One thing I see as underestimated is that having a major standard device is huge for indie development and could greatly benefit the most flourishing artistic landscape.
One of the problems today is that the indie and AAA markets are increasingly distant, publishing a game on the PS5 or XSX digital store is prohibitive for a small indie team, but if Steam Machine is successful, we can expect more easy access to indie games by (ex)console gamers, and later a reduction in publishing costs on consoles.
I believe Steam Deck has already started this process, but with a device that will compete with the 9th generation of home consoles the indie game diffusion could accelerate.
Steam has been the primary indie platform for games for like 15 years. Xbox had a moment in the early Xbox love arcade but the time the Xbox One came out, it was Steam and it has been ever since especially after Greenlight and early access
I thank Xbox Live Arcade for introducing me to Trials HD. Even though the latest game wasn’t the greatest game ever created, the series as a whole has been a joy to experience.
I used to play the flash games of a trials theme and always thought a fleshed oit game would be really cool. i was right. :p
Steam is flooded with indie games, yeah.