37 
PC publisher Valve has just launched the thing it calls Big Picture Mode, with a beta version of its TV interface for the Steam delivery network now live for everyone to have a play with.
Available through an updated Steam app today, the test version gives gamers who’ve hooked their PCs up to their TVs, or anyone after a simpler Steam, an entirely new interface to manage their PC gaming lives through. New screens, bigger fonts, chunky buttons, it’s all there, with preview images showing an extremely slim and sleek reimagined version of the online shop.
The big selling point is an interface tuned for use with a controller or remote control, which means the text entry part of things is handled via an on-screen keyboard Valve calls its Daisywheel.
The move will no doubt reignite rumours that Valve’s using this as a test bed for a move into offering a simplified, lounge-based piece of PC gaming hardware itself, with constant murmurs of some sort of SteamBox console thing refusing to die. [CVG]
Gifts for the Obsessive Gamer
There Is a Secret Panorama Mode Hidden In the iPhone's Camera
After the Tremendous Success of Date a Gamer, Meet Shag a Gamer
why would they be casual? maybe they just want to output via large TV or projector?
I’m guessing they’re ‘casual’ because they’re lounging on a sofa with a game controller.
Hardcore PC gamers are usually found sitting bolt upright, with a mouse in one hand and a keyboard affixed to the other. The more disturbed varieties have a sweat-soaked headset mounted on their pate, and empty cans of energy drink piled high all around them.
Ahh, I miss those LAN party days…
Their all wearing benetton.
So Steam ARE releasing a Metro interface for W8 then!
Anything to replace the train smash that it Metro, ide be happy with.
Metro’s fine – You spend most of your time in normal desktop mode anyway!
installing now although my laptop will probably fail hard to run anything
ahhh and the only english i can choose has the american flag next to it….really grinds my gears!