Steam's new beta client UI for Big Picture Mode and SteamVR Dashboard
Valve is currently testing a new look for their "Big Picture Mode" user interface. Valve is also adding FLAC, OGG, Vorbis and M4A support to its music player. If you are unfamiliar with Big Picture Mode, check out this link (it's basically an interface for playing games on a TV or Projector while kickin back on the couch using a controller) http://store.steampowered.com/bigpicture Opt into the Steam beta client in your settings menu Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/02/valves-testing-a-new-look-for-steam-on-tvs/
Valve is currently testing a new look for their "Big Picture Mode" user interface.

Valve is also adding FLAC, OGG, Vorbis and M4A support to its music player.

If you are unfamiliar with Big Picture Mode, check out this link
(it's basically an interface for playing games on a TV or Projector while kickin back on the couch using a controller)


http://store.steampowered.com/bigpicture


Opt into the Steam beta client in your settings menu

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/02/valves-testing-a-new-look-for-steam-on-tvs/

#1
Posted 09/03/2015 10:24 AM   
Steam has also released their new SteamVR Dashboard currently in Alpha testing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6KTluaLaVo http://steamcommunity.com/app/250820
Steam has also released their new SteamVR Dashboard currently in Alpha testing




http://steamcommunity.com/app/250820

#2
Posted 09/03/2015 10:46 AM   
TBH I have only fired up big picture mode one time, and that was because I didn't know what it was. It was cool looking, but even though I have a nice TV hooked up to my PC, I just don't game on it, so this feature is useless to me.
TBH I have only fired up big picture mode one time, and that was because I didn't know what it was. It was cool looking, but even though I have a nice TV hooked up to my PC, I just don't game on it, so this feature is useless to me.

|CPU: i7-2700k @ 4.5Ghz
|Cooler: Zalman 9900 Max
|MB: MSI Military Class II Z68 GD-80
|RAM: Corsair Vengence 16GB DDR3
|SSDs: Seagate 600 240GB; Crucial M4 128GB
|HDDs: Seagate Barracuda 1TB; Seagate Barracuda 500GB
|PS: OCZ ZX Series 1250watt
|Case: Antec 1200 V3
|Monitors: Asus 3D VG278HE; Asus 3D VG236H; Samsung 3D 51" Plasma;
|GPU:MSI 1080GTX "Duke"
|OS: Windows 10 Pro X64

#3
Posted 09/03/2015 12:29 PM   
The only thing I have connected to my 3DPC is a 65" DLP and I still very rarely ever fire up BPM anymore after the initial something new phase wore off, usually I just view my installed games with thumbnails. I've probably ran BPM more by accidentally hitting the guide button on my 360 controller. :)
The only thing I have connected to my 3DPC is a 65" DLP and I still very rarely ever fire up BPM anymore after the initial something new phase wore off, usually I just view my installed games with thumbnails. I've probably ran BPM more by accidentally hitting the guide button on my 360 controller. :)
#4
Posted 09/03/2015 02:00 PM   
Steam machines, controllers and this, Valve seems to really want the PC platform to turn into a console. For me personally, no interest. If I wanted all these things, I would just buy a PS4 or Xbone. I game on the PC because it is not a console. Thankfully these are only options for those that want it. I hope Valve does not show the same level of arrogance such as companies like Ubisoft, EA and Microsoft. Forcing and pushing these things down the throats is anti consumerism. Choice, flexibility and modding has always been the cornerstone strengths of the PC as a gaming platform. No cookie cutting systems for this kid.
Steam machines, controllers and this, Valve seems to really want the PC platform to turn into a console. For me personally, no interest. If I wanted all these things, I would just buy a PS4 or Xbone. I game on the PC because it is not a console. Thankfully these are only options for those that want it. I hope Valve does not show the same level of arrogance such as companies like Ubisoft, EA and Microsoft. Forcing and pushing these things down the throats is anti consumerism. Choice, flexibility and modding has always been the cornerstone strengths of the PC as a gaming platform. No cookie cutting systems for this kid.

