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Steam launches Big Picture mode

Published on 4th December 2012 by David Hing

Big Picture Mode entered beta earlier this year and is one of Valve's first steps towards trying to conquer the living room.

Valve's digital distribution hub Steam has taken the training wheels off its Big Picture mode which aims to help PC gaming move one step closer to the living room.

The mode which entered beta earlier this year has been designed to be operated by a gamepad on a TV as opposed to the traditional mouse and keyboard on a PC. It includes the Daisywheel feature to make it easier to type using a control pad and a reticule-based web-browser.

To support the launch, Steam is running a sale on more than 30 of its more controller-friendly titles including Left4Dead 2, Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, Portal 2 and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine.

Earlier this year it was revealed that Valve's hardware division is planning on its first round of external beta testing next year. The hardware division has been working with the Big Picture mode developers with the overall goal to make Steam more accessible from the living room.

Hardware solutions being developed include things to make Steam and PC games easier to control away from a mouse and keyboard setup. The team has however stated that they are projecting approximately two to five years before anything finds its way into the hands of consumers.

10 Comments

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XXAOSICXX 4th December 2012, 08:28

"Hardware solutions being developed include things to make Steam and PC games easier to control away from a mouse and keyboard setup"

If this becomes popular the major publishers will give even less of a s**t about keyboard-and-mouse gamers and we'll see consolification on a level that makes the current swathe of piss-poor console ports look like PC-exclusive titles.

I see what they're trying to do...but I don't like where we're going to end up....

TheDodoKiller 4th December 2012, 09:19

Has anyone else looked at the sale and wondered why some of the games on sale are 'Controller Friendly'?

For instance, Train Simulator 2013. Not really a controller game.

I know there were some point and clicks in there too.

blacko 4th December 2012, 09:27

I've tried L4D2 using a controller....

never again.

Griffter 4th December 2012, 10:02

steam is making something in the next 3-5 years a patch for steam and makes everygame bleed into ur living room and the start of true VR! well i can dream cant i?

wafflesomd 4th December 2012, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by XXAOSICXX
"Hardware solutions being developed include things to make Steam and PC games easier to control away from a mouse and keyboard setup"

If this becomes popular the major publishers will give even less of a s**t about keyboard-and-mouse gamers and we'll see consolification on a level that makes the current swathe of piss-poor console ports look like PC-exclusive titles.

I see what they're trying to do...but I don't like where we're going to end up....

Quick everyone! Let's jump to insane conclusions!

Aracos 4th December 2012, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by wafflesomd
Quote:
Originally Posted by XXAOSICXX
"Hardware solutions being developed include things to make Steam and PC games easier to control away from a mouse and keyboard setup"

If this becomes popular the major publishers will give even less of a s**t about keyboard-and-mouse gamers and we'll see consolification on a level that makes the current swathe of piss-poor console ports look like PC-exclusive titles.

I see what they're trying to do...but I don't like where we're going to end up....

Quick everyone! Let's jump to insane conclusions!

It's not like it is really hard to support a mouse and keyboard, most games work well with the keyboard and mouse so it won't really be an issue imo.

Sloth 4th December 2012, 22:54

Considering this is a Steam exclusive optional feature it seems doubtful that developers will change their games to any great degree with it in mind. Aka, works great for current cross platform games but is far from causing some sort of console apocalypse. Porting a game with little to no KB/M support expecting PC players to use a controller is too risky a move for most.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDodoKiller
Has anyone else looked at the sale and wondered why some of the games on sale are 'Controller Friendly'?

For instance, Train Simulator 2013. Not really a controller game.

I know there were some point and clicks in there too.

Just means it's compatible with a controller, not that you'll necessarily want to use one. Expect things like a cursor moved by a joystick with a "left click" button and a few main keys bound to the remaining controller buttons.

Measter 5th December 2012, 09:31

I tried it last night, and it's very nicely done. The Steam overlay is also changed so you can control it with a joypad.

You can take over with the mouse at any time just by moving it, too. All the labels telling you which button to press to do stuff instantly change to buttons you can click on.

Pookie 7th December 2012, 08:43

I had a quick look last night and i was impressed, shame i never really use a controller :(

Nikumba 7th December 2012, 09:23

Now if they can make this also place movies and TV ala XBMC this could be onto a winnner