Steam Big Picture released

[Pinkamena]

Valve has released their "Big Picture" mode for Steam, designed for viewing on a TV screen.

One of the main features is how it's been designed for being operated with a controller, instead of a keyboard and mouse which can get a little cumbersome when you're sitting in a sofa.
So, what do you think? Personally, I hope this will get developers more keen to release their games to PC. And if they do, I see no need for a console anymore.

 

[Soopy]

I use steam on my widescreen TV. Although I use a mouse and keyboard anyway as there is little point using the PC on the TV without it.

I proffer to use a console for gaming, but there are some fun, cheap titles available for the PC which I enjoy. Torchlight for example.

Big Picture certainly seems to have a lot of interesting functions. Perhaps this is just what I've been looking for to justify getting back into PC gaming?

 

[Savagezion]

Ok, so how is this different than key mapping a game to a controller that is plugged into your PC that is hooked up to a 42" LCD TV?

Is it? (outside of the interface, which I don't care)

 

[Tuesday Night Fever]

And before anyone jumps in with "but I don't know how to use/build/jump on a PC" then I have this to say: "Learn, it's not hard".

Even for those completely resistant to the idea of learning, there are plenty of smaller computer shops out there that custom build computers for you, and they generally survive on their customer service. I bought my first gaming PC from a small place called Showtime Computers in Hudson, New Hampshire. I had no idea how to build one at the time. I told them my budget, and asked them to build me the best gaming PC they could for that amount. I've honestly never been happier with a computer than I was with that one.

 

[Soopy]

Ok, so how is this different than key mapping a game to a controller that is plugged into your PC that is hooked up to a 42" LCD TV?

Is it? (outside of the interface, which I don't care)

Did you watch the video at all?

 

[GoaThief]

Shiny as fuck!

Just what I was looking for, had my PC hooked up to the HDTV for almost a year now despite it originally being a temporary solution. Love it.

 

[Savagezion]

Ok, so how is this different than key mapping a game to a controller that is plugged into your PC that is hooked up to a 42" LCD TV?

Is it? (outside of the interface, which I don't care)

Did you watch the video at all?

From start to finish. But it seems redundant. I have had this for over 2 years now considering it is not really anything new other than a PSN style UI. However, I am sure my setup is better. (re: for me) Keyboard when I want to type, controller when I want to play with one. I mean if people want it... Ok. I hate browsing on controller based systems but to each thier own. I wouldn't say this is incentive for PC releases though if that is all it is. Not trying to burst a bubble or anything. Just Saiyan. ;p

 

[Soopy]

Ok, so how is this different than key mapping a game to a controller that is plugged into your PC that is hooked up to a 42" LCD TV?

Is it? (outside of the interface, which I don't care)

Did you watch the video at all?

From start to finish. But it seems redundant. I have had this for over 2 years now considering it is not really anything new other than a PSN style UI. However, I am sure my setup is better. (re: for me) Keyboard when I want to type, controller when I want to play with one. I mean if people want it... Ok. I hate browsing on controller based systems but to each thier own. I wouldn't say this is incentive for PC releases though if that is all it is. Not trying to burst a bubble or anything. Just Saiyan. ;p

The UI is neither here nor there for me.

I like the browser idea best, I currently have my DPI set to 165% because nothing is visible at 100%. This causes all sorts of issues with viewing forums (trying to get everything to fit the screen, but still visible). If Steam have fixed this issue, MASSIVE thumbs up for me.

 

[Fappy]

My PC has been hooked up to a TV for years and I played games with a 360 controller regularly. I don't get it :/

 

[ToastiestZombie]

My PC has been hooked up to a TV for years and I played games with a 360 controller regularly. I don't get it :/

It's a new UI for the steam store and the steam games list and such that works with controllers. It has nothing to do with games, or letting your PC get hooked up to a TV. It simply lets Steam work with controllers for people like you.

 

[Fappy]

My PC has been hooked up to a TV for years and I played games with a 360 controller regularly. I don't get it :/

It's a new UI for the steam store and the steam games list and such that works with controllers. It has nothing to do with games, or letting your PC get hooked up to a TV. It simply lets Steam work with controllers for people like you.

Well then I suppose it's kind of neat.

 

[ToastiestZombie]

My PC has been hooked up to a TV for years and I played games with a 360 controller regularly. I don't get it :/

It's a new UI for the steam store and the steam games list and such that works with controllers. It has nothing to do with games, or letting your PC get hooked up to a TV. It simply lets Steam work with controllers for people like you.

Well then I suppose it's kind of neat.

Yeah, it's just an extra service that really doesn't do any sensible person any harm. I probably won't use it, but it's always nice to have it there.

