STEAM MACHINE

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS?

https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steammachine

Last week Valve rocked the gaming world to its core with their announcement of the latest addition to their hardware lineup – the “Steam Machine”. With its console-like appearance the device comes packed with everything any gamer could ask for:

• 4k 60 FPS gaming
• Storage Capacity from 500GB – 2TB,
• Built in power supply
• SteamOS, the operating system “optimized for gaming”.

It also offers full customization of  both physical and internal aspects with an interchangeable front casing and color changing RGB light strip, and full bluetooth accessibility. So what’s the catch?

The weird part is there might not be one! Valve specifically stated the Steam Machine-despite its appearance and features-is still a PC. This statement alone has left gamers and consumers alike feeling every emotion all at once. Some excited, some confused, but all interested to see what this means for the future. With the Steam Machine being a PC it means that it will have access to the entire steam library and a desktop mode; meaning that gamers will have access to any game released on steam with the addition of downloading mods and other customization options off the internet.

With the downfall of Microsoft’s Xbox in recent years the go-to options for console gaming have been Sony’s PS5 and Nintendo’s Switch & Switch 2; but players alike have been making complaints about how expensive gaming has felt lately. Online Membership prices between both Playstation & Nintedo are at their highest; on top of new releases starting at $70-$80. The Steam Machine’s existence alone maybe the answer that everyone has been looking for; with the biggest titles in the industry constantly being on sale on Steam with no online membership required.

Playstation Exclusives have been officially ported to Steam about a year after their release. This means that all of Sony’s heavy hitters will be playable on the Steam Machine with Mod compatability. The Steam Machine being a PC also means that all generations of Nintendo Exclusives can be accessed through Emulation. After listing all these capabilities it still all begs the question, “What’s the point”?.

“Any PC can be plugged into a monitor via HDMI and played with any controller via Bluetooth. PS5s and Nintendo Switches are leading sales because console gaming is still very much alive despite Online Membership prices because they’re affordable and easily accessible. Why waste time on the Steam Machine?”, are all opinions and quarries I’ve heard and some I’ve even shared.  The Steam Machine may just be the bridge that connects-and ends-the ‘Console VS PC’ debate that has been going on for decades. Although being weaker than a PS5 and a high end PC in terms of power; you can still enjoy your favorite games in your own way at a good quality.

We still have to wait for Valve to officially announce pricing for the Steam Machine and its accessories, but I can only imagine its going to be the cheaper alternative and casual introduction for console gamers who have been intimidated by the amount of money and maintenance it takes to be apart of the “PC Master Race” and the PC owner who’s long overdue for new hardware and wants to splash in familiar territory. Is the Steam Machine the “Chosen One to Change Gaming Forever”, or just a juiced up Steamdeck for your TV? Only time will tell.