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Valve releases Steam Controller CAD files under Creative Commons license

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Re: Valve releases Steam Controller CAD files under Creative Commons license

#201

Post by bsimpson »

j_maffe wrote: post #139
bsimpson wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure that's Valve's fault. Windows is designed for gamepads to emulate an Xbox controller. All those Steam Deck competitors are implemented as an Xbox controller with a partial keyboard grafted on. That's why you need Legion Space or Armoury Crate to make them usable - they tell the controller firmware what keybindings to send for those rear paddles. InputPlumber serves this purpose on Linux. Without it, you…

> Considering Steam is the launcher most people use for most games, that's a totally reasonable tack. That's exactly how you create a walled garden. You build a garden. Get people in. Then wall it up.

It's an ecosystem problem though.

If all the games respected HID and Valve did something proprietary, I would understand the skepticism. The truth is that most games are engineered with platform integration (e.g. for achievements, controller mapping, etc.), and fallback to the Xbox API. It's reasonable for Valve to sell a controller that takes full advantage of their platform.

Also, Valve's primary OS is Linux-based. There's surely either already a module upstream in the kernel or one is coming soon. That is: open source software to take full advantage of this controller. That's not the same thing as a walled garden.

Re: Valve releases Steam Controller CAD files under Creative Commons license

#202

Post by kbelder »

iknowstuff wrote: post #73
bluetidepro wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't fully understand this narrative that is going around about scalpers and the controller. So many people online are claiming it was only scalpers who were able to purchase one. I am also not a scalper (as someone else said), and was able to purchase one. We don't know how many they actually had in stock in total but let's say it's around 30K, from what I have searched on eBay and other reselling sites it would…

It’s hard to participate in any gaming communities because you quickly realize they’re all kids who have no idea about markets but they all talk like foremost experts on every subject

Future HN posters in training.

Re: Valve releases Steam Controller CAD files under Creative Commons license

#203

Post by montecarl »

They also did this for the original steam controller, which I used a lot. When the back panel broke (its a trigger and battery cover) I was able to 3d print a replacement that has held up great.

https://steamcommunity.com/games/353370/announcements/detail...

Re: Valve releases Steam Controller CAD files under Creative Commons license

#204

Post by rowanG077 »

SXX wrote: post #116
kay_o wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As that has done both sides of games, I would like to propose some doubts for people to consider on that is dissimilar to the standard b2b saas; for to clarity I'm not saying 30% is good - One chargeback for your 5$ game can consume you 55$ or more, handful and you permanently lose the ability to accept the payment anywhere including future businesses outside of games - Amount of people that will take parents cards i…

> They don't take flat 30% for almost a decade now Yes Valve is very generous. They take MORE from developers who make LESS money. I sure bottom 98% of developers never sell above $10,000,000 to decrease cut from 30% to 25%. Very few indie devs or small indie studios ever sell over 50,000-100,000 copies. PS: In practice if your project funded by publisher it means that you as developer will make less money from a gam…

> PS: In practice if your project funded by publisher it means that you as developer will make less money from a game than Valve.

So that essentially means a publisher takes even more than valve, while doing almost nothing.

Re: Valve releases Steam Controller CAD files under Creative Commons license

#205

Post by ThatPlayer »

bsimpson wrote: post #201
j_maffe wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Considering Steam is the launcher most people use for most games, that's a totally reasonable tack. That's exactly how you create a walled garden. You build a garden. Get people in. Then wall it up.

It's an ecosystem problem though. If all the games respected HID and Valve did something proprietary, I would understand the skepticism. The truth is that most games are engineered with platform integration (e.g. for achievements, controller mapping, etc.), and fallback to the Xbox API. It's reasonable for Valve to sell a controller that takes full advantage of their platform. Also, Valve's primary OS is Linux-based.…

Seeing as the original Steam Controllers kernel drivers were community reverse engineered rather than Valve contributed, I don't know if I believe in them to make one for the new one either: https://www.phoronix.com/news/Steam-Controller-RE-Kernel

Re: Valve releases Steam Controller CAD files under Creative Commons license

#206

Post by [deleted] »

tencentshill wrote: post #128
poisonborz wrote: post #29

Even if Valve and Steam is great and overall a blessing for the PC space, I don't like the direction they take with this controller. It only works with Steam, it can't work on a desktop OS without it, despite standard layout. It is a subtle move towards a walled garden.

It has an on-device fallback mode when Steam isn't running, and you can program (from steam) how it appears to the OS in that mode. It was originally developed for people plugging in their own PCs to a TV, so operates as a trackpad by default. Would your preference to be for them to release a Steam Controller programming app on every platform? Push Microsoft to integrate its extended functionality with Windows xinput…

[deleted]

Re: Valve releases Steam Controller CAD files under Creative Commons license

#207

Post by j_maffe »

FloatArtifact wrote: post #194
jvanderbot wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm endorsing my side. Not Steam's side, or the creator's side. Maybe their business model is awful, but I love what they do, and what they have done. They have made my linux machine a top tier gaming option, freeing me from the only use of windows left. They have brought me the steam deck, which has a thriving accessory market due to their creative commons licensing. Etc etc. They are pro consumer. I want steam to c…

Regarding the 30% cut. Developers can actually generate steam keys and publish them on third-party sites which can be redeemed by users on Steam. Developers then get 100% of the profit.

But they're only limited to 5000 keys. beyond that requires special approval, which is not given if the game is being sold more outside Steam than inside.

Re: Valve releases Steam Controller CAD files under Creative Commons license

#208

Post by ux266478 »

eNV25 wrote: post #199
nerdjon wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It only works with Steam, it can't work on a desktop OS without it I was very curious about this, No video I saw even said anything about the Steam Software being needed, and is extremely disappointing, on my computer I make a point that I only have steam running if I am playing a steam game. If I am not it is not running and it does not auto start. Now if it works with steam closed, I am slightly more ok with it b…

This is a windows issue, not a hardware issue.

It's a specific Windows issue too, and not unique to the steam controller. Xinput doesn't work with generic USB controllers, because you know, Microsoft. Hence why you need cope software for Sony controllers.

Valve does deserve criticism for the royal pain certain things are though. For example non-technical users will absolutely struggle to get Proton working without Steam, the process in doing so is purposefully kept undocumented and esoteric. There's 100% a little bit of undesirable obfuscation Valve does to push you towards just using Steam to run their OSS. It's definitely non-Free in the purist sense.

Re: Valve releases Steam Controller CAD files under Creative Commons license

#210

Post by uncircle »

benbristow wrote: post #190
herpdyderp wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sometimes I wonder what we did to deserve Valve and how long it can possibly last.

Privately owned company, GabeN is getting on a bit now, he does have a son mind, we'll see what happens later on.

He has three, that's a good redundancy plan.
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