You can sign up to get a daily email of our articles, see the Mailing List page.
We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

Valve's Newest Controller Design Looks Solid

By - | Views: 18,897
We are a little bit late on this as we are still doing our post-Christmas catch-up, but it looks like Valve hid a new Steam Controller design in their Steam client downloads.

You can find the newest design in "steam/tenfoot/resource/images/library/controller" and look for the file named "controller_config_controller.png".

New Design
tagline-image

Previous Design
image

The only real change is the d-pad style up, down, left and right sections on the left pad, but what could that mean? Is it possible they have placed buttons underneath the pad in those specific locations, or is it simply a styling change to help you quickly glance to your thumb position?

I think it looks pretty solid now, and sadly a few other "big" sites are clamouring over it saying it's copying the 360 controller, but unless they remove the touch-pads it's still going to be pretty revolutionary as far as game-pads go. The way you use it will still be very different.

This is one bit of hardware I will be selling myself for to play with. I just want to see how FPS games perform without using a mouse, or a stick in my hands.

What do you think? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
0 Likes
About the author -
author picture
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.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
28 comments
Page: 1/3»
  Go to:

StianTheDark Jan 7, 2015
I have *never* used a controller on PC, so this will be interesting ;) I plan on buying this when it comes out, so I can emulate mouse and keyboard. Especially for things like Skyrim in Wine, where even if it has controller support, you need to emulate ;)
minj Jan 7, 2015
*insert 'shut up and take my money' pic here*
FergleFergleson Jan 7, 2015
QuoteWhat do you think?

I want to see a retail price, and I want to know when I can get it. Can I just plug it in to any ol' linux PC, or will it only work (out of the box) with a steam machine?

But generally speaking, I like what I'm seeing. As long as the price-point on the controller (and the machine) aren't too painful I plan on getting both. (that is, a steam machine for the living room, and an additional controller for my PC in the office)
micha Jan 7, 2015
I think adding an analog stick was very bad decision. They should just replace that one with a D-pad as they had it before. I mean either the (left) touch area is superior to the analog stick in which case you don't need one or it isn't and I will use my Dual Shock 4 (which works with Linux out of the box when plugged in) since I much prefer to symmetric sticks. Well, we'll see maybe my intuition is wrong but currently I'm much less impressed compared to the first two iterations of its design.
oldrocker99 Jan 7, 2015
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
NOT a controller user; you can pry my keyboard and mouse from my cold, dead fingers.:D

Not that I won't look at the Steam controller; it may be just what I do need. Besides, Gabe Newell still needs some Linux love.
Segata Sanshiro Jan 7, 2015
Yeah, I'm wondering what they've done to the left pad too. Looks pretty interesting. Wish they would just release it now, it's holding everything up. I really wish they had waited a bit or been a bit more strict with the OEMs considering there's already two "Steam Machines" out there on sale running Windows. If this doesn't quite go as planned, then I think that will play a big part.

Fingers crossed though that it's a huge success. I'm getting the controller either way.
Maokei Jan 7, 2015
Quoting: michaI think adding an analog stick was very bad decision. They should just replace that one with a D-pad as they had it before. I mean either the (left) touch area is superior to the analog stick in which case you don't need one or it isn't and I will use my Dual Shock 4 (which works with Linux out of the box when plugged in) since I much prefer to symmetric sticks. Well, we'll see maybe my intuition is wrong but currently I'm much less impressed compared to the first two iterations of its design.

I do agree with that the analog stick is kind good and bad but id rather not have it but I understand why they did it, im guessing that it has allot to do with that many games are made to work great with the xbox 360 controller and they want to fill that and do something different at the same time that sets the valve controller apart from the rest.

If you are supposed to use the controller in the couch where is the 3,5 mm jack for the headset? I think allot of people that are coming over from the console side of things are going to expect something to fill that void without too much hazzle.
Guest Jan 7, 2015
Quoting: michaI think adding an analog stick was very bad decision. They should just replace that one with a D-pad as they had it before. I mean either the (left) touch area is superior to the analog stick in which case you don't need one or it isn't and I will use my Dual Shock 4 (which works with Linux out of the box when plugged in) since I much prefer to symmetric sticks. Well, we'll see maybe my intuition is wrong but currently I'm much less impressed compared to the first two iterations of its design.

QFT. Fighting games do *not* work with analog sticks, and I have my doubts they'll work with touchpads either. Not to say I won't be getting the controller, but I *really* want that analog stick dropped and the four-button d-pad added back on.
WorMzy Jan 7, 2015
Quoting: FergleFergleson
QuoteWhat do you think?

I want to see a retail price, and I want to know when I can get it. Can I just plug it in to any ol' linux PC, or will it only work (out of the box) with a steam machine?

But generally speaking, I like what I'm seeing. As long as the price-point on the controller (and the machine) aren't too painful I plan on getting both. (that is, a steam machine for the living room, and an additional controller for my PC in the office)
Assuming you run on an recent(-ish) kernel, it should work OOTB on any Linux distribution.

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTU4OTM
Ignis Jan 7, 2015
> Not ABC/XYZ

Nope. Don't need it :}

EDIT: BTW, you really should display more comments per page…
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.