Valve has quietly uploaded a Steam Controller unboxing video to the Steam platform. However, the video is currently unavailable for viewing, as attempting to play it results in a "This video has not been processed for streaming" message. This occurred late last night when one of the Valve watchers n...
I love my steam controller, but to me it wasn’t a good replacement for controller games. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great and the ONLY alternative to play non-controller games (and I put FPS games in this category), but trying to play most games that waere actually designed for a controller always felt off. The lack of a proper d-pad made it worse for pixel perfect games like Dead Cells, and while the track pad is great for aiming by emulating a mouse and adding gyro, most games also use the thumb stick for mini-games or something that feels weird with the track pad. And yes, I know I could setup layers to solve that, but it’s just easier to grab another controller.
On the other hand, since I held my Steam Deck I’ve been wanting a controller that was the exact same thing. It works 100% like a normal controller, plus has 2 trackpads and 4 back buttons. They fixed every single issue I had with the OG controller, kept everything I loved about it, and even added some things I didn’t knew I needed (extra back buttons, capacitive gyro, etc).
Mostly yes, but it wasn’t flawless. Those trackpads are quite loud (compared to the Deck), the ABXY buttons are a bit too small and awkwardly placed, and there are just many times that I want a second thumbstick. Also it lacks touch-to-engage for the gyro but that’s a newer invention.
I think the most impressive innovation came from pairing it with Steam Input. That system is still wildly underappreciated; it’s what lets you turn the trackpads into things like custom radial menus.
Oh, maybe they added it later! Pretty cool if so. It just means you can tilt the controller without affecting the gyro until your thumbs are on the pads or joysticks. It’s configurable on the Deck.
I have extras (used, good shape) if you’re serious and want to discuss in DMs.
Not a scam, I just bought 4 when they unloaded the old stock cheap and would entertain giving you one.
Not new from Valve, they haven’t sold or made any more since 2019. You either bought it second hand or from some third-party shop that just had some left in stock.
I have it. The original Steam Controller is not really a good controller in my opinion. It has huge flaws, such as holding it for longer period of time starts hurting my hands, the missing dpad and missing second stick, and the weird sound it makes when using the touchpads.
I hate shooters on console, but shooters on console with tilt-aiming are way more palatable for me. Only way I managed to play BOTW on Switch and Horizon: Zero Dawn on PS4.
How do you use yours? I have a couple, and have never managed to figure out how to get them to pair properly to either my Mac or my Linux machine. I mean, they pair, but then I can’t really seem to use them for much.
I felt like replacing one of the two sticks with a trackpad just ended up being the worst of both worlds. You don’t get the accuracy of using a mouse and you don’t get any of the design benefits of having twin sticks. The vast majority of controller supported games are designed with twin sticks in mind. Crimson Desert is a great example from recent memory because I can’t imagine doing circular motions on the right trackpad, which is what you need to do for one skill and the fishing minigame. My thumbs are too lazy for that. But with a stick that’s easy enough to do. Overall fighting games are harder, flying games are harder, twin-stick shooters are almost impossible. Any game that requires some stick-like movements from the right stick instantly get harder to play.
I’m not hating on the Steam Controller, there were quite a lot of innovations I would’ve loved with twin stick controller. The return of the twin sticks is the main reason I’m excited for the controller. I’m also happy with the Dpad coming back because I always felt that was also somewhat clunky on the first controller. Overall I think this one might end up being GOATed.
Lmao. More like 60% of people know that replacing sticks with trackpads was an awful idea. Valve tried too hard and failed, and they know they failed by the looks of it
I still hold firm that the first steam controller is GOATed and it only failed because the world wasn’t ready for it yet.
I love my steam controller, but to me it wasn’t a good replacement for controller games. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great and the ONLY alternative to play non-controller games (and I put FPS games in this category), but trying to play most games that waere actually designed for a controller always felt off. The lack of a proper d-pad made it worse for pixel perfect games like Dead Cells, and while the track pad is great for aiming by emulating a mouse and adding gyro, most games also use the thumb stick for mini-games or something that feels weird with the track pad. And yes, I know I could setup layers to solve that, but it’s just easier to grab another controller.
