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[gofreak]

looks like we will have to take away our eyes from the screen only to position our thumbs at the center again and again. Like in touch screen devices. Analog sticks resume to their original position if you let them. You don't have to look where you touch. That's why analog sticks are good.

There are ridges in the trackpad indicating their center, and at another radius further out from the center. So you should be able to position your thumb in the center without looking down.

In a game with a fixed cursor (like FPS) this is also less of an issue.

 

[ZeroGravity]

Welcome to next gen.

Seriously, people whine that we get the same controller from 1994, yet when someone brings revolutionary concepts to a jurassic-concept industry we start 'OMG NO STICKZ, NO DPAD'

Come on.

Who the hell whines that the controller hasnt changed much? Theres a reason why that design has been standard for so long.

 

[GuitarAtomik]

Wow. I love the out of the box thinking with this thing and even though I'll probably never build a Steambox, I'll pick one of these up for my PC. That button placement is going to be pretty awkward for some games though. Specifically fighting games.

 

[Ol No Bones]

I just don't understand. Someone please help!

 

[Stone Ocean]

What is the problem then?

The face button placement.

 

[Micromegas]

If they can deliver a powerful & quiet steambox to go w/ this controller... I'm all over this.

 

[Dark Octave]

1) No need to try and re-invent the wheel. We already have a standard configuration for controllers that works.

2) This will bring about confusion and add another barrier when time to port.

3) Button configuration is obviously made with limited genres in mind.

4) Touchpad is the main reason people hate mobile gaming for game that require controls.

 

[Honey Bunny]

I always assumed the traditional gamepad had evolved as much as it realistically could...this is cool. If the touchpads work out, this is cool.

 

[mrklaw]

Heck, the fact that it has an actual touch screen rather than just a touch pad is a big advantage over the DS4.

The more I think of it, the more I am convinced that this is the first proper next-gen controller.

I have found my future PC controller.

except they then say that - so you don't need to take your eyes off the screen to look at another screen - the menu pops up on the TV whenever you touch the screen on the controller. So you could exactly that on a DS4 and never actually need the touchpad to be a screen - just choose from the TV image.

 

[Anteater]

I just don't understand. Someone please help!

Have you tried reading the page?

 

[SparkTR]

Eh you'll still be able to hook up a regular controller.

As a m/kb player I hate analogue sticks, but I hate playing on a track pad even more.

Apparently haptics make all the difference. After all their R&D, if this is what they come up with I have to at least try it out.

 

[Capital_Five]

My only concern is how they intend to solve the keyboard dilemma. I remember a mock up of a really intuitive looking circular interface based on using sticks to write words, but believe it was done by an unaffiliated designer. I'll be curious to see their software solution.

 

[TouchMyBox]

It's not like all the other controllers suddenly stop working or that you'd even have to get this one.

Or like a real fighting game fan, you plug in a fightstick.

My only concern is how they intend to solve the keyboard dilemma. I remember a mock up of a really intuitive looking circular interface based on using sticks to write words, but believe it was done by an unaffiliated designer. I'll be curious to see their software solution.

I imagine it will be the BPM text-input method.

 

[Grief.exe]

If I could make one change to the design.

You get more buttons available, retain the ambidextrous set up, and don't have to remove your hand from the movement stick.

You got me before my edit. It would be useless for Valve to make a console controller for console style games, when people can just plug in their existing console controller. This is the PC, just plug in what you want. Someone needed to make a controller that can play the vast majority of PC games that you cannot use a traditional controller for, if the goal is to put the PC in the living room.

At the same time make one that is literally compatible with the entire library of PC games, not just ones that are compatible with Xinput.

 

[Fantasmo]

looks like we will have to take away our eyes from the screen only to position our thumbs at the center again and again. Like in touch screen devices. Analog sticks resume to their original position if you let them. You don't have to look where you touch. That's why analog sticks are good.

