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Valve has put up another Beta update for the Steam client on Desktop and Steam Deck with plenty of fixes. Here's all the details.

Since the two largely share the code now, the changelog across both (Desktop / Steam Deck) is basically the same. Here's the patch notes that should apply to both:

General

  • Fixed background images on a collection on the app details page not being clipped correctly.
  • Fixed issue where the Remove Collection dialog was not appearing.
  • Added icons for VR support or Mouse & KB only support to app portraits.

New Big Picture Mode

  • Detect focus shifting away from the BPM window faster and reduce instances of navigation going to BPM after starting a game.
  • Fixed Steam mini window not closing when entering Big Picture Mode.
  • Fixed problem where setting certain library filters in Big Picture Mode could cause those games to become hidden. when switching back to desktop.

Steam Input

  • Handle errors better and fix some cases where configs would no longer load.
  • On larger screens combine the keyboard and numpad tabs of the choose binding screen.
  • Fixed some cases where some languages could have text overflow in choose binding screen.
  • Remember the last active tab in the choose binding screen and open to that instead always using the tab w/ the current binding value.

This one is Steam Deck Specific:

  • Fixed non-Steam apps becoming unresponsive to gamepad when onscreen keyboard is opened.

This on is Desktop specific:

  • Fixed Big Picture window being incorrect size when moving it to a different display with win+shift+arrow key.

Here we go again though: Valve noting details for Steam Deck on things just don't exist. I've pointed this out a few times like with the gamepad icon, and new controller settings in previous Betas that aren't on Steam Deck and they're doing it again now. The mouse / keyboard and VR icons they noted in both patch notes do not exist on Steam Deck. I really don't get why they're not checking these before publishing as it's confusing to users. I've notified them across multiple places and they just don't see to be getting the message. I seem to be the only one checking these things…

On desktop Big Picture Mode see the example with Half-Life: Alyx and Trombone Champ having the new icons:

The problem on Steam Deck is that where they're putting these icons is where the Deck Verified status is, and it wouldn't exactly make sense for the Steam Deck to even have a gamepad, keyboard / mouse or VR icon either as the Deck Verified status covers that. So it's a bit odd they keep detailing it in the Steam Deck patch notes. The new controller options still missing for idle time and turning off when exiting big picture mode is just odd though.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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4 comments

hardpenguin Jan 20, 2023
Meanwhile I opted out from beta branch because not happy with the new BPM and recent breakages.

Also, this:

$ steam -oldbigpicture
adolson Jan 20, 2023
Quoting: hardpenguinMeanwhile I opted out from beta branch because not happy with the new BPM and recent breakages.

Also, this:

$ steam -oldbigpicture

I like the change in the look of it, and the fact that the Store works (had a lot of errors in old BPM). But there are some niggling issues, like turning off a gamepad pops up a button combo list that I can't figure out how to dismiss without turning the gamepad back on, and, more importantly for me, gamepad support in Elden Ring is broken (works from desktop mode, though...). Trying to get gamescope working properly, and after much mucking around, it's "working" (gamepad AND Steam overlay!), only I seem to be stuck at 720p now. Really shouldn't have to use a third-party tool from outside Steam to play a game properly on Steam, though.
Elvanex Jan 20, 2023
QuoteFixed non-Steam apps becoming unresponsive to gamepad when onscreen keyboard is opened.
This is a huge qol improvement! :) Should make web browsing a lot less painful
Squirrlz Jan 21, 2023
Quoting: hardpenguinMeanwhile I opted out from beta branch because not happy with the new BPM and recent breakages.

Also, this:

$ steam -oldbigpicture

Same reason I'm no longer using the beta or preview branches of the steam deck client. They constantly break everything. Hell, it's not much better on the stable branch either since Valve apparently doesn't believe in release candidates. So you might have a beta update for the deck client that works fine, but there's no guarantee that when they push the changes to stable it'll be the same. They always add extra stuff into the stable updates that haven't been publicly tested. Valve's update process is shockingly bad.
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