Steam Controller

[emwearz]

Outside of the 'analog sticks' I really don't like the look of the button placement, being inside of those touchpads and on both sides.

I see from the mapping in Portal 2 they could work as they would not be used often, but it would be annoying trying to play a side scrolling beat em up or a fighter (though I don't think I would want to with a touch screen anyhow) with the button placement.

I borderline hope it tanks to be honest, we don't really need such a different controller layout on our PC's. If I am using a controller in the first place it is because I want the console experience, if I didn't I would use my keyboard and mouse.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I'm super interested in it, if only because I love wacky controllers and it just looks and sounds so different. I'm signed up for the hardware beta so maybe just maybe I'll get my hands on it.

It may turn out terrible, who knows, but at the very least it's interesting. I like to see this stuff; it's so much more unique that the evolutionary pattern Sony and Microsoft have taken.

[irixith]

I am in love with this controller, and the fact that Valve has made a real go of trying to solve the "certain games just aren't couch games" problem.

Excited to see how it all pans out.

[emwearz]

I'm signed up for the hardware beta so maybe just maybe I'll get my hands on it.

The controller you get if you are accepted into the beta (which are fairly slim chances considering there were like 60,000 members of the group last I checked) does not have the central touch screen that the finished product will. I imagine it will become very collectable and pricey fairly quickly.

There are a couple important differences: the first 300 or so beta units won’t include a touch screen, and they won’t be wireless. Instead, they’ll have four buttons in place of the touch screen, and they’ll require a USB cable.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

This looks interesting and I cannot wait to try it. I probably won't buy it, but it looks fascinating. I like the idea of more precise, mouse-like analog control on the right pad, although I'm concerned about character movement. Good on them for using buttons on the underside of the controller. Finally!

This controller is built for the kind of games Valve makes, and i think that's fine. I don't know where this PC gaming = mouse and keyboard sentiment is coming from. PCs have always had flightsticks, wheels, trackballs, and all sorts of alternate control methods, usually with mappable functions. This is a specialty controller for a specific type of game, and I hope it succeeds. Specialty controllers on consoles tend to be limited to a few games, and even titles that would benefit aren't always compatible. With a PC those worries go away. Awesome.

Steam Controller won't be any good for platformers, but hey, your arcade stick sucks for driving games.

BTW, I don't think we'll have to worry about losing track of your thumb. Apparently there are dual rumble motors that track your finger and give you feedback telling you exactly where it is. If it ends up working, the pads could be pretty versatile.

[ZeroAX]

Seems like it could have a lot of problems, but this is Valve and their stuff has been top notch so far. I don't think they'd release a beta version of their intended vision, like Nintendo and MS did with WiiMote and Kinect.

But then there's a first for everything and also, steam was buggy as hell when it was released, so maybe this will be their first missfire in a long time, so let's wait and see.

Even if it sucks though, I have to admit it looks bad-ass (stupid....but bad-ass)

[jinx]

I hate that people are simply comparing it other touch based controls without waiting for it to be release. Although, that's all we really have to go on at the moment so I don't blame them.

They stated multiple times that they have included "new" haptic feedback technology that will change how the touch based controls feel. We'll have to wait and see what that really means, but it could really change that "empty" feeling touch based controls have.

I'm curious, but not optimistic.

[Pulsar_t]

[Sasha_Blue]

Steam, controller looks a little wacky. I'll stick to my keyboard/mouse or my wired Xbox 360 controller thank you very much.

[KalessinDB]

All of you who are decrying it as "It's weird" or "I don't like change" or "I'm going to stick with my old-style controller"...

Have you forgotten how different the Playstation controller was when you first laid hands on it? I know I for one was like "Holy crap am I ever going to get used to this?" and yet, basically every controller that's come out since then has been based on it.

So chalk another one up for the "Don't knock it until you try it" crowd.