Maybe the feedback let's you know when you're centered somehow.

 

[marc^o^]

Only thing I don't find awesome in this controller is that we miss two buttons accessible from our right thumb. WTH with that?

 

[xenist]

Gotta laugh at all the people going "where are the sticks?" This is supposed to be a mouse + keyboard replacement. Do you even read the stuff people post or just react according to what you already believe? Seriously, your mental engagement in these discussions is lower than what the average American Idol viewer exhibits.

 

[Mareg]

If I can still complete super meat boy on this thing, consider me interested. But I have doubts.

 

[KaYotiX]

Looks like shit. DOA

 

[Scooby]

 

[ThoughtsOfSpeaking]

Where is the Dpad?

How are you expected to play fighters on it?

 

[EmCeeGramr]

You can pretty much rule out playing fighting games with the thing just by looking at it.

People already buy a different type of controller just to play fighting games on console.

 

[Jarmel]

Yea not sure about the triggers, if you can even call them that.

 

[nkarafo]

Because lord knows tablets and smartphones failed.

Touch only controls are only good for a few game genres only. Its a disaster for more complicated, faster paced games where you need to have more control. When i said failure, i didn't mean sales wise.

 

[Giant Panda]

I wanted a WiiMote/Move evolution, but its nice to see someone still has the balls to challenge the outdated twin-sticks paradigm (well, someone besides Mobile).

I was really hoping for this as well.

 

[Dany]

It looks like all the photos are of it backwards, the form of the controller seems backwards.

 

[Ferrio]

How could you immediately think this is going to be terrible? I understand a little apprehension about losing your favorite joysticks, but can't you even think of the possibilities? Don't cry for change and then get mad when it's different.

I want to try this so badly.

That's like saying "I have extensive experience driving my go-kart. I think I'm prepared for F1."

No it's not. It's like saying "I've placed my hand on a steering wheel I know what it's like"

 

[Mihos]

Having a 360 controller for those types of games and this for the more traditional PC games is brilliant.

 

[Lijik]

Flloyd LIVES!

holy shit :lol

 

[Divvy]

Well, it could be good. But my first reaction is skepticism.

 

[lastflowers]

I'm interested in checking it out, that's for sure.

 

[Cystm]

Kneejerk reactions abound!

It's different. Yep. That does not mean it is going to be terrible, by default. Until we can actually see how this thing performs, we should not immediately be dismissive about it.

Based on the description, this could be something that replaces your console controllers, if it actually functions as precise as it needs to.

 

[Mengy]

Okay, after my initial shock I read a bit more about the Steampad and thought it over for a minute.

Valve didn't need to make a copy of the Xbox pad or the PS3 pad, we can already buy those and dozens of copies of them for PC's today. We also already have keyboards and mice, and none of any of that is going away. Valve instead decided to try to innovate something, and after reading about it I actually think they made a smart move here.

I mean, we certainly need to use the damned thing and see for ourselves if it works well or not, but the design philosophy behind it is sound, and after some consideration I'm honestly a tad impressed. Valve may have innovated something truly great here, if it works like advertised this could be a fantastic controller for the Steambox, especially when used alongside old faithful controllers like the Xbox 360 that would be better suited for some games.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to holding one of these and trying it out.

 

[Kalnos]

My only concern is how they intend to solve the keyboard dilemma. I remember a mock up of a really intuitive looking circular interface based on using sticks to write words, but believe it was done by an unaffiliated designer. I'll be curious to see their software solution.

That's in Steam Big Picture mode.

 

[MaximoffZero]

More like GAF has a large fighting game niche audience that lives for a d-pad

A hardcore fighting game fan is likely just going to use an arcade stick anyway.

I think this controller is going to work. I'm trying to get into the beta.

 

[gngf123]

How could you immediately think this is going to be terrible? I understand a little apprehension about losing your favorite joysticks, but can't you even think of the possibilities? Don't cry for change and then get mad when it's different.

