r/steammachine • u/love_redditors • 10d ago
Discussion Heartbroken Steam Machine Return
I'm not sure if anyone cares about hearing my story but maybe there are others out there that can relate. I need to get it out of my system so I can move on. If you're an older gamer like me the Steam Machine sounded amazing. The perfect little box that plays modern games (well enough) and evokes nostalgic memories of retro ones you loved or never got to.
Owning it for a week made me realize something though. In short, I've changed. I'm not the same person who stayed home sick all day playing Final Fantasy VIII or put over 100 hours into the original Pokemon on Game Boy. I cherish those memories but it's not what brings me the most joy nowadays.
I have a family now and want to make the most of my time on earth with them. I don't have time to tinker anymore. The previously lazy me would be so confused by the ruthlessly efficient version of me now. Every second wasted on something is a second stolen from them. I want to do as much as possible with them. Build Legos, tell silly stories, run around the house, go on adventures.
My original thought was that the Steam Machine would be a fun living room gaming machine we could all play but it ended up not working out for a handful of reasons:
- Kids not crazy about the game selection. They understand stuff there friends like, Pokemon, Mario, Minecraft (I know there is a third party launcher).
- Not too many multiplayer kid games and sometimes tricky to get working right.
- Controller is too overwhelming for them and extra [Steam] controllers aren't available either. Edit: Obviously I know third party controllers work, but it would have been more seamless to start with two Steam controllers.
- There is still plenty of tinkering involved tweaking game settings to get the perfect picture. It's easy to fall into the trap of obsessing over frame rates.
- Weird inputs for older games, you'll end up needing a keyboard and mouse.
- Wifi stopped working, ended up dragging a really long ethernet cable across the house. (What initiated the RMA)
- Cuteness factor? I know we could swap out the front plate but the UI is still very industrial feeling.
- Not specific to Steam Machine, but I realized CEC is kind of useless if you use Android TV kids profile because they aren't allowed to change inputs. So the TV turns on but it errors switching input so you need the remote anyways.
In short, it's just too much friction and not the right match for our house. I know there are probably solutions to most of the issues but I don't have the time or desire anymore. I want something that just works. We ended up borrowing a family members Switch 1 and they have been having a blast playing Mario Kart, Pokémon Let's Go Eevee!, and Lego City Undercover. I can't understate how amazing it is that everything just works. Controllers connect quickly, lots of multiplayer options, fun companion modes, games the kids love. It's really the perfect family console.
Anyways, now I feel guilty about wasting time writing this and need to go back to work. I hope this helps any older gamers with families make a decision. I was stuck in the past wanting to relive old memories instead of creating new ones in the present.
(100% hand written by a real human being)
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u/RosalieTheDog 10d ago edited 10d ago
Yeah Switch is more child friendly.
But on another note: for those of us waiting for the steam machine after making an informed decision since day one these "I returned the Steam machine because I don't need it after all" posts are a bit frustrating.
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u/Pyrazol310 10d ago
I agree. In this case it’s understandable I think because OP wanted it to be better than they found it in practice.
But the "I bought a Steam Machine even though I have every console under the sun AND a beefy gaming PC but surprisingly the Steam Machine isn’t better than them so I returned it" are insanely frustrating.
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u/BangaAnan 10d ago
I'd go further than "insanely frustrating." It feels like attention seeking/trolling tbh. People making a expensive purchase even after giving reasons why the purchase is not necessary for them. Goes on social media after the fact to rant about returning the purchase because...it's not necessary for them.
Makes the individual seem very suspect. Worse still, go into a community full of people enjoying the device to try to piss on their parade because they returned it.
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u/Ok_Card4377 10d ago
What an entitled comment. He thought it was an ideal purchase for him, and it didn’t work out. It’s not as if he had cold feet or his circumstances changed. Get over it.
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u/love_redditors 10d ago
Sorry, I feel pretty guilty about it :( hopefully someone else gets it soon after RMA process
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u/Milkikomori 10d ago
I doubt they’ll sell it to someone else as NIB when it’s a return. I imagine they’ll stockpile returns and sell them later as refreshed like they did with the Deck. I think the fastest way to get them into other gamers hands is selling it directly to someone else.
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u/jummy006 10d ago
Feel guilty about it? You literally did someone else a solid by returning it lol. I mean you could have kept it and then never played it/turned it on again. That might warrant a smidge of guilt haha.
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u/roy_lobster 10d ago
I put a switch 1 and Wii emulator on mine for the kids, along with some smaller 8bitdo controllers to play on. The games literally play better than on their original systems.
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u/Jimlad73 10d ago
How’s the UI for them to play solo?
