Valve is running Apple's playbook in reverse

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Scope of Valve’s “Reverse Apple” Strategy

  • Many see Microsoft as Valve’s primary target: Windows Store, Game Pass, Xbox, and a desire by Microsoft to “tax” PC gaming are recurring themes.
  • Some argue Apple and Google are less directly threatened: Apple is focused on mobile/gacha revenue and ecosystem lock-in; Google’s leverage is mobile/YouTube rather than PC.
  • Others counter that all platforms compete for the same attention and spend, so Valve’s ecosystem is implicitly competing with everyone.

Apple, Gaming, and Mobile

  • Several commenters stress that Apple is heavily invested in phone gaming revenue, even if it ignores “core” PC/console-style gaming.
  • Others argue Apple doesn’t understand or care about “real” games, focusing on gacha and mobile instead of deep titles or macOS gaming.
  • VR overlap is seen as limited: Apple’s headset targets productivity/AR, Valve’s VR is closer to Meta’s gaming focus.

Linux, SteamOS, and the Windows Threat

  • Thread consensus: Valve’s Linux push (SteamOS, Proton) is primarily insurance against Windows being locked down or enshittified.
  • Some think the original Steam Machines “flopped” commercially but were a strategic soft launch that enabled today’s Steam Deck and upcoming hardware.
  • Mixed views on how far this goes: some foresee Valve eventually offering Apple-like polished general-purpose devices, others think desktop Linux is still too “janky” to rival macOS.

Steam Hardware: Niche, Pricing, and Lock‑In

  • Broad agreement that Valve’s devices will stay niche but influential, setting standards and ensuring Valve can’t be excluded from platforms.
  • Debate on whether consoles are still sold at a loss; several argue modern consoles are slim-margin but profitable, suggesting Steam Machines could be price-competitive without subsidies.
  • Concern that heavy subsidies would incentivize locking down hardware; others note Valve could keep the downloadable Steam client open even if preinstalled builds were more controlled.

Linux Gaming Reality: Proton, Performance, UX

  • Many report huge progress: most Steam titles “just work” on Linux/Deck; performance can even beat Windows in some cases.
  • Others highlight remaining rough edges: ProtonDB “platinum” ratings often require tweaks; Nvidia drivers and older games can be problematic.
  • There’s tension between celebrating Linux gaming’s viability and noting it still leans heavily on Windows builds and Valve funding.

Steam Machines’ Value Proposition

  • Supporters see clear benefits vs Windows 11 PCs: console-like simplicity, couch-friendly UI, no ads/telemetry, and seamless access to existing Steam libraries.
  • Skeptics ask what problem this solves for the average gamer beyond a well-configured Windows box and whether that market is large enough.
  • Anti‑cheat incompatibility and household tech support burden (for kids/spouses) are flagged as major practical barriers.

Platform Power, Antitrust, and Future Risk

  • Several comments frame Valve’s strategy as a response to platform “taxation” by Apple/Google and potential Windows lockdown; they tie this to weak modern antitrust enforcement.
  • Some warn that Valve’s current consumer-friendliness isn’t guaranteed: a leadership change could “enshittify” Steam just as happened elsewhere.
  • Comparison with Apple’s playbook: many see strong parallels (long-term iteration, tight hardware–software integration), with the main “reverse” aspect being Valve’s software-first, hardware-later path.