Integrated web browser in game mode

[gorf]

I’d like to see the addition of a web browser integrated into game mode, similar to the one in Big Picture mode. Doesn’t have to be as fancy as a full-fledged desktop browser, but something to quickly look up stuff on wikis, faqs, etc. while in-game would be really nice to have.

[Marlock]

isn't steam overlay available in gaming mode?! that's surprising!

[Dakota]

Yes please, even if it just used the one you have installed.

[toidi]

Go to desktop mode, steam, add non steam game, add Firefox. Back to gaming mode, load Firefox, steam button, home, launch game.
Now when you want to switch windows use the steam button, apps/games get tabs at the top.

[forever-and-a-day]

A basic ad blocker would be nice, but a web browser other than adding a desktop app would be nice,

[toidi]

Originally posted by forever-and-a-day:

A basic ad blocker would be nice, but a web browser other than adding a desktop app would be nice,

Yeah it would, however the good thing about doing it this way is you don’t have to use Firefox, you can install any browser you want, perhaps a nice privacy browser like librewolf.

Edit: if you add a browser this way remember to go into your controller config. There you can change it. It even has ‘web browser’ as a default. I stuck the keyboard onto R4 for extra convenience.

[gorf]

Originally posted by toidi:

Originally posted by forever-and-a-day:

A basic ad blocker would be nice, but a web browser other than adding a desktop app would be nice,

Yeah it would, however the good thing about doing it this way is you don’t have to use Firefox, you can install any browser you want, perhaps a nice privacy browser like librewolf.

Edit: if you add a browser this way remember to go into your controller config. There you can change it. It even has ‘web browser’ as a default. I stuck the keyboard onto R4 for extra convenience.

I already do this, but I don’t like it as a solution because it’s being treated as a separate app, and for quick searches while in-game I’d vastly prefer something integrated into the Deck UI itself. Plus, some games don’t ignore inputs while out of focus in game mode, so sometimes using a regular web browser leads to unexpected in-game inputs.

[toidi]

Yeah an improved bpm web would be a much better solution.

[Zombie]

Originally posted by toidi:

I already do this, but I don’t like it as a solution because it’s being treated as a separate app, and for quick searches while in-game I’d vastly prefer something integrated into the Deck UI itself. Plus, some games don’t ignore inputs while out of focus in game mode, so sometimes using a regular web browser leads to unexpected in-game inputs.

Yeah this is the part that needs fixing, it happens with a lot of things.

[birolay]

Originally posted by gorf:

I’d like to see the addition of a web browser integrated into game mode, similar to the one in Big Picture mode.

hey m8 did you find a solution after these months?

I don't understand this, in Big Picture you simply press L2 and voila you're browsing the internets. I don't want to SWAP applications while in-game, say I'm playing Vampire Survivors and need to look at the wiki quickly, an overlay would do the trick. Maybe a plugin?

[brandon9271]

this should've been added already! i just want to open walkthroughs and maps while in game! please!

[VeriSneekiLikPewrHarba]

Couldn't you just play the game in the steam decks desktop mode, then launch big picture and use the steam overlay like normal to search the web?

[Marlock]

Originally posted by VeriSneekiLikPewrHarba:

Couldn't you just play the game in the steam decks desktop mode, then launch big picture and use the steam overlay like normal to search the web?

while that's entirely possible, Valve offers some gaming optimizations for the Steam Deck only on Gaming Mode, especially FSR upscaling and etc

[soundtoxin]

After today's stable update, I think there's integrations of guides posted on Steam, but a general browser is still missing from what I saw.

[FrankTheHealer]

Also make the Steam Deck's browser, whether in Game Mode or Desktop Mode, usable with a controller, like how it is with Xbox's web browser. Where left thumbstick or trackpad moves the cursor, and right thumbstick defaults to scroll up and down. Even just this option would make browsing on Steam Deck so much more usable.

[VeriSneekiLikPewrHarba]

Originally posted by FrankTheHealer_(STM):

Also make the Steam Deck's browser, whether in Game Mode or Desktop Mode, usable with a controller, like how it is with Xbox's web browser. Where left thumbstick or trackpad moves the cursor, and right thumbstick defaults to scroll up and down. Even just this option would make browsing on Steam Deck so much more usable.

You need to add your browser of choice to steam from desktop mode(Firefox for example-> right click the icon for Firefox from your start menu -> Add to steam). Then find it in your steam library and click controller layout under the play button. Either choose web browser template or design your own.