#5
Posted 09/03/2015 02:07 PM   
But there's nothing to say that PCs can't retain the features that make them unique and still offer a console-like experience. To me it's not an either/or proposition. They do not have to be mutually exclusive. Even though I don't use Big Picture Mode, I'm glad it's there, because who knows, I might use it someday. To me, the more options we have the better. I am a die-hard PC gamer - haven't owned a console since the Sega Genesis(!), but over half of my game collection is playable with an XBox 360 controller, and that's the way I prefer to play. So I say, the more compatible we can make PCs with this console-centric world, the more options will be available to us for our enjoyment.
But there's nothing to say that PCs can't retain the features that make them unique and still offer a console-like experience. To me it's not an either/or proposition. They do not have to be mutually exclusive. Even though I don't use Big Picture Mode, I'm glad it's there, because who knows, I might use it someday. To me, the more options we have the better. I am a die-hard PC gamer - haven't owned a console since the Sega Genesis(!), but over half of my game collection is playable with an XBox 360 controller, and that's the way I prefer to play. So I say, the more compatible we can make PCs with this console-centric world, the more options will be available to us for our enjoyment.

|CPU: i7-2700k @ 4.5Ghz
|Cooler: Zalman 9900 Max
|MB: MSI Military Class II Z68 GD-80
|RAM: Corsair Vengence 16GB DDR3
|SSDs: Seagate 600 240GB; Crucial M4 128GB
|HDDs: Seagate Barracuda 1TB; Seagate Barracuda 500GB
|PS: OCZ ZX Series 1250watt
|Case: Antec 1200 V3
|Monitors: Asus 3D VG278HE; Asus 3D VG236H; Samsung 3D 51" Plasma;
|GPU:MSI 1080GTX "Duke"
|OS: Windows 10 Pro X64

#6
Posted 09/03/2015 03:43 PM   
[quote=""]But there's nothing to say that PCs can't retain the features that make them unique and still offer a console-like experience. To me it's not an either/or proposition. They do not have to be mutually exclusive. Even though I don't use Big Picture Mode, I'm glad it's there, because who knows, I might use it someday. To me, the more options we have the better. I am a die-hard PC gamer - haven't owned a console since the Sega Genesis(!), but over half of my game collection is playable with an XBox 360 controller, and that's the way I prefer to play. So I say, the more compatible we can make PCs with this console-centric world, the more options will be available to us for our enjoyment. [/quote] I certainly agree with everything you say as far as options go, but one point I am making is many newer games are being streamlined and removing many PC specific features. One size fits all. I have no antipathy towards consoles or the games for them except that they tend to lack many of the features, options and don't make full use of the hardware that can be used in the PC. Again, one size fits all. I don't agree with your statement on console centric games, simply because that what they will become then, console games. 3D Vision Ready games are becoming scarce and the only saving grace is the ability to mod and fix them. Information as it relates to 3D for Mad Max appears that it may not be fixable since the game does not like injectors, not too encouraging. Anyway, don't take my words as if I am inciting anything towards consoles or owners of them, all the power to that. I won't debate consoles versus PC. What my message is, merely observations on what Steam is trying to do and I just hope the things I like about the PC are retained in the future.
said:But there's nothing to say that PCs can't retain the features that make them unique and still offer a console-like experience. To me it's not an either/or proposition. They do not have to be mutually exclusive. Even though I don't use Big Picture Mode, I'm glad it's there, because who knows, I might use it someday. To me, the more options we have the better. I am a die-hard PC gamer - haven't owned a console since the Sega Genesis(!), but over half of my game collection is playable with an XBox 360 controller, and that's the way I prefer to play. So I say, the more compatible we can make PCs with this console-centric world, the more options will be available to us for our enjoyment.


I certainly agree with everything you say as far as options go, but one point I am making is many newer games are being streamlined and removing many PC specific features. One size fits all. I have no antipathy towards consoles or the games for them except that they tend to lack many of the features, options and don't make full use of the hardware that can be used in the PC. Again, one size fits all. I don't agree with your statement on console centric games, simply because that what they will become then, console games. 3D Vision Ready games are becoming scarce and the only saving grace is the ability to mod and fix them. Information as it relates to 3D for Mad Max appears that it may not be fixable since the game does not like injectors, not too encouraging.

Anyway, don't take my words as if I am inciting anything towards consoles or owners of them, all the power to that. I won't debate consoles versus PC. What my message is, merely observations on what Steam is trying to do and I just hope the things I like about the PC are retained in the future.

