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[kuppy]

Want to put my hands on this badly, I thought a bit about it now, it is a nice concept, exactly what everybody wanted - a controller that might be able to control classic PC games the right was. So let's see, no judiging today.

 

[Gadirok]

This controller is too radical a change if they want console players to jump in.

 

[Grief.exe]

I like that it claims it will function on any keyboard/mouse game, that is a selling point for me. Can't wait to see the final version and try it out.

Best part of the design.

No custom APIs that developers are forced to use in order for the controller to function. Just plug and play.

Developers can choose to use the API to function with the touch screen if they desire, but it is not required. The Controller will work with something like Starcraft 1 with no issues.

 

[nataku]

What the hell?

I'll try it but... trackpads? I can't say I've ever used one and thought it'd be great for a controller as the primary method of movement or camera control.

 

[iloled]

It's not about looks sir.

I agree.

And I still think it's horrid.

 

[Kocolino67]

The Steam Controller is built around a new generation of super-precise haptic feedback, employing dual linear resonant actuators. These small, strong, weighted electro-magnets are attached to each of the dual trackpads. They are capable of delivering a wide range of force and vibration, allowing precise control over frequency, amplitude, and direction of movement.

This haptic capability provides a vital channel of information to the player - delivering in-game information about speed, boundaries, thresholds, textures, action confirmations, or any other events about which game designers want players to be aware.

I would like to feel this for myself

 

[Monty Mole]

Where's the D-Pad? I mean, we still like good old fashioned D-Pads too, right? This thing will suck with 2D twitchy platformers, and Steam is full of them these days thanks to the indie scene.

 

[Caesar III]

The renders people are posting makes it looks huge, the prototype doesn't look so bad (comfort-wise):

This does indeed look even better.

 

[LTWood12]

Good on them for doing something totally out of the box...

But this scares me. I like buttons.

 

[Valtýr]

Reserving judgement until I have the thing in my hand.

 

[Kaizen]

seems weird but I'm definitely interested.

 

[Stone Ocean]

Well it's the same with any controller, you obviously can't use both sticks and press XYA or B, also looking at the default key bindings for Portal 2, the 'X' button is just partner view so nothing that will require you to move at the same time.

No it's not the same. You can let go one stick and press all 4 face buttons, you never have to stop moving your character. In this scheme, you have to let go both controllers half the time. How the flying fuck are you going to play action games with this?

 

[boinx]

That's one ugly muthafucka

 

[Intheflorsh]

I can't. No.

 

[zoku88]

So, this is supposed to work with kb+m games too, right? (as they say)

I'm really curious to try this out with EUIV or something, lol

 

[StuBurns]

Looks like I'll hate it, but I can't wait to find out.

 

[Semblance]

Gross.

 

[ezekial45]

I really, really don't like this at all. Putting the buttons in the center sounds cumbersome, and I do not like using trackpads for movement and camera.

 

[pixlexic]

You've had hands on? Wow! Please post your impressions!

history and common sense dictate if your controller is way different than the other platforms .. You are going to have problems.

The only good thing here is that this controller is just one option of many.

 

[Sini]

How do you jump then?

You press in the middle of the left trackpad.

 

[ironcreed]

What is up with the 'it's ugly' comments? It looks futuristic as hell. While I love the standard we are used to, I am also glad to see what looks like an actual and meaningful new design for the controller. It makes me want to buy a Steam Machine.

 

[Saige]

So Valve is trying to solve the m+kb in the livingroom problem. Seems smart since if you want a traditional controller you already have a couple great options.

But it looks new and different so I hate it.

 

[canadian crowe]

As someone who hates using a mouse and keyboard this looks amazing for me. The fact that it works with every Steam game makes it even better. It makes me reconsider getting next gen consoles.

 

[Hylian7]

Shut up and take my money.

I don't understand all the hate in here.

This looks like the solution to bridge the gap of the problem of playing with a keyboard and mouse in the living room. I would really like to see someone play Dota 2 in it, and if that's not doable, then you can go back to KB+M, it'll always be there. It looks like it would work amazingly well for a billion other games though.

