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Steam Controller

store.steampowered.com

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Re: Steam Controller

#241

Post by krisc »

anonymous wrote: post #234
paulgerhardt wrote: post #170

I got to hold one of these a few months ago. It's solid. The ergonomics are there. The same designer[1] was previously at {one of the other three very large gaming console manufacturers} and knows a thing or two about controllers. My understanding is it will be significantly more accurate than traditional joysticks and competitive with a mouse (with a mouse you have a single 'large' plane of motion, with this, you ha…

I don't see how my right thumb could be as precise as moving the mouse, which I do with all 5 of my fingers (for tiny movements) or from my shoulder (for larger movements). If thumb touchpads were good for FPS games, how come nobody is playing them with their thumb on their laptop's touchpad? Maybe I'm just old, but I don't see myself ever being able to use this.

A laptop's touchpad isn't a handheld controller. Using your thumb would feel awkward.

Re: Steam Controller

#242

Post by sbarre »

alexeisadeski3 wrote: post #238
comex wrote: post #229

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't doubt that this controller design likely won't cut it for precision FPS play. On the flipside, however, having a giant keyboard, plus a mousemat taking up space (and to work well, a mouse needs a significant amount of space) and flopping around when people sit up and down on the couch may work for hardcore gamers, but it's likely a non-starter for anyone else. Even if you integrated the mouse so it could be o…

Fair enough. I suppose my "complaint" is that they could do a better job of bridging the gap, but perhaps I am wrong. You do make a good point that the mouse+kb may be too cumbersome for some (most?) consoler switchers. I do wish that I could see what sort of solution Valve could come up with if forced to keep the primary mouse+kb, though. Some sort of streamlined solution which you partly imagine in your post.

A few friends and I once had imagined a keyboard with an attached mousepad and a mouse that was magnetically (or otherwise) attached to the pad, that prevented from falling off, so that you could rest it on your lap while sitting on the couch.

I always wondered if something like that would be possible.. So you'd have all your precision mouse movement without the akward balancing of loose things while sitting on the couch, or getting up and sitting down.

Re: Steam Controller

#243

Post by romaniv »

nilkn wrote: post #187
romaniv wrote: post #154

While this might be a good replacement for console controllers, I seriously doubt that it will be successful in replacing keyboard and mouse for FPSes, RTSes, point-and-click adventures and other genres that currently make PC game market interesting . Which makes me sad. Valve is effectively turning its back on the games (and gamers) that allowed it succeed despite competition from consoles. Personally, I am keenly i…

> Valve is effectively turning its back on the games (and gamers) that allowed it succeed despite competition from consoles. I don't see how they are turning their backs on anyone just because they're venturing into a new market segment. The current system, where people have both gaming PCs and separate gaming consoles, doesn't make a modicum of sense practically. It's just a vestige of old monopolies and corporate c…

I don't see how they are turning their backs on anyone just because they're venturing into a new market segment.

Same way Microsoft turned its back on PC game(r)s with it's "Games for Windows" brand, which really is "Games for XBox shabbily ported to Windows".

I thought one of the points of the Steam machines is that they're not locked down at all. Will it run games not distributed through Steam?

Re: Steam Controller

#244

Post by shurcooL » 

    > The Steam Community can use the configuration tool to create and share bindings
    > for their favorite games. Players can choose from a list of the most popular
    > configurations.
Finally, some real innovation for the "default controls" experience in games after 10+ years. Very nice. Instead of hard-coded controls that the devs put in, you'll start with a community-upvoted scheme that can evolve and get better over time.

Re: Steam Controller

#245

Post by romaniv »

Pxtl wrote: post #191
romaniv wrote: post #154

While this might be a good replacement for console controllers, I seriously doubt that it will be successful in replacing keyboard and mouse for FPSes, RTSes, point-and-click adventures and other genres that currently make PC game market interesting . Which makes me sad. Valve is effectively turning its back on the games (and gamers) that allowed it succeed despite competition from consoles. Personally, I am keenly i…

wat? That PC market is literally the entire point of this device . It's meant to get you mouse-like interactions on a handheld controller. If you want to sit down on the sofa and play a PC-style game? It's this brand new gamepad concept or nothing else . There is nothing like this thing (well, except maybe that crazy alpha-grip thingy, but that's freaking weird).

That PC market is literally the entire point of this device. This controller will not help you play Dwarf Fortress or ArmA, and you won't be able to use it to comfortably play any complicated RTSes either (because those need keyboard shortcuts to be bearable).

