Valve on Steam Big Picture Mode: “It’s coming. Soon.”

Comment

Steam Big Picture Mode is a long teased thing of mystery. Announced over a year ago at GDC 2011, the mode should allow PC gamers to play, start and interact with their Steam games using a gamepad and TV friendly interface and. But it’s been kept under wraps by Valve since the announcement.

Speaking to PCGamesN at Develop, Valve’s Jason Holtman explained that a reveal is close. “It’s coming. Soon.”

Alongside revealing that Valve have no plans to change their approach to digital sales after a ruling from the EU Court of Justice, Jason also explained why Valve have put so much work into developing an interface for Steam that’s suitable for a PC. It’s purely because PC gamers are chafing at the bit to get their games running on the television. “We have all this great content, and it’s super good looking. You own Skyrim on Steam, and a huge television, and 5.1 Surround, why wouldn’t you want to see it there. Customers are constantly saying, I’ve got all this content from you, and I’ve got this other great display device and sound device - can you make this work?”

Jason also revealed that the Big Picture Mode is another of Valve’s experiments; they’ll see how the community use it to determine any next steps. “We’ll ship and see what happens. We’re agnostic as to how people plug that in and how they use it.” But, it’s important enough to ensure it meet’s Valve’s quality standards. “We’re trying to make it a really good initial experience, and then see what happens.”

Login to comment

Enter your PCGamesN username.
Enter the password that accompanies your username.
Forgotten your password?

Batman Arkham Origins trailer confirms that some days you just can't get rid of a bomb

Why Valve backed the Team Fortress 2 community's Robotic Boogaloo

Black Ops 2's Nuketown 2025 remade for real-life paintballing

Obsidian are assisting on an MMO: Skyforge

Dota 2 International Western Qualifier results are in: Mousesports are going to Seattle

World of Warcraft 5.3 patch introduces Heroic difficulty to Scenarios, is out this week

Call of Duty: Ghosts footage revealed in new clip, looks very much in-development

Planetside 2 update 9 due this week; adds rush-lanes and possibly drops weapon prices

Alien Rage is the new name for Alien Fear. Identity crisis resolved in new trailer

All the Steam badges collected in one handy gallery

Assassin’s Creed movie release date announced for 22 May, 2015

Elders Scrolls Online video shows “you can compete with friends to catch the biggest fish”

The Swapper release date announced in stunning new trailer

Crysis 3 multiplayer DLC outed by achievements; includes boat oar weapon

Star Wars: the Old Republic Gree event returns next week

Final Fantasy VIII HD release coming to PC

Guild Wars enters automated maintenance; will "keep Guild Wars running in the years to come"

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance to hack (and slash) on your PC