Steam's latest beta brings 'Big Art' to Big Picture Mode and Steam Deck, and customizable screensavers too

Valve's latest Steam client beta offers a range of improvements and new features for both Steam Deck users and those utilizing Big Picture Mode on their PCs. The most prominent addition is the "Big Art Mode," which transforms the home screen into a more visually appealing experience. Rather than displaying a cluttered carousel of recently played games, this mode features prominently displayed artwork from the highlighted game across the background.

While some games may not integrate seamlessly with the new system, overall, the result is a cleaner and sleeker appearance, perfect for those who appreciate minimalism.

Alongside the Big Art Mode, the beta introduces a new screensaver feature for Big Picture Mode. Users can choose from a slideshow of art from recently played games, which can include their own screenshots, or opt for a retro-inspired bouncing logo that mimics the behavior of an old DVD player's logo. For those looking to personalize their screensaver experience, the option to create custom screensavers is available.

These can be set up by placing them in the Steam installation directory's config\overrides\screensavers folder, allowing for a truly unique experience.

In terms of performance, the beta addresses several issues. Steam startup should now be faster, game recording on Windows Direct3D 12 games has reduced performance impact, and Linux support has been updated. While there is always a risk with betas, Valve has demonstrated a strong track record in resolving issues, so the risk is relatively low.

To opt into the Steam client beta, users can access the Interface menu in their Steam settings. The full patch notes for the latest Steam client beta are provided, detailing the various enhancements and bug fixes included in this update.