Steam Big Picture Wants You to Play Computer Video Games on TV

By Rob Scott
September 20, 2012

“Move over, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. Valve Software today revealed a new television-friendly version of its massive Steam digital video game distribution service,” CNET reported last week. “Aptly named Big Picture, the new view transforms Steam into a more polished experience for the big screen.”
The new interface allows users to purchase and play 2,000-plus games on big-screen TVs. The interface also has its own browser for playing Web-based games.
“The browser features reticle-based navigation (meaning players move a scope around to zoom or scroll); cloud-saved favorites; and tabbed browsing,” explains CNET. “For those wanting to ditch keys completely, Big Picture offers Daisywheel, a directional-based keyboard that supposedly makes it easier to type with a controller.”
“PC gaming continues to be the leading edge of entertainment, whether it’s social gaming, MMOs, graphics hardware, free-to-play, or competitive gaming,” notes Gabe Newell, president of Valve. “With Big Picture for Steam, we are trying to do our part to give customers and developers what they want — their games, everywhere, optimized for the environment in which they are playing.”
According to Valve, the PC version is available in beta, with a Mac version coming soon. The CNET post includes a Steam promo video.

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