Valve will replace Big Picture mode with new Steam Deck UI

Big Picture, the mode that converts the Steam UI to a more console-like design better suited for TVs and controllers than monitors and mice, might not be long for this world. According to austinp_valve, a Valve employee posting to the Steam community forums, the plan is for the newly announced Steam Deck Pocket PC UI that was just announced to replace Big Picture mode on the desktop version of Steam as well.

Valve announced Big Picture Mode in 2011 and released it the following year. Mode formed the basis of the user interface of SteamOS, the version of Linux that ships on console-style devices that are part of Valve’s ill-fated Steam Machine project. With Steam Deck running a brand new version of the operating system called SteamOS 3.0, it makes sense for the redesigned UI to return to the PC client, especially since Big Picture has been feeling outdated for some time.

Valve is not giving out an ETA as of yet when the new UI will make its way to existing PCs. The Steam Deck is expected to start shipping in December, although the level of demand has meant new orders are pushed back to the middle of next year.