I am imagining playing Arms 2/3/DayZ with this thing, and I can't wait to try that, especially with that touch screen. Just imagine flying a helicopter with this thing, or using the trackpad precision to make a 500 meter shot on someone.

 

[Gorillaz]

Dual trackpads are interesting

But yea the button placement is.....huh

 

[vasametropolis]

Best part of the design.

No custom APIs that developers are forced to use in order for the controller to function. Just plug and play.

Developers can choose to use the API to function with the touch screen if they desire, but it is not required. The Controller will work with something like Starcraft 1 with no issues.

Goodbye Xpadder, etc.

Edit - This is good for me.

 

[CountAntonius]

How will this even work for platformers?

 

[Mass Effect]

da fuq is that thing?

Oh it will be interesting to see how this thing works. The impressions will be something to look forward to.

 

[dcx4610]

The controller looks cool.

...if you had 4 arms.

 

[KoopaTheCasual]

And people thought I was crazy for thinking that touchpad integration would become the standard of controllers.... It just makes so much sense for UI navigation and addition command inputs.

 

[Woo-Fu]

Looks neat, be interesting to see how they handle return-to-center issues.

 

[Shambles]

1. Touch pads like that have existed before (see picture)
2. Haptic feedback isn't new, it's on my damn phone.

Using that logic you already know what it's like to own a flying car. What a magical world you live in.

 

[Busty]

We fear change.

 

[Sibylus]

Looking forward to trying it out for myself. Not at all surprised that some of ya'll are damned stick nuts

 

[venne]

Steam OS better be compatible with 360/One controllers.

 

[FreddieQuell]

I think it looks amazing. Can't wait to try it. I just hope it isn't too expensive.

 

[dyergram]

Holy fuck looks sexy as hell sold.

 

[UNCMark]

Looks incredibly stupid. Good luck, Valve.

 

[Unknown One]

I want to try it out.

 

[spirity]

It looks really unorthodox but I'm intrigued. I want to hear impressions from people who have used it first.

 

[DJ_Lae]

It looks and sounds awful, somehow.

I want to try it though.

 

[Off-Kilter]

The more I look at it and read about it, the more I like it.

Replacing sticks with trackpads is a good call, since the latter is much better for mimicking mouse movement, a crucial feature in making sure the entire catalog of Steam games work with this thing. Furthermore, if latency is small, the trackpads can easily be faster than a dual analog scheme for FPS games, since you have no limitation other than how fast you can move your fingers, as opposed to moving as fast as the sticks can move. The haptic feedback seems impressive as well.

I really want to get my hands on one.

 

[kidko]

Can't wait to try it out

 

[Tyrant Rave]

Don't like the buttons being in the middle, but this is a very interesting design.

 

[Maedhros]

Some posts here makes me wonder the sanity of these posters... holy shit, what a fucking POS/joke.

 

[Cramoss]

I like it.

 

[grkazan12]

Looks interesting, will judge after I try it out for myself. I love the fact that they're acknowledging legacy games that were only keyboard and mouse.

I wish it had a dpad, I don't know how well those track-pads will be for fighting games/or for tight platformsers like super meat boy.

 

[Presco]

Awww

People always trying to fix what ain't broke

But we already have new controllers from Sony/MS that will likely work and be supported

I can see why they might try something wildly different

I mean whats the point of just cloning existing controllers anyways?

You can't play a competitive FPS on PC with those controllers. Even playing single player is frustrating without autoaim on a PC. Maybe these weird trackpads will allow better precision, maybe not, but somebody had to try something if Valve is really going after comfy couch gaming. People won't keep playing if they are getting destroyed constantly.

 

[quest]

It's like combining the worst parts of phones and controllers into one monstrosity.

that is exactly what I was thinking when I saw this thing.

 

[Sorcerer]

I would assume they have been internally testing this thing for quite a long time.

I trust that those in Valve feel they have something that is very workable.

I doubt that if during their testing they found it to be terrible they would go ahead with this.

I wouldn't trust a third party controller company with this, but I am looking forward to this.

It might make analog sticks feel antiquated.

Too bad their is no official release for it ahead of the Steambox. I am dying to give this a spin.