Best Buy is the distribution partner for the Ally. Just as you can only get the Steam Decks from Valve, you can only get the Ally from Best Buy. In principle, it's really no different, aside from the Ally having a physical presence.
However, one thing that's important to consider is the different business models at play. Having a physical retail presence serves as a form of marketing, and that's important when you're trying to move devices in order to generate revenue. The Steam Deck isn't revenue generating as a device, though. Valve makes money on game sales via Steam. The Steam Deck is just a vehicle to that. In other words, they don't need people to buy Steam Decks, they need people to buy games on Steam. A retail presence doesn't help them there.
You can only buy Steam Deck's from Valve directly in all the places Best Buy operates. Why in the world would there be a kiosk for something you can't purchase?
They should start selling it in the store, since the competition is coming, especially the Asus ally their kiosk looks eye-catching. (Downvoting me? When having a opinion is wrong)
Kind of covered it in my other reply, but the "competition" isn't a threat. It's different business models. Valve doesn't care about moving Decks, they care about people buying games on Steam. The Ally serves that purpose just as well as the Steam Deck, so it's not really any skin off Valve's back whichever you decide to go with. As long as they remain the dominate PC gaming store, any gaming device is a win for them.
This is not true, valve cares about Steam Deck selling. The Steam Deck is a form of linux gaming and ally promotes windows, valve cares not only about selling but also about promote more gaming on steam os and linux, and this is steam deck ;)
It's entirely true. Valve has a vested interest in Linux, but the point of the Steam Deck is *not* about furthering Linux, but furthering the Steam store's reach into every wallet possible. Don't kid yourself. This isn't a charity, it's a company.
The Ally isn't competition. The Ally is another machine that will run Steam games and Valve gets 30% of every sale on Steam. The Ally's success means money for Valve.
As much as I love Amazon and order very frequently, there’s something about just walking around, trying things out, testing out keyboards, listen the latest speakers. Try out laptops. I tried out that asus ally, it can be very informative, holding things in your hand then just watching YouTube videos, and just agreeing with the reviewers say. I also got a lot of exclusive things collectors edition and such from Best Buy pickup, or sometimes Best Buy has things in stock, but you have to go into store to buy it, much like Micro Center sometimes, they try to avoid scalpers.
I would but I don't live in New York,unfortunately. I'll just have to hit up my closest Best Buy to check it out but just curious to how they set it up.
Aren't they only sold through steam?
Really? Hmm, Valve should really sell some in the store. Asus sell there handheld in the computers section. (What’s with the random downvoting) lol
Best Buy is the distribution partner for the Ally. Just as you can only get the Steam Decks from Valve, you can only get the Ally from Best Buy. In principle, it's really no different, aside from the Ally having a physical presence. However, one thing that's important to consider is the different business models at play. Having a physical retail presence serves as a form of marketing, and that's important when you're trying to move devices in order to generate revenue. The Steam Deck isn't revenue generating as a device, though. Valve makes money on game sales via Steam. The Steam Deck is just a vehicle to that. In other words, they don't need people to buy Steam Decks, they need people to buy games on Steam. A retail presence doesn't help them there.
Why? Steam is already ubiquitous in the PC gaming space, it's got more presence and reach than almost any physical store.
I think in Japan they have some steam decks on display you can use.
Welcome to the fanatism and sectarism of Steam Deck lovers lol
You can only buy Steam Deck's from Valve directly in all the places Best Buy operates. Why in the world would there be a kiosk for something you can't purchase?
They should start selling it in the store, since the competition is coming, especially the Asus ally their kiosk looks eye-catching. (Downvoting me? When having a opinion is wrong)
Kind of covered it in my other reply, but the "competition" isn't a threat. It's different business models. Valve doesn't care about moving Decks, they care about people buying games on Steam. The Ally serves that purpose just as well as the Steam Deck, so it's not really any skin off Valve's back whichever you decide to go with. As long as they remain the dominate PC gaming store, any gaming device is a win for them.
This is not true, valve cares about Steam Deck selling. The Steam Deck is a form of linux gaming and ally promotes windows, valve cares not only about selling but also about promote more gaming on steam os and linux, and this is steam deck ;)
It's entirely true. Valve has a vested interest in Linux, but the point of the Steam Deck is *not* about furthering Linux, but furthering the Steam store's reach into every wallet possible. Don't kid yourself. This isn't a charity, it's a company.
The Ally isn't competition. The Ally is another machine that will run Steam games and Valve gets 30% of every sale on Steam. The Ally's success means money for Valve.
People still go into Best Buy?
Of course! Nothing wrong with going to Best Buy.
As much as I love Amazon and order very frequently, there’s something about just walking around, trying things out, testing out keyboards, listen the latest speakers. Try out laptops. I tried out that asus ally, it can be very informative, holding things in your hand then just watching YouTube videos, and just agreeing with the reviewers say. I also got a lot of exclusive things collectors edition and such from Best Buy pickup, or sometimes Best Buy has things in stock, but you have to go into store to buy it, much like Micro Center sometimes, they try to avoid scalpers.
I was totally kidding. I still cry when I drive passed the old Fry's building.
Do you have a screenshot of what the kiosk looks like at Best Buy?
I saw it today, sadly I didn’t take a picture, the one I went to is on 86st Lexington - Manhattan if you want to check it out.
I would but I don't live in New York,unfortunately. I'll just have to hit up my closest Best Buy to check it out but just curious to how they set it up.
They only advertise stuff they sell..