When it comes to computer gaming, nothing can beat Valve Software’s online distribution service Steam. Whether it’s a small, indie title or a huge, multimillion dollar blockbuster, Steam’s great service and unbeatable sales over the past few years have been a staple for PC gamers. Besides providing a central hub for gaming on the PC, Valve has also found the time to develop widely successful games like “Half-Life,” “Team Fortress 2” and “Portal.” But throughout the years, hardcore gaming has shifted from a keyboard and mouse to a controller. With consoles catching up in terms of graphics and performance with gaming computers at a fraction of the price, console gaming has overtaken PC gaming for the general public. While games like “Battlefield 3” look vastly better on a high-end gaming PC, economically it can’t compete against a $200 Xbox 360 that plays the same game. However, it appears Valve has a plan up its sleeve to merge console and PC gaming into a device that would shake up the gaming world as we know it. Unfortunately, it seems like we’re going to have to wait a bit longer than previously anticipated. Although rumors for a nearby release were squashed this weekend in an interview with gaming site Kotaku, the Internet was ablaze with the possibility of Valve working on a “Steam Box” – a type of set-top box able to download and stream games from Steam. Supposed leaked specs boasted an impressive amount of tech under the hood – enough to compete directly with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 – alongside a patent filed by Valve last year for a controller with interchangeable buttons and joysticks. All of this made the Steam Box seem like a reality. It turns out all of those leaks were just in-house builds for another Valve product to make Steam easier to use for people with their PC connected to their TV, Valve marketing director Doug Lombardi told Kotaku. What’s interesting about the interview is that Lombardi never fully denied Valve is working on a console – he just said there’s nothing coming out any time soon. If and when Valve does decide to release its own home console, it’ll not only be a big step for Valve but also a big step in the direction gaming seems to be heading. In the age of 3G, 4G and other number-letter combinations, people want their material at the tap of a finger. Just look at what Apple and iDevices have done for gaming – quick, bite-sized games easily downloaded to be enjoyed immediately. The same goes with the Kindle or Nook, as people can download and start reading a book within minutes – no more drives to the bookstore. If Valve releases a console, it’ll no doubt use the Steam store, and most likely only the Steam store. That would mean the only way to buy a game would be download distribution. Say goodbye to physical discs. There’s even rumor the next Xbox system from Microsoft will forgo discs altogether and primarily use digital downloads or a type of solid-state drive. I’ll take that rumor with a grain of salt and believe it when I see it. Now would be the perfect time for a Valve home console. The world is ready to embrace the digital format and Steam has enough followers that whatever Valve releases, people will easily throw their money at it. Physical media is dying, leaving online distribution as the future of gaming. If there were to be a company to lead that charge, it would definitely be Valve.
Adam Arinder is a 22-year-old communication studies senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_aarinder.
 
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