Changing the start screen or personalizing your console with a favorite background may seem trivial. However, this is exactly what modern consoles have gradually abandoned over the generations. And while PlayStation focuses on its exclusives, Valve could well strike hard with its future Steam Machine, by reintroducing a very simple expectation from players: a truly customizable system.
Currently, the PlayStation 5 allows you to display a few dynamic wallpapers on its home screen. Some are taken from games like Horizon or God of War, others are purely aesthetic or seasonal. But nothing compares to the customizable themes that were once found on PS3 or PSP. A reader puts it perfectly: “Customizing your theme allows you to make it your own. I’ve been using a Sonic Adventure 2 wallpaper on my Xbox Series X since I got it.”
Personalization, a need neglected by Sony and Nintendo
The Nintendo Switch doesn’t do much better. Since its launch, its interface has been limited to two wallpaper options: black or white. No theme, no variation, no community option. A decision that many consider incomprehensible coming from a brand known for its graphic universe. “That’s why it saddens me to see Nintendo, which presents itself as the video game company for everyone, still using its static black and white wallpapers for the Nintendo Switch.”
At PlayStation, recent efforts are not enough to convince. “Although PlayStation offers some customization options today, it still feels like a last-minute idea.” This lack of involvement creates frustration among those who like to adapt their gaming space to their taste, their mood, or to the world of their favorite game.
The Steam Deck gives a taste of what the Steam Machine could offer
Valve has not yet revealed all the specifics of its Steam Machine, a PC-console hybrid console designed to compete with the PS5 and Xbox Series X. But a clue can already be found in the Steam Deck. This portable console offers fully customizable start screens. And the success of this option is indisputable.
Players can add intro videos, music, or even animations. The choice is free, and some divert the function with humor. “I chose Ranni from Elden Ring, but users can get creative and upload their own characters.”
A simple but meaningful wait
It’s not about cutting-edge technology or revolutionary features. It’s simply about listening to users, and giving them control over what they see on a daily basis. “The bottom line is that gamers want the console they spent a fortune on to give them a unique experience.”
Valve has always cultivated an image of proximity to its community. If the Steam Machine follows this logic, it could succeed where others fail: offer a console that resembles those who use it.