Experiences attempting to create a PC console using Windows and Big Picture Mode

[hawkshot]

I picked up a used pre-built a while back and shoved a GTX1050ti in an attempt to create a console-like experience on the PC. I did this so I didn't have to lug my obsolete heavy workhorse PC around when my friends wanted to play games. This way there are less worries of theft or damage of a PC with all my important files on it.

I have Windows 10 set up to sign into a non-administrator account and launch Big Picture Mode without running the Explorer shell. I use SCP Toolkit and a Bluetooth dongle to use four PS3 controllers with the box.

This setup works great with recent local co-op indie games like Broforce or CRAWL. I do not need to connect a mouse or keyboard. I just boot the machine, power on some controllers, and launch the game. It works exactly like a console. Other games, like single-player AAA titles are a mixed bag.

Take for example Nier Automata. I recently played through this game and it is fantastic, but the port is flawed. Many of the issues can be remidied with a fan-made patch, so I will ignore those issues. Because this game is a console port, the ideal play style is with a controller in front of a large television. Ideally I should be able to just use the gamepads to play the game, but I have to attach a mouse and keyboard. Certain DirectX hooks fail if a mouse and keyboard is not detected and the game refuses to launch. Unfortunately, Nier is not the only game where this happens. I have noticed similar results with Just Cause 2 and Prey (2017).

Other games take issue with the fact that I am running a non-admin account and have UAC pop-ups requiring an admin password. The options with these games is to plug in a keyboard and mouse and interact with the UAC pop-up or disable UAC entirely. Running an uprivilged account with UAC is in theory supposed to make the computer safer, but I only use this for games. My important info is on my workhorse PC, so it isn't a big deal if anything goes wrong. If I disable UAC, why not disable anti-virus too? I hear a voice in the back of my head "prepare for unforseen consequences" . I don't want this PC to become a bot-net, an infection vector for my main PC, or whatever horrors future miscreants come up with to ruin people's digital day.

I have tried SteamOS in the past, but that comes with its own problems. Game support on Linux is limited. A program called Wine can be used to run Windows games on Linux, but setup is always a chore. There might be bugs or performance is limited. Native Linux games aren't always optimized either!

Perhaps I am looking too hard at this. If I want a console, I should get a console. The point of a PC is that it does more than games.

This was a long and rambling post. I don't know if anyone will bother reading it, but has anyone else tried turning a PC into a console either using SteamOS or Windows? What has been your experience?

[Forcen]

Don't disable UAC, just start the game from your desktop the first time you run it.
Install and set up teamviewer or remote desktop so you can install games by controlling the PC from your other machine or your smart phone.
Leave windows defender running, it's fine. Don't treat treat any PC like a virus friendly zone.
Also if you don't download stuff from weird websites then you won't get viruses 99% of the time.

Here is an alternative to your situation: Steam Link.

If you have LAN access in your living room and where you would keep your normal PC then you should just buy a Steam link and use that to play games from your PC.

You don't have to think about startup or controller software, you just pair your controllers with the link, works with loads of controllers including ps4, ps3 and Wii U.

Lets say you have your PC running somewhere doing nothing and a Steam Link. All you do to get to the "steam console" is to start your controller to start the TV, switch channels and then you press A twice and you are in big picture.

[renatotec]

I know this is not the best practice, but I automatically logon with a admin account with UAC disabled and now finally I can forget the keyboard.

pc games are cheaper, there is no online fee, there are more controller options (i have since logitech, xbox one, 360, dualshock 4 and more), more customizable options, huge library including old games, emulationstation configured as a shortcut on big picture, so my experience with "console like pc" is the best possible.