14 DAY TRIAL // Valve has revealed that it’s close to releasing the Big Picture mode for its Steam digital distribution service, which should allow users to interact with the program not just from their computers but also from large HDTVs in the living room, for example.
Steam is the most popular digital delivery platform in the world, with tens of millions of gamers enjoying a fine array of titles and services.
Sadly, Steam works best only on regular computer screens, or on mobile phones, through the recently launched app, due to its interface.
Valve did promise back in 2011 that those who have large HDTVs and want to experience Steam as well as games on it would receive a special Big Picture mode, but it declined to mention anything else.
Now, the company’s Head of Business Development, Jason Holtman, has revealed that Big Picture Mode is still going to be released for Steam soon enough.
"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," he told PCGamesN. "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?"
Holtman quickly admits, however, that there are a lot of unpredictable things related to Big Picture Mode, including the ways people will connect their HDTVs to their computers, but he mentions that Valve will see what happens when the feature is released and how it can solve any potential problems.
"We'll ship and see what happens. We're agnostic as to how people plug that in and how they use it. We're trying to make it a really good initial experience, and then see what happens," he added.
Expect to hear more about this new feature for Steam soon.