic who want to get into PC gaming but confused in a sea of different hardware configurations.
Right now you have a niche product for a niche group of users who are likely to already have the hardware.
Was hoping that Valve could answer one of the biggest issues facing gaming on the PC platform that is lack of standardized measures.
Company could easy list hardware based on a range of different standards this one is great for low settings at 1080p at 30fps or high settings 4k at 60fps. Hardware configurations are incomplete on the website with certain models not even making it clear what graphics cards are on offer or HDD.

Eco system
Valve also have a problem when it comes to eco system if only thing you can do is play video games for a higher price compared to building your own system. Company needs to make it clear what you can do within the eco system.

Performance
Steam OS needs to offer some serious gains in performance.
Right now building your own windows gaming PC offers more when it comes to benefits not only do you get a platform with loads to offer. Directx 12 is offering major performance gains over directx 11.

Steam machines make the problem Valve wanted to solve even worse.

Controller
Valve have created their own controller which they want you to use with their own configurations or steam link device more information on that later.
Design wise Valve have taken some major risks including touch pads as an input device along with one analog stick back of the controller features a back trigger with standard triggers gamecube style. Obvious the touch pad was designed to remove the deadzone from design.
Here a picture of the final design let me know what you think.

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Steam Link
Valve wants this box to stream your games from your PC to a device of your choice say a TV.
$50 with the device being tiny much like the playstation TV.

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Following image is from Tech Radar
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Final bit of news
Steam VR valve are planning to release a headset with the help of HTC using the companies own lighthouse technology.
Lighthouse is a laser tracking system designed to keep VR world accurate as possible. Claiming that the technology avoids the pitfall of motion sickness many other headsets suffer from.
Valve are letting companies which partner up with it use the technology for no added cost. More details are expected on the other headsets coming using the same technology.
Sadly tests using half life assets turned out to be tests and not a new game :(

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Steam Link the hidden gem?
In my view Steam link could be the hidden gem for the company if they have the codex which does not drain your network.
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