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The prototype box for the Steam Machine project has been revealed today by The Verge. At around 12 inches long and 2.9 inches tall, the Steam Machine, shown below, is currently larger than a standard Xbox 360 but is also far smaller than the average gaming PC.
The Verge article discusses how Valve have specifically designed the Steam Machine casing to perfectly suit the components contained within it, allowing individual pieces of hardware to ventilate and breathe independently of one another. For example, the processor will be ventilated by blowing air out of the top, while the power supply has access to the side, leaving the graphics card with plenty of space at the rear of the machine. The case design restricts airflow between components, forcing all heated air to leave the device. The Verge reports that this design allows the box to remain "surprisingly cool and quiet", even though Valve are still actively tweaking and improving the design in their prototyping lab.
Interestingly, The Verge also discusses how Valve's hardware team mentioned their unannounced virtual reality headset and how the team are currently planning to implement bio-metric sensors onto the device to track the wearer's reactions to games. The headset will be able to track the user's reactions at the earlobe in order to provide custom tailored experiences which react to whether or not the user is scared, excited, etc, similar to an advanced version of the omnipotent Director from the Left 4 Dead games.
As far as the future is concerned, the Steam Machines and the Steam Controllers are essentially the basic building blocks for Valve's future, providing them with an independent, open platform which they may use to experiment and innovate with additional technology such as virtual reality and bio-metrics. Valve reiterate that the Steam Machines are not designed to compete with traditional next-generation consoles such as the upcoming Playstation 4 and Xbox One, as the platform is specifically designed as an alternate platform just for gamers.
While we still don't have any information regarding Valve's hardware and software partners or the price of the Steam Controller and the Steam Machines, we are confident more details will be made available in January at CES 2014 in Las Vegas. The journey ahead will definitely be a difficult one, but if anyone is going to change the gaming landscape in such a dramatic way, we're just glad Valve will be the ones to do it.
Valve have recently released a number of high resolution images of the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller, all of which are available below.
The Verge article discusses how Valve have specifically designed the Steam Machine casing to perfectly suit the components contained within it, allowing individual pieces of hardware to ventilate and breathe independently of one another. For example, the processor will be ventilated by blowing air out of the top, while the power supply has access to the side, leaving the graphics card with plenty of space at the rear of the machine. The case design restricts airflow between components, forcing all heated air to leave the device. The Verge reports that this design allows the box to remain "surprisingly cool and quiet", even though Valve are still actively tweaking and improving the design in their prototyping lab.
The article also covers the Steam Controller, which has clearly been through some extremely bizarre prototyping. Valve began developing the Steam Controller by experimenting with old trackballs before eventually deciding that touch surfaces offer a modern alternate while retaining the precision of earlier prototypes. The Verge's Sean Hollister discusses how the controls and touchpads were surprisingly accurate and responsive despite initially appearing unfamiliar due to the controller's unconventional design. If the platform and concept takes off, Valve are planning to contract large-scale manufacturers in order to mass-produce the controller.
Interestingly, The Verge also discusses how Valve's hardware team mentioned their unannounced virtual reality headset and how the team are currently planning to implement bio-metric sensors onto the device to track the wearer's reactions to games. The headset will be able to track the user's reactions at the earlobe in order to provide custom tailored experiences which react to whether or not the user is scared, excited, etc, similar to an advanced version of the omnipotent Director from the Left 4 Dead games.
As far as the future is concerned, the Steam Machines and the Steam Controllers are essentially the basic building blocks for Valve's future, providing them with an independent, open platform which they may use to experiment and innovate with additional technology such as virtual reality and bio-metrics. Valve reiterate that the Steam Machines are not designed to compete with traditional next-generation consoles such as the upcoming Playstation 4 and Xbox One, as the platform is specifically designed as an alternate platform just for gamers.
While we still don't have any information regarding Valve's hardware and software partners or the price of the Steam Controller and the Steam Machines, we are confident more details will be made available in January at CES 2014 in Las Vegas. The journey ahead will definitely be a difficult one, but if anyone is going to change the gaming landscape in such a dramatic way, we're just glad Valve will be the ones to do it.
Valve have recently released a number of high resolution images of the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller, all of which are available below.