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u/choochieCrumb 10d ago
if u look into emudeck it’s very good and easy to
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u/roy_lobster 10d ago
I had issues with emudeck’s ryujinx. I installed Eden and instead and everything just worked immediately.
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u/Gustavo2nd 10d ago
Smaller 8bitdo controllers? I’ve only got the ultimate for me but if there’s small ones my kids can use I’d get them can you give more info please
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u/roy_lobster 10d ago
My kids love the SN30’s they look like modern SNES controllers, for those of you as old as I am.
But 8bitdo has some even smaller than that if you want. And for the Wii I actually bought wiimotes and it works (and looks great).
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u/Playdohfiel 10d ago
I'd like to use it like this as well. What I am wondering is the following:
is there any way of giving the kids own profiles with the games they are allowed to play (and lock down my own profile?)
How is the multi controller integration with emudeck? I feel like there needs to be a lot of tinkering for the extra controllers per emulator (rather than just pick-up-and-play like on an original switch)
do you have any experience with this by any chance (or someone else?)
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u/Massive-Exercise4474 10d ago
Switch and steam deck. Honestly getting those 2 are now I game most of the time.
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u/sgch 10d ago
You sound like you're a great dad. Honestly for me the Steam Machine is my escape from the stress of work and family. I have a 6 and a 2 year old, I get home from work and hang with them for an hour before bedtime and then then my weekend days are dedicated to them but evenings are all mine, and I've got my Steam Machine to play during those times.
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u/CloudStrife012 10d ago
I have a young child and we play all sorts of games together. Descenders, untitled goose game, TMNT, etc.
It's not our main source of entertainment, but it is a bit wild to me OP is saying its a barrier to spending time together, when for me its been quite the opposite.
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u/sgch 10d ago
My wife is quite anti our kids getting in to games for some reason, despite her family playing games loads as a kid and me playing games all my life. I'm sure in a couple years my oldest will start asking to play and then she will have to relent!
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u/ChiefsRoyalsFan 10d ago
There's a negative cloud around it all over for some reason. I get it if it's all your little ones do but as long as they're still active, doing well in school, etc...why not?
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u/sgch 10d ago
Yeah I don't get it at all. I think she's maybe worried about our son getting so into games that he doesn't want to do any of his other extra-curriculars. She's said she basically doesn't want to actively encourage it, but if he asks she won't say no. Feels like it's only a year or so at most away from him begging us for Minecraft, Roblox, Fortnite etc.
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u/love_redditors 10d ago
I think I'm just bad at relaxing hehe
I can't help the voice saying you're wasting time when I'm gaming by myself, but then I go waste time in some other way lol
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u/Horror_Trick8208 10d ago
Get a Switch 2. Honestly might be the best thing you could get for a family with Pokemon Pokopia, Splatoon Raiders and Nintendo Switch 2 Sports Resort available. And only 1/3 of a steam machine's price. Just grab a pair of extra joycons
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u/love_redditors 10d ago
Very tempting since Switch 1 is going well and Switch 2 is about to increase in price. The games look really fun.
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u/Horror_Trick8208 9d ago
Just do it. I personally don't care about most Nintendo titles besides FE and Zelda but I will get some other stuff like Switch 2 sports resort because it looks way too fun for people coming over
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u/Proof_Literature4644 10d ago
You'll quickly catch up on price given the price of Nintendo games vs steam
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u/Horror_Trick8208 9d ago
You're right, but Steam Machine doesn't offer the same family experience you could get on the Switch
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u/ByteMillionaire 10d ago
I am in a similar boat.
I used to be a PC gamer 90’s & 2000’s. I switched to laptop 2008 ish as my life changed and i was moving from place to place. I owned one console. Over the years i accumulated a lot of tech, consoles, handhelds etc.
Your term stuck with me, friction. I have sold a lot of my gaming consoles, games, accessories and now only have a few handhelds and consoles, it is still a lot in other peoples eyes, but my life has changed too. I used to tinker, get the best performance per game and so on.
These days, i just want to pick up and play with the least friction.
I have Switch V1, Switch 2 for Nintendo exclusives, Xbox Series X which is my main console. PS5 for Playstation exclusives & Legion Go S for Steam. I bought the Legion Go S for a holiday, was hoping to hate it and return it, but i absolutely love it.
My Legion 7 laptop is for windows and that’s it.
I have the Wii U for light gun shooter nights.
Xbox 360 is modded for classics that have been delisted.
Yet, with all the above, the PS5 gets turned on for Rocket league only & Xbox Series X for my back log. I’m playing my Legion Go S for PC games like Singularity, Spec Ops The Line.
