The first Steam Machine user videos have started appearing on YouTube, with one offering us an in-depth first look at Valve’s SteamOS for gaming consoles.
YouTube user Cory Nelson provided a full Steam Machine unboxing video over the weekend, but has now given Valve fans an early look at SteamOS.
SteamOS on the Steam Machine looks very similar to the desktop iteration, as you are presented with the Store, your game library and the community of Steam users with which you can interact.
The video shows how to launch and load games. It seems the Steam Machine pulls together all the games available on Steam, even if they can’t be played on SteamOS. You’ll need to filter by Linux games for all those compatible with Steam Machines.
Rather irritating game installs look like they take just as long as they do on the desktop version, with Nelson commenting he had to run the machine overnight to complete game downloads.
The SteamOS interface allows you to launch games, view achievements, access the workshop and see what your friends are playing. This is pretty much the same as the desktop Steam that you may be familiar with.
Nelson’s videos also showcase some Steam Machine gameplay of Left 4 Dead 2 and Portal. He briefly shows how the games work with the Steam Controller and says it is “not as easy as the mouse in my opinion”.
He also states that being skilful with aiming precision is the biggest struggle with the Steam Controller.
The prototype Steam Machines were shipped to a select group of 300 beta testers earlier this month.
Valve has also offered SteamOS to hardware manufacturers that will launch the first batch of Steam Machines early 2014.
Next, read our SteamOS Guide: SteamOS and Steam Machines Explained
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ0WuFcUPCg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC2go6LiDco
Image: Colbehr
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
