Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida has shared his thoughts on the Steam Machine, a PC console designed to bring PC gaming into the living room. Despite some positive aspects, Yoshida's overall impression is underwhelming, and he questions whether the Steam Machine is worth the price.
Yoshida's key takeaways from his brief playtime with the Steam Machine include:
- Underwhelming 3D Performance: Yoshida describes the 3D performance as "meh", suggesting that it doesn't live up to the capabilities of current-generation consoles.
- Default Resolution Setting: The system defaults to 1080p, which Yoshida finds reminiscent of the PS4 era, implying a lack of innovation in display technology.
- Slow Boot Times: Some games take an unusually long time to boot, prompting the question of what the system is doing during this process.
- User-Friendly System UI: Yoshida praises the Steam Machine's user interface as easy to navigate.
- Convenient Boot-Up Feature: The ability to boot up the system by pressing a button on the Steam Controller is highlighted as a "killer feature".
- Changeable Face Plate: The option to customize the console's appearance with different face plates is appreciated.
- Random Boot-Up Videos: The inclusion of random boot-up videos is noted as a pleasant surprise.
- Loose Controller Sticks: Yoshida finds the sticks on the Steam Controller a bit too loose, affecting his gaming experience.
- Touch Pad Issues: While the touch pad is convenient, it is described as "touchy" and difficult to use accurately.
- Living Room Gaming: Despite the performance concerns, Yoshida acknowledges that the Steam Machine allows him to play Steam games on his living room TV, which is a compelling feature.
- Price Concerns: Yoshida concludes by emphasizing the high price of the Steam Machine, stating that it's "hard to recommend" unless for research purposes. He highlights the price as a significant drawback, despite acknowledging some positive aspects of the console.
Yoshida's mixed feelings about the Steam Machine are echoed in other reviews, which have generally found the console to be underpowered compared to current-generation consoles. The core premise of playing PC games on a large TV in the living room remains appealing, but the high price and performance limitations make it a challenging proposition for many gamers. The Steam Machine's future success will likely depend on addressing these concerns and finding a balance between performance and cost.
