Former PlayStation boss unimpressed after trying Steam Machine
▼ Summary
– Shuhei Yoshida gave blunt feedback on the Steam Machine, calling its 3D performance “meh” and noting it defaults to 1080p, reminiscent of the PS4 era.
– He praised the easy-to-use system UI, the ability to boot up with a button on the Steam Controller, and the changeable face plate.
– Yoshida found the Steam Controller’s sticks too loose and the touch pad overly sensitive and hard to use.
– He values the Steam Machine for allowing him to play Steam games on his living room TV, but considers it too expensive and hard to recommend except for research.
– The article notes that the Steam Machine’s performance is weaker than current-gen consoles, and while the price issue is partly due to external factors, the high cost remains a major drawback.
Former PlayStation Worldwide Studios chief Shuhei Yoshida has finally gotten his hands on a Steam Machine, and his early impressions are mixed at best. After spending a few hours with the new console-style PC, the veteran executive took to X to share his candid thoughts, and he didn’t hold back.
Yoshida’s main criticism centers on 3D performance, which he describes as just “meh.” The system’s default recommendation of 1080p resolution left him wondering if he had stepped back into the PS4 era. He also noted that some games take an excessively long time to boot, questioning what the machine is doing during those delays.
On the positive side, Yoshida praised the system UI for being easy to navigate. He highlighted the ability to power on the device by pressing a button on the Steam Controller as a “killer feature.” The changeable face plate also earned a nod, along with the random boot-up videos, which he called a nice touch.
However, the controller itself drew some criticism. Yoshida found the thumbsticks a bit looser than his preference, and while the touch pad is a welcome addition, he described it as “very touchy” and difficult to use.
Despite these complaints, Yoshida admitted the Steam Machine serves a clear purpose: it allows him to play Steam games on his living room TV, which alone is reason enough to keep it. But the elephant in the room remains the price. He called it “very unfriendly” and said it’s hard to recommend the device to anyone except for research purposes.
Yoshida’s performance concerns align with broader feedback from early adopters, many of whom have noted that the Steam Machine is weaker than current-gen consoles. Valve has acknowledged the pricing issue, stating it’s not the price they wanted, but that doesn’t soften the blow for consumers. Eurogamer’s own review echoed similar sentiments, praising the hardware’s charm while cautioning that it’s too niche and definitely too expensive for the average gamer.
(Source: Eurogamer.net)
