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The latest Steam Client Beta replaces the old Big Picture Configurator for individual games, with the one from the Steam Deck and it's quite an improvement.

Big Picture mode was always slow, wanted full-screen and was generally a nuisance on desktop. The new one from the Steam Deck, that should eventually replace Big Picture entirely is much more fluid, can be resized and allows you to easily move the window around. It is a big improvement in just interacting with it as a whole.

Click screenshots to enlarge them.

To be clear, this is available via the right click -> manage -> controller layout menu on individual games. Valve has not yet replaced it for the generic controller settings from the main Steam settings area. Amusingly, they haven't quite ripped out all of the Steam Deck specific language yet though with a few screens just straight-up from the Deck (woops).

Full patch notes:
General

  • Improve responsiveness to changes in the local network connection
  • Remove “Connecting to Steam…” delay when starting a game without any local network connection
  • Make client connection logic of new authentication more consistent with the legacy system, reducing post-authentication connection errors
  • Updated “Steam News” popup dialog
  • Improved login times for users with large libraries

Library

  • Added showing if you have unlocked an achievement that your friend recently unlocked when hovering over achievements in the activity feed
  • Enabled automatic spelling correction for store and library search results

Steam Input

  • Updated the desktop version of the Controller Configurator to use the new interface rather than the Big Picture version. This includes a visual update to the UI, more accessible terminology, improved visualizations of deadzones, and a new interface for setting up virtual menus w/ previews in the UI.
  • Improved support for third-party PS3/PS4/PS5 controllers
  • Added support for the HORI Fighting Commander OCTA (Xbox Series X and PS versions)
  • Added support for the Qanba Drone Arcade Stick

Remote Play

  • Touch controls can now be toggled while streaming
  • Fixed incorrect mouse click position for direct mouse touchscreen mode
  • Fixed crash when the performance graph is enabled with some languages
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Apps, Misc, Steam
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5 comments

rcrit Oct 22, 2022
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I found it amusing that the three intro screens for the new configuration tool demonstrate using a Steam Deck. It made my Steam controller jealous that it didn't have its own screen.
MayeulC Oct 22, 2022
Quoting: rcritI found it amusing that the three intro screens for the new configuration tool demonstrate using a Steam Deck. It made my Steam controller jealous that it didn't have its own screen.

That makes me wonder, will they facilitate the use of a steam deck as a "simple" controller at some point? Connected via USB or network. It could also be more advanced and show stuff like inventories on-screen, or contextual (action layers) actions.
TrainDoc Oct 23, 2022
Quoting: MayeulC
Quoting: rcritI found it amusing that the three intro screens for the new configuration tool demonstrate using a Steam Deck. It made my Steam controller jealous that it didn't have its own screen.

That makes me wonder, will they facilitate the use of a steam deck as a "simple" controller at some point? Connected via USB or network. It could also be more advanced and show stuff like inventories on-screen, or contextual (action layers) actions.

Interesting but unlikely. Nothing in recent code changes has indicated of that sort and it would likely be a huge pita to do at a level of quality valve would tolerate.
But it looks like we're getting this interface as a replacement to big picture mode sometime in the near future going by all the changes valve made...that broke decky :(
Appelsin Oct 24, 2022
Quoting: MayeulC
Quoting: rcritI found it amusing that the three intro screens for the new configuration tool demonstrate using a Steam Deck. It made my Steam controller jealous that it didn't have its own screen.

That makes me wonder, will they facilitate the use of a steam deck as a "simple" controller at some point? Connected via USB or network. It could also be more advanced and show stuff like inventories on-screen, or contextual (action layers) actions.

Then we could properly run WiiU games on a PC 🤩 Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD! In 4K!


Last edited by Appelsin on 24 October 2022 at 8:01 am UTC
Craggles086 Oct 25, 2022
“Improved support for third-party PS3/PS4/PS5 controllers”

Hoping this means better support for my Astro C40. Generally it works well in Steam on Linux, but do get some inconsistencies.
If Steam allowed me to lock this into Playstation mode rather then switching to treating it like an XBox controller it would be great.


Last edited by Craggles086 on 25 October 2022 at 7:35 am UTC
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