Steam Box [News]

So the Internet has lit up with commentary on the "Steam Box", a rumored console from Valve that may or may not exist.  Well, I'm going to look at some of the predictions and - assume they're true - speculate on what this means.  It's one article that's pretty much all bologna, but that's okay.

The first major question is:  Will the Steam Box become a major competitor?  Can it hold it's own against the Big Three (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii), or will it become another OnLive?  Well the rumors include that this beautiful little machine will run Steam and - hopefully - allow Steam users to upload previously purchased games to the console.  It is also possible it will allow users to run other PC games, which may include EA's online system, Origin.  But what does this mean for the market?


If the Steam Box will truly do all that is rumored, it could turn the video game market as we know it on its head.  It could make a bigger push to going completely digital, which means no more discs.  My only concern with that is the backup of saves, which will no doubt be held in Steam's cloud.

Steam Box could marginalize the Wii even further than it has been already.  With a lack of first party developers, Nintendo's Wii console has been left in the dust.  Poor third party developed games have flooded the market, leaving very few hard core gamers lusting after the Wii.  It may push the Wii even further from the market, thus creating a new big three.

Recently, Valve has created a relationship with Sony, what with the best version of Portal 2 being on PS3, along with Steam Play.  Maybe Valve would team up with Sony to create a new fantastic console system.  They could also bring a surge into PC gaming, allowing people to play PC games without paying for an expensive laptop or desktop.  I know I wouldn't mind being able to play some of those PC exclusives, such as the MMOs or StarCraft 2.

What does the Steam Box mean for the market, and the future of gaming?  Few know, and I'm no expert to make speculations, but I do it anyway.  Only Valve knows if this device will meet our expectations.  But we all hope it does, because the market could use a good shakeup right now anyway.  A little drama always makes things a little interesting.  Heck, maybe the Steam Box could cheat on Sony with Microsoft?  That would send Twitter ablaze with drama.

EDIT - Recently, it was announced by Valve Corporation itself that they are a long way from shipping any hardware.  I'd hate to make you guys read it yourself, but you can if you so choose to over at PC Gamer.