History of video games/Platforms/Steam Machines
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A Steam Machine made by Zotac.
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History
[edit | edit source]Development
[edit | edit source]By early 2012 substantiated rumors of Steam Machines were being published on major gaming websites.[1]
In 2013 Valve was publicly working with Xi3 to create a small computer called Piston.[2] Also in 2013 was the announcement of SteamOS.[3] In December of 2013 300 beta units were sent to testers.[4][5]
Launch
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Steam Machines were delivered to those who had preordered them on October 16th, 2015.[6] General retail availability followed on November 10th, 2015.[6][7]
By June 2016, less than 500,000 steam machines had sold.[8]
Legacy
[edit | edit source]In 2018 Valve deemphasized steam machines on it's store, though they could still be purchased at that time.[9][10]
Following silence on Steam Machines, Valve continued development of SteamOS till at least 2019.[11][12]
The Steam Controller would result in a court case which started lasted from 2015 to 2021 and ultimately cost Valve a $4 million dollar fine for patent Infringement.[13][14]
The Steam Machines were followed by the Steam Deck portable console, which also ran on Steam OS.
Technology
[edit | edit source]Steam machines came in a number of different hardware configurations by multiple manufacturers, and ran the Linux based SteamOS.[15][10]
At launch depending on the model, systems could use an AMD or Intel CPU paired with either an AMD or NVIDIA dedicated GPU or an Intel integrated GPU.[16]
At launch, systems from manufacturers could have from as little as four gigabytes of RAM to as much as 32 gigabytes of RAM.[16]
Storage at launch was either based on using only hard drives, a small SSD used with a larger hard drive, or an SSD only.[16]
Games
[edit | edit source]Steam Machines could directly run games on Steam that supported Linux.[17]
Gallery
[edit | edit source]Prototypes
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Xi3 Modular Computer at CES 2011. -
Steam controllers at the Valve Office. -
Gigabyte Steam Machine and prototype controller in 2014.
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CyberPower Syber Steam Machine I
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Legacy IO -
The console with panel removed -
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Zotac NEN SN970
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The IO on this steam machine is closer to a typical console of the generation. -
The machine with cover removed. Hard Drive and RAM are placed in accessible locations. -
Motherboard and heatsinks. -
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![The Zotac NEN SN970 sports a 64 gigabyte m.2 boot SSD.[16]](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Zotac_NEN_SN970_Steam_Machne_%2823587741285%29.png/120px-Zotac_NEN_SN970_Steam_Machne_%2823587741285%29.png)
The Zotac NEN SN970 sports a 64 gigabyte m.2 boot SSD.[16] -
Eight gigabytes of DDR3 RAM is installed, with an extra slot for future upgrades. -
The Intel Wireless module. -
The dual 2.4 and 5 gigahertz antenna.
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![The Zotac NEN SN970 sports a 64 gigabyte m.2 boot SSD.[16]](/wiki/File:Zotac_NEN_SN970_Steam_Machne_(23587741285).png)
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Accessories
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Steam Controller -
Steam Link
References
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- ↑ Topolsky, Joshua (2 March 2012). "Exclusive: Valve said to be working on 'Steam Box' gaming console with partners, could announce at GDC". The Verge. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ "Hands-on with Xi3's 'Piston' modular PC at CES, a kind of 'Steambox'". Engadget. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ "Valve Announces Steam OS". Kotaku. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ Peckham, Matt (11 December 2013). "Hey 300 Steam Machine Beta Winners, Valve's Shipping Your Systems on Friday". Time. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ "Steam Machine Beta Units Shipping in December - IGN". Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ a b Crecente, Brian (4 June 2015). "The first official Steam Machines hit Oct. 16, on store shelves Nov. 10". Polygon. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ "First Three Steam Machines Released, Prices and Specs Detailed". GameSpot. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ Orland, Kyle (2 June 2016). "Seven months later, Valve's Steam Machines look dead in the water". Ars Technica. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ Statt, Nick (2 April 2018). "Valve quietly hides Steam Machine section from its game store after years of neglect". The Verge. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ a b Brown, Fraser (2 April 2018). "Valve gets rid of the Steam Machine section". PC Gamer. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ Wilde, Tyler (2 April 2018). "What happened to Steam Machines?". PC Gamer. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ Miller, Chris (28 March 2020). "SteamOS Isn't Dead, Just Sidelined; Valve Has Plans To Go Back To Their Linux-Based OS | Happy Gamer". HappyGamer. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ Carpenter, Nicole (3 February 2021). "Valve fined $4M in Steam Controller patent infringement lawsuit" (in en). Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/2021/2/3/22264213/valve-steam-controller-lawsuit-scuf-4-million.
- ↑ Walker, Alex. "Valve Fined $4 Million Over Steam Controller Patent Infringement" (in en-us). Kotaku. https://kotaku.com/valve-fined-4-million-over-steam-controller-patent-inf-1846185262.
- ↑ Ackerman, Dan. "Steam Machines and SteamOS: Everything you need to know". CNET. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ a b c d "Steam Machines: First impressions, The Specs, Prices, and Release Dates". GameSpot. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ↑ Buckley, Sean. "Alienware Steam Machine review: A gaming PC for your living room". Engadget. Retrieved 30 November 2020.