next »

[Richard Kain]

Steam Big Picture beta comes out today

Later this afternoon Valve is going to be debuting the latest feature of the Steam digital-distribution platform, "Big-Picture Mode." This is a new interface option that optimizes Steam's display for use on televisions using a gamepad. This is an effort on Valve's part to make their on-line distribution platform more palatable for use in the living room.

Any thoughts on this initiative? Apparently it will be possible to try it out on a standard computer monitor as well, anyone going to give it a look-see later today?

[C.A. Silbereisen]

i can't hook my pc up to my tv easily (different rooms) but it's cool for those who like to do that i guess?

also steam console in the future, calling it.

[gggfhfdh]

future steam console will be called the gabecube and the compatible handheld will be called the gabe gear, well bye

[Cow]

future steam console will be called the gabecube and the compatible handheld will be called the gabe gear, well bye

Great, dude! Post more!

[crowe]

I've never been a fan of hooking up computers to the TV (especially as all my computers have been poor enough that it delays or lags when I do) but if you do then I guess this is a pretty nice feature. I'm not the target audience, but it's a pretty understandable thing. Also, something to consider: if they do go ahead with linux, then the two combined could mean a cheap computer box-console that plays Valve games (and others, when ports arrive) without having to license Windows for its production, which would be a good thing for their bottom line.

[deathtotheweird]

tried the beta of it, it's really nice. still has a few kinks, it seems to flash/artifact or something when a friend message pops up. and when a game is running the big picture interface lags. probably sets itself as low priority to not steal cpu power from games. and it doesn't recognize my logitech pad, appears to only work with xbox 360 pads. could try to use x360ce but not too comfortable about messing with dll's for steam. don't wanna accidentally get banned.

but it's really nice, though the TV I currently use is low quality I probably won't bother with big picture until I get a better tv.

[moi]

the gabecube controller is shaped like a dildo, it lets you play hands free.
I am transcribing the informations as I get them from that leaked design document that I got from a chinese website

[Jono]

Sounds pretty cool, even though I never use my PC with my TV, but being able to control the interface with my controller means I won't have to be so close to my PC all the time.

[Richard Kain]

Also, something to consider: if they do go ahead with linux, then the two combined could mean a cheap computer box-console that plays Valve games (and others, when ports arrive) without having to license Windows for its production, which would be a good thing for their bottom line.

This is exactly where my mind went when I heard about this initiative. Specifically, I was thinking that Valve might push for a Steam-specific Linux distro. A version of linux optimized specifically to run Steam. At that point they could use "Steambox" as shorthand for a minimum-requirement spec, and anyone who wanted to could boot to this custom OS to get their gaming on.

Of course, this could just be wishful thinking on my part. I'll definitely give this Big Picture mode a try some time this week. I'm currently using a Sony PS3 3D display as my primary monitor, it should be a decent test case.

[SundownKid]

Anything that forces the console makers to get up off their asses is a good thing. Hopefully Gaben overtakes the sales of all consoles at once before they notice.

[Richard Kain]

The weird thing is, Steam has in many ways supplanted Windows as the default for PC gaming. Windows fostered a monopoly on PC gaming, largely due to their broader install base. But under that model PC gaming started to whither, thanks to increased competition from consoles, and Microsoft's unwillingness to support PC gaming properly. Valve took a gamble on pushing digital distribution, and managed to resuscitate the PC gaming market by providing an environment far more comfortable for both players and developers.

At this point, I think it safe to say that it is more important for a PC game to be on Steam, than it is for it to be on Windows. If Steam continues to encourage developers to support cross-platform play, this trend will only continue.