#7
Posted 09/03/2015 05:42 PM   
Actually I like where Valve is HEADING the PC ;)) It tries to "consolize" them by offering a console interface;) In the same time you STILL KEEP the awesome benefits of POWERFUL HARDWARE;) You still have access to full DX11/DX12 and Nvidia Gameworks, better resolution, textures, etc (including 3D Vision if supported out of the box... /sigh) For someone who never used/don't know how to handle a PC this is "God Send";) Maybe down the line they hear about mods and start digging deeper into PC gaming;)) Basically I love the fact that Valve is trying to show that the PC is as easy to use as a console;) Many more games, cross compatible:)) (You can play any game ever released on the PC from the NES era till present) so no problems of I can't play my PS2 game on my PS4 etc;)) I think is a very smart move;)
Actually I like where Valve is HEADING the PC ;))
It tries to "consolize" them by offering a console interface;) In the same time you STILL KEEP the awesome benefits of POWERFUL HARDWARE;)

You still have access to full DX11/DX12 and Nvidia Gameworks, better resolution, textures, etc (including 3D Vision if supported out of the box... /sigh)

For someone who never used/don't know how to handle a PC this is "God Send";) Maybe down the line they hear about mods and start digging deeper into PC gaming;))

Basically I love the fact that Valve is trying to show that the PC is as easy to use as a console;) Many more games, cross compatible:)) (You can play any game ever released on the PC from the NES era till present) so no problems of I can't play my PS2 game on my PS4 etc;))
I think is a very smart move;)

1x Palit RTX 2080Ti Pro Gaming OC(watercooled and overclocked to hell)
3x 3D Vision Ready Asus VG278HE monitors (5760x1080).
Intel i9 9900K (overclocked to 5.3 and watercooled ofc).
Asus Maximus XI Hero Mobo.
16 GB Team Group T-Force Dark Pro DDR4 @ 3600.
Lots of Disks:
- Raid 0 - 256GB Sandisk Extreme SSD.
- Raid 0 - WD Black - 2TB.
- SanDisk SSD PLUS 480 GB.
- Intel 760p 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD.
Creative Sound Blaster Z.
Windows 10 x64 Pro.
etc


My website with my fixes and OpenGL to 3D Vision wrapper:
http://3dsurroundgaming.com

(If you like some of the stuff that I've done and want to donate something, you can do it with PayPal at tavyhome@gmail.com)

#8
Posted 09/03/2015 05:57 PM   
I think Valve is merely trying to attract console players over to the PC side, so that they can sell them games and hardware. If Valve was interested in half assed performance in PC games, they would not have spent so much time and money on development of OpenGL in the last few years. A lot of the newest specification is due to Valve's spearheading new development. Vulkan is the new generation, open standard API for high-efficiency access to graphics and compute on modern GPUs. This ground-up design, previously referred to as the Next Generation OpenGL Initiative, provides applications direct control over GPU acceleration for maximized performance and predictability. [quote="Gabe Newell - Valve"]Industry standard APIs like Vulkan are a critical part of enabling developers to bring the best possible experience to customers on multiple platforms. Valve and the other Khronos members are working hard to ensure that this high-performance graphics interface is made available as widely as possible and we view it as a critical component of SteamOS and future Valve games.[/quote] Quoted from https://www.khronos.org/vulkan Also, let's not forget that Valve is stout champion of Linux and that's a good thing, provided they remain dedicated. "Gabe Newell, CEO of Valve declared that proprietary software and closed platforms are gaming's past, its future is open and on Linux." http://www.zdnet.com/article/valve-ceo-why-linux-is-the-future-of-gaming/
I think Valve is merely trying to attract console players over to the PC side, so that they can sell them games and hardware.


If Valve was interested in half assed performance in PC games, they would not have spent so much time and money on development of OpenGL in the last few years. A lot of the newest specification is due to Valve's spearheading new development. Vulkan is the new generation, open standard API for high-efficiency access to graphics and compute on modern GPUs. This ground-up design, previously referred to as the Next Generation OpenGL Initiative, provides applications direct control over GPU acceleration for maximized performance and predictability.


Gabe Newell - Valve said:Industry standard APIs like Vulkan are a critical part of enabling developers to bring the best possible experience to customers on multiple platforms. Valve and the other Khronos members are working hard to ensure that this high-performance graphics interface is made available as widely as possible and we view it as a critical component of SteamOS and future Valve games.

Quoted from https://www.khronos.org/vulkan




Also, let's not forget that Valve is stout champion of Linux and that's a good thing, provided they remain dedicated.

