Not content to dominate digital downloads on the Mac and PC, Valve is heading to GDC 2011 with plans for a "big picture" mode, a controller-friendly version of Steam perfect for playing on your big-screen television.
Steam is big, but Valve wants it bigger. With the digital download platform's dominance on the PC growing every year and the platform opening up to Mac users, the mouse and keyboard crowd is covered. Now they're aiming for the gamepad players.
"Our partners and customers have asked us to make Steam available in more places. With the introduction of Steam on the Mac, and soon in Portal 2 on the PS3, we've done just that," said Doug Lombardi, VP of marketing for Valve. "With big picture mode, gaming opportunities for Steam partners and customers become possible via PCs and Macs on any TV or computer display in the house."
I like this idea. If more computer software came with a gamepad option, I've hook my PC up to my television right now. The only thing stopping me is the awkwardness of having a mouse and keyboard in the living room.
Valve will be sharing plans for this "big picture" mode with developers at GDC 2011 this week, along with data gathered from their customers regarding Steam's micro transactions and integration of Steam features into titles like Portal 2 for the PlayStation 3.
Stay tuned to Kotaku this week for complete coverage of the 2011 Game Developers Conference.