Valve's future device, known as Steam Machine, is generating significant interest in the gaming industry. Some experts believe that the system is capable of changing the balance of power in the console market.
Former Xbox head Mike Ybarra believes that Valve is capable of becoming Sony's most serious competitor in the coming years. According to him, the Japanese company already perceives Valve as a serious threat. This may explain Sony's change in strategy and refusal to release some major games on PC. Projects such as Marvel’s Wolverine and Ghost of Yotei, according to journalist Jason Schreier, will remain console exclusives to protect the PlayStation ecosystem from the spread of SteamOS in living rooms.
Competition is also intensifying due to Microsoft's plans to launch the next Xbox under the code name Project Helix. The console should offer high performance and integration of games between PC and console. Valve is betting on flexibility and a huge library of games.
Ybarra noted that Valve's strength is access to thousands of projects, free multiplayer, and a return policy: a game can be returned for any reason, even after three hours of play.
According to him, thanks to partnerships with manufacturers, devices on SteamOS will appear on the market in different price categories – from budget systems for $500 to powerful models costing about $5,000.
The main unknowns remain the price and release date. The cost is affected by rising RAM prices, so Valve's device may be more expensive than traditional consoles. But the status of a private company allows Valve to make decisions without pressure from investors and focus on players.
Ybarra summarized: "Valve rarely makes mistakes." In his opinion, Sony understands this and is preparing for a serious confrontation.
