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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Valve.
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What kind of PS6 could justify a $1,000 price tag? | Opinion
The article speculates on how Sony could justify a potential $1,000 price tag for the PlayStation 6, suggesting a significant departure from current-gen hardware is necessary. It explores the challenges posed by rising component costs and the potential shift towards a digital-only, possibly more portable, console design, referencing the discontinuation of physical game sales and the success of the PlayStation Portal.
Valve's aim for a console-like experience with its Steam Machine lands a little too close for comfort as one of the first cases of 'Red Line of Death' comes to light
A user has reported the first instance of a 'Red Line of Death' hardware failure on Valve's Steam Machine, similar to the Xbox 360's issue. The failure, indicated by red LEDs, occurred after a software update while playing No Man's Sky. While the user has contacted Valve for support, the incident highlights potential hardware reliability concerns for the console-like PC.
Engadget Podcast: Who needs Valve's Steam Machine?
The Engadget Podcast discusses initial impressions of Valve's Steam Machine, questioning its necessity. The hosts also touch upon Sony's plans to discontinue physical PlayStation discs by 2028.
Does anyone actually want new consoles?
The article questions the demand for new console generations, citing current high prices, component shortages exacerbated by AI, and a general apathy towards incremental hardware upgrades. It suggests that the high cost of living and the availability of existing consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which still feel largely untapped, make a new generation financially unappealing for consumers. Furthermore, the lack of compelling exclusive software and the industry's focus on live service games and layoffs further diminish the perceived value of new hardware.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced promises smooth handheld sailing with Steam Deck and Steam Machine verification
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has achieved Steam Deck Verified status, indicating full compatibility with Valve's handheld PC. This is an improvement over the original Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag's 'Playable' rating. The verification also implies compatibility with Steam Machines, making it the first major game since their launch to receive this dual certification.
Uh-oh, the Steam Machine is having its own Xbox 360 "Red Ring of Death" moment, and Valve's lightbar…
A user reported their new Steam Machine experiencing a GPU failure, indicated by a red lightbar, after only 20 minutes of use, mirroring the "Red Ring of Death" issue that plagued the Xbox 360. Valve's error codes suggest a system-wide GPU failure, though the article speculates it could be a software or firmware issue. The user has opted to send the device back to Valve for support rather than attempting DIY fixes.
"Red line of death" - Steam Machine encounters its first major hardware fault and it's already got a fitting Xbox-inspired nickname
The newly released Steam Machine has encountered its first significant hardware issue, with some units displaying a 'red line of death' indicating a GPU failure shortly after setup. This problem, which occurred for one user after playing No Man's Sky and installing a firmware update, has drawn comparisons to the infamous Red Ring of Death on the Xbox 360. Users are advised to contact Valve support for replacements, though the limited production numbers may make this challenging.
Valve finally just shared a make-your-own Steam Machine e-ink faceplate kit, but a pre-built "Inkterface"…
Valve has released a DIY kit for creating custom e-ink faceplates for the Steam Machine, providing 3D print files, a bill of materials, and instructions. While Valve offers the DIY option, third-party manufacturer Jsaux is also planning to release its own pre-built e-ink faceplate for the device.
404 Page not found
The article indicates a '404 Page Not Found' error, humorously comparing the situation to the non-existence of Half-Life 3. It prompts users who followed a link to report the issue to Eurogamer.net for correction.
Steam Machine Early Adopter Reports Hardware Failure With Blinking Red LED
Early adopters of Valve's Steam Machine are reporting hardware failures, indicated by a blinking red LED. The specific error code suggests a GPU failure, though the exact cause and prevalence are currently unknown. This issue has drawn comparisons to the 'red ring of death' experienced by early Xbox 360 consoles.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney suggests AI could've saved Destiny 2 and will "enable games like Destiny to thrive!"