On the other hand, since I held my Steam Deck I’ve been wanting a controller that was the exact same thing. It works 100% like a normal controller, plus has 2 trackpads and 4 back buttons. They fixed every single issue I had with the OG controller, kept everything I loved about it, and even added some things I didn’t knew I needed (extra back buttons, capacitive gyro, etc).
Mostly yes, but it wasn’t flawless. Those trackpads are quite loud (compared to the Deck), the ABXY buttons are a bit too small and awkwardly placed, and there are just many times that I want a second thumbstick. Also it lacks touch-to-engage for the gyro but that’s a newer invention.
I think the most impressive innovation came from pairing it with Steam Input. That system is still wildly underappreciated; it’s what lets you turn the trackpads into things like custom radial menus.
I like the loud
There was touch-to-engage with the gyros tied to the touchpads, I still use it today. Unless I’m not understanding what that means.
Oh, maybe they added it later! Pretty cool if so. It just means you can tilt the controller without affecting the gyro until your thumbs are on the pads or joysticks. It’s configurable on the Deck.
I still have mine and I agree. Though I do like the changes on this new one to more mirror the steamdeck.
I wish I could get an original one, but the new one being in line with the deck is great because the deck is ergonomic as duck!
I have extras (used, good shape) if you’re serious and want to discuss in DMs. Not a scam, I just bought 4 when they unloaded the old stock cheap and would entertain giving you one.
Why can’t you get an original one?
Valve got sued by a patent troll over the back buttons.
Fuck SCUF and Corsair
But I just bought an original one
Not new from Valve, they haven’t sold or made any more since 2019. You either bought it second hand or from some third-party shop that just had some left in stock.
No one said new
You can get them for pretty reasonable prices on eBay. I got mine last year for like $60
I have it. The original Steam Controller is not really a good controller in my opinion. It has huge flaws, such as holding it for longer period of time starts hurting my hands, the missing dpad and missing second stick, and the weird sound it makes when using the touchpads.
It also failed because they had to stop producing it due to some patent troll.
This. Fuck SCUF and their owners Corsair
Back buttons are an obvious modification kf previous designs; they aren’t patentable.
I use mine every day. Also, it never failed.
What do you use it for? The only game I found that worked really well was Metroid Prime (after a ton of tweaking)
Every controller game, and select mouse ones. It’s especially good at FPS games over a normal controller thanks to it’s gyro.
Ooo. You can use the tilt to aim? That sounds amazing.
I hate shooters on console, but shooters on console with tilt-aiming are way more palatable for me. Only way I managed to play BOTW on Switch and Horizon: Zero Dawn on PS4.
Yeah so you use the pads for normal aiming and refine with the gyro. It works well tho takes time to get used to it.
How do you use yours? I have a couple, and have never managed to figure out how to get them to pair properly to either my Mac or my Linux machine. I mean, they pair, but then I can’t really seem to use them for much.
The thing that killed it for me is that the touch pads were just terrible as replacements for the dpad and right analog stick
no
I felt like replacing one of the two sticks with a trackpad just ended up being the worst of both worlds. You don’t get the accuracy of using a mouse and you don’t get any of the design benefits of having twin sticks. The vast majority of controller supported games are designed with twin sticks in mind. Crimson Desert is a great example from recent memory because I can’t imagine doing circular motions on the right trackpad, which is what you need to do for one skill and the fishing minigame. My thumbs are too lazy for that. But with a stick that’s easy enough to do. Overall fighting games are harder, flying games are harder, twin-stick shooters are almost impossible. Any game that requires some stick-like movements from the right stick instantly get harder to play.
I’m not hating on the Steam Controller, there were quite a lot of innovations I would’ve loved with twin stick controller. The return of the twin sticks is the main reason I’m excited for the controller. I’m also happy with the Dpad coming back because I always felt that was also somewhat clunky on the first controller. Overall I think this one might end up being GOATed.
I agree, although I believe it was:
60% society not ready for the awesome
40% people with small hands
Lmao. More like 60% of people know that replacing sticks with trackpads was an awful idea. Valve tried too hard and failed, and they know they failed by the looks of it
100% reason to remember the name.
But also:
RIP Chester