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Engadget: A look at the redesigned Steam Controller
- Thread starter ashecitism
- Start date
The Grim Heaper
Member
Yeah, I'm in the "this looks awful and totally uncomfortable" field. It just seems totally pointless.
You might be able to answer this actually, say the Alienware SM is $500, does that include a Valve controller, or an Alienware version of one, or no controller?Good thing about the controller, multiple 3rd party ones will be available. Someone will make it if you ask nicely
I'm pretty sure steam boxes will include the default valve controller. Variants will be available from 3rd parties.
ashecitism
Member
With the Alienware model we don't know, but in the iBP or CBP model they said the Valve SC would be included. Things might have changed since then, dunno.
BruiserBear
Banned
I still think this controller is a waste of everyone's time.
The reason the controller exists is to natively work with the thousands of games that aren't compatible with the more recently introduced xinput standard and those that don't play well with controller. Oftentimes these two requirements aren't mutually exclusive either.
Keep in mind that the face buttons will be more useful for tertiary tasks, while the triggers back buttons will be for your primary actions. Another thing to remember is, this is the PC, if a certain controller is better for that particular game you are playing, fight stick, joystick, racing wheel, DS4, whatever, plug it in and use that.
That is a very good question and the answer is, we just don't know.
SteamOS is natively compatible with M/KB, Xinput controllers, Steam Controllers, etc so there is a good chance they won't include anything.
Xander Crews
Member
My first thought was, "omg that dpad" but I think they intend for you to use the left touch pad for games like that.
Now that I think about it, the touch pad seems like it'd be superior for hadukens.
Now that I think about it, the touch pad seems like it'd be superior for hadukens.
Cool, I hope that becomes the default for these things.
That's definitely a smarter design. The button placement in the other one screamed different for different's sake. That is clearly the worst dpad design of all time though, but I suppose it's not really a dpad. Good thing SteamOS will support all sorts of controllers, eh.
I guess they gave up on having a touchscreen.
I guess they gave up on having a touchscreen.
PaulExcellent
Member
I'm gonna go ahead and assume that people can't figure out it isn't a D-Pad. The whole reason the pads are there are to replace the sticks/D-Pad anyway, so what the hell?
You don't like using the pads to Hadouken?
Use your controller or fightstick. It's not going away, is it?
You don't like using the pads to Hadouken?
Use your controller or fightstick. It's not going away, is it?
already msged
Muppet of a Man
Member
NOTHING is better for controllers than boring old tactile buttons. Buttons are king because of springy tactile response.
Buttons are where it is at.
Buttons are where it is at.
Kagoshima_Luke
Gold Member
Well, there you go.
This is a step in the wrong direction. As a recent PC gaming covert, I want more console-centric genres represented on the platform, like sports, fighting, etc.
Getting cute with those directional buttons for the sake of symmetry is silly. Valve should just put a proper, well-made d-pad in there and people will use the controller for 2D platformers, fighting games, etc.
NipplesAndToes23
Member
It seems like only Sony has deviated from the ABXY in terms of buttons. Nintendo started it, everyone else copied it.
Thank God, that dual touchpad thingie and no tangible buttons or analogs looked like a friggn' mess for action or controller based games. I'm sure it would have been decent for SRPG or MOBAs though; and still is.
Looking forward to picking one up now. Had no interest in swapping from an X360 for PC controller before.
Looking forward to picking one up now. Had no interest in swapping from an X360 for PC controller before.
They all come with a steam controller, is the official line. I imagine it is likely they will be the valve official ones, and other third parties will have to be bought separately
ashecitism
Member
Testers have been using the old model for platformers and fighters, so I don't get where this it's useless for those games sentiment is coming from. Just use your XDS controller then...
PaulExcellent
Member
Then get a fightstick or a different controller that could be more suited to your playing style.
Who knows? Maybe the pads work well enough to be used in fighting games. I mean, quite a few testers have used them for fighting games. Have you checked that out?
It's not meant to be, but it's better than the Xbox 360 with M+KB games.
TheNoblePirate
Member
I'm kind of confused by the D-pad comments here. For many games, the D-pad is relegated to a minor role of existing for shortcuts and the like, and that's what I see here: four more mappable buttons. If I need a D-pad for precise movement in a game, I'll just make the left trackpad a virtual D-pad, no problem. I'm already looking at button-mapping configurations for some of my favorite games.
blueplancha
Banned
Based on the iterations of the controller we've seen, I feel like we're just gonna end up with this:
unholyrevenger72
Banned
Based on some of these replies, this controller is going to have the same problem the dualshock 1-3 had, too complex of a ergonomic design.
The lowest common denominator
Why would you want to play a fighting game with anything other than an arcade stick?
Kagoshima_Luke
Gold Member
I don't want to jump too aggressively to conclusions on this, because, as you say, I haven't tried the controller and I could be surprised.