 

[Fappy]

My PC has been hooked up to a TV for years and I played games with a 360 controller regularly. I don't get it :/

It's a new UI for the steam store and the steam games list and such that works with controllers. It has nothing to do with games, or letting your PC get hooked up to a TV. It simply lets Steam work with controllers for people like you.

Well then I suppose it's kind of neat.

Yeah, it's just an extra service that really doesn't do any sensible person any harm. I probably won't use it, but it's always nice to have it there.

The way I currently have things set up won't likely lead to me making use of it anytime soon. Could come in handy down the road though.

 

[ToastiestZombie]

My PC has been hooked up to a TV for years and I played games with a 360 controller regularly. I don't get it :/

It's a new UI for the steam store and the steam games list and such that works with controllers. It has nothing to do with games, or letting your PC get hooked up to a TV. It simply lets Steam work with controllers for people like you.

Well then I suppose it's kind of neat.

Yeah, it's just an extra service that really doesn't do any sensible person any harm. I probably won't use it, but it's always nice to have it there.

The way I currently have things set up won't likely lead to me making use of it anytime soon. Could come in handy down the road though.

And may I ask, how do you have it setup? Before now the only way to use Steam on a TV was by using the mouse and keyboard, which must be pretty hard on a sofa. But still, it's good that it's there, and like I said there's no reason to get mad at anyone.

 

[Fappy]

My PC has been hooked up to a TV for years and I played games with a 360 controller regularly. I don't get it :/

It's a new UI for the steam store and the steam games list and such that works with controllers. It has nothing to do with games, or letting your PC get hooked up to a TV. It simply lets Steam work with controllers for people like you.

Well then I suppose it's kind of neat.

Yeah, it's just an extra service that really doesn't do any sensible person any harm. I probably won't use it, but it's always nice to have it there.

The way I currently have things set up won't likely lead to me making use of it anytime soon. Could come in handy down the road though.

And may I ask, how do you have it setup? Before now the only way to use Steam on a TV was by using the mouse and keyboard, which must be pretty hard on a sofa. But still, it's good that it's there, and like I said there's no reason to get mad at anyone.

I'm not mad at anyone if that's the impression I made! Oops >.>

I have it set up so that my TV is on my computer desk and my bed is only about 3-feet away. If I wanted to play a game with a controller from my bed I could easily just boot it up at my desk and then sit down comfortably for gameplay.

I'd imagine this new feature would come in handy if I eventually move my setup into the living room or something.

 

[ToastiestZombie]

My PC has been hooked up to a TV for years and I played games with a 360 controller regularly. I don't get it :/

It's a new UI for the steam store and the steam games list and such that works with controllers. It has nothing to do with games, or letting your PC get hooked up to a TV. It simply lets Steam work with controllers for people like you.

Well then I suppose it's kind of neat.

Yeah, it's just an extra service that really doesn't do any sensible person any harm. I probably won't use it, but it's always nice to have it there.

The way I currently have things set up won't likely lead to me making use of it anytime soon. Could come in handy down the road though.

And may I ask, how do you have it setup? Before now the only way to use Steam on a TV was by using the mouse and keyboard, which must be pretty hard on a sofa. But still, it's good that it's there, and like I said there's no reason to get mad at anyone.

I'm not mad at anyone if that's the impression I made! Oops >.>

I have it set up so that my TV is on my computer desk and my bed is only about 3-feet away. If I wanted to play a game with a controller from my bed I could easily just boot it up at my desk and then sit down comfortably for gameplay.

I'd imagine this new feature would come in handy if I eventually move my setup into the living room or something.

I wasn't aiming it at you, I was aiming it at the inevitable hate that everything anyone does in the gaming industry gets

And that's a pretty good setup, when I want to play with my controller I simply go back on my desk chair and move a few meters back, it's quite comfy.

Well, that was the most polite and un-argument free conversation I've had on here in months. Care to add me as a friend?

 

[Fappy]

My PC has been hooked up to a TV for years and I played games with a 360 controller regularly. I don't get it :/

It's a new UI for the steam store and the steam games list and such that works with controllers. It has nothing to do with games, or letting your PC get hooked up to a TV. It simply lets Steam work with controllers for people like you.

Well then I suppose it's kind of neat.

Yeah, it's just an extra service that really doesn't do any sensible person any harm. I probably won't use it, but it's always nice to have it there.

The way I currently have things set up won't likely lead to me making use of it anytime soon. Could come in handy down the road though.

And may I ask, how do you have it setup? Before now the only way to use Steam on a TV was by using the mouse and keyboard, which must be pretty hard on a sofa. But still, it's good that it's there, and like I said there's no reason to get mad at anyone.

