[PC] Valve Debunks 'Steam Box' Console Rumors

[PC] Valve Debunks 'Steam Box' Console Rumors

One of the hottest topics in the industry over the last week or so has been the possibility of Steam developer Valve Software working on a Steam-based console, dubbed the "Steam Box". Not so, according to Valve's marketing director Doug Lombardi.

"We're prepping the Steam Big Picture Mode UI and getting ready to ship that, so we're building boxes to test that on," Lombardi told Kotaku. "We're also doing a bunch of different experiments with biometric feedback and stuff like that, which we've talked about a fair amount. All of that is stuff that we're working on, but it's a long way from Valve shipping any sort of hardware."

So while the so-called Steam Box exists, it is a far cry from an actual console. Rather, the device would simply allow PC gamers to use the digital distribution service to play Steam games on a PC hooked up to their television screens. But while nothing is in the cards for the moment, when asked if Valve may one day consider making its own hardware, Lombardi replied, "I think that's accurate."

Written by: Mike Glubish

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THQ denies rumors about cancellation of its 2014 lineup

by JC Fletcher on Jan 16th 2012 12:15AM

Yesterday, a series of tweets by IGDA Mobile SIG chair Kevin Dent alleged that THQ was in financial trouble, and that it was canceling its 2014 game lineup (most notably Warhammer 40k: Dark Millenium Online) and shopping itself out to potential buyers.

This evening, THQ's Australian PR department issued a statement to the contrary, as posted by VG247. "THQ has not cancelled its 2014 line-up, and has not made any decisions regarding the planned MMO," THQ said. According to the statement, the only reduction to THQ's lineup has been to move focus away from the "kids' boxed games sector" following poor performance of the most recent version of the uDraw. " Our slate for calendar 2012 and beyond is focused on high-quality core games and continues to build our digital platform and business," the statement said. "We are excited for our pipeline of original and high-quality content along with our relationships with some of the best talent in the industry."

Note that THQ said it "has not made any decisions" about Warhammer 40k: DMO -- that's hardly a statement of unwavering support. Regardless, the statement is clear about the rest of the 2014 lineup.

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Wii 2 rumors: Only 8GB of storage, 25GB discs, and 1080p isn't a definite

by Christopher Grant on May 3rd 2011 2:45PM

Citing unnamed (and un-numbered) anonymous sources (plural), Kotaku is reporting a handful of notable, albeit predictable, details about Nintendo's upcoming Wii successor, codenamed Project Café. For instance, in lieu of a capacious hard drive, Nintendo will buck industry trends and offer a humble 8GB of flash-based memory augmented by SD card support. If rumors are true and Project Café offers a graphical experience at least competitive with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, we're not sure what the storage solution for DLC (Red Dead Redemption's Undead Nightmare was over 1.5GB) or larger downloadable games (Comic Jumper is nearly 2GB) will be. With that constraint, digital distribution of retail titles would seemingly be off the table.

Speaking of retail games: Also rumored is the disc format for Project Café. It's said to hold 25GB of data which is roughly three times the size of a dual-layer DVD and over five times the size of the single-layer DVD that most Wii titles use. Also 25GB? A single-layer Blu-ray disc, though it's not clear if Project Café will use that standard or, even if it did, if it would enable movie playback. Despite using DVDs, the Wii famously doesn't support DVD video playback.

Speaking of Blu-ray video playback, the magic number usually tossed about by high-def home theater enthusiasts (and Sony marketing goons) is 1080, as in 1080p video resolution. That's one-thousand-and-eighty progressively scanned lines of resolution. Less popular: 1080i, which, yes, has one-thousand-and-eighty lines of resolution, but they're interlaced. If that doesn't sound familiar, that's because it's been somewhat absent since 1080p-compatible televisions and devices have filled the market. Kotaku reports it's heard "mixed things" as to whether Nintendo plans on offering 1080p (or, as Sony would put it circa 2006, "True HD") or 1080i.

As much as we want to believe every Project Café rumor we hear, we can't forget the delta between the console that Nintendo announced at E3 2006 and the one sitting on the shelf: DVD playback! USB hard drive support! Between now and Café's 2012 launch date, it's anyone's guess.

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Wii HD at E3 2011 Rumors Run Wild

Will this be the year for Wii HD? While many people over the last year or more have speculated, and even predicted, that Nintendo will release their next home console in the near future, there has been nothing quite like this. According to anonymous “inside sources,” who have begun spreading the word to GameInformer, IGN, Kotaku, and CVG, Nintendo might just reveal something soon in the form of what is being referred to as both “Project Butterfly” and “Project Cafe.” In fact, according to those sources, this June at E3 might be the time and location such information is shared. Although, there is even word that a pre-announcement will be made this month.

According to these rumors, the next Nintendo home console (Wii HD?) is being “done right,” and it will have the following specs:

1080p HD ResolutionsBackward-compatible with Wii gamesPower and speeds far greater than XBox 360 and PS3Controller to be more than just an upgraded Wii Remote with a built-in “HD” touch-screen

Wii sales have been dropping over the past year, so many say this is the perfect time for Nintendo to move into the HD era along with Microsoft and Sony.

Nintendo, themselves, have yet to confirm on these rumors. They have only replied with their usual “we do not comment on rumor or speculation” comment.

You may remember back to 2004 when Nintendo first revealed the Wii, then under codename “Revolution,” at E3. The following year, they uncovered the remote design and final design and name came in 2006.

Looking back through the years of Nintendo’s release schedule, these rumors might not be completely disconnected. The Wii was first announced only three years into the GameCube’s life-cycle. The GameCube was revealed four years into the Nintendo64's history. So, a sneak peak in 2011, four years after the Wii launch, would not be out of the question. Further, the rumors point to the system’s launch by the end of 2012, which matches up with what many have guessed, including us here at NintendoFuse.

For now, we will continue to wait and see. Until we hear more, let us know what you think about these rumors. Do you think we will hear about the Wii HD at E3 2011? What would you like to see in the next home console from Nintendo? Let us know in the comments or our forums.

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