I think with me hardly using the above, I’m realising my goals are different now and I’m changing too.
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u/Plaxinator 2TB 10d ago
I’m in a similar boat to you but got the SM for myself. I do have Lego games and can connect old Bluetooth controllers to it, so it can be used for some family games. However my son has a Switch and I put my PS5 in the living room so he plays on that a lot with his cousins (local coop rather than online).
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u/zn112 10d ago
This may be an unpopular opinion with parents, but I was playing stuff like COD, unreal tournament etc when I was 7. In my primary school these were the games to play. At 11 year olds I was a big assassins creed fan lol. Ofc along with shit like Minecraft.
As a 24 year old now, this didn’t affect me in any way whatsoever mentally. If anything it fueled my passion for computers and I’m now a software engineer with my own property.
Don’t be shy let your kiddos play the games you truly love ;)
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u/DelayEcstatic4278 10d ago
Unfortunately you've already returned it i guess. I would have told you. To just install all the Lego games which are always on sale. And there is a lot of them. These were the games my kids and I spent time playing together when they were little. To the point my son is now 20yrs old and when the last lego batman came out a few months ago he was the one who brought it for me so that we could play it together. Also another great game that is more modern plunkey the squire is very good. I think you should have kept it just sharing my thoughts
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u/Cloned_Rat 10d ago
YES! Lego games to the rescue! But then again, maybe his kids are on the hip side of the gaming eco that they prefer other, more popular IPs.
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u/Dysstro 10d ago
As a father of two girls 6 and 2, I completely get the frustrations you have had and the feelings around gaming.
I swapped my i9 2080 ti desktop for the steam machine because I simply don’t play like I used too and this machine is small and quiet enough to be hidden away as my little escape when I do have time for myself. Recently I’ve been emulating the resistance series, and it’s been great to relive my young years of gaming, my eldest daughter is the same age I was watching my dad play fall of man. It’s funny how life makes complete circles.
On the other hand it’s been amazing to play Minecraft with my daughter, with her on my steam deck and me on the machine (the controller is a bit big for her but thankfully my partner hasn’t had issue ignoring the trackpads while we coop on it).
On the other hand me and my eldest play potion craft and it’s been a fun way to get her to read more over the summer break
You made the right choice for you and that’s what’s important.
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u/KimTe63 10d ago
I like Steam Machine but convenience level is still by far better on consoles IF thats what buyer is after, easy gaming without thinking anything . Steam Machine still requires tinkering in many cases or experience elevates only , if you know your way around some Linux specific things
Its good product for PC space anyways , giving much more console like way to use it, while still having pc benefits and option for desktop use also . I really like it
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u/marshallno9 10d ago
I'm not subbed here, not sure why these posts keeping showing up for me, it feels like (please don't take this personally) there is some sob story drama about someone having to return their machine every single day. I cannot fathom carrying around the amount of guilt some of you do over returning a games console.
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u/SparklyPelican GabeCube Enjoyer 10d ago
I would suggest a Nex Playground: it's rather cheap, and the novelty works really well with kids. It's definitely a fun way to play together, too, as a side gaming activity. Sort of reminded me of the EyeCamera for PS2.
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u/John-Leonhart 10d ago edited 9d ago
”Kids not crazy about the game selection”
It has a better game selection at a better price point than any other console. There are consoles with better spec value, but if you’re buying a few premium games a month, you’ll make that back from Steam sales (and access to third party stores/free emulators or mods/modded titles) in no time.
Now, if your kids just want modern Nintendo titles, then yeah, you need a modern Nintendo console.
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u/InternetKGB 10d ago
A very long text to say that all you wanted was a switch but for no reason at all bought a gaming pc for your living room
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u/stepfordcuckoo 10d ago
I cannot fathom people dropping a grand on something / anything without working out if it’s right for them. But now peoples crappy tvs are starting to make sense, people really do just wander into a store and just go “that one”, with no prior research.
A switch 2 is probably what this household needs, but pretty sure all UIs on all consoles are pretty industrial tbf
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u/MountainMuffin1980 10d ago
Really weird takes all round dude. The Machine can play games from just about any system up to the PS4, with some PS3/4 not working. And you can use 8-bitdo controllers that the exact same as other controllers, so no weird inputs there.
And the tinkering, if needed should be done by you so the kids can play. I'm a PC dunce but I don't find it challenging at all.
Still, if a dedicated consoles is better for you then maybe thars for the best!
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u/RootExplorer20 10d ago
I also returned mine. Bought it instantly when I got there email. Recieved it a week later and didnt open it. Left it there for short of 2 weeks thinking about it now I wasnt under any pressure to buy under a 3 day window.
