After rumors arose that Valve Corporation had finalized its innovative haptic feedback controller design, the company has confirmed that it will be showcasing its Steam Machine console designs at Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2015 next month.

“We’re planning a very large presence at GDC with Steam Machines being front and center,” a Valve representative told Game Informer.

Unlike traditional consoles, which are essentially one size fits all systems created by a handful of large companies, Steam Machines are intended to be an open platform that can be produced by multiple companies using different hardware specs. While other systems might offer different hard drive sizes based on cost, Steam Machines could have different processors, graphics capabilities, memory, and more.

Steam Machines run games off of the Steam Client’s immense library of games, which are all purchased digitally without the need for physical copies. This makes Steam Machines incredibly mobile as well as compact since they do not require a disc drive.

The Steam Controller is also unique, as it is completely lacking in joysticks. Instead, the controller uses two track pads with haptic feedback that can imitate the physical sensation of different types of controls.

GDC 2015

GDC is an annual gathering of video game professionals held in San Francisco, and it has sister events that are held in Cologne, Germany and Shanghai, China. The event provides a platform for developers to share new innovations that will shape the industry in the coming year, and it allows young professionals to network and learn from well known, established game creators.

Unlike the hype train, consumer focus of events like San Diego Comic Con, the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) or Blizzcon, GDC focuses on game making rather than game selling.

Some other highlights of events announced for GDC this year include a talk by game legend and Id Software co-founder John Carmack on “The Dawn of Mobile VR,” as well as a behind the scenes look at the making of Clash of Clans, a popular mobile game that turned heads with a recent Super Bowl ad starring Liam Neeson.

GDC 2015 will take place in San Francisco, California, from March 2-6.

Image credit: Valve Corporation