| LudicrousSpeed said: Idk about the last part. Price will be the main factor. Consoles are just PC's in one config with a controller attached. If the Steambox can price competitively then you have the same hardware situation, but with an endless amount of software at a ridiculously cheaper price. |
It's important to note that it isn't running Windows. It will release this year, without CoD, Fifa, Battlefield, Far Cry 4, Batman and allmost all titles. It actually packs in less titles than PS4/X1.You can change the OS, of course, but anyone with the knowledge or pacience for the hassle, probably will prefer to mount a PC with better specs and pricing. It's a prebuilt PC with small form factor. It includes the manufacturer profit margin. Building it yourself, you will cut this cost. If you don't focus on small form factors, it becomes even cheaper.
I also think that the 2 years advantage they gave to PS4 and X1 is insane. In 2013, they could compete. But looking at this year's E3, PS4 and X1 are entering that part of the cycle where they are on fire: price cuts, more games, big franchises.
Of course, I could be wrong and maybe more modern parts like the new AMD HBM-equiped GPUs could give it a technological advantage since newer tech with cost in mind is usually cheaper than older tech. Either way, I think games and price are the factor and PS4/X1 will have a massive advantage on both.
I also think that Valve showed that they aren't a hardware company. If you look at the PS4/X1 announcement, it was close to their releases (I know that X1 backfired, but I'm talking about the intention). You show a new console and in less than a year it hits the market: you're keeping the hype high. Valve announced the machines in 2013. There was some hype about it, but it basically died and PS4/X1 stole all the attention with their fight for the console market, games, crazy deals and so on. Playstation and Xbox are the words that are on gamer's minds. Nintendo is a but behind, but also with their mindshare. But Valve let all the hype die by taking so much time to finish the product.
