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Steam overhauls notifications, UI parts and the in-game overlay

Written by Jeff Lampkin

Really feel just like the Steam desktop consumer was lengthy overdue for a serious improve? So did Valve. Right now the corporate released an update for the platform that features most of the options it has been testing within the app’s beta channel. The newest consumer options up to date fonts and menus, a revised notification system and a redesigned in-game overlay. Higher nonetheless, Valve says the platform has been rebuilt with an all-new framework designed to assist options ship concurrently throughout all variations of Steam.

Meaning among the new options baked into the desktop consumer are additionally already out there on Steam Deck. Particularly, Valve referred to as out the consumer’s overhauled in-game overlay — along with a brand new interface and extra versatile toolbar, gamers additionally now have entry to a brand new notes software that syncs throughout PCs. Due to the brand new framework, this characteristic is now out there on desktop and Steam Deck concurrently. The overlay additionally has a brand new “pin” characteristic that can permit customers to maintain that notes software (or every other window from the in-game interface) seen throughout gameplay.

Valve can also be making an attempt to scrub up the consumer’s notifications. Clicking on the icon ought to now solely present the newest and related notifications, and can immediate customers to click on via to see a full historic view. Customers ought to see small updates throughout the remainder of the consumer as properly, together with up to date dialog textual content, new fonts and tweaked colours.

The brand new options are good, however Valve appears most happy with the enhancements its made underneath the hood. Along with the brand new framework, the corporate says that its enabled {hardware} acceleration for Mac and Linux customers, providing a smoother expertise throughout all platforms.

Final, and maybe least, the replace will be the finish of the legacy Steam Massive Image mode. Buried among the many consumer’s lengthy record of bug fixes is a word that the command line choice to allow “oldbigpicture” has been eliminated. We’re all utilizing the Steam Deck interface now.

The brand new Steam Consumer replace is on the market to obtain now. Take a look at the full patch notes for particulars.

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About the author

Jeff Lampkin

Jeff Lampkin was the first writer to have joined gamepolar.com. He has since then inculcated very effective writing and reviewing culture at GamePolar which rivals have found impossible to imitate. His approach has been to work on the basics while the whole world was focusing on the superstructures.