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[hey_it's_that_dog]

Not that you're biased

How about a variation on the phone text entry model? Use the analog stick to point to 12346789 (centred is 5) and just press A 1,2 or three times to enter a letter. You have the benefit of a recognisable interface (phone keypad), a familiar input method (text message entry), and only one action button so you arent trying to decode what colour does what

Personally, I absolutely hate pressing a key multiple times to scroll through even a small selection of characters to input.

Also, you don't have to think about color at all with Valve's solution, you can just think about position. I don't see what could be more easily processed, especially for an experienced gamer, than that.

 

[Haunted]

I dont understand? I have already been able to connect dvi to hdmi to my Tv for years. How is this any different? So its just adding controller support?.. hrmm

It is a different Steam interface designed for controllers, yes. You have to have your PC hooked up to the TV to effectively use this in the first place. You control Steam with your controller with an interface designed to work better from the average TV viewing distance.

The closest approximation of that currently possible (and the setup I use) is using Steam's grid view together with Xpadder.


edit: I hope big picture mode is compatible with custom steam grid icons and third party shortcuts or it's essentially useless for me.

 

[Razek]

No wonder you hate it! I recommend Pixelvision.

Whoa, that's way better. I didn't even know you could change skins. The layout still isn't my favorite, but at least it doesn't look like some cheap freeware now. Thanks!

 

[PjotrStroganov]

I dont understand? I have already been able to connect dvi to hdmi to my Tv for years. How is this any different? So its just adding controller support?.. hrmm

It removes the clutter of keyboard and mouse for people that play games that play well with a controller. I hated to use my wireless keyboard for Sleeping Dogs. I wanted to start it with the controller without having to get that big thing on my lap.

Also, for many people the tv looks relatively smaller than a pc screen. Combine that with the same or lower res, it can be helpful to have a custom UI like the Big Picture mode.

 

[DaddyO]

Was just going to ask about the wireless receiver for my friend. He only has wireless 360 controllers, but I can't seem to find a single seller of the receiver that I'd consider reputable (aka you are going to get the real deal and not some knockoff that may or may not work).

I had the same dilemma. What I ended up doing is buying the "Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows". It is currently ~$48 online and comes with a wireless Xbox controller and the dongle. One nice feature about the dongle is that you can connect up to 4 controllers with one dongle. Nice for multiplayer Jamestown on the TV. Good luck.

 

[Felix Lighter]

It would be nice if Google released a controller friend version of Chrome that could work with the this. I'd like to have all the bookmark, etc. synching.

 

[Spazo]

anyone was able to use a Playstation DS3 controller with DS3 Tool over Bluetooth for wireless connectivity ?

 

[Raoh]

I like it, can't wait to try it out.

 

[Shorty11857]

I can see it working, just not that great.

Courser Movement: Left Analog Stick, L2 to adjusting movement speed.
Abilities 1-4: ABXY buttons
Abilities 5-6: Start+select
"Right Click": R2
Items: L1 + ABXY Start Select
Map Movement: Right Analog Stick, with L2 adjusting move speed.
Attack Command: L3
Unit Management: D-Pad

Hey, if you could play Starcraft on an N64, you could do Dota with a 360 controller.

Yeah they could get it to work but you'd really have to make people on a controller only play with and against other controller users otherwise it'd just be terrible

 

[Firebrand]

So... will Big Picture Mode add Wii Shop Channel-like music to the Steam Store?

 

[Nabs]

Yeah but both game sound and voice chat comes through it rather than just voice.

I don't know about Steam, but you can do this with Mumble and probably other voice programs.

 

[Iztli]

It would be great if they added a build in xpadder like app in steam as well. For all those games that dont support controller.

 

[Spazznid]

anyone was able to use a Playstation DS3 controller with DS3 Tool over Bluetooth for wireless connectivity ?

yes.
What it does, is completely dedicate one of your bluetooth emitters to the controller, so it's best to go buy a separate dongle for the ps3 controller.

Also, you've got to make sure it's on and connected before starting games, or a lot of times the game wont recognise it until you restart said game.

