We are again seeing leaks of a potential future console from Valve, which is exciting considering how well the Steam Deck has done.
Valve are always working on something though, and seeing leaks doesn't mean what they're currently working on will ever actually release. Valve did also previously completely dismiss another rumour but this one at least has some more substance to it.
The what: as reported by SadlyItsBradley on X, noting that a Geekbench result had appeared for "Valve Fremont". Going by the details it's currently using a "Hawk Point 2" CPU noted as "AMD Custom CPU 1772" featuring 6 Cores and 12 Threads running at 3.20 GHz.
What makes it a little odd though is the listing being Windows 11 Pro, along with it reportedly having a dedicated RX 7600 GPU. It would be thoroughly odd if it was Windows-based, given all their work on Linux and the amazing Proton compatibility layer. This is likely just some testing machine that won't match up to what the real specifications will be, if it ever does release.
Question is though — how did this listing appear? It wasn't just the once either, but twice. Did someone at Valve accidentally allow it to be published? Did Valve do it on purpose to generate more leak hype and speculation? Then again, to cover all sides - this "Valve Fremont" might not even be a real listing actually coming from a Valve test.
How could they actually make it a success? I wrote about what I thought Valve would need for a new Steam Machine previously, and going back — most of what I said still remains true. Mostly, because they do now have the dedicated SteamOS rating system now at least for other devices.
Valve have built up a lot of goodwill and dedicated customers with the Steam Deck, and we've come a truly long way since the failure of the first Steam Machines so they could quite easily make it a success. As long as it's priced right, and performs well enough with people having access to all their existing Steam games thanks again to Proton if it used SteamOS. We definitely need that Steam Controller 2 as well that's for sure.
What are your current thoughts on a future TV Steam Machine from Valve?
I've reached out to Valve for comment but we're unlikely to get a response on such a thing.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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ScottCarammell 16 hours ago
I just think that sociologically, and psychologically the PC and Console player differ, and tapping the console gamer might require some new & optimized strats.I don't agree with this at all. I've seen people say PCs and consoles are completely seperate markets, but just from personal experience - console-like PCs are just an evolution of console gaming.
I was a console-only person most of my life, never touching a PC for gaming full-time until years later when I got a PC for my own. Since then, I've never really looked back. It's just a full-on replacement.
And while consoles do have advantages, the console-like form factor of the Steam Deck and possibly whatever this new thing is neuters those advantages in my eyes. Gone is the guesswork over whether a game will work or not, or having a complicated interface or controls - it's just a box with a controller that works with things labelled to work.
Honestly, me moving to Linux in 2024 was a largely similar feeling. Sacrifices had to be made of course, but the feeling the new OS gave to me was so much better than what I'd been used to, to the point that I can't ever really go back at this point. It just treats me too well. Who's to say the same thing won't happen here, to many others?
I think bringing console players to PC isn't an issue of needing new strategies - I think it's an issue of letting consoles continue to enshittify and PC continue to improve as has been happening the past decade or so. People will move over then naturally, especially with gateway PCs like these; hell, they may skip over Windows entirely and go right to Linux, god willing.
Highball 7 hours ago
gateway PCs
Agreed, the Steam Deck is an easy on ramp to PC gaming. That's why I think the Steam Console will be key. Console like experience while under the hood you are PC gaming on your TV with console effort.
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