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Valve Announces New Controller For SteamOS, Steam Controller

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Valve has unveiled the final announcement and it's a controller and it's a very peculiar looking device.

image
Just look at that thing!

I cannot wait to try that ugly thing out to see how it really fares, who knows it could offer better precision than a mouse, but I do still somehow doubt that.

They say they will be tricking all older games into thinking it's using a Mouse & Keyboard when really it will be using the controller, will be interesting to see how that works exactly for titles that don't support the controller.

It features a touchscreen in the centre of it much like the Playstation 4 controller, unlike other consoles controllers it comes a lot more buttons, 16 buttons in fact, wow that's a lot. The screen in the middle won't divert your attention away from your game like the WiiU as any action you take on it will have an overlay on the big screen too for your action, that's awesome.
I am terribly glad they didn't go the WiiU way, trying to play that looking up and down making my neck like a yo-yo does get a little tiresome after a while.

The biggest thing yet again is how open the hardware will be, they want you to do stuff with it:
QuoteThe Steam Controller was designed from the ground up to be hackable.

So who will be the first to mod it? That will be a fun claim to fame that's for sure.

They won't be getting rid of Mouse & Keyboard support either so worry not, they want you to use whatever device makes you happy for input.

I doubt anyone is really surprised by this news considering Gabe Newell of Valve did state before they were working on controllers, even the previous announcement stated they would have more info on controllers soon so I guess it was a given they were going to show us a controller as announcement #3.

What are your thoughts? The more I look at it, the more I'm starting to love it. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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29 comments
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Xodetaetl Sep 27, 2013
Quoteit could offer better precision than a mouse, but I do still somehow doubt that.
It cannot. Simply because a fat thumb moving on a 2-3cm surface is less precise than five fingers controlling a laser on a 5 to 10cm surface.
I'm surprised they didn't come up with something really innovative. Actually, aside from the pads instead of sticks it looks... very standard.

Quotegames like first-person shooters that are designed around precise aiming within a large visual field now benefit from the trackpads’ high resolution and absolute position control
What ??? Like a pen tablet ? It sounds incredibly unusable.

I'm still interested in this controller, I think they will eventually come up with something a little bit better than any other existing pad. I think I will use this in combination with the Rift. (Because sadly I guess that using a keyboard without seeing it at all can be quite difficult at times).
Anonymous Sep 27, 2013
Quoting: Quote from glidderI'd love if they port Civ V to Linux, but bear in mind that Steam Machines have the ability to stream from any other machine running steam to the TV, so that image means nothing.
Civ V is already ported to Mac so I would bet it's not too expensive for them to do a Linux port. They just need to see enough demand. With Steam OS that is probably the tipping point. In addition, I don't think Valve would advertise the controller with the game if it is going to be streamed only.
Lord Avallon Sep 28, 2013
I liked it very much, I don´t think it´s ugly, in my opinion it´s beautiful, stylish and futuristic, but I have to say that I always use keyboard and mouse for FPSs, I can only judge the look of it, by the picture I could speculate it is confortable, but I can only confirm this after trying, I like the quantity of buttons, the touch screen, it´s a complete project in my point of view and I want to test it to see what can I get from it, but so far so good for me!
Nerv Sep 28, 2013
Here is an interesting writeup of a test session with the Steam controller (by Tommy Refenes, the linux hating programmer of Super Meat Boy):

http://tommyrefenes.tumblr.com/post/62476523677/my-time-with-the-steam-controller
PKM Sep 28, 2013
Quoting: Quote from DrMcCoyWow, this is the ugliest and stupidest thing I've ever seen and heard.
And I'm even not that hostile to gamepads in general; I've got a Logitech Dual Action I like to use for certain games...
For me it could look like a turd, as long as its comfortable, I'm not into fashion when it comes to controllers, sorry. Unless you already know its uncomfortable, but in that case you must be a wizard.
Xodetaetl Sep 28, 2013
Quoting: Quote from NervHere is an interesting writeup of a test session with the Steam controller (by Tommy Refenes, the linux hating programmer of Super Meat Boy):
http://tommyrefenes.tumblr.com/post/62476523677/my-time-with-the-steam-controller
Interesting but I'd be more interested in a perfectionist's test on typical keyboard+mouse games.
PKM Sep 28, 2013
Quoting: Quote from DrMcCoyEh, I really don't think a gamepad, however it's shaped, will ever be non-awkward for FPS.
But okay, I'll hold my judgement there until I got a chance to try it, even though I for one don't want a gamepad for FPS.

Still, with that touchscreen there, I doubt I can get that thing for anywhere near the 20€ I paid for my Logitech gamepad, right?
Oh, I didnt see that comment, apologies for my last one.
Sslaxx Sep 28, 2013
Yes, price could be a major stumbling block. I'd just hope it'd be less than £100.
Seth Oct 11, 2013
The Controller sure looks pretty cool can't wait to try it out. The open hardware approach is very appealing. In case you want to be a part of the action, we can help you with training programs at Firebox Training
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