The original Steam Machine initiative failed for multiple reasons:
I think if with their new Big Picture Mode, and new Proton layer, Valve were to manufacture and market a console box version of the Steam Deck today, it would be a huge win, and would even help them get a foothold in the console market. I would want to see them try it, I think, what do you think?
- Compatibility problems (Linux gaming was a mess back then, and no one was interested in porting to Linux)
- Valve didnt manufacture them and instead outsourced them to other OEMs who sold them at high markup
- Marketing around the whole initiative was fairly busted
- Put together, we had something people were not aware of, and those that were had to spend more money to buy something less functional
I think if with their new Big Picture Mode, and new Proton layer, Valve were to manufacture and market a console box version of the Steam Deck today, it would be a huge win, and would even help them get a foothold in the console market. I would want to see them try it, I think, what do you think?