Valve announced that it would begin building hardware for its infinitely popular video game digital distribution platform in March and appears it is getting closer to that goal with an announcement today. Many were skeptical in March, but it seems that Valve is set to prove the doubters wrong in the near future, as it works towards the world’s first open video gaming console.
Valve announced a user-interface built for TVs
Today, Valve announced a user-interface built for TVs on top of a Linux platform that will be offered to users free of charge.
“It will be available soon as a free stand-alone operating system for living room machines,” according to the company.
Valve also announced that it has a number of “major” game developers waiting in the wings who have already agreed to terms with Linux. These companies will be building triple-A games to run natively on SteamOS sometime in 2014. Valve also noted that it has plans to wirelessly stream games from a gaming computer to the TV in the near future.
In addition to gaming, Steam and SteamOS will add video and music streaming. “We’re working with many of the media services you know and love,” Valve writes.
“As we’ve been working on bringing Steam to the living room, we’ve come to the conclusion that the environment best suited to delivering value to is an operating system built around Steam itself.” The company’s announcement reads to explain this move to an operating system of its own. Valve co-founder Gabe Newell also believes that Windows 8 is “catastrophe” one that still has the ability to still take from Stream’s video game sales due to its own app store.
Following Google’s Android model, Valve further explains the reason for building its own OS…
“openness” means that the hardware industry can iterate in the living room at a much faster pace than they’ve been able to. Content creators can connect directly to their customers. Users can alter or replace any part of the software or hardware they want. Gamers are empowered to join in the creation of the games they love.”
Valve unveiling its Steam Box hardware on Wednesday
It’s expected that this is just the first of their major announcements that Valve plans to make this week. The next should see Valve unveiling its Steam Box hardware on Wednesday. It’s expected that Valve will release three models; “good”, “better”, and “best” should each come in between $99-$299. Better is expected to be unveiled on Wednesday morning.
