Steam Launches 'Big Picture'

[SuB]

Looks like Steam's answer to gaming using the TV has now landed... Quite a good selection of opening games with full gamepad support.

Wonder how long it is till they release that 'console' that was rumoured...

More info after the jump

Steam's Big Picture Release

 

[Josh Weston]

I've been playing around with it for the last few weeks - it's pretty cool, they've done well.

 

[Master&Puppet]

Steam are also in a beta phase working with Ubuntu and getting some decent results. I've also heard that steam are considering writing a gaming OS (possibly linux based).

 

[SuB]

I'd love a completely stripped back, balls to the walls OS for gaming only, I guess the issue is all around the DirectX stuff really ? OpenGl has it's limitations doesn't it?

Be nice to see a really good, well supported, solid OS come to the fore that we can game on without all the overheads of a full windows install. EG, support most/all gaming peripherals, very small footprint, directx compatible, just centre it on performance really.

 

[JOE-E]

im just glad that i can finally get some of my friends into this. with joysticks enabled more people may be drawn to this. ive already got a few people interested in me building them a pc with the big picture installed so they can enjoy the better graphics that pc's offer.

 

[Goldskis45]

I love the idea of Valve making their own OS, thats just awesome..

But, I've been running an xbox controller for a challenge on most of my steam games since I was in high school. (8 years ish?) The things I read make it sound like its never been done before...

Just a note... Trying to play competitively in CS:S with an xbox controller, doesn't work out too well...

 

[SuB]

Just a note... Trying to play competitively in CS:S with an xbox controller, doesn't work out too well...

That's because FPS should NEVER have made it onto consoles... and has since been ruined, utterly, by the fact.

FPS should have stayed exclusively PC, or, they should add mouse and keyboard control into the consoles natively instead of contracting companies out of being allowed to do it in order to release games on the platform. (hear that Sony?)

 

[Goldskis45]

ior, they should add mouse and keyboard control into the consoles natively instead of contracting companies out of being allowed to do it in order to release games on the platform. (hear that Sony?)

Its not that hard to get that ability back. just don't do it on certain games as they can catch you

 

[SuB]

What I mean is, that in order to release a game they are contracted out of being able to include the mouse and keyboard support. it's bull!!

 

[Goldskis45]

ahh, I see.

 

[Rob_the_scot]

That's because FPS should NEVER have made it onto consoles... and has since been ruined, utterly, by the fact.

FPS should have stayed exclusively PC, or, they should add mouse and keyboard control into the consoles natively instead of contracting companies out of being allowed to do it in order to release games on the platform. (hear that Sony?)

I would agree with you but not every one can use a keyboard and mouse over long period of times...my self for example snapped both my wrist a few year back meaning playing a FPS on a keyboard and mouse longer than 10 mins brings me to extreme agony and actually glad sony let folk use controllers with planet side 2.

As for big picture I welcome it specially with linux support XD

 

[SuB]

I would agree with you but not every one can use a keyboard and mouse over long period of times...my self for example snapped both my wrist a few year back meaning playing a FPS on a keyboard and mouse longer than 10 mins brings me to extreme agony and actually glad sony let folk use controllers with planet side 2.

As for big picture I welcome it specially with linux support XD

While I appreciate your need for the pad, you should surely be the exception to the rule ? They should make fps on consoles natively support keyboard and mouse because it's superior... FAR superior... Pads just aren't the same

 

[Rob_the_scot]

While I appreciate your need for the pad, you should surely be the exception to the rule ? They should make fps on consoles natively support keyboard and mouse because it's superior... FAR superior... Pads just aren't the same

Ps3 did with unreal tournament, even allowed you to install mods as well..have to admit was nice with a keyboard and mouse....Microsoft on the other hand wont allow it on there xbox....its a pity and I do agree with you FPS on consoles should support keyboard and mouse.
Likewise I think more pc games should support controller input of some sort.

Actually slightly off topic would love to use my nexus 7 or other tablet to control games like dawn or war or command and conquer

 

[SuB]

Hmm, I hope, really truly hope, they put into the next gen consoles, otherwise it really will be yet another nail in the coffin for pc gaming

 

[JamieUK]

Hmm, I hope, really truly hope, they put into the next gen consoles, otherwise it really will be yet another nail in the coffin for pc gaming

I hope so too, but I can imagine Sony and Microsoft not wanting to help their compertition to their own disadvantage. unless steam give them a cut in profits for sales made while in the ps3 or 360 I don't see it happening.

 

[rossi94]

Steam is expending on Linux, to offer full PC solutions for playing steamgames on tv. The issue will be, that most of our games today run on Direct X, what's a Microsoft invention and won't be aviable on not Windows platforms.

But I think they will never give up the normal PC players and it's good, because the old consoles are breaking out the games technology.

 

[Ragman]

Saw the link in the corner of the Steam page and clicked it...thought it went to win media center for a moment lol.

 

[Rob_the_scot]

Steam is expending on Linux, to offer full PC solutions for playing steamgames on tv. The issue will be, that most of our games today run on Direct X, what's a Microsoft invention and won't be aviable on not Windows platforms.

But I think they will never give up the normal PC players and it's good, because the old consoles are breaking out the games technology.

Games are being converted to run on unity instead..sure there's another one but cant think of the top of my head...but either way the game conversion its self to the open platform is pretty simple no more sitting for months re-coding stuff...
Thats THQ now looking into open source and baldurs gate enhanced edition will have a linux port

 

[SuB]

You'd think Microsoft would want to at least continue properly supporting windows as a gaming platform, yeah I imagine they're more bothered about raking it in from xbox sales. Sad sad world we live in really...

 

[JamieUK]

You'd think Microsoft would want to at least continue properly supporting windows as a gaming platform, yeah I imagine they're more bothered about raking it in from xbox sales. Sad sad world we live in really...

Microsoft will be pushing gaming on windows, why valve hate windows 8 so much, because it's gonna compete with steam.