NEWS
by Mark Barley
Xi3: 'Piston' built specifically for Valve
Xi3 have divulged the relationship they have with Valve and how the "Piston Steam Box" specifically came to be.
Earlier today Valve's Doug Lombardi stated that the publisher has "no involvement" with the Piston which directly contradicts reports that both Xi3 and Valve had a mutual investment with the device.
“We reaffirm the fact that we received an investment from Valve Corporation (as we previously disclosed during the 2013 International CES trade show), and we did so with Valve’s written permission,” Xi3 CEO Jason A. Sullivan said in a statement.
“Second, we were asked to build a product specifically for Valve, and both companies showcased this product – the Piston Console -in their respective booths at CES 2013.”
Sullivan stated that he's met with Valve boss man Gabe Newell, most recently at CES, and was asked by Newell not to disclose any information about the two company's relationship. “Second, we were asked to build a product specifically for Valve, and both companies showcased this product – the Piston Console -in their respective booths at CES 2013.”
Sullivan stated while the Piston is not the official "Steam Box" but also stated “just because Valve may not ‘currently’ have any ‘involvement with any product of [Xi3]‘s doesn’t mean that such involvement won’t exist in the future”.
Sullivan said that regardless of Valve's involvement with the Piston the box will be able to access Steam along with other entertainment vices. Sullivan stated that the Piston is a modular computer “that can run any operating system or application designed to run on an x86-based 64-bit computer”.
“To be clear, the Piston Console will ship initially with a Windows operating system specifically because that’s where the vast bulk of game software and computer gamers are today. That said, the Piston Console can also run Linux (and other operating systems), which means it can support the Linux-version of Steam.
“Contrary to Valve’s vision, Xi3 believes that the way to take this to market today is to do so with a Windows OS at the core, coupled with the ability to not just get to one platform/store for games, but to get access to all game stores/platforms. Studios should have the option to go through Steam if they choose or to go direct to the end-user if they so choose. That will be the difference between Piston and other Steam boxes. You’ll be able to access Steam if you choose, but you’ll also be able to access other platforms as well-all through the Piston Console.”
Sullivan said that while the Piston may be a tad expensive ($1000), Xi3 has been pleasantly surprised with the number of pre-orders. Sullivan even went as far as to say that the company may not be able to meet demands for the console at launch. “Contrary to Valve’s vision, Xi3 believes that the way to take this to market today is to do so with a Windows OS at the core, coupled with the ability to not just get to one platform/store for games, but to get access to all game stores/platforms. Studios should have the option to go through Steam if they choose or to go direct to the end-user if they so choose. That will be the difference between Piston and other Steam boxes. You’ll be able to access Steam if you choose, but you’ll also be able to access other platforms as well-all through the Piston Console.”
“In closing, what Valve does or doesn’t do with its SteamBox will be up to them. So Gabe, it’s up to you. The ball is in your court,” he concluded.
It is expected that more than three different "Steam Boxes" are expected to launch within the next year. Via VG247