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Imagine @steampowered.com releases a new version of Steamdeck, that is slightly more powerful, but comes without a display or controller, and works with external display and bluetooth controllers. Would you buy it? Sounded silly in 2018, doesn’t sound half-bad in 2024.

This has got me thinking about the Steam Controller 2 rumors and the possibility that they're going to make it like a 15,000-in-one console. A controller that IS a Steam Deck, that you can install your games to and then use like a USB-C-to-HDMI cable to play them on your TV.

I never heard that one. Sick! I would love it :)

Honestly, same. Sure that'd be one HOT controller but the convenience alone would be crazy.

And a loud one, for sure, haha!

Now imagine the MatCatz knockoffs. 😧

I welcome all the knockoffs that would contribute to putting an end to the ill-devised ecosystem that Microsoft and Sony have manufactured for the modern games industry. I welcome all the cheap clones making my indie game available to MORE players WORLDWIDE.

This has been bothering me too. Look at the Ouya or the Atari VCS. The idea behind the microconsole ecosystem is GENIUS... in theory. Simple Linux or Android boxes with low cost & barrier to entry for devs AND players. In execution, players would rather have $500+ powerhouses.

Sadly I think _any_ spec that this hypothetical thing would reasonably have will be compared to PS5 and then sneered at by Digital Foundry types. Personally I don't care if it's weaker (bigger library, open system) but "this new game plays better on PS5" isn't going to win over AAA gamers.

Steam Deck continues to do really well and competing more in the handheld/Switch market was a really smart way to go since finding partners to make Steam Machines was such an impossible task before. Plus the Deck community is VERY passionate about having more games to play on the go.

And why stop there? Valve already has the PC games market. Only way to expand is to go after the stationary console playerbase.

Steam Deck has no competition from MS / Sony in the handheld space and are able to make a powerful (by virtue of hand held limitations of battery/thermals, etc.) niche device aimed at a totally different market than Nintendo.