Valve announces delay in the release of its Steam Machines and Steam Controller to 2015.
Valve previously suggested that its Steam Machines, which will be a new category of living room hardware, will be available by 2014. However, the release seems to have been delayed by a year.
"We're now using wireless prototype controllers to conduct live playtests, with everyone from industry professionals to die-hard gamers to casual gamers. It's generating a ton of useful feedback, and it means we'll be able to make the controller a lot better. Of course, it's also keeping us pretty busy making all those improvements. Realistically, we're now looking at a release window of 2015, not 2014," says Valve in an announcement.
Valve stated that it is aware that gamers are very eager to lay hands on the upcoming Steam Machines and Steam Controller. However, the company wants to get it right at the first go and wants to ensure that when the Steam Machines and the Steam Controller are released, it provides the "best gaming experience possible" to users.
The company's Steam Controller was first announced in 2013 and Valve's research team took over two years to research and design the controller. The controller is expected to sport two touchpads on the front, which will replace the analog sticks found on most of the controllers available in the market today. The touchpads may give gamers precise gaming control; however, people who use the analog sticks, mouse and keyboards to play games may take a while to understand touchpads better.
The latest announcement by Valve does not clarify if the delay of Steam Machines and Steam Controller will also affect the scheduled launch of the company's Linux-based operating system SteamOS. The announcement does not confirm if 14 other companies who are also planning to release a Steam Machine in 2014 will delay their launches to 2015. Third-party machines made by PC builders and component manufacturers like Zotac, CyberPowerPC and Gigabyte are expected to ship with Steam Controllers; however, it remains unclear if the launches will be delayed to 2015. Valve's hardware partner, Alienware, previously announced that it is aiming to launch its own Steam Machine in September this year.
Valve's Steam Machines may give stiff competition to rivals in the gaming industry. However, the company's decision to delay its Steam Machines and Steam Controller can have a negative impact on hardware partners. It may not be long before Valve's hardware partners also announce the delay of their own Steam Machines.
