I'm not sure what to think of the reactions. Half of you seem to say that it looks like a PC, while the other half screams out how ugly it looks. So more than anything, this thread tells me we should never hold a gbatemp-LAN. I fear it'd be an immediate clash between those with a traditional-shaped grey/black box PC's (aka "boring") and those who bring RGB-curved experimental designs (aka "WTFFFFFFF????"). We'd need a moderator to tell everyone to chill before anyone has even properly connected their PC.
Ahem...on the topic itself: I'm on the bench on this one. It certainly stands out. But I'm mostly reminded of
the first iMac's. Those stood out as well, and were considered ugly at best ("toys" was actually worse, since it implied that it wouldn't be able to run anything decent). But like it or not: it was one of the first steps that got apple back from being "just a random tech company" to the juggernaut it later became.
I can almost guarantee that this things is gonna run a modified version of linux, and feature whatever steam games with linux support they can license.
No shit, Sherlock. Here's another prediction for you: despite what sort of mobile revolutionary car manufacturers promise you, the next generation of cars will have WHEELS underneath them. Why? Because there's no need to reinvent those things! Same here: linux is free, easily modifyable and has come a long way in proper driver support. It'd be retarded to just say "naaaah...we might be a small team, but we'll just start from scratch working on an OS. We've got a name to maintain.
"
Likewise: just about every game is on steam, so it doesn't take Nostradamus-powers to predict they want games that aren't tied into a system to be ported to their machine.
Imagine if Valve sues them for making it cause of their failed steam boxes/machines (they have to get the money back somehow) ...
Erm...What? What?
But...valve doesn't even OWN steam machines, let alone that they manage to patent "curved RGB design". How could...
...oh, wait. I get it. This isn't about the topic. It's about imagination. Right. Okay. Yup...I get the picture.
*in a near future, in an alternate universum near you*
Judge: here ye, here ye. We stand here to hold the trial between Valve and Slightly mad studios. The former accuses the latter of stealing the concept of the idea behind one of their partner's designs, hereafter known as "steam machines". Gentlemen...are these allegations correct?
Gabe Newell: *looks bright, smart, intelligent and fit. Golden sunlight whelms over his waving hair with an angelic chorus humming in the background. Everyone in the courtroom (including court officials) does a Mexican wave as he stands up from his chair and proclaims in a clear, kind and authorian voice* Yes, your honor. A couple years ago, we launched a hardware line-up that was not ready for prime time yet. Even though we discontinued the brand, it was stolen from us from...them!
*points in dramatic 'Ace Attorney' gesture to the Slightly Mad representative*
Judge: I see. Slightly mad representative...how do you plead?
Representative:
*a hunchebacked cross between Gollum and Severus Snape. He looks suspicious and fearful. A stench of humid sweat erupts from his drooling orifices as he hisses* Yessssss...we wanted it. Needed design. Stole it. We wanted to flood market with inferior consoles. Damage gamersssss. Yesssssss....
Judge: disrupting the market for innocent gamers? that is a
serious allegation! I hereby sentence you to a fine that amounts to the production cost of Half life 3!
*glancing at Gabe* Which...by the way...?
Newell: it shall be made. And released tomorrow. And right in time for our next steam sale to celebrate this fine serving of justice!
Crowd:
*nerdgasms*
