The Steam Machines are some of the most interesting consoles hitting the video game market in the near future, and while developer Valve is not making its own version of the console, the company is taking keen interest in certain models in the program. Valve is allowing manufacturers to customize their own Steam Machines as much as they want, and a recent statement by Valve founder Gabe Newell shows that the company is taking a backseat when it comes to what goes into each Steam Machine.

Speaking on a thread on Reddit, Newell was asked if Steam Machines will be allowed to have non-Valve approved programs and software on the systems. Newell said that the Steam Machines will be as open as possible, and may even allow rival digital distribution platforms to Steam on the machines.

"We're trying to make it as open as possible, If EA wants to put Origin on it, that would be fine, etc... (Trying to pick an example of something that people think we would prohibit)," Newell wrote on Reddit. 

If this news is true, it's a tremendous development in the ongoing Steam Machiens saga. Origin is the digital store for EA and its variety of products, and acts as a rival to Steam. If Origin was allowed on Steam Machines then it would poetentially cut into profits made by the digital store that will be a part of all the Steam Machines.

This is similar to reports that some of the Steam Machines being made by manufacturers will be able to use both Steam OS and Windows as operating systems. It appears that instead of forcing console makers as well as fans to follow strict guidelines for Steam Machines, Valve is allowing the machines to be heavily modified even if it is against Valve's best interest. After all, if Valve's founder Gabe Newell is ok with the idea of having EA programs on the Steam consoles, then anything is possible.

The Steam Machines are slated to become available starting in 2014, with over a dozen different companies making their own versions of the consoles. So far only the Alienware has announced when users will be able to buy their console. Companies are rather reluctant to announce specs for their Steam Machines, but prices for the platforms have ranged from $499 (the same as a Xbox One) to thousands of dollars.

Look out for more news right here on the Steam Machines as companies get ready to release the new consoles in 2014.