does anybody actualy use big pictuire mode?

I've used it many times, by accident of course. I can never remember how to restore it to normal so its a fun game of figuring it out how to exit and then cursing it for not asking for confirmation before throwing me into its madness. I do see the new icon for it though so hopefully its easier to avoid, I just won't minimize steam ever

I use it a LOT, and really love it. I have a computer in my living room, and being able to boot up the machine straight into Big Picture and control everything from my couch with just a controller makes a HUGE difference. Another huge thing that Steam brings in and people underestimate is the controller settings, which allow you to reprogram the buttons in many interesting ways, making many games playable from your couch (actually -- are these controller settings exclusive to Big Picture?).

But, yeah, when I am doing a computer 20 inches from my face and using Mouse and Keyboard, I agree, Big Picture does not add much, and it might be quite irritating. Do not click on that square there! :D :D

Cheers!

The same for me, no use for it, only problems with missclicks on it.

No.
When i tried it 3 times, 2x by opening it by mistake, it was really bad and a big fight to come back into my normal mode.
It had missing possibilities that the normal mode have and that i wanted/needed -don't question me what exactly, i can't remember-.

I will not touch it again, at least not with a small monitor and without a controller + without a game that i want to play this way.

Indeed it would be nice if that icon was optional, activable for people who do use this mode, instead of being forced upon everyone else who don't. But sadly Valve's not known for sensible UIs :/

It's very useful for controller use, but quite uncomfortable for M+KB.
Been a while since I accidentally clicked on the button, but I did feel that it's a bit "too easy to find it" considering the problematic use with classic controls.

There was a setting that wouldn't display properly in regular mode, so I had to go into Big Picture mode to change it, but other than that, I never had a use for console mode.

I only use it when I need access to certain settings.

Yes. Steam has to be in Big Picture Mode to stream the games from the room where my PC is to the Steam Link in my living room to play the games on the TV there.

I find it useful when using a controller.
But i mostly use keyboard/mouse, and my PC has no bluetooth connection, so it's been quite some time since i last used BP mode.

Never tried it and don't know what it does. I pretty much just use the Steam client to click install or uninstall on games and I launch them from the Windows start menu.

The Big picture mode as its name implies is intended for big screens aka TVs. It's much easier to control Steam when you are sitting on a couch with a controller.

Back when it was the only way to access the controller settings I used big picture mode quite a bit, since they added the option to do that from the normal mode I've barely touched it.

I use it most of the time when I am using a controller. Some games are still contrary with that, at least on mac.

It’s good with a living room setup

I've used it once by accident. Don't really find it useful.

I'm not rich enough to need it so no.

I used it for a couple of hours when I stayed with a friend and played games on the couch, now I don't need to since I bought Controller Companion.

Lately I primarily use big picture mode. I have a computer hooked up to my TV with HDMI so I can sit on the couch and play. I sit at a desk all day for my job so it is nice to put my feet up and recline and play some games on the TV. It is also the standard UI on Steam Deck.

For games that only use keyboard/mouse, or games like FPS where I don't like to use a controller, I'll play those at my desk with the normal Steam UI. But basically any game with controller support I will relax and play it on my TV.