Valve Boss Expects Apple To Challenge Game Consoles 197
Speaking at a panel during the WTIA TechNW conference, Valve CEO Gabe Newell had some interesting things to say about his expectations for the console business. Quoting:
"The living room is the domain of the consoles, and its ability to exist independently from the other platforms is gone, Newell said. Newell expects Apple to disrupt the living room platform with a new product that will challenge consoles, although he doesn't have any particular knowledge of that new product. 'I suspect Apple will launch a living room product that redefines people's expectations really strongly and the notion of a separate console platform will disappear,' he said.
Newell reiterated his concerns about a closed model being the 'wrong philosophical approach' but one that people will emulate because of the success of Apple and Xbox Live."
Why don't Valve innovate then? (Score:3, Insightful)
Valve have the distribution mechanism and the software library in Steam, why don't they release a reference Valve Box then?
Hide windows with a pretty dedicated UI and sell it cheap. It's Amazon's business model for the Kindle and it seems to be working quite well for them.
Re:Finally! (Score:3, Insightful)
Their "Newton 2" seems to be doing pretty well...
Re:Why don't Valve innovate then? (Score:2, Insightful)
Valve have the distribution mechanism and the software library in Steam, why don't they release a reference Valve Box then?
The software/game development business probably provides better margins. Valve doesn't necessarily have the resources to throw around at console-type hardware like Microsoft and Apple do, as well. Many, from Atari and Coleco to Sega, have tried and failed. As it is for Valve, they can update software and re-deploy through Steam. A "Valve Box" would probably also require special made-to-order hardware to control manufacturing costs. Software just keeps running.
If you're doing something that works in the current hardware and software ecosystem, someone might call you crazy for diving into an uncertain and risky venture that is outside of your expertise. You can hire expertise, but it doesn't change that you're attaching your brand to something you aren't quite sure is going to succeed like the business you are in now.