Works flawlessly when I use it, but now I usually use a 360 controller because it's a bit less hassle.

 

[Krabboss]

So... will Big Picture Mode add Wii Shop Channel-like music to the Steam Store?

If only!

 

[thetrin]

I dont understand? I have already been able to connect dvi to hdmi to my Tv for years. How is this any different? So its just adding controller support?.. hrmm

Well, you are right, you don't understand.

This is a new GUI designed for televisions over smaller monitors.

 

[Spazznid]

So... will Big Picture Mode add Wii Shop Channel-like music to the Steam Store?

Oh, god YES.

 

[Drkirby]

Yeah they could get it to work but you'd really have to make people on a controller only play with and against other controller users otherwise it'd just be terrible

Oh come now, it would be like Quake 3 for Dreamcast. Wasn't that fun?

 

[fallagin]

Just have to say, that keyboard is pretty damn awesome.

 

[The Elite]

Looks like you can just use the Xbox Guide button to bring up the steam overlay? Awesome if so.

Okay. Now I'm very excited.

 

[InfiniteNine]

So... will Big Picture Mode add Wii Shop Channel-like music to the Steam Store?

Ewww, please no. D:

 

[ymmv]

My HDTV is already hooked up to my PC as a second monitor screen. The setup works great but there's just one issue: I've gotta make my HDTV the primary monitor for games and change the sound to digital SPDIF output so the sound goes to my AV receiver.

I wish there was a way steam games would automatically use the second monitor (HDTV) and use the SPDIF, while the PC desktop and all other apps would use the primary monitor and my PC speaker set.

 

[RedSwirl]

Yeah they could get it to work but you'd really have to make people on a controller only play with and against other controller users otherwise it'd just be terrible

Maybe not Playing DOTA 2, but watching matches on a big screen TV could could be really nice.

 

[Exuro]

Well, you are right, you don't understand.

This is a new GUI designed for televisions over smaller monitors.

Well I wouldn't say that necessarily. This will be good when I want to play with a controller from my bed. Basically if you're playing a good distance away from the monitor/tv.

 

[The Wizard]

It would be great if they added a build in xpadder like app in steam as well. For all those games that dont support controller.

That would be awesome. "The game you are trying to play does not natively support a controller. Would you like to map the keyboard controls to your controller?"

 

[bigace33]

Pretty sure it's been answered, but where do I activate this? I don' see the option anywhere.

 

[Visualante2]

Steam going after Apple.
Looks good, if I had a laptop I'd do it but that limits what you can play.
Hoping they make some moves to make multiplayer set up easier.

 

[Haunted]

It would be great if they added a build in xpadder like app in steam as well. For all those games that dont support controller.

That's... brilliant, actually.

Why do we have to use third party software to get this mapped?

 

[fluffydelusions]

Just reading through some of the IGN comments are hilarious....

You are right. I like Valve as well, but coping the xBox's UI isn't really what I'd call "Innovation."

What's this even mean lol

 

[OMG Aero]

So... will Big Picture Mode add Wii Shop Channel-like music to the Steam Store?

If there is one thing Nintendo did with their online stores way better than anyone else, it is give them music.

 

[PjotrStroganov]

My HDTV is already hooked up to my PC as a second monitor screen. The setup works great but there's just one issue: I've gotta make my HDTV the primary monitor for games and change the sound to digital SPDIF output so the sound goes to my AV receiver.

I wish there was a way steam games would automatically use the second monitor (HDTV) and use the SPDIF, while the PC desktop and all other apps would use the primary monitor and my PC speaker set.

This was also an issue for me. Until I bought a receiver with HDMI. It does switch when using that.

 

[thetrin]

Pretty sure it's been answered, but where do I activate this? I don' see the option anywhere.

It's not available just yet. Probably damn soon, though.

Oh come now, it would be like Quake 3 for Dreamcast. Wasn't that fun?

For the person using the KBM? It was a ton of fun!

 

[dk_]

I'd totally recommend the wired PC 360 controller. It's only like $30-$40 depending where you go. The wireless one is terrible from my experience. I constantly lost signals and it has some issues with certain games.

