Valve Teases Steam's "Big Picture" Mode for TV

[Tom Goldman]

Valve Teases Steam's "Big Picture" Mode for TV

Steam could be coming to a television near you.

In a pre-GDC announcement, Valve has teased a new technology related to Steam that it'll be bringing to the show. Steam's "big picture" mode will apparently take the digital distribution service from your PC to your television set.

Valve isn't all that forthcoming with specific details on the mode, but says it'll "offer controller support and navigation designed for television interaction." Valve VP of marketing Doug Lombardi says: "With big picture mode, gaming opportunities for Steam partners and customers become possible via PCs and Macs on any TV or computer display in the house."

More will be revealed at the 2011 Game Developers Conference, which runs from February 28-March 4. Valve will also talk about the success of Steam's microtransaction marketplace and how it'll integrate Steam into the launch of Portal 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Portal-2-Playstation-3/dp/B003O6E3C8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298922764&sr=8-1] for the PlayStation 3.

I can only guess at what Valve has in mind for "big picture" mode. Unless I'm missing something, it'd presumably need some kind of external box hooked up to a television to sling the Steam signal from a PC to said television. It'll be intriguing to see what Valve has in store.

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[teh_Canape]

"valve teases steam's "big picture" mode for tv"

you mean that Valve will be streaming Moviebob's rants on TV?

 

[ddq5]

"Valve Teases Not Episode 3"
I am disappoint. I don't even have a good TV. My monitor is several times better than my old fat television I only use for playing PS2 and Gamecube.
Seriously, though. Get on Episode 3.

 

[Jeffro Tull]

Meh I'll stick my rig either way.

 

[theriddlen]

I don't know what it is, but I'm sure it'll be brilliant
...in 2030, when they will finally release it after twenty years of tests.

 

[Goldeneye1989]

"valve teases steam's "big picture" mode for tv"

you mean that Valve will be streaming Moviebob's rants on TV?

Doooo ho ho ho Dat slaps me kn the knee


Also, im guessing it's for Ps3 integration.

 

[NotAPie]

Sounds awesome, I hope to try it out one day.

 

[Wolfram23]

I don't really get it. If I want to play Steam games on my TV, I'll plug my PC into my TV. I could even use Apple TV. So either they're planning to stream off a PC, or else offer... a Steam Box? Eh I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[castlewise]

It would be nice if there was a slick way to use your local net to "plug" your computer into your TV via some 3rd device. My compy is currently hooked to the TV but it requires the desk be next to the television. Thats not terrible but some sort of wireless HDMI or HDMI through ethernet would be cool.

 

[Sephychu]

I think this is great. I won't use it, but I'll sure as hell prattle at everybody else to.

 

[Infinatex]

My monitor is already a TV! Oh well Maybe I can play Steam content on my TV, while I'm playing Steam content on my TV... :O

 

[teh_Canape]

Doooo ho ho ho Dat slaps me kn the knee

good times

Spoiler: O Lord Inglip, what is your bidding for today?

Senjukyä ucardes

as you wish, Master

 

[Palademon]

My monitor is already a TV! Oh well Maybe I can play Steam content on my TV, while I'm playing Steam content on my TV... :O

YO DAWG!
It seems so!

 

[samsonguy920]

Either Steam is going to be for consoles, or Netflix is gonna have some competition.

What's the point really?

Valve Teases Steam's "Big Picture" Mode for TV

Valve isn't all that forthcoming with specific details on the mode, but says it'll "offer controller support and navigation designed for television interaction."

Great! Another controller to lose in my couch cushions.

How many controllers you have down there? Would think that would be getting pretty bumpy by now unless they are BIG cushions.

 

[Sightless Wisdom]

I'm just waiting until Valve actually comes out with some variety of Steam-running console. Then maybe for once Pc gamers and console gamers can play on the same servers... or at least be a part of the same community.

(Note: I'm a Pc gamer, I don't really care if Valve makes a console but it would be nice)

 

[FungiGamer]

*crosses fingers for Meet the Medic/Meet the Pyro/ TF2 Movie tie-ins*




Seriously, I heard Meet the Medic has been finished TWICE already...

 

[Xanadu84]

I will continue to use my PC for all my gaming. That's my thing. However, this is VERY exciting. Why? Well, lets think about the Marketing. Next generation of consoles. People are looking at the PS4, the XBox 720, and the Zii or whatever. Then, along comes Steam. The platform that uses your home computer. Instead of buying a $400 box you have to set up, just download this free program. You can already use a TV as a monitor, so either the hardware will me minimal, probably a single cord. Hell, maybe they can do it wireless. Use your already supported controller. Never go to a store again to buy your games. The sheer novelty of using a central computer to power your "console" gaming. Valve could eclipse Sony and Microsoft as a platform. It sounds crazy, but it is actually VERY feasible. I hope they do it