That said, I currently have a standard, wired 360 controller (with a terrible d-pad), as well as a 360 fightpad. I'd just hoped that Valve would offer something that could make both of those unneeded because of its pure awesomeness. It's just frustrating because a good d-pad is really all that's missing.
Those claiming that the "diamond layout of directional arrows" or whatever else you'd call it is "not a d-pad" aren't really fooling anyone. It's pretty obvious they just decided the symmetrical design is what they wanted. Maybe they think a d-pad is irrelevant to their target audience but it's still a d-pad.
The solution of where the d-pad functionality really is for 2D Platformers and Fighting Games hasn't changed at all between both revisions of the controller. Since that's the case, a bunch of extra buttons with misleading labels (For legacy support of the games that use it as function buttons) doesn't change how you play with it.
Looking weird is something that is not going to be easy to overcome given two large circular touchpads that look like eyes. I don't care personally, the idea of a controller is that of not thinking about what you're doing with your hands, so as long as the control is good I don't care what it looks like.
ashecitism
Member
fighting games with the old model
SSF4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjBVFcif2kE
SSF4 by gaffer Shalarn:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXIhXSBA41Q part 1(he didn't know you could rebind key)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPTaOEdXmsA part 2
Injustice again by him:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfLUgsjYoQc
SSF4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjBVFcif2kE
SSF4 by gaffer Shalarn:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXIhXSBA41Q part 1(he didn't know you could rebind key)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPTaOEdXmsA part 2
Injustice again by him:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfLUgsjYoQc
The Cowboy
Member
Love the look of most of it now, the track pads look great, the new central buttons look great (instead of the touch screen), the 4 main buttons look great - but the directional buttons look terrible. Just try it, grab your game pad (if you have one) and try to use the main 4 buttons like a directional pad, it feels terrible.
In saying that (regarding the d-pad), man alive does this look like the perfect Ttianfall controller (considering how the d-pad is used for that game).
In saying that (regarding the d-pad), man alive does this look like the perfect Ttianfall controller (considering how the d-pad is used for that game).
PaulExcellent
Member
I see what you mean. Believe me, I'm ridiculously picky when it comes to D-Pads and use a fightpad for most games, but I think that there's a chance the pads will work well as replacements. (Mostly for Street Fighter-like inputs.) A classic controller setup would be great, but since this controller targets a HUGE amount of genres, I can see why the buttons are like they are.
I'll be reading up on this more as this thread develops, as I don't have access to a Steam Controller, but it seems silly to see so many complain about the button layout without even trying it.
dat true wonderswan feel
From personal experience, the WSC was small enough and the buttons close enough together that I could comfortably rest my thumb on all four X or Y buttons. It was easy to hit diagonals or whatever I wanted. I haven't held the Steam controller, but I'm imagining trying to use the face buttons on existing controllers as a D-pad, and it doesn't feel nearly as good as a proper D-pad.
Dr. Benton Quest
Banned
Its secondary function is a D-pad. Those buttons are primarily for extra inputs (which is excellent for, mobas, grand strategy, and a large host of other genres).
Plus it doesn't really need one. There was an article a while back by someone on Team Meat who said the touchpad worked really well for 2D movement.
I think it's defects from a 3D printer. They aren't the final representation of the controller of course.
Why does it matter how often you use it when regards to how nice to make it?
Every button on a controller should be very satisfying to press, regardless of how much it's used. And if they really are analog, Valve's R&D are smoking crack. The crisp action and response is everything a gamepad button is.
I still can't believe Sony dropped the Vita dpad from the DS4. I'd like to slap whoever made that call.
Those face buttons and d-pad are going to be hell to use unless you go full d-pad and face buttons. The Wii-U controller is the same deal. Both analog sticks on top is really, really awkward to play with. Still a day one buy for me though. I really wish they would split the two back triggers into four individual buttons each. That would give you 6 additional buttons giving your fingers access to 12 buttons on the back of the controller instead of 6.
K
kittens
Unconfirmed Member
That looks wayyyyyy more approachable. Even if their old design was better, I think it was too foreign / different for people to even consider trying.
I thought part of the point of removing the touch screen was to make the controller more functional, but I guess their aim wasn't to improve between revisions then I suppose you can simply call them misleading labels.
The reason the controller exists is to natively work with the thousands of games that aren't compatible with the more recently introduced xinput standard and those that don't play well with controller. Oftentimes these two requirements aren't mutually exclusive either.
Keep in mind that the face buttons will be more useful for tertiary tasks, while the triggers back buttons will be for your primary actions. Another thing to remember is, this is the PC, if a certain controller is better for that particular game you are playing, fight stick, joystick, racing wheel, DS4, whatever, plug it in and use that.
I have a feeling the touchpad was removed to cut costs. Anyways, what was the point of the touchpad that isn't filled by standard buttons?
IsntChrisL
Member
It looks better. I kind of miss the little screen though. I'm glad that they're sticking with the circle pad position. Putting the thumb sticks on top was one of the best decisions made with the Wii U Gamepad/Pro Controller.