Valve's latest console, the Steam Machine, has generated significant buzz, especially with its steep selling prices reaching up to $3,000 on platforms like eBay. However, despite its popularity, notable industry figures, including Shuhei Yoshida, have voiced their concerns over its performance and value.
Shuhei Yoshida's Disappointment
Shuhei Yoshida, the former President of SIE Worldwide Studios at Sony, openly criticized the Steam Machine, expressing his dissatisfaction with a simple "meh." He questioned whether he had unwittingly returned to the era of the PlayStation 4, reflecting a broader sentiment among gamers and reviewers alike.
Performance Issues Highlighted
Yoshida's main concern revolves around the machine's performance, particularly its default graphics settings. He pointed out that the Steam Machine is set to 1080p, which he found frustrating, especially given Valve's initial claims of supporting 4K gaming at 60 fps with FSR technology. In practice, achieving these specs requires lowering the graphics settings significantly.
This discrepancy led Valve to adjust their promotional language, now stating that the Steam Machine can deliver "up to 4K gaming with FSR 4.1," a more realistic representation of its capabilities.
Complaints About Boot Times and Controls
Beyond graphical performance, Yoshida noted the slow boot-up times and the loose feel of the Steam Controller's analog sticks. These factors added to his overall disappointment with the console, raising questions about its readiness for the current gaming market.
Some Positive Aspects Remain
Despite his criticisms, Yoshida did acknowledge some positive aspects of the Steam Machine. He praised the user-friendly interface and the convenience of powering on the console directly through the controller. Additionally, the ability to swap out faceplates for customization was seen as a nice touch.
Ultimately, Yoshida decided to keep the Steam Machine for its potential to play Steam games in his living room, even as he struggled to recommend it to others due to its controversial pricing, starting at $1,049.
Interestingly, while many reviewers share similar sentiments regarding the Steam Machine's performance issues and high costs, the console remains sold out in various retail outlets. Those eager to purchase one may find themselves dealing with resellers on eBay, where prices can soar to two or three times the original retail price.
Source: https://inet.detik.com/games-news/d-8558908/mantan-bos-playstation-ejek-steam-machine-seperti-kembali-ke-era-ps4