Re: Steam Controller

#246

Post by kefka »

spongle wrote: post #118
amalcon wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use the arrow keys.

Pretty good solution actually as well. Older ThinkPad keyboards have back and forward keys next to the arrows as well.

I have a T61 thinkpad, and love it. I use Linux on it solely. I have compiz bound to those forward and back arrows as cube_rotate_left and right. And I also run 8 desktops. Makes my world so much simpler in terms of organization of programs and flow.

Re: Steam Controller

#247

Post by metaphorm »

alexeisadeski3 wrote: post #217
notatoad wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They explicitly aren't trying to replace the mouse and keyboard. they're just trying to make an option available for people who want a controller. if you like a mouse and keyboard, good for you, keep using it. from the product page FAQ: " I’m a happy Steam customer happily using my happy mouse and keyboard. I don’t want a controller? You can’t make a sentence into a question by just putting a question-mark at the end…

Again, why not find a solution which incorporates mouse+kb instead of avoiding it? Would console-ers really be too put off by an elegant solution? And the problem here is not negligible. CoD series games will be miserable to play with a gamepad versus mouse+kb'ers, and those games would likely be quite popular on SteamBox.

I can think of two good reasons:

1. cultural expecations. consoles have controller gizmos. people expect it. its a different experience than just running an HDMI cable from your PC to a TV and calling it a day. Its a console. It lives next to your TV all the time. Its supposed to have a controller, because Nintendo's NES had one back in 1985. Cultural expectations and traditions are a powerful force.

2. there are many games that are actually superior to play with a controller than with a mouse and keyboard. Platformer games come to mind. Thats a major genre of consoles and always has been, and alot of indie game companies are exploring the genre again on the steam platform. At the moment I have to use an XBox controller plugged in to my PC to play. If Valve offered their own controller I'd gladly use it instead (assuming its good).

Re: Steam Controller

#248

Post by 3825 »

devx wrote: post #232
alexeisadeski3 wrote: post #196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> For Valve to bring PC gaming to your TV/Couch, they really needed to nail the interface. I don't understand the problem with traditional mouse+kb for couch gaming. I've been using it for years and haven't encountered any drawbacks (using wireless mouse+kb combo). Am able to play online FPS and RTS, both of which require extreme precision and extreme low latency, at very high levels. You use a solid mousemat, place…

You can have a laid back, more clutter-free experience with a controller in front of a TV - and the TV experience is meant to be laid back , anyway.

I mostly agree with you but to play the devil's advocate... if it is a game I love, I am usually at the edge of my seat (probably a bad idea ergonomically)

Re: Steam Controller

#249

Post by metaphorm »

joenathan wrote: post #169
Arjuna wrote: post #124

"Steam gamers, who are used to the input associated with PCs, will appreciate that the Steam Controller's resolution approaches that of a desktop mouse." [...] "The Steam Controller is built around a new generation of super-precise haptic feedback, employing dual linear resonant actuators. These small, strong, weighted electro-magnets are attached to each of the dual trackpads." Wow. It sounds as though they have man…

How would one play something like Street Fighter with this controller, the button placement seems like it wouldn't allow for a good experience with fighters or even platformers.

I think it will work very well for platformers actually. Those games usually have just 2-4 buttons. There are definitely 4 easily accessible front face buttons.

Fighting games will probably still require an arcade stick. I've tried playing these games with an Xbox controller, and while it certainly works better than a keyboard, it still sucks. Gotta have the stick.

Re: Steam Controller

#250

Post by Pxtl »

romaniv wrote: post #245
Pxtl wrote: post #191

Earlier quoted context omitted.

wat? That PC market is literally the entire point of this device . It's meant to get you mouse-like interactions on a handheld controller. If you want to sit down on the sofa and play a PC-style game? It's this brand new gamepad concept or nothing else . There is nothing like this thing (well, except maybe that crazy alpha-grip thingy, but that's freaking weird).

That PC market is literally the entire point of this device. This controller will not help you play Dwarf Fortress or ArmA, and you won't be able to use it to comfortably play any complicated RTSes either (because those need keyboard shortcuts to be bearable).

So does TF2. So does DOTA2. Valve is going to be targeting that group, obviously. And unlike TF2, RTS games don't need the left touchpad to be a movement-stick - you could cram an assload of gesture-based stuff in there.
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