I want to try this so badly.

That's like saying "I have extensive experience driving my go-kart. I think I'm prepared for F1."

This kind of reminds me of that "do gamers really just want faster horses?" thread.

 

[eot]

I'll be curious to see how this works, I've never been a huge fan of trackpads. I don't see how it solves the problem of precision for small movements vs quick large movements. When I use a trackpad on a computer I have to keep scrolling across, I don't want to do that in a game.

 

[SparkTR]

1) No need to try and re-invent the wheel. We already have a standard configuration for controllers that works.

It doesn't, there's a reason why so many genres and games remain PC exclusive, or best played on PC. The Steambox will feature a whole lot of those games, and regular dual analogue controller don't work.

 

[Kunan]

If only this controller had some kind of physical feedback mechanism, perhaps under each trackpad.

I don't think many people have actually read any of that lol

 

[Pooya]

I can't imagine RTS games work with trackpads ever (haptics or not), maybe they know better. Like to try this first but I don't think it can work as well as either analog sticks or mouse purely going by the looks that is.

surprise me.

If this works as intended, bringing dota2 to living room should give this a good early boost if you can stay competitive.

 

[grkazan12]

I don't play that many fighting games and for any 2d games that would need a traditional controller, we could easily use one or ds4 for them. Back on board, hope its good.

 

[Shai-Tan]

I wanted a WiiMote/Move evolution, but its nice to see someone still has the balls to challenge the outdated twin-sticks paradigm (well, someone besides Mobile).

The problem with Move is the way it works necessitates decoupling the cursor from camera drag whereas this at least would allow for direct cursor dragging without holding a button or other kludge. I like the Move concept it just needs more radical development. (Not that this controller doesn't have fatal difficulties that we just don't know about yet)

 

[Mindlog]

Buttons
Every button and input zone has been placed based on frequency of use, precision required and ergonomic comfort. There are a total of sixteen buttons on the Steam Controller. Half of them are accessible to the player without requiring thumbs to be lifted from the trackpads, including two on the back. All controls and buttons have been placed symmetrically, making left or right handedness switchable via a software config checkbox.

Gets it. After the DS4/XB1 controller lovefest threads I thought I was going crazy. Very positive step in the right direction. Those inflated grips are also piquing my interest. If it fits in the palm as I'm imagining it could be very comfortable. My one complaint is that I wish it had a port for an attachable chatpad. I really like the 360 chatpad.

Well played, Valve. Bought.

 

[Astral/H3X]

It looks like the pointer has been pretty much abandoned unfortunately. This, the Wii-mote and Xbox style controller would be the holy trinity of controllers for me.

I had such hopes for the Hydra. Hopefully with VR the new Stem will take off. I feel like Wiimote style is the best balance of performance and comfort.

 

[oti]

Valve should just give up and release games on iOS instead. ohwait

 

[GregLombardi]

The goofs immediately writing this off based on a picture... *read the article from valve in the OP*.

This thing sounds fucking incredible.

Couldn't agree more. It's plainly obvious they did an AMAZING amount of testing on this thing, and swapping things out.

They've got a reason for going with this now...

 

[phantomsnake]

I'd be interested to try it but I'm disappointed that there's no d-pad or traditional ABXY buttons. It doesn't look like it would be very good for platformers.

 

[Orayn]

Anyone who's tried iOS FPS games KNOW that no sticks are workable, but such a disconnect from the game, and so much slower, that it quickly becomes a chore.

This aims to solve that problem with the haptics. Apparently they can give each pad resistance, not just rumble.

 

[Ludicrous Speed]

Perfect design. Will buy as soon as it goes up on preorder. Would be even better if I got selected for the beta. This thing looks amazing.

 

[Htown]

My first impression was that the thing was brilliant.

I come to GAF and I get a bunch of console dudebros flipping out that it doesn't have sticks.