Valve distances itself from Xi3 Piston Valve has distanced itself from the Xi3 Piston, saying the company did "exploratory work" with the company but currently has "no involvement" in the product.

The Xi3 Piston was initially dubbed a "Steam Box," one of several TV-ready PCs being made by third-parties alongside Valve's own hardware. But in the wake of pre-orders starting over the weekend after being shown at SXSW, Valve is distancing itself from the hardware.

"Valve began some exploratory work with Xi3 last year," Valve's Doug Lombardi told Eurogamer, "but currently has no involvement in any product of theirs."

Valve was said to have invested in the hardware company when the Xi3 Piston was first announced, but the size and scope of the investment is unclear. Now that Lombardi is calling it "exploratory work," it seems the companies' connections were tenuous. Valve is still planning its own Linux-based hardware.