Valve ‘jumping in’ on the computer hardware business

Valve has finally admitted the company’s plan to enter the hardware market.

A job listing spotted by The Verge for an ‘industrial designer’ position on Valve’s website clearly reveals the firm’s intentions.

Valve is traditionally a software company. Open platforms like the PC and Mac are important to us, as they enable us and our partners to have a robust and direct relationship with customers. We’re frustrated by the lack of innovation in the computer hardware space though, so we’re jumping in.”

The listing goes on to further explain the frustration, hinting that even some of the more fundamental pieces could use some innovating.

Even basic input, the keyboard and mouse, haven’t really changed in any meaningful way over the years. There’s a real void in the marketplace, and opportunities to create compelling user experiences are being overlooked.”

It’s unclear whether Valve refers to a type of computer similar to current PCs or a console in the listing. That said, it’s nice to see some forthrightness from the company following the months of rumour and report dodging regarding a ‘Steam Box’, wearable computers, and other such evidence pointing towards its entrance into the hardware market.