On paper, introducing a hybrid system to cater to both console and PC gamers does seem like a feasible idea, but Valve’s Steam Machine hardware has never quite caught on with users.
So it hardly serves as surprising news that it has fallen off the front page of the online Steam store on April 3, 2018. Bringing to light the reasoning behind the move, Valve employee Pierre-Loup Griffias wrote in a post to the community that “Steam Machines aren’t exactly flying off the shelves”, which led to the decision to remove it “based on user traffic”.
With the spate of compatibility issues (Arkham Knight, anyone?), it was only a matter of time for the PC-console arrangement to fall through. It wasn’t that the concept couldn’t take root – the two arenas have been experiencing a growth surge in recent years, after all – but the system never did find its niche, teetering dangerously between the edges of PC and console gaming. Additionally, it also failed to live up to the promise of providing upgradability, as well as better processors and graphics.
Moving forward, the team hopes to branch into the Mac and Linux markets, while affirming that their previous goals of “striving towards a competitive and open gaming platform haven’t significantly changed.” Griffias elaborates:
“Working on Steam Machine hardware has helped Valve quite a bit about the state of the Linux ecosystem for real-world game developers out there. We’ve taken a lot of feedback and have been heads-down on addressing the shortcomings we observed.”
Having said that, Valve is still keeping the option open to interested parties, who may head on down to a separate link on the store page for access. This means the support for Steam’s peripheral hardware, which includes the Steam Controller, the Steam Link in-box streaming box, and Steam VR-based headset support, is still ongoing as well.
Or you could always build your own Steam box – all that’s needed are the right components, patience, and some cash for the parts!
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Ryan Michael Chin
Edwin Teo
