Microsoft Xbox exec is 'not sweating it' about Steam Machines

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Valve used CES 2014 to show the first wave of third-party Steam Machine PCs that will use the Linux-based SteamOS. The idea is that these computers will be small enough to be hooked up to a big-screen TV in a living room. In theory, they could be considered competition for dedicated game consoles like Microsoft's just-launched Xbox One.

However, if Microsoft is worried about Steam Machines taking some of its Xbox business away, the company isn't admitting to it. In a chat with Engadget, Microsoft's Xbox Chief Product Officer Marc Whitten said, "I think there's space for both. I'm not sweating it."

Whitten did state that he didn't quite know what to make of Valve's Steam Machine/SteamOS initiative yet, but was quick to say that he was not trying to criticize Valve's plans either. He said, "I continue to think that PC gaming – the sort of uber configuration and I can change everything and I can mod – that's an important thing and there's a lot of people that wanna do that."

Whitten was a bit more enthusiastic about the chances for the Oculus Rift VR helmet, which showed off a new and improved prototype at CES 2014. While Whitten said that he has used the devices and liked it so far, he stopped short of saying if Microsoft has any Oculus Rift dev kits of their own. He also doesn't think that sales of the helmet, which currently does not support any game consoles, will detract from Xbox One sales, stating, "It's just gonna increase the surface area, and I think that's an incredible thing."

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Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-xbox-exec-is-not-sweating-it-when-it-comes-to-steam-machines

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"Microsoft Xbox exec is 'not sweating it' about Steam Machines" :: Login/Create an Account :: 93 comments

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DJMarkyMarkPosted:

Flutterborn I've always liked steam more because of all the sales and the convenience of it, but idk if i'll be buying this.


I agree. Steam has some great deals but I would rather build a really good PC over purchasing a steam machine.

CHPPosted:

they should be, it sounds like its going to be pretty beast.

DissPosted:

j8ke steam will take over in about 3/4 years im guessing.


I don't believe they will at all, a lot of people are still into console gaming and the Steam console is way to expensive more many people to purchase it.

HovaPosted:

Australians
RawBullet
Australians
sir_greco
Australians
VPN Then again you get the social interaction on consoles.


Yeah, overall it's a better vibe, less modders, easier communicating. Overall I'd go with the Xbox any day


nailed it right on here. most people just want to play games for fun. yes having some mods can make it fun, but when ur in a hacked lobby for a game, it just ruins it sometimes. not to mention consoles ajust seem so much simpler to use for general ordinary people.


Exactly, computers just seem to be for those technically sophisticated people that like to test new stuff, I however like the plain and simple stuff, because I have grown up to it and I'm used to it.


Completely agree with you guys, however its not just for modding I'd like to point out, I did not switch from console to PC for modding, I switched due to the services you can use on PC such as Steam. But the main reason I prefer PC is because I like the fact you can do everything on PC. For me I tend to listen to music while on social networking sites on my left screen and then have the current game I'm playing on my right screen. Multitasking is a great advantage for me, that's why I prefer PC. And of course you can do whatever you want without any limits.


That's why Xbox Snap comes in handy ;)


True but there is only so much you can do on Xbox Snap

HovaPosted:

i agree, fixed for developers and gamers and offering true plug in and play functionaility.

The steambox is more a consumerisation of pc gaming, interesting, however i don't think it's going to displace any of the major consoles but instead live alongside it.

PC gaming has been stuck in the shadow of console ports for a long time and this will continue, however indie gaming has really given the pc platform a second wind, seperating it from the smartphone app/tablet market and the console market. However with the recent next gen launch indie titles are getting onto the consoles quite easily so it makes sense that the PC marks inroads into the living room more so.

AustraliansPosted:

Flutterborn I've always liked steam more because of all the sales and the convenience of it, but idk if i'll be buying this.


To much money is the main reason people wont be buying it :/

AustraliansPosted:

RawBullet
Australians
sir_greco
Australians
VPN Then again you get the social interaction on consoles.


Yeah, overall it's a better vibe, less modders, easier communicating. Overall I'd go with the Xbox any day


nailed it right on here. most people just want to play games for fun. yes having some mods can make it fun, but when ur in a hacked lobby for a game, it just ruins it sometimes. not to mention consoles ajust seem so much simpler to use for general ordinary people.


Exactly, computers just seem to be for those technically sophisticated people that like to test new stuff, I however like the plain and simple stuff, because I have grown up to it and I'm used to it.


Completely agree with you guys, however its not just for modding I'd like to point out, I did not switch from console to PC for modding, I switched due to the services you can use on PC such as Steam. But the main reason I prefer PC is because I like the fact you can do everything on PC. For me I tend to listen to music while on social networking sites on my left screen and then have the current game I'm playing on my right screen. Multitasking is a great advantage for me, that's why I prefer PC. And of course you can do whatever you want without any limits.


That's why Xbox Snap comes in handy ;)

TRSNPosted:

We'll see how they do. I'm definitely interested in what they have in store.

Evo8Posted:

Communication is easy on PC, just use Skype.

MichikoPosted:

Latias
RawBullet
Australians
sir_greco
Australians
VPN Then again you get the social interaction on consoles.


Yeah, overall it's a better vibe, less modders, easier communicating. Overall I'd go with the Xbox any day


nailed it right on here. most people just want to play games for fun. yes having some mods can make it fun, but when ur in a hacked lobby for a game, it just ruins it sometimes. not to mention consoles ajust seem so much simpler to use for general ordinary people.



Exactly, computers just seem to be for those technically sophisticated people that like to test new stuff, I however like the plain and simple stuff, because I have grown up to it and I'm used to it.


Completely agree with you guys, however its not just for modding I'd like to point out, I did not switch from console to PC for modding, I switched due to the services you can use on PC such as Steam. But the main reason I prefer PC is because I like the fact you can do everything on PC. For me I tend to listen to music while on social networking sites on my left screen and then have the current game I'm playing on my right screen. Multitasking is a great advantage for me, that's why I prefer PC. And of course you can do whatever you want without any limits.

It's also much cheaper in the long run, with steam sales it saves you so much money.


Steam sales are part of the reason I play pc more than console now, you can get multiple great games for the same price if not cheaper than the average console game.


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