Steam Desktop Application Receives Major Update

Steam client beta has just received a major update which brings new features and improvements to the desktop application that will help make the experience even better. Through the new update, players will observe major changes towards UI, the in-game overlay, a brand-new toolbar and so much more. Check out everything that is new in the latest Steam client beta update below:

We’re excited to announce that we’ve just updated the Steam Client Beta with new features and improvements to the Steam Desktop experience!

Join the Beta to experience changes to the UI, an overhaul of the in-game overlay, a new toolbar, and much more!https://t.co/SyOqDrId3X

— Steam (@Steam) April 27, 2023

Steam desktop client improvements

The biggest changes to the Steam client beta will mostly not be directly visible to the players, but they will realise the change while using the application. The new update changes the way code is shared across the Steam desktop client, big picture mode and Steam Deck.

Through the changing of the code sharing process, new features can now be implemented much faster. For example, the Local Transfer Update was introduced simultaneously for both the desktop client and Steam Deck.

Moreover, the update will also be focusing towards enhancing usability of the desktop client, which is being done through visual and usability improvements. Valve has also updated dialogues, menus, fonts, and colours. In terms of the new UI, the changes will be observed at the main Steam header, settings, and the game server browser.

In-game overlay

The way in-game overlay worked in Steam has been revamped completely. It was first introduced as a faster way to engage and interact with friends or figure out game related content. Now through the new UI, players will receive more utility options, which will provide for more customisations.

New toolbar

Coming to the new toolbar, this new feature is a great introduction as it allows you to access anything you may need, right from the game you are playing. This includes friends chat, achievements progress, guides, discussions, a browser, and more. Players will be provided with a couple of windows in the beginning, but they can choose which ones they want to keep, add or discard through the settings. The toolbar can either be used in icon view or list view.

Game overview

Game overview is the place players can visit in order to learn what’s happening in the game they are playing, since the last time they played. This includes a display of achievements, which friends are active in the same game, news about the said title, best guides and more.

Notes app

This is for the players who have a to-do list or like to note stuff about the game they are playing. It includes rich text formatting, multiple notes per game and also has offline accessibility. The notes are also synced across every PC you are logged in; therefore, you will have access to these notes, regardless of where you are playing as long as it is the same Steam Account.

Pinning windows

The In-game overlay also receives a new feature that allows you to pin windows. This makes those windows appear on the top of the game while you are playing it. Moreover, players can play with the opacity levels and set it according to their liking, and only the contents of the window will be pinned. The title bar and other extraneous UI will be excluded. This new feature will apply to notes, guides, discussion, and the web browser. Which means players can now watch content while playing their game.

Notifications

The way notifications work for Steam has been made “richer and more useful.” Now the green button will only light up when players find something genuinely new. Moreover, the tray view is now limited to new notifications and players can use the “view all” page for a historical view.

Screenshot manager

The screenshot manager has now received a complete overhaul, which makes it much more responsive. Players now can choose between large or small thumbnails, view screenshots, and also manage local and online screenshots in a much better manner.

Mac and Linux

The new update also brings technical work that helps bring hardware acceleration for Mac and Linux versions of Steam, “bringing them up to par with Windows.” Players will now experience “snappier animations,” more responsive scrolling and UI. Linux users can now use the Steam client with these improvements, whereas Mac users will have to wait a few weeks before it is ready for public testing.