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney suggested that a lack of generative AI adoption may have contributed to Destiny 2's struggles, stating that the technology could enable games like it to thrive. He also criticized Valve's policies regarding AI disclosures in games, arguing they hinder developers. The article explores the potential role of AI in accelerating game development and content creation.
Former PlayStation Exec Is Less Than Impressed With Steam Machine
Former Sony Interactive Entertainment president Shuhei Yoshida shared his unimpressed "meh" early impressions of Valve's Steam Machine, citing its high price tag and slow performance as major drawbacks. While he acknowledged its small form factor and quiet operation, Yoshida found it hard to recommend, especially compared to the PlayStation 4.
How a South Korean intern saved Valve from a Vivendi lawsuit
A South Korean intern named Andrew played a crucial role in resolving Valve's 2002 lawsuit against Vivendi, which threatened the company's existence and the release of Half-Life 2. The intern discovered evidence of Vivendi destroying documents related to their deal, leading the court to side with Valve and secure ownership of Half-Life and Counter-Strike, paving the way for Steam's creation.
The first wave of Steam Machines has arrived at long last, but those without are left watching the waitlist
The first wave of Steam Machines has begun shipping to early adopters worldwide, with unboxing celebrations and initial impressions being shared on the Steam Machine Subreddit. While many users are receiving their devices, a significant number are still on waitlists, experiencing frustration due to the rapid sell-out and limited supply. The article also notes a humorous Lego replica of the Steam Machine and mentions Shuhei Yoshida's thoughts on the new hardware.
"Am I going back to PS4 days?" - Former PlayStation leader Shuhei Yoshida has tried the Steam Machine, and he doesn't sound very impressed
Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida shared his mixed impressions of the Steam Machine, comparing its performance unfavorably to the PlayStation 4 era. While he found the system UI and controller features like the changeable face plate and boot-up videos appealing, he criticized the 3D performance, long game boot times, and the controller's touchpad and stick looseness. Despite these drawbacks and a high price point, Yoshida indicated he would keep the device for research and to play PC games on his living room TV.
'Meh': Ex-PlayStation president Shuhei Yoshida weighs in on Valve's Steam Machine after a few hours with…
Former PlayStation president Shuhei Yoshida shared his initial thoughts on Valve's Steam Machine, describing its 3D performance as "meh" and questioning the default 1080p recommendation. He also noted long game boot times and found the Steam Controller's touchpads and sticks to be problematic, though he praised the SteamOS UI and the device's small form factor and quiet operation.
"Am I going back to the PS4 days?" - Former PlayStation president Shuhei Yoshida shares a very mixed Steam…
Former PlayStation president Shuhei Yoshida shared his mixed thoughts on the Steam Deck after a few hours of use, noting that its 3D performance is 'meh' and that some games take a long time to boot. While he praised the system's UI and the ability to launch games with a controller, he questioned if it was a step back to PlayStation 4-era performance. Yoshida ultimately found the Steam Deck to be a viable alternative to consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X for playing Steam games on a TV, but the high $1,049 price tag makes it difficult to recommend.
Evening Mobilization
Assassin's Creed Black Flag has been verified for the Steam Deck, indicating it runs well on the handheld PC. This news was shared alongside unrelated reports about Kia's car tracking features and issues with Google Pixel phones.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Is Officially Steam Deck Verified
Ubisoft has announced that Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is now Steam Deck Verified, confirming its compatibility with Valve's handheld. The game features new additions like ray-tracing and dynamic weather, and is also set to release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
A $1,000 PS6 or Xbox Would Repeat Gaming’s Biggest Pricing Mistake
The high price of the Steam Machine, exceeding even the PS5 Pro, raises concerns about the pricing of future consoles like the PlayStation 6 and upcoming Xbox hardware. The article discusses how traditional console manufacturers subsidize hardware costs through game sales and services, a model that may be unsustainable with rising component prices. It suggests that Sony and Microsoft should consider delaying their next-gen consoles to ensure a justifiable value proposition for consumers, otherwise, they risk alienating a significant portion of their market.
