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I image the Official Steam Box from Valve (OSBfV) wouldn't actually be that upgradable. I would want something that would fit aesthetically with my TV, XBox, et
by varikin 14y ago
I image the Official Steam Box from Valve (OSBfV) wouldn't actually be that upgradable. I would want something that would fit aesthetically with my TV, XBox, etc. Trying to make the OSBfV cheap enough to entice consumers, yet pack enough of a punch for "gamers" (I really dislike that stereotype, but that isn't the point) would, I imagine, require not quite interchangeable hardware, much like the XBox. But, don't discount that Steam could easily release a OSBfV1, 2, 3 etc every other year with the latest and greatest (that fits in the form factor and budget constraints).
- bloaf 14y agoThe other possibility is that their Steam Box fits with their "games as a service" model. Imagine if they charged a monthly/yearly fee and occasionally shipped out hardware upgrades to all Steam Box owners.
- erichocean 14y agoWe'll be doing that model in 2013 with a B2B SaaS service that benefits from an onsite edge node to reduce latency, among other things. The hardware isn't sold, it's leased, but the effect is the same: we manage the onsite hardware, fix it when it breaks (next day replacement), and send out new hardware every few years. The hardware is literally plug and play, and works correctly behind a NAT router with DHCP. We actually decide what hardware a customer gets (it's based on load -- standard provisioning stuff), although customers can upgrade to a system they don't actually need for a fee. I think this approach is way better for customers, and the response so far has been extremely positive. No longer do they have to worry about provisioning and maintaining hardware, or even deciding what to buy. Of course they don't know the best way to provision hardware for our software. Why would they? It'd be really interesting to see this approach done in the consumer space.