Key information
Valve has released a major update for the Steam client, focusing primarily on Big Picture Mode. A significant addition is the public release of customizable screensaver features, which were previously limited to beta testing. Users can now display art from recently played games, personal screenshots, or custom screensavers.
Among the new options is a retro-inspired bouncing Steam logo, accessible via the Settings and Customization menu. This feature mimics the classic DVD player screensaver, where the logo changes color upon hitting the screen edges. PC Gamer reviewer Morgan Park describes the experience as a form of diabolical cruelty that may induce despair.
Park notes that the screensaver is designed to trigger an intense desire for the logo to strike a corner perfectly, an event that rarely occurs. After observing the animation for approximately half an hour, the reviewer expressed skepticism that the Steam logo ever achieves a perfect corner hit, ultimately advising users to avoid enabling the feature.
Beyond the screensaver, the update includes general performance improvements, such as enhanced startup speeds. Remote Play now features the experimental Pyrowave video codec, intended to support high-bandwidth, low-latency streaming. Additionally, the update provides various fixes for Linux users and minor refinements to Big Picture Mode, benefiting Steam Deck and Steam Machine users.
