Steam Box Rumored to be Linux-Based, Arrive in 2013

New reports indicate Valve is still planning to release its own console during the next year, and that it will use Linux for its operating system.

Rumors about Valve's possible console have been making the rounds for a long time, but the company has continued to deny any report pointing to the possible development of such a device. That all might change in 2013 though, as German site Golem.de claimed Valve's Ben Krasnow discussed the Steam Box in detail.

According to the report (translated by Game Informer), the Steam Box will use the open-source OS Linux rather than Windows 8, which will make the console easier for developers to use. More importantly, Valve will supposedly be showing the console off at either GDC or E3 this year, with a potential release before the end of 2013.

Valve is a very secretive company, and typically keeps its plans well hidden from the public until the absolute last minute possible. While there's a chance these new rumors could be true, until Valve actually shows up at one of these conferences with a console, every bit of possible information should be taken with a grain of salt.