SteamOS -- how will this affect the gaming industry?

[bifftape]

Now that SteamOS has been announced, Valve appears poised to take their business model to the living room. With two major announcements coming in the next week, some are expecting a Valve console. With their digital distribution methods, seasonal sales, and family options, a console from Valve would dump all this into direct competition with home system juggernauts.

How do you think this will affect the gaming industry? Microsoft and Sony are going to be in a dead heat for Christmas sales, and if some sort of new console hits the market in time for Christmas, what would the ramifications of that be?

 

[Esperahol]

Well now that depends doesn't it? The biggest thing any console has to do is work - will their console work? Nintendo has a great deal of experience, Microsoft has a great deal of experience with software and ducats for days to pour into development, and Sony has a great deal of experience with hardware and a great deal of funds to put into their console. Value has fat pockets and does well with their business model, but can they make a worthwhile console? If so then this ought to be interesting, if not then it sucks for them.