Valve to expand Steam with “big picture” mode

Valve, those clever sods behind the Half Life games and Steam, are set to expand their digital distribution platform with a new “big picture” mode.  The mode will offer controller and navigation support to Steam that will make it more compatible with TV sets.

“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 PS3T, 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.”

Details regarding big picture mode are among the highlights Valve plans to share with developers and publishers in its partner meetings during GDC this week in San Francisco, Ca.

Steam is an awesome gaming platform, and having it available on your TV as well can only be a good thing.