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"Big Picture Mode" for Steam announced - Controller based navigation designed for TVs
- Thread starter V_Ben
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Reallink
Member
Seems kind of silly when so many popular games don't have native pad support--Bioshock 2, Mass Effect's, Dragon Age's, Witcher's, Amnesia, ect... Wish they had the clout to mandate developers include it to appear on Steam, but don't think they do. WASD is probably the biggest barrier in pulling life long console loyalists over to PC. Lot of console only players are hungry for a new generation and new hardware at this point.
Diablohead
Member
don't forget you can still connect external non steam games and apps to the steam interface, using a pad to move around steam is just like have a pad controlled game front for your computer.Reallink said:
Half of my steam games are external linked racing titles, and using a pad to navigate my steam list is most welcomed.
snoopeasystreet
Member
Should have called it comfy couch mode.
Here's a question. Has there ever been steam branded hardware? Granted, the 360 wired controller seems to be the de facto PC controller at the moment but I wonder if we'll see Steam certified items in the future.
Here's a question. Has there ever been steam branded hardware? Granted, the 360 wired controller seems to be the de facto PC controller at the moment but I wonder if we'll see Steam certified items in the future.
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
Reallink said:
But even then it's still useful. Even if you have a wireless keyboard and mouse and you play all your games with a keyboard and mouse, a 10 foot interface is still useful and I'd still rather use a remote or gamepad to use a 10 foot interface.
Reallink said:
I think it puts pressure back on those developers to leave the damn gamepad code in. Bioshock1 on PC with a gamepad was the best possible way to play it (imo). I would have bought Bioshock2 on PC, but they dropped pad support.
From Valve's end, all they have to do is filter the store listings in "Big Picture" mode to games which have pad support.
It doesn't stop anyone else from using keyboard and mouse.
Stallion Free
Cock Encumbered
Do you mean like buy Steam games on and for your PS3?Arnie said:
Or do you mean like access everything Steam apart from the games?
Man, I'm hyped for this though. Being able to have the in-game overlay useable with the pad while playing games that are enjoyable to play with pads will be a godsend.
I always have my tv hooked up to my computer (cloned screen), and this feature will be nice when I want to play controller supported games through Steam, I guess. Don't really see it as a big deal for me though, since most PC games I play use mouse and keyboard (and I can't use that from my comfy sofa 
).
Love this idea though. Valve, make it happen!
).theBishop said:
Love this idea though. Valve, make it happen!
Littleberu
Banned
Smash88 said:
theBishop said:
See, the fun thing is this mode being added to PCs helps Steam compete more directly with the PS3. So the fact they're announcing this just before Portal 2 launches is mildly interesting; either the full Steam on PS3 deal didn't happen (or was never going to), or Valve just wanted a more unified interface between platforms when the full deal hits. Kinda leaning towards the former, as cool as the latter would be.
Littleberu said:
It was a joke....
I even made sure people knew.
I own a Wii and 360 if that helps you with your anti-joke gaf force movement.
theBishop said:
OnLive is not going to take off, it is too early in terms of tech for internet usage, especially with bandwidth caps. Plus, it looks like OnLive will be something that will be used in mobile tech from what I've read.
BattleMonkey
Member
SalsaShark said:
Whiners will still have this one to fall back on. Steam doesn't do miracles... yet
Old Gimlet Eyes
Member
I really hope this gets more developers to support gamepad on PC. I love gaming on my PC more than my consoles, I'm just not a fan of KB/M for anything other than MMO and RTS games. Definitely a step in the right direction, thanks Valve.
herod said:
Consoles are too limited for Valve.
DLC/update restrictions, file size limits, whatever. Valve works on PC and is making its own empire out of it. Sony must have offered them a SHIT-TON of movie for them to be game with the whole steam connectivity thing after all the shit Gabe threw on them.
Demigod Mac
Member
Smash88 said:
They'll find another excuse, though those are rapidly dwindling.
Stallion Free
Cock Encumbered
Oh man consoles are truly fucked if Steam ends up as slick as some of those XBMC skins. Like the custom backgrounds/library selection interface + selecting games for info/etc. I will get my own background for every single game on my list if they let me.
Reallink
Member
Minsc said:
Yep, but too much of a hassle for the group a feature like this targets (i.e. streamlined simplicity) and sometimes questionable results that just don't feel right or control right. Many games relying on quick menu's and shit also need to have a "first party" solution to pads, as they require some redesign.
herod said:
I don't think it's really about that though. It's more about maximizing the potential of Steam, gamepad support has become almost a requirement for most PC games, and programs like MotioninJoy make it easier than ever so it only makes sense for them to make their service a little more friendly to pads.
There really hasn't been any change of mind as far as I can tell. Gabe said it they couldn't focus on doing PS3 games and weren't willing to have others port for them because the Orange Box port is a few metacritic points lower.SalsaShark said:
When Gabe announced Portal 2 for PS3, he didn't go back on anything he'd said about the console, he thanked Sony for not punching him in the face, but he didn't change his mind at all.
I think it just got to the point where the installbase was worth the extra effort, Gabe also mentioned that they had some new staff who'd worked on PS3 before they went to Valve and they wanted to again. I don't know how truthful he is, I know GAF is full of cynics, but Gabe really doesn't have a single reason to lie.
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
Stallion Free said:
you can do that right now. launch game. take screenshot. there, you've got a background for that game.
like osx* support, steam on ps3 is valve's modern take on the shareware model.StuBurns said:
the only thing more stark than the quality of the service is the revelation of what you're missing out on.
(*i originally typed mac, buying into the jobsian delusion that the off-the-shelf hardware inside them couldn't somehow be put to better use. my apologies.)
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