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Another fresh Steam Client Beta for Desktop has been released, and Valve continue fixing up more issues with the new Big Picture Mode to have it make sense on Desktop. Some of the issues are because it was clearly taken directly from Steam Deck, but now they're getting some proper desktop tweaks in there too.

Reminder: to show the new UI, you need to launch Steam with "-gamepadui" as a launch option as shown in my previous video.

Here's the main changes:

General

  • Fixed issue where uninstall dialogs were showing up twice (this may still happen after bringing up the controller configurator or standalone keyboard).
  • Fixed issue [where] exiting a game would bring up the new Big Picture Mode
  • Fixed virtual keyboard being scaled incorrectly inside its window
  • More improvements to reduce login time for users with large libraries

New Big Picture Mode

  • Added ability to Exit Big Picture Mode and go back to the regular Steam desktop client. In this situation, clicking the Enter Big Picture Mode button will enter the new Big Picture (only happens if you use -gamepadui)
  • Fixed some instances [where] focus was lost
  • Updated Steam Controller LB and RB button images
  • Force GPU acceleration for the UI
  • Fixed recently exported Controller Layout Templates not showing up in the Layout Browser

They still haven't fixed it showing what's behind Big Picture Mode on a KDE Plasma Desktop with NVIDIA though. A bug I find thoroughly odd, since the overlay from the Quick Access Menu works just fine.

Update — an additional Steam Client Beta update went out today (November 3rd) with these changes:

General

  • Fixed issue where launching a game would take longer to start if there was no network connection.

New Big Picture

  • Fixed overlay not working properly in non-Steam games
  • Fixed scaling issue in the desktop UI when exiting Big Picture Mode
  • Fixed issues with some dialogs not showing in the Steam Overlay
  • Removed some options in the Quick Access menu that are not currently supported outside of Steam Deck
  • Fixed issue where the Friends List was not accessible after exiting Big Picture Mode
  • Fixed issue where the re-order controllers dialog stopped working from the Quick Access menu
  • Fix issue starting any game with multiple Launch Options

Remote Play

  • The controller overlay now respects the "Use Nintendo Button Layout" setting in the New Big Picture
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Apps, Beta, Misc, Steam, Valve
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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4 comments

buckysrevenge Nov 3, 2022
The focus issue was one of the showstoppers for me on my Steam Machine, glad it got fixed!
Liam Dawe Nov 3, 2022
Another update just went up, details added.
adolson Nov 4, 2022
Quoting: GuestCan't wait for this to replace current Big Picture Mode. I never liked it and avoided using it - Even on my TV Setup.
I'm with you (mostly).

I liked the old Big Picture mode enough to use it, but it's been basically broken for me for a couple years. I can launch games, and not much else. Store and community stuff always gives errors. Really, you can tell it's been neglected for quite some time. I thought it was something on my end, but wiping and reinstalling didn't help. Broken the same way on multiple computers, too.

I love the new UI. Been wanting it ever since the first Steam Deck images came out. Obviously it needs work yet, and it's been improving basically daily. Right now my biggest complaint is that I can't seem to get my DualShock 4 working with Elden Ring anymore. I even tried using something called gamescope, but no joy so far.
hardpenguin Nov 4, 2022
Even though I appreciate the old Big Picture Mode, I am extremely excited to see the new interface replace it. Can't be too long since I am already on Steam beta branch :)
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