Marvel Rivals launched last week, and if you thought Overwatch needed more adamantium, mutants, wizards, and friendly neighborhood Squirrel Girls, then it might be right up your alley! Then Valve is seemingly launching a new VR headset, a new controller, their own Operating System, and…A console? Then Love Death and Robots gets an extra life as we discuss Secret Level, Amazon’s new take on the short film genre featuring video games, and tabletop! It’s got a snail!
Steam Concurrent Record Beaten - https://www.pcgamer.com/software/steam-has-just-beaten-its-concurrent-players-record-once-again-with-a-whopping-39-2-million-at-one-time/#:~:text=And%20there%20are%20a%20few%20big%20launches%20to%20thank.
Roy renders https://x.com/SadlyItsBradley/status/1861565495603773511
Ibex renders https://x.com/SadlyItsBradley/status/1861543924470251771
Branding Assets https://x.com/SadlyItsBradley/status/1864239992123334844/photo/1
Full Branding Documentation - https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/steamworks_docs/english/steam_brandGuidelines.pdf
SteamOS will be coming to other handhelds before you can install it on your PC 'because right now, it's very, very tuned for Steam Deck' - Article by PCGamer
Evidence of a potential console - https://x.com/SadlyItsBradley/status/1864960198760100115
Lawrence Yang LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyyang/
Lawrence Yang Steam Profile - https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198018064800
Secret Level Official Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvY9Uq7I30Y
Marvel Rivals - Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter! Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe! - NetEase Games (Steam, Available Now)
The recently launched Marvel Rivals is a free-to-play hero shooter inspired by Overwatch, featuring 33 playable Marvel characters such as Squirrel Girl, Moon Knight, and Doctor Doom. The game blends familiar gameplay elements like payload delivery and point defense with unique features, including destructible maps and team-up powers like Rocket Raccoon gaining tactical advantages when paired with Groot. While it captures the essence of the original Overwatch, Marvel Rivals introduces fresh mechanics, such as map elements that alter play, to keep matches engaging. Although some criticism has been directed at tank mechanics and balancing, players receive all characters upfront, and the battle pass is reasonably priced at $5.
The Guys expressed excitement about the game’s nostalgic appeal and Marvel-themed innovation. They acknowledged concerns like steep cosmetic costs and early balancing issues but agreed that Marvel Rivals is worth trying due to its accessible, free-to-play model and dynamic gameplay. The Guys plan to dive deeper into the game and share more detailed impressions after further play.
The Guys discussed rumors and speculation about Valve's potential new hardware developments based on data mining and industry leaks. These rumors include a new VR headset and controller, alongside broader hardware initiatives. Valve, already known for products like the Steam Deck and Index VR headset, appears to be deepening its investment in hardware, potentially as a way to capitalize on its dominant PC gaming platform, Steam. This push comes as Steam continues to grow, breaking concurrent player records with 39.2 million users last week, fueled by releases like Black Myth: Wukong and Path of Exile 2.
Valve's success in hardware, such as the popularity of the Steam Deck and its handheld gaming ecosystem, highlights a demand for portable gaming devices. While earlier projects like Steam Link had mixed success, they paved the way for innovations like the Index VR headset and the Steam Deck. The Guys noted that while Valve's VR efforts haven't captured a mass audience, VR remains a growing segment, with Valve's forthcoming VR headset and controllers (codenamed "Deckard" and "Roy") aiming to compete in the market.
The discussion touched on Valve's Steam Controller, which had mixed reception but was loved by users for its ergonomic design and unique features tailored for PC gaming. New patents and mockups suggest a redesigned controller with improved touchpads, dual analog sticks, and programmable paddles. The Guys speculated that this controller could be part of a broader strategy to enhance compatibility and user experience across Valve’s ecosystem, especially if paired with new hardware.
