I'd have to say I'm really impressed by it. It runs so smooth without any problems and the web browser is just amazing. I have not tried it out on a TV yet, but I'll be sure to post something if I do.
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midga"There's so much hot dog in Rome" ~digi(> ^.(> O_o)>Icrontian
I've had my computer on my tv for well over a year now. I've actually stopped using my consoles, even though I much prefer controller-based input, because of the utility and versatility of a computer combined with the fairly large number of games that will work with a controller on PC. So, yeah, I'm pretty much target market for this I think (though it's quite possible I'm wrong).
That said, I don't like it much. It's probably because I like the fast browsing you can do with a computer (it takes a while to scroll through stuff in Big Picture), and the fact that the chat isn't an overlay window or anything; it's a separate part. That is, I can't be chatting and using the browser without switching back and forth (if they've changed this, I apologize. I haven't tried chatting in it since beta). I'd also like it much better if it ran windowed (and if it can, well then I couldn't figure it out putting basically no effort into looking). It also seems to be a bit resource hungry, but that might have been Skype.
What I do like about it, though, is the game launcher. It 1) allows you to fairly easily download/install more than one game at a time (always been a bit of a sour point with Steam) and 2) looks pretty damn good. The text input is also a rather decent way to go about it with a controller. Props to whoever designed that.
At first, your windowed argument didn't make sense to me. The interface is designed to run on a TV where a windowed mode just doesn't make sense. Then it occurred to me that this interface could just as easily be used as a decluttered PC interface (which could be quite useful).
Maybe Valve will allow a windowed Big Picture interface in the future.
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midga"There's so much hot dog in Rome" ~digi(> ^.(> O_o)>Icrontian
@mertesn Right. I'm on a tv, and if all I was doing was gaming, then it'd be perfect full-screen. I'd like to be able to see my Skype without switching out, though.
I'm also going to have to test this out later, but I think you still have to use a keyboard and mouse when you invite people to a game through the Steam overlay. I can't remember if I tried that through Big Picture last night, or if I only did it after switching back to normal Steam. It bothers the crap out of me when I'm playing BL2, though.
I want this as a cloud based service with a little box for delivery and a couple dedicated controllers like OnLive. I'm not going to make the investment necessary for a second PC, and I'm definitely not putting my PC right next to my home theater (my wife would finally kill me)..... I love this idea, I want access to certain games from the couch, but the logistics of it for today, just too clunky for my set up. I'm sure it will get there.
Comments
That said, I don't like it much. It's probably because I like the fast browsing you can do with a computer (it takes a while to scroll through stuff in Big Picture), and the fact that the chat isn't an overlay window or anything; it's a separate part. That is, I can't be chatting and using the browser without switching back and forth (if they've changed this, I apologize. I haven't tried chatting in it since beta). I'd also like it much better if it ran windowed (and if it can, well then I couldn't figure it out putting basically no effort into looking). It also seems to be a bit resource hungry, but that might have been Skype.
What I do like about it, though, is the game launcher. It 1) allows you to fairly easily download/install more than one game at a time (always been a bit of a sour point with Steam) and 2) looks pretty damn good. The text input is also a rather decent way to go about it with a controller. Props to whoever designed that.
Maybe Valve will allow a windowed Big Picture interface in the future.
I'm also going to have to test this out later, but I think you still have to use a keyboard and mouse when you invite people to a game through the Steam overlay. I can't remember if I tried that through Big Picture last night, or if I only did it after switching back to normal Steam. It bothers the crap out of me when I'm playing BL2, though.
"Linux" <-- one word
2+1 = 3
HALF LIFE THREE CONFIRMED