Xi3 Counters Valve's Piston Comments, Boasts a Better Steam Box

Xi3 Corporation CEO Jason A. Sullivan isn't too happy with Valve's recent comments regarding its involvement in its Piston 'Steam Box'. This morning, he issued a statement that claims that Valve not only had a significant vested interest in the micro-PC, but that Xi3 was asked to make the Piston specifically for the games studio.

"We reaffirm the fact that we received an investment from Valve Corporation (as we previously disclosed during the 2013 International CES trade show), and we did so with Valve's written permission," Sullivan wrote in a statement published by Eurogamer.

"Second, we were asked to build a product specifically for Valve, and both companies showcased this product - the Piston Console - in their respective booths at CES 2013." He added that Valve's Gabe Newell "personally asked me that we not disclose additional information about our relationship with Valve" - a request that Xi3 has honoured.

"Just because Valve may not 'currently' have any 'involvement with any product of (ours)' doesn't mean that such involvement won't exist in the future."

Sullivan also clarified that Xi3's Piston isn't the "official" Steam Box that "many in the media" had reported it was... but does appear to count the device as one of many Steam Boxes. And he believes that the Piston has the power to be a formidable rival to Valve's inevitable 'official' offering.

As well as access to Valve's Steam gaming platform, "Piston will also support a raft of other internet-based gaming and entertainment platforms, which is more than what Valve apparently has planned for its official Steam Box," Sullivan claimed. "In this way, the Piston Console could be perceived as something more than just a Steam Box.

"Contrary to Valve's vision, Xi3 believes that the way to take this to market today is to do so with a Windows OS at the core, coupled with the ability to not just get to one platform/store for games, but to get access to all game stores/platforms. Studios should have the option to go through Steam if they choose or to go direct to the end-user if they so choose. That will be the difference between Piston and other Steam Boxes."

Sullivan repeated the fact that Xi3 opened pre-orders for its $1000 living room PC, and that the company has been "amazed at the interest and amount of pre-orders we have received thus far... we are seriously concerned we will not be able to meet the demand for Piston Consoles for the 2013 Holiday Season.

"In closing, what Valve does or doesn't do with its Steam Box will be up to them. So Gabe, it's up to you. The ball is in your court."

Shots fired! A company asked to create a hardware solution for another... only to be dropped the second it's ready to be sold? This kind of reminds us of something... Maybe it's just us. Either way, this is looking to be quite a battle for consumers looking for a PC to drop in their living rooms. Fight!