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Steam Link hardware officially walks the plank, there's an app for that

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Valve has quietly mentioned that the Steam Link is selling out across the world with stock either sold out or about to be sold out. It's already sold out in Europe with stock in the US almost gone too, so if you want one you better act fast.

It's a shame, as I don't think they device really lived up to the potential it offered. Valve didn't exactly do a lot with it after release, although is did basically serve its purpose. We knew this day was coming, since it has repeatedly been on sale for next to nothing.

Valve will continue support it, but at this point they're probably hoping more people start using the Steam Link App which you won't need yet another device for picking up dust.

I was quite impressed with the Steam Link Android app at release. which Valve has slowly made some good improvements on like being able to stream to multiple devices, giving you some streamed local co-op.

Did you buy one? Are you sad to see it go? Do let us know in the comments.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Hardware, Steam, Valve
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49 comments
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Natedawg Nov 21, 2018
Hmmm, that's too bad. My children and I use one here at home almost every day :)
STiAT Nov 21, 2018
I like my steam link. Not getting any SmartTV/AndroidTV, so I'll keep it around as long as possible.
etonbears Nov 21, 2018
Valve seems to have taken a scattergun approach to encouraging their concept of open gaming, but I still think they would prefer a SteamOS device. I can't see many companies wanting to produce one with a cheap alternative available, even if streaming has a lot of issues for some people.

I guess Steamplay of games via proton is also much easier to validate on SteamOS-driven partner hardware.

Maybe we will see another round of Steam Machines in 12 months or so.
cprn Nov 21, 2018
:O Was going to buy one this December! Sad, sad, sad...
denyasis Nov 21, 2018
I just looked on the steam store. It's 95% off right now if any one is thinking of getting it (U.S.A.)


Last edited by denyasis on 21 November 2018 at 4:34 pm UTC
Mohandevir Nov 21, 2018
Thing is, when it was heavily discounted, it was cheaper to buy a Steam Link for the network and HDMI cable included than buying the cables alone. So I bought 2 of them. :)

Tried using them hardwired and it did a good job with many games but for others (ex: Witcher 3) I had lots of pixelated frames or just bad performances (Deux Ex: Mankind Divided). Since that's the kind of games I play, the Steam Link doesn't really make it for me. Too bad, I really like the concept and tought that it might become a good client for an hypothetical "Steam streaming service".


Last edited by Mohandevir on 21 November 2018 at 6:10 pm UTC
slaapliedje Nov 21, 2018
Quoting: denyasisI just looked on the steam store. It's 95% off right now if any one is thinking of getting it (U.S.A.)
Seriously? I just bought one when I saw this article posted, but it was 89 for controller and link...

Oh, I DID get the discount! Sweet! Ha, the Shipping is more than the price of the Link.


Last edited by slaapliedje on 21 November 2018 at 8:15 pm UTC
slaapliedje Nov 21, 2018
Quoting: MohandevirThing is, when it was heavily discounted, it was cheaper to buy a Steam Link for the network and HDMI cable included than buying the cables alone. So I bought 2 of them. :)

Tried using them hardwired and it did a good job with many games but for others (ex: Witcher 3) I had lots of pixelated frames or just bad performances (Deux Ex: Mankind Divided). Since that's the kind of games I play, the Steam Link doesn't really make it for me. Too bad, I really like the concept and tought that it might become a good client for an hypothetical "Steam streaming service".

So I mostly had played Divine Divinity: Original Sin on Linux on a 1080p TV with the Link, and it'd have audio delay and was crashing (well to be fair, that was the game). But once I changed it from 5.1 surround to just stereo it worked perfectly. Well, was still crashing, but there wasn't any issues with the game. I've also now been playing Conan Exiles over it on my 4k tv, works fine. I've even played Fallout 4 with it. Mind you, now I'm using Wireless with Conan and it's working.
Mohandevir Nov 21, 2018
Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: MohandevirThing is, when it was heavily discounted, it was cheaper to buy a Steam Link for the network and HDMI cable included than buying the cables alone. So I bought 2 of them. :)

Tried using them hardwired and it did a good job with many games but for others (ex: Witcher 3) I had lots of pixelated frames or just bad performances (Deux Ex: Mankind Divided). Since that's the kind of games I play, the Steam Link doesn't really make it for me. Too bad, I really like the concept and tought that it might become a good client for an hypothetical "Steam streaming service".

So I mostly had played Divine Divinity: Original Sin on Linux on a 1080p TV with the Link, and it'd have audio delay and was crashing (well to be fair, that was the game). But once I changed it from 5.1 surround to just stereo it worked perfectly. Well, was still crashing, but there wasn't any issues with the game. I've also now been playing Conan Exiles over it on my 4k tv, works fine. I've even played Fallout 4 with it. Mind you, now I'm using Wireless with Conan and it's working.

Might give it another shot soon. I have a new RX 580 to test streaming with. Anyone know if the Mesa drivers are doing a good streaming job?

Edit: Did you say 4K? Is the Steam link 4K capable?


Last edited by Mohandevir on 21 November 2018 at 8:26 pm UTC
slaapliedje Nov 22, 2018
Quoting: Mohandevir
Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: MohandevirThing is, when it was heavily discounted, it was cheaper to buy a Steam Link for the network and HDMI cable included than buying the cables alone. So I bought 2 of them. :)

Tried using them hardwired and it did a good job with many games but for others (ex: Witcher 3) I had lots of pixelated frames or just bad performances (Deux Ex: Mankind Divided). Since that's the kind of games I play, the Steam Link doesn't really make it for me. Too bad, I really like the concept and tought that it might become a good client for an hypothetical "Steam streaming service".

So I mostly had played Divine Divinity: Original Sin on Linux on a 1080p TV with the Link, and it'd have audio delay and was crashing (well to be fair, that was the game). But once I changed it from 5.1 surround to just stereo it worked perfectly. Well, was still crashing, but there wasn't any issues with the game. I've also now been playing Conan Exiles over it on my 4k tv, works fine. I've even played Fallout 4 with it. Mind you, now I'm using Wireless with Conan and it's working.

Might give it another shot soon. I have a new RX 580 to test streaming with. Anyone know if the Mesa drivers are doing a good streaming job?

Edit: Did you say 4K? Is the Steam link 4K capable?

Verified that it scales to 1080p. So I have a 4k TV, my monitor is 2560x1440p (G-sync not that it should matter) and playing GTA V via Proton was really smooth, but the TV's info said it was 1080p. So it definitely scales down, there wasn't any chopped off hud or anything. Still works quite well, and Steam Controller is awesome for GTA V.
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