Never had a problem with my wireless 360 controller.

 

[blamite]

Pretty sure it's been answered, but where do I activate this? I don' see the option anywhere.

The real question is when do you activate this. And the answer is later today.

 

[Daante]

Good move Valve.

I see myself continue to stick with my htpc for gaming, watching movies, streaming music etc.

Will be interesting to see what impact this has on the console war once the PS4 and the 720 starts to get close.

 

[Iztli]

So... will Big Picture Mode add Wii Shop Channel-like music to the Steam Store?

i now have this on loop.... I hate you

 

[JustinBB7]

It'll be an open beta:

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showpost.php?p=32764271&postcount=40

W00t, I just moved my desk in front of the TV to prepare for this, can't wait!

 

[RoadHazard]

anyone was able to use a Playstation DS3 controller with DS3 Tool over Bluetooth for wireless connectivity ?

Yep, works perfectly. The only slight annoyance is that I have to enable 360 controller emulaton every time I start the program, as it doesn't do that automatically on startup, but that's just one extra click before my gaming session can begin. So while it may not be quite as convenient as using a wireless 360 controller (where I imagine all you have to do is turn the controller on?), it certainly is a very good alternative to buying an entirely new controller just for PC gaming if you've already got a few DS3s.

 

[cyberheater]

Come on. Release it already...

 

[xemumanic]

Come on. Release it already...

I'm itching to get at it too.

 

[RoadHazard]

Come on. Release it already...

In Valve Time, "later today" means "later this year".

 

[Spazo]

yes.
What it does, is completely dedicate one of your bluetooth emitters to the controller, so it's best to go buy a separate dongle for the ps3 controller.

Also, you've got to make sure it's on and connected before starting games, or a lot of times the game wont recognise it until you restart said game.

Works flawlessly when I use it, but now I usually use a 360 controller because it's a bit less hassle.

Witch Bluetooth dongle do you recommend ?

I already tried to connect with the bluetooth emitter on my motherboard (ASUS P8P67 pro) and the DS3 tool doesn't see it.

 

[Pepboy]

Why has someone not thought of this before?

They did. I think that video was pretty popular on gaming circuit about a year ago.

 

[cyberheater]

In Valve Time, "later today" means "later this year".

There's a sick twisted truth to that

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

 

[xemumanic]

This is pretty much the Ultimate 10ft PC Game launcher (tm). Remember, you can add any game (or app, actually), to your Steam library.

 

[Glass Rebel]

They did. I think that video was pretty popular on gaming circuit about a year ago.

It wouldn't surprise me if Valve actually hired these guys tbh.

Spoiler

/adding fuel to the "valve hasn't made a single original thing" fire

 

[Spazznid]

Witch Bluetooth dongle do you recommend ?

I already tried to connect with the bluetooth emitter on my motherboard (ASUS P8P67 pro) and the DS3 tool doesn't see it.

I got mine from target, but I'm sure there's a website with listings...

FAKE EDIT: I tried to google it, but it seems the forums the info was on may be down. If you can afford it, go get a dongle from walmart or target (Read reviews on it before installing software, as some of them come with som jank ass software) and if it doesn't work, return it claiming it didn't work with your OS. (Not that they'd understand what that means in the returns section)

 

[Xanonano]

Software will be available this afternoon, it will be a Steam client beta so you just opt into beta participation in the Account Settings tab inside Steam.

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=32765007#post32765007

 

[The Elite]

This is pretty much the Ultimate 10ft PC Game launcher (tm). Remember, you can add any game (or app, actually), to your Steam library.

I wonder how well that web browser works. If I can keep my computer in the "valve environment? I'll let it launch at boot. Otherwise, there are a few other things my gaming PC needs to be able to do.

 

[Firebrand]

i now have this on loop.... I hate you

Sorry. Here, maybe this will help.

It would be great if they added a build in xpadder like app in steam as well. For all those games that dont support controller.

This would be nice. I wouldn't mind an XInput wrapper built in either, for those who have older controllers lying around.