A significant part of the discussion focused on Steam OS 3. Valve has confirmed its plans to make this Linux-based operating system widely available, potentially offering an alternative to Windows for gaming. Steam OS 3, which powers the Steam Deck, is optimized for gaming performance and features Proton, a compatibility layer that runs non-Linux games. The Guys highlighted how Proton often outperforms Windows on similar hardware, making Steam OS an attractive option for gamers.
The Guys delved into evidence suggesting that Valve might be developing a dedicated console. Data mining revealed the existence of a new device with a built-in GPU directly connected to HDMI output, which hints at something beyond a Steam Deck or dock. Coupled with Valve’s development of Steam OS 3, new controllers, and branding assets for third-party peripherals, the potential for a Valve console seems increasingly plausible.
Finally, Valve’s new branding assets for third-party companies suggest plans for a broader hardware ecosystem. These assets could allow manufacturers to create Steam-compatible devices, potentially expanding Valve’s reach beyond first-party products. The Guys concluded that this ecosystem could position Valve as a major player in both the console and PC gaming markets, challenging established platforms with its integrated approach to hardware and software.
The further speculation on Valve's potential foray into more hardware and possibly a dedicated gaming console is supported by a variety of key developments. Valve has continued to make strides in hardware development, from the Steam Deck to SteamOS, alongside its VR headset, the Index. While Steam's primary focus remains its platform and game sales (and a notable 30% cut per game sold), the company seems poised to expand into hardware, potentially to compete with the likes of Sony and Microsoft.
Recent rumors and leaked data from various sources, including SteamDB and data miners, suggest that Valve may be planning a new console, drawing from its existing hardware expertise. Leaks point to the development of a dedicated GPU device, indicating a move away from Steam Deck-like devices or docks. Additionally, Valve has been working on SteamOS 3, with plans to expand it beyond the Steam Deck to other handhelds. The move aligns with Valve’s history of prioritizing user-friendly experiences, which could mean a broader market for handheld gaming devices running SteamOS.
What's particularly compelling is Valve's apparent openness to third-party collaboration. The leaked branding assets for Steam-compatible devices show that Valve intends to fully support external manufacturers with clear guidelines for using SteamOS and Steam-related branding. This could facilitate a growing ecosystem of third-party peripherals and devices for Steam’s gaming platform, akin to how companies support PlayStation and Xbox hardware.
Valve’s current strategy seems to be moving toward becoming a dominant player in the hardware space, alongside its software business. The company’s ties with AMD for custom chips further suggest that Valve could create a competitive console at a lower price point, undercutting the offerings from PlayStation and Xbox. Moreover, the success of the Steam Deck, which has already shown an increase in game purchases by users, proves that there is a substantial market for dedicated handheld gaming consoles, potentially broadening to a more general, living room-friendly format.
Given the growing market share of PC gaming and Valve's hardware experience, a dedicated console from the company, priced competitively, could be a significant disruptor in the market, providing a more affordable, Steam-centric alternative to traditional consoles. With major hardware advancements and a focus on expanding SteamOS, Valve might be preparing to compete directly with Microsoft and Sony on their home turf.
The discussion then revolves around Secret Level, a new animated show on Amazon that just launched, which features episodes based on video games and nerd culture. The show’s first episode is about Dungeons & Dragons, and viewers are excited for the variety of games and franchises that will be explored in future episodes, including Armored Core, Warhammer 40K, Mega Man, Spelunky, and Pac-Man. The show is created by the same team behind Love, Death & Robots, which is reflected in the high-quality animation and short, engaging storylines (14-19 minutes each).
The Dungeons & Dragons episode was particularly praised for its emotional depth, fan service, and high production value, comparable to Blizzard’s trailer quality. While the first eight episodes are already out, the remaining seven episodes will drop later, and there's anticipation for those, especially the Mega Man episode. The show is also noted for its diverse animation styles, with each episode offering a unique visual experience. Overall, the show is drawing comparisons to Love, Death & Robots and is generating a lot of excitement.
