http://kotaku.com/5890183/rumor-maybe-valve-really-is-making-a-console
http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/2/2840932/exclusive-valve-steam-box-gaming-console

If they are, I think it's likely they'll announce it with Half-Life 3 to have Half-Life 3 as a 'flagship' game to really make people notice it. :3

I don't mean exclusive, but I do think the game may be touted with it as some people do prefer consoles for gaming. :3

Anyway, thoughts?

Key information there.

A lot of people I've seen talking about it (I.E. on Reddit) seem to think it's going to be a traditional console, whereas it's probably going to be a small PC with optimized software (for both performance and usability in a typical console setting). An excellent idea as it would attract the console crowd and possibly help with PC development. It's worth noting that set hardware makes it easier to optimise, so Valve could work with developers to get the game running really well on this console, improving the performance to cost ratio, and also making games run better on it out of the box, without needing to tweak graphics settings.

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So if they're not going to be making profit off of them.. What stops me buying one to use as a home PC, and not buy any Valve software to use with it? (for example)

Don't think they actually need to make one to be honest. They make enough money from all the shit hats they sell on the TF2 store (something like $25million made or something?). That and they need to finish Half Life 2 Episode 3 (5 years.... and VALVe said they were trying to release more often).

I really doubt the console will be made to make Valve money directly, as it will probably be intended to compete with the next generation of standard consoles, which won't be particularly expensive by PC standards. Instead the intention will be to expand the PC market with Steam at the forefront.

I quite like the idea mostly for the expanded market part - might mean a lot of other pubs/devs take PC gaming more seriously. A "cheap" gaming PC for use with a TV would also be cool.

Watch this video on Youtube.

Looks like they're not! At least, not any time soon:

http://kotaku.com/5891697/shooting-down-rumors-valve-says-theyre-not-making-a-game-console-any-time-soon

Still wouldn't be surprised at some form of partnership/Steam promotion involving a small cheapish computer. The questions seemed a bit off target - on about Valve making hardware themselves.

Still, it probably isn't happening.