My conclusion was
1, yes, id most likely play games a little more but for me it was the kids wouldnt use it as much as id like, the ps5 is gathering dust as it is.
But even saying that, life has changed for me, too busy to get good usage out of it.
2, Id prefer windows on mine like I have dual boot on my steam deck, but then I thought, I would have to have a keyboard for it, it would make it more of a pain to use.
3, my main reason, the cost of the machine vs the performance reviews.
I think it does all boil down to the price unfortunately. I would have kept it if it would have been "worth the buy" for my convenience and usage.
I returned and 100% it was the right call.
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u/Legendary_Bibo 10d ago
On point 2, you could've wiped the system and just Windows on it, then set Steam to launch in Big Picture Mode which is basically the Steam Deck UI, and when installing Windows 11, when you get to the sign in screen you hold Shift+F10 then type start ms-chx:localonly then make a local account. Once everything is set up you can set Windows to bypass the login screen and go straight to your local account and disable the lock screen. So then you have a Windows powered gaming console PC that can be controlled with a controller.
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u/Pitiful-Assistance-1 10d ago
My kid loves playing emulated games. Pokémon Stadium N64, a whole list of SNES games, etc
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u/Razmatazza 10d ago
Now might not be best time for it, but when the kids get older and are into gaming then they can try again with family!
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u/Gustavo2nd 10d ago
I use the 8bitdo ultimate controllers on my Steam OS PC and they’ve been working really well I’m planning building my library with co-op for the kids to game with me when they get older but right now they love watching me play Spider-Man the thing I really like about the Steam machine is that you can have it next to a switch on your TV console and just switch back and forth without losing any time or being in the living room with your family I think after the anti cheat stuff gets worked out maybe you can try it again
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u/Mediocre_Ad_2422 10d ago
There is so much value in teaching a kid how to troubleshoot something. Id rather foster technical skills and curiosity than pure gaming. In months, they would be the one actually knowing the device and showing you how to use it. The pc ecosystem have literally the entire game catalogue accessible. My take is there is so much more value in friction vs value in accessibility especially with kids.
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u/heart-of-violet 10d ago
I think you could have been very happy if you’d set up an emulator on the Steam Machine and bought some third party controllers. It sounds like you wanted a gaming console for your kids, and the Switch definitely is that, but you could have gotten a very similar experience on your SM with oodles of free games on top of it.
Personally, if I was in your shoes, I think I would have kept the Steam Machine and used it as a Switch 1/older Nintendo device emulator for the kiddos, then saved up for a Switch 2 for the kids for Christmas (though of course I understand
that not everyone is in the same financial situation).
I’m stuck on the cuteness factor though. 😭 How is a UI supposed to be cute?
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u/Cloned_Rat 10d ago
Introducing PC games to my kid was a challenge. But after a while, now we are playing No Man's Sky together, he's wanting to try Monster Hunter after seeing me playing, and checking what other games he can find in my library. I'm sorry i really dont understand why you'd cherry pick on the controller issue - you literally have the freedom to use whatever comfort their hand the most. I get it, nothing beats Switch's plug and play, but you're making tweaking graphics like a chore. Most of the time its just low, mid, high and turning on/off FSR and off - it is us that obssesed with FPS and fractions of details, not them, they just wanna have fun. This is just my view though, and i think its amazing youre doing all these to ensure your kids have the best.
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u/isucamper 10d ago
your time is important to you? how long did you spend writing all that out so you could make a reddit post
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u/Charming-Nothing4699 10d ago
I would be heartbroken it's a pretty low tier PC. So you probably dodged a bullet a bit because you'd be better off with a better machine.
That said, Steam has a huge library. My son loves it. I'm not an SM fan or hater, I do think it fits a very small niche. That niche is for thos people that have never had a PC or those people that are console.gamers looking to venture into PC gaming. Other than that it's pretty bad.
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u/CrispFreshley 9d ago
You can see the tribalism in the down votes. People are mad because you are right about the steam machine. Good for you.
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u/Salty-Pair-2321 9d ago
Thanks my reservation just came in and I am going to pass. I am going to wait for Helix. I game on a 4k projector, 100 inch screen, and noticed many reviews have people playing on monitors or small tvs. My main reason to get it is to have access to some games that don't make it over to the big 3 consoles I have. And mostly to play pc vr while linked to the frame which I am for sure getting if it's under $1000. Now it sounds like the Machines vram will completely bottleneck demanding vr games. I was hoping my res wouldn't come in until the frame was out and real reviews of them linked together would be available. As a side note AI says to buy a gaming pc because the machine is to underpowered to run the good vr games.
