Better Offline

Is Valve Taking On Microsoft? with Steve Burke

42 snips
Dec 3, 2025
Steve Burke, a senior presenter at GamersNexus and an expert in gaming hardware, joins Ed Zitron to explore Valve's ambitious new introductions, including the Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR headset. They discuss the Steam Machine's console-like features, its connection to the Steam Deck, and the innovative design of the new controller. Burke highlights the implications for Xbox amid shifting market dynamics and warns about performance claims needing upscaling. The conversation wraps with intriguing insights into Valve's approach to hardware and future developments.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Console-Style PC With Linux Backbone

  • Valve's Steam Machine is a small-form-factor PC positioned like a console but with PC openness and modularity.
  • It runs SteamOS (Linux) and could help free players from Microsoft-dependent ecosystems.
ADVICE

Judge On Software, Not Just Hardware

  • Evaluate the Steam Machine by how well SteamOS and Valve's optimizations solve Linux gaming pain points.
  • Prioritize systems that offer translation layers and compatibility rather than raw closed-console polish.
INSIGHT

Timing Favors Valve Over Xbox

  • Valve launches hardware when incumbents are weak; Xbox's current struggles create an opening for Valve to capture living-room gaming.
  • The timing may echo Sega's exit from hardware if Microsoft continues to falter.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app