I'm not mad at anyone if that's the impression I made! Oops >.>

I have it set up so that my TV is on my computer desk and my bed is only about 3-feet away. If I wanted to play a game with a controller from my bed I could easily just boot it up at my desk and then sit down comfortably for gameplay.

I'd imagine this new feature would come in handy if I eventually move my setup into the living room or something.

I wasn't aiming it at you, I was aiming it at the inevitable hate that everything anyone does in the gaming industry gets

And that's a pretty good setup, when I want to play with my controller I simply go back on my desk chair and move a few meters back, it's quite comfy.

Well, that was the most polite and un-argument free conversation I've had on here in months. Care to add me as a friend?

Yes, I do care. In fact, I am very insulted that you even considered adding me----

Aw fuck, I already clicked "Befriend" didn't I?

 

[Darknacht]

My PC has been hooked up to a TV for years and I played games with a 360 controller regularly. I don't get it :/

It's a new UI for the steam store and the steam games list and such that works with controllers. It has nothing to do with games, or letting your PC get hooked up to a TV. It simply lets Steam work with controllers for people like you.

Well then I suppose it's kind of neat.

Yeah, it's just an extra service that really doesn't do any sensible person any harm. I probably won't use it, but it's always nice to have it there.

The way I currently have things set up won't likely lead to me making use of it anytime soon. Could come in handy down the road though.

And may I ask, how do you have it setup? Before now the only way to use Steam on a TV was by using the mouse and keyboard, which must be pretty hard on a sofa. But still, it's good that it's there, and like I said there's no reason to get mad at anyone.

They make wireless mini mouse/keyboard combo devices that are about the same size as a controller, you would still want a controller for gaming, but a mini mouse/keyboard is going to be a lot better for navigation then a trying something like a 'first person browser' and typing with a controller.

 

[ToastiestZombie]

My PC has been hooked up to a TV for years and I played games with a 360 controller regularly. I don't get it :/

It's a new UI for the steam store and the steam games list and such that works with controllers. It has nothing to do with games, or letting your PC get hooked up to a TV. It simply lets Steam work with controllers for people like you.

Well then I suppose it's kind of neat.

Yeah, it's just an extra service that really doesn't do any sensible person any harm. I probably won't use it, but it's always nice to have it there.

The way I currently have things set up won't likely lead to me making use of it anytime soon. Could come in handy down the road though.

And may I ask, how do you have it setup? Before now the only way to use Steam on a TV was by using the mouse and keyboard, which must be pretty hard on a sofa. But still, it's good that it's there, and like I said there's no reason to get mad at anyone.

They make wireless mini mouse/keyboard combo devices that are about the same size as a controller, you would still want a controller for gaming, but a mini mouse/keyboard is going to be a lot better for navigation then a trying crap like a 'first person browser' and typing with a controller.

This is the sort of stuff I talked about in another one of my posts here. You don't have to use it, it looks to be a pretty good service for people who don't want to have to use two devices for navigation. It's an entirely optional thing, like it said in the trailer if you want to use a keyboard and mouse that's fine. This UI has been designed for people who don't, so clearly not you.

 

[Darknacht]

My PC has been hooked up to a TV for years and I played games with a 360 controller regularly. I don't get it :/

It's a new UI for the steam store and the steam games list and such that works with controllers. It has nothing to do with games, or letting your PC get hooked up to a TV. It simply lets Steam work with controllers for people like you.

Well then I suppose it's kind of neat.

Yeah, it's just an extra service that really doesn't do any sensible person any harm. I probably won't use it, but it's always nice to have it there.

The way I currently have things set up won't likely lead to me making use of it anytime soon. Could come in handy down the road though.

And may I ask, how do you have it setup? Before now the only way to use Steam on a TV was by using the mouse and keyboard, which must be pretty hard on a sofa. But still, it's good that it's there, and like I said there's no reason to get mad at anyone.

They make wireless mini mouse/keyboard combo devices that are about the same size as a controller, you would still want a controller for gaming, but a mini mouse/keyboard is going to be a lot better for navigation then a trying crap like a 'first person browser' and typing with a controller.

This is the sort of stuff I talked about in another one of my posts here. You don't have to use it, it looks to be a pretty good service for people who don't want to have to use two devices for navigation. It's an entirely optional thing, like it said in the trailer if you want to use a keyboard and mouse that's fine. This UI has been designed for people who don't, so clearly not you.

Yeah I get that I was just commenting on this sentence:

Before now the only way to use Steam on a TV was by using the mouse and keyboard, which must be pretty hard on a sofa.

Its a good option to have but its still going to be much easier to just have a mini mouse/keyboard not harder.