"Gabe Newell, CEO of Valve declared that proprietary software and closed platforms are gaming's past, its future is open and on Linux."


http://www.zdnet.com/article/valve-ceo-why-linux-is-the-future-of-gaming/

#9
Posted 09/03/2015 06:40 PM   
Yupp! Now bring a full release of SteamOS so I can add 3D Vision support to it;)) (no more betas) ;))
Yupp!

Now bring a full release of SteamOS so I can add 3D Vision support to it;)) (no more betas) ;))

1x Palit RTX 2080Ti Pro Gaming OC(watercooled and overclocked to hell)
3x 3D Vision Ready Asus VG278HE monitors (5760x1080).
Intel i9 9900K (overclocked to 5.3 and watercooled ofc).
Asus Maximus XI Hero Mobo.
16 GB Team Group T-Force Dark Pro DDR4 @ 3600.
Lots of Disks:
- Raid 0 - 256GB Sandisk Extreme SSD.
- Raid 0 - WD Black - 2TB.
- SanDisk SSD PLUS 480 GB.
- Intel 760p 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD.
Creative Sound Blaster Z.
Windows 10 x64 Pro.
etc


My website with my fixes and OpenGL to 3D Vision wrapper:
http://3dsurroundgaming.com

(If you like some of the stuff that I've done and want to donate something, you can do it with PayPal at tavyhome@gmail.com)

#10
Posted 09/03/2015 07:27 PM   
[quote="Stryker_66"]Steam machines, controllers and this, Valve seems to really want the PC platform to turn into a console. For me personally, no interest. If I wanted all these things, I would just buy a PS4 or Xbone. I game on the PC because it is not a console. Thankfully these are only options for those that want it. I hope Valve does not show the same level of arrogance such as companies like Ubisoft, EA and Microsoft. Forcing and pushing these things down the throats is anti consumerism. Choice, flexibility and modding has always been the cornerstone strengths of the PC as a gaming platform. No cookie cutting systems for this kid.[/quote] Personally, I find the concept of the controller awesome. Of course, I think the dual stick kind of sucks. It's mildly okay for a couple genres, but for most, specialized controllers destroy it. So I pre-ordered it day one and would rather have that than HL3 (if I had to choose). The fact I got Rocket League out of this is the icing on the cake. That truly is an amazing game. Maybe the most addicted I've been to a game since TF2. The whole Steam OS has constantly been advertised as the long game. And more specifically, a lifeboat against MS turning Windows into a closed platform. Not sure why any PC gamer would be against that. At the very minimum, it keeps MS honest. As far as I'm concerned, they've (MS) become a lot more humble since this whole initiative began.
Stryker_66 said:Steam machines, controllers and this, Valve seems to really want the PC platform to turn into a console. For me personally, no interest. If I wanted all these things, I would just buy a PS4 or Xbone. I game on the PC because it is not a console. Thankfully these are only options for those that want it. I hope Valve does not show the same level of arrogance such as companies like Ubisoft, EA and Microsoft. Forcing and pushing these things down the throats is anti consumerism. Choice, flexibility and modding has always been the cornerstone strengths of the PC as a gaming platform. No cookie cutting systems for this kid.


Personally, I find the concept of the controller awesome. Of course, I think the dual stick kind of sucks. It's mildly okay for a couple genres, but for most, specialized controllers destroy it. So I pre-ordered it day one and would rather have that than HL3 (if I had to choose).

The fact I got Rocket League out of this is the icing on the cake. That truly is an amazing game. Maybe the most addicted I've been to a game since TF2.

The whole Steam OS has constantly been advertised as the long game. And more specifically, a lifeboat against MS turning Windows into a closed platform. Not sure why any PC gamer would be against that. At the very minimum, it keeps MS honest. As far as I'm concerned, they've (MS) become a lot more humble since this whole initiative began.

#11
Posted 09/03/2015 10:05 PM   
If I wasn't so into stereoscopic 3D and all the tinkering it entails I probably would've been a much bigger fan of BPM, it's ease of use and it's controller support ... if Steam actually supported S3D, that would be very tempting Helifax. :)
If I wasn't so into stereoscopic 3D and all the tinkering it entails I probably would've been a much bigger fan of BPM, it's ease of use and it's controller support ... if Steam actually supported S3D, that would be very tempting Helifax. :)
#12
Posted 09/03/2015 10:12 PM   
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