Steam Big Picture Beta Available Today

[btarunr]

Valve announces a major update to the Steam gaming platform called Big Picture. Steam's new Big Picture mode lets gamers access all of their favorite Steam games on a television. With the press of a button, Steam displays a new full-screen user interface optimized for readability and interaction on TV. Big Picture has been designed to be used with a traditional game controller, while also fully supporting keyboard and mouse input.

Steam gamers can experience Big Picture by connecting their PC or Mac to a TV, typically with a single HDMI cable. Access to the complete Steam store is included, as is the Steam Community. In addition to their complete library of Steam games, each user's cloud files, Steam Workshop content, account information and preferences will be accessible automatically in the new mode.

"Sega's roots are in living-room gaming." said John Clark, Vice President of Digital Distribution at Sega. "For the first time since the advent of PC games decades ago, gamers are finally going to have access to the kind of entertainment experience we've always wished they could have with our PC titles - one that's incredibly social, comfortable, and accessible. We're excited about the opportunity, and Big Picture has inspired us to bring even more of our titles to Steam in the future."

"There is nothing more satisfying than slaying thousands of orcs on your big screen. And many of the most die-hard players of Orcs Must Die 2 have always preferred playing with a game controller. Steam's Big Picture mode finally marries these two and delivers a true living room entertainment experience to players."

"We're pleased that gamers on Steam will now be able to immerse themselves in our entertainment experiences in the comfort of their living room on large sc reen TVs," said Steve Glickstein of Take-Two Interactive Software. "From action and adventure to sports and sims, our titles deliver big fun on big screens."

"PC gaming continues to be the leading edge of entertainment, whether it's social gaming, MMOs, graphics hardware, free-to-play, or competitive gaming," said Gabe Newell, president of Valve. "With Big Picture for Steam, we are trying to do our part to give customers and developers what they want - their games, everywhere, optimized for the environment in which they are playing."

Big Picture also includes a new web browser designed for televisions and game controllers. It is accessible from anywhere within the Big Picture UI, and even while playing Steam games on a TV. It supports Big Picture's new method of typing with a game controller, which is useful for entering URLs, filling out forms, chatting, and other functions.

For more information, including how to participate in the beta, please visit this page.

[MasterInvader]

Uau.. I have this for the past 2 years
Just plug the HDMI to the 40" LCD and that´s it. Steam, Origin, GMG on the TV

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by MasterInvader

Uau.. I have this for the past 2 years
Just plug the HDMI to the 40" LCD and that´s it. Steam, Origin, GMG on the TV

The STEAM UI wasn't great for TV use, really. There are many games on STEAM that are great to play sitting on the couch, with a controller in your hands, so I for one am very thankful for this update.

Plus, this might actually lead to Valve selling a "console". If I have faith in anyone at doing it right, on the PC platform, it's Valve.

A step in the right direction, I say!

[erixx]

But does this change the "gaming experience" anyhow? Or just the Steam lauching application? I mean... bigger letters etc are good for TV navigating, but does the games look and play any different?

[rooivalk]

Hmm, I'm just recently using Steam. I think instead of adding gimmicky features, they really need to improve the stability of their client software first. Quite a few crash on loading, unresponsive menu, open file dialog error, missing invites, and long loading time (yes my internet connection is a bit slow, but it manages blizzard games just fine) are almost unbearable. To make matters worse, the very same complaints already circulate as far back as 2007, do'h.

Back to the news. I'm confused about this 'major update', except for new UI optimized for longer distance reading and gamepad support, what's really new?

[Kreij]

Looks like a modified for TV UI that has gamepag support (for the UI).
If the game doesn't support a gamepad it doesn't do you any good really. Of course with the onslaught of console ports most probably will.

[H82LUZ73]

PC users, opt into the Steam Beta Update, then click BIG PICTURE to give it a try.

Works real smooth under Windows 8 Pro.here is some winkey+prntscreen shots of me in Big Picture ,looks like media center but runs faster.I like it It now my way of using STEAM,Nice touch Valve.

PS yes that is BF3 Timsad and the old gaming group A2Gaming we were with.

[erixx]

LOL, NuclearFallOut is playing BF3 without sleeping before the expansion launch....

[Prima.Vera]

I still fail to understand how anybody can play a 1st-person shooter with controller....

[Maban]

I tried it for a few minutes. It's interesting, but it has some bugs to work out. I would never have a use for it since my computer is my TV.

[H82LUZ73]

Originally Posted by erixx

LOL, NuclearFallOut is playing BF3 without sleeping before the expansion launch....

You mean this morning at 12 :20 am? yes thought it would be like MS ,Valve time....

Any one try this yet and do you get lock ups in WEB of it.

[atikkur]

Originally Posted by Prima.Vera

I still fail to understand how anybody can play a 1st-person shooter with controller....

aim assists

[TheOne]

I like the idea of a fully customizable console.

Build the system to your spec, then use the UI provided by Steam, this will really be useful on large LCD and DLP televisions.

[insane 360]

few notes, its still in beta, so yes there are bugs...its optional so if you don't want to use it, just like win8, don't use it

i used it a lot last night, it makes gaming in the living room much better. its no perfect, some games launch a settings window before you get into the game, so you still need a mouse (i'm looking at your trine and trails 2)

but overall, its very nice, you hit the xbox button on the controller and it does the same as ctrl tab or alt tab...access big picture and search the web, chat with friends (typing with a controller is much improved over any other options), or just launch a different game...

i love pc gaming, been playing since the 386dx days, and i don't mind changing settings or dealing with keyboard and mice, when i'm at my desk...

but for living room and i don't want the added clutter of a keyboard and quick play games, this is a huge step forward, really if they added live tv and netflix/local media then i could forget about media center/xbmc and just leave steam running, its simple enough that my wife would like using it (she thought it was my xbox and was impressed it was the pc)

i just hope they can get dev's to patch some games to make them more Big Picture friendly and they are set for me