Console From Valve? Names Found in Steam Client Beta Code Spark Debate
Mysterious mentions of something called SteamPal have been found in the code of the latest Steam client beta. This is related to a thing codenamed Neptune. Observers speculate that this is about some new device, possibly a console, from Valve.
- Pavel Djundik, founder of the well-known SteamDB and Steam Status websites, has discovered some interesting lines in the code of the latest beta version of the Steam client;
- They refer to mysterious names, such as SteamPal, Neptune, SteamPal Games and Callisto Developer Program, as well as functions for invoking the quick access menu or Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings;
- According to Djundik, these are elements that suggest Valve is working on its own console, most likely a portable one.
Less than two weeks ago Gabe Newell, the co-founder and current head of Valve, caused a stir among observers of digital entertainment industry. During a discussion with students from the University of Sancta Maria in Auckland, New Zealand, when asked about whether games from Steam will ever come to consoles, he revealed that more on this topic will be provided by the end of this year. What did he mean by that? Unfortunately, this we do not know. There's no denying, however, that he left a lot of room for speculation, which in recent hours have been fueled even more. Pavel Djundik, the founder of SteamDB and Steam Status websites, discovered several interesting lines of code in the latest beta version of the Steam client .
Djundik's find is full of mysterious names such as SteamPal, which is related to something codenamed Neptune, SteamPal Games or Callisto Developer Program. There are also references to quick access menu functions, shutdown, reboot or sleep options, or Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings.
What does all this mean? According to Djundik, there is no doubt - SteamPal is the name of the controller for Valve's console codenamed Neptune. It is possible that it would be a portable platform. And that this would be the big surprise, the announcement of which Newell suggested.
It should be remembered, however, that these are only speculations. It is possible that the truth is completely different and Neptune is, for example, a new Steam controller or the remains of an unrealized project. All we can do with it is wait for some official confirmation, however.