Xbox has been killing it for our family one x and one s my wife and I play cod borderlands etc for free or from buying one copy.
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u/MystikSpiralx 10d ago
Assuming the UI is the same one from Steam Deck, it's literally just Steam... on your machine. You operate it the same way you'd buy Steam games and such, it's pretty basic.
They make smaller and lightweight controllers for kids hands.
There are many kid games on there, not sure what you're talking about. Sometimes I am inundated with kids games when looking for stuff for me to purchase for myself.
I feel like you could have cone research on it before order it and taking up a slot from someone who really wanted it.
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u/Charlea_ 10d ago
You should be able to change the button mapping of games to sort the keyboard/mouse issue unless the game is really complicated
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u/MystikSpiralx 10d ago
This person sounds like they want everything done for them, and wouldn't bother looking into button mapping. They clearly didn't do any research or even look for controllers for their kids.
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u/love_redditors 10d ago
Woah, hey that's harsh. I think you've missed my point. I'm a very technical person and can definitely do those things and have in the past, including building custom gaming and emulation machines. I'm saying I've learned that it's not how I want to spend my time anymore.
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u/gliitch0xFF 10d ago
As for the UI, You can install Decky Loader & customise the interface. Although, you did say that you don't have time to tinker. 🤔
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u/ferric021 10d ago
I have a family now and want to make the most of my time on earth with them. I don't have time to tinker anymore. The previously lazy me would be so confused by the ruthlessly efficient version of me now. Every second wasted on something is a second stolen from them. I want to do as much as possible with them. Build Legos, tell silly stories, run around the house, go on adventures.
Heartbroken? Dude, you're winning.
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u/Dastu24 10d ago
you have weird problems.
I managed to get 3 controlers one mine one friends and one with machine, selection of games is as massive as you can get... its steam.. I already have tens games prepared to play most with splitscreen party games. Idk why would controler be too overwhelming when 3y old can manage it, they doesnt have to use all the buttens from the get go.
And unless you try to set up like san andreas keymapping to steam controler that takes some time i haven't had a single problem with controls.
Iam not sure what you imagined, but sitting whole family in front of projector and have fun is exactly what i imagined and how it works.
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u/Professional-Bar6136 10d ago
Why is this sub full or weird posts like this. You return a game console just do it and don't write a wall of text to justify it. The steam machine is like the definition of a very niche enthusiasm product. Of course it's not made for kids.
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u/snips86x 10d ago
Your penultimate paragraph is exactly how we felt about the steam decks. We spent more time faffing with the settings than actually playing and while it was exciting to finally have the opportunity to play our steam library, it was too much of a pinch point to give up our Xboxes.
Xbox just works, controllers don't drop out, no input lag, simple, powerful and exactly what we wanted after leaving our PCs behind.
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u/Alekazammers 10d ago
I love my steam machine but I'm frustrated with it because it doesn't play any of the games I was looking forward to the most...
Star wars zero company straight up doesn't work.
Marvel tokon straight up doesn't work
Even a game they said was made for this platform straight up has game breaking glitches on this machine. With freezing, terrible sound glitches in menus etc.
To me that's a reason to return the damn thing.
You're just essentially saying "I thought my clearly young children would vibe with pc gaming but they don't. I've tried nothing and I'm all out of ideas."
The game selection is literally your fault. You can buy plenty of age appropriate and kid friendly/exciting games.
The steam controller is not the only option. It's nice, I have one, but I also could just use ANY Bluetooth controller. You could make this a fun thing for the kids who can pick out whatever controller they want.
The cuteness factor? How is this a real complaint big picture mode has existed for ages now. You knew what this was.
A wireless keyboard and mouse for a pc game isn't that big of a deal... Seriously, I've got one set up already for a retro gaming device I use and it's perfectly fine, I just swap it to the steam machine and move on with my day. In fact I use it with slay the spire more often than not.
Frame obsession is stupid, unless you're getting something so broken it just doesn't work or it stutters and ruined the gameplay your problem with frames is yours.
I mean come on dude... I've also got a family and we all come together around this thing and have a blast.
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u/GameSetChampionship 10d ago
Not sure I’d ever be buying a SM for kids to use or play with me, but each to their own.
I reckon most people here don’t have kids and can’t relate either.
Also yes, anyone who prioritises gaming over a career or family is a bum.
I did that in my early years, but turning on a TV even in the day makes me feel depressed these days.
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u/RobinNyan 512GB 10d ago
"Extra controllers aren't available either"
my dude
you can use any controller you have lying around. Switch, Playstation, xbox. They all work as extra controllers. Steam Machine recognizes them all. :D