A former Microsoft executive with over 20 years of experience has shared his perspective on Valve’s Steam Machine. Larry Hryb, more famously known as Major Nelson, was Xbox’s most visible frontman and served as the director of programming for Xbox Live for a large portion of his tenure. With his deep understanding of the console wars—where fandoms often pit plastic boxes and billion-dollar corporations against each other—his insights carry weight.
The recently revealed Steam Machine has been pulled into this ongoing online ‘war.’ Although the new Valve hardware is technically a smaller, pre-built gaming PC compatible with all the same accessories as a regular desktop, Valve is emphasizing console-like comforts to make it competitive in the living room.
Despite this, Hryb believes the Steam Machine doesn’t need to be seen strictly as a competitor to Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo. In an online post, the ex-Microsoft executive commented:
“It’s been an interesting 24-hours in gaming as I read the previews and debate about the new Steam hardware. Remember: Not everything needs a winner or loser. Choice is always good. Game where, how and when you like. Where YOU find YOUR fun is all that matters.”
Hear, hear.
Phil Spencer, the current head of Microsoft Gaming, expressed similar enthusiasm about the new machine, stating:
“Gaming moves forward when players and developers have more ways to play and create, especially across open platforms.”
It is no doubt that Microsoft will be closely monitoring the Steam Machine’s performance, as all signs suggest the next-generation Xbox will also be a PC/console hybrid. This evolving landscape could reshape how players experience games in the living room and beyond.
https://www.gamesradar.com/hardware/former-xbox-exec-major-nelson-praises-valves-steam-machine-as-choice-is-always-good-but-doesnt-think-it-should-be-dragged-into-a-console-war-not-everything-needs-a-winner-or-loser/
