Valve has just made their first of 3 reveals and what an absolute megaton it is.  Aptly called SteamOS, Valve has created an open source linux based operating system built around Steam itself.  It will also be available soon as a free stand-alone operating system for the living room with either your own supplied PC hardware or potential future Valve branded or approved SteamBoxes.

What does the OS offer?

• Over 300 Native Linux Games with more to come.
• Streaming directly from a Windows or Mac based PC giving you access to your whole library.
• Big Screen Gaming: Offering a native Living room focused console type experience.
• Family Sharing allows you to take turns playing one another’s games.
• Personalised Steam libraries.
• Music, TV and Movies: giving you to access your favorite music and video with Steam and SteamOS.

If you have ever dabbled into the realm of DIY HTPC boxes, you will feel right at home creating your own Steambox.  Simplifying the end user experience while retaining the option of tweaking and hacking hardware and software popular in the PC gaming space appears to be the Valve masterplan - can it work?

Personally as an avid multiplatform gamer I believe it can and could potentially shape PC gaming into the future without neglecting its open DIY roots. PC gaming is not just popular due to hardware advantages, it also offers a gaming experience that cannot be enjoyed elsewhere.  Think Mods, community content, community run dedicated servers, multiple hardware choices and all backed by a true open market, these factors are a massive part of the PC gaming experience and thankfully are not bypassed in favour of this Valve branded OS.

Onto the next reveal in just under 2 days.....