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Valve demonstrates Steam Controller [video]

joystiq.com

11–20 of 98 posts

Re: Valve demonstrates Steam Controller [video]

#12
post #5

I was really skeptical about this and I'm getting more and more skeptical. 1. See how he always lift his right hand thumb to reproduce the same movement, sometimes three times, just to go through the screen (in Civ5). 2. Also the fact that buttons get mapped like a "pie chart" on the trackpads could have been a good idea, but we need buttons. We forget the luxury of having buttons with all those new tactile screens b…

I feel it was a somewhat poor demonstration of the controller. Each demo was set up for a game without, or as if the game did not have, controller support. Games with controller support would make it feel more like a traditional console controller. No idea why did not show that aspect of it.

Re: Valve demonstrates Steam Controller [video]

#13
post #5

I was really skeptical about this and I'm getting more and more skeptical. 1. See how he always lift his right hand thumb to reproduce the same movement, sometimes three times, just to go through the screen (in Civ5). 2. Also the fact that buttons get mapped like a "pie chart" on the trackpads could have been a good idea, but we need buttons. We forget the luxury of having buttons with all those new tactile screens b…

1. It's like having your mouse on a tiny mousemat. As someone who once had a tiny mousemat, it works great for turn based games but anything real time is no fun at all. You can simulate this feeling right now by using a round beermat.

2. Something as simple as putting one tiny raised dot at each of the 4 main positions would make a huge difference.

Re: Valve demonstrates Steam Controller [video]

#14
post #5

I was really skeptical about this and I'm getting more and more skeptical. 1. See how he always lift his right hand thumb to reproduce the same movement, sometimes three times, just to go through the screen (in Civ5). 2. Also the fact that buttons get mapped like a "pie chart" on the trackpads could have been a good idea, but we need buttons. We forget the luxury of having buttons with all those new tactile screens b…

2. It looks like the pads are "pressable", so whilst they can react to touches, you can configure them to only react to presses. Not quite the same as buttons, but it might be good enough.

You might be interested in looking at Tommy Refenes thoughts on his testing of the steam controller prototype. He discusses using it to play his difficult platformer Super Meat Boy:

http://tommyrefenes.tumblr.com/post/62476523677/my-time-with...

Re: Valve demonstrates Steam Controller [video]

#15
post #11

I'd like to see a traditional platformer like rogue legacy played with this, and how the left pad compares

The developer of Super Meat Boy, which is a very precision-platformy game, talked about trying it: http://tommyrefenes.tumblr.com/post/62476523677/my-time-with...

Re: Valve demonstrates Steam Controller [video]

#17
post #12
post #5

I was really skeptical about this and I'm getting more and more skeptical. 1. See how he always lift his right hand thumb to reproduce the same movement, sometimes three times, just to go through the screen (in Civ5). 2. Also the fact that buttons get mapped like a "pie chart" on the trackpads could have been a good idea, but we need buttons. We forget the luxury of having buttons with all those new tactile screens b…

I feel it was a somewhat poor demonstration of the controller. Each demo was set up for a game without, or as if the game did not have, controller support. Games with controller support would make it feel more like a traditional console controller. No idea why did not show that aspect of it.

The video was called Steam Controller Demonstration 001. One might expect that some of those complaints will be addressed in later demonstrations.

Re: Valve demonstrates Steam Controller [video]

#18
post #13
post #5

I was really skeptical about this and I'm getting more and more skeptical. 1. See how he always lift his right hand thumb to reproduce the same movement, sometimes three times, just to go through the screen (in Civ5). 2. Also the fact that buttons get mapped like a "pie chart" on the trackpads could have been a good idea, but we need buttons. We forget the luxury of having buttons with all those new tactile screens b…

1. It's like having your mouse on a tiny mousemat. As someone who once had a tiny mousemat, it works great for turn based games but anything real time is no fun at all. You can simulate this feeling right now by using a round beermat. 2. Something as simple as putting one tiny raised dot at each of the 4 main positions would make a huge difference.

There are haptics, so it feels like you have a button on the trackpad even if one is not actually present.

Re: Valve demonstrates Steam Controller [video]

#19
post #12
post #5

I was really skeptical about this and I'm getting more and more skeptical. 1. See how he always lift his right hand thumb to reproduce the same movement, sometimes three times, just to go through the screen (in Civ5). 2. Also the fact that buttons get mapped like a "pie chart" on the trackpads could have been a good idea, but we need buttons. We forget the luxury of having buttons with all those new tactile screens b…

I feel it was a somewhat poor demonstration of the controller. Each demo was set up for a game without, or as if the game did not have, controller support. Games with controller support would make it feel more like a traditional console controller. No idea why did not show that aspect of it.

Probably because this controller is meant to allow you to play games with a controller that you traditionally couldn't.

Re: Valve demonstrates Steam Controller [video]

#20
post #8
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

1. If I can play Civ5 while sitting on my couch, I'll put up with it.

True, it look playable compared to what a joystick could offer. The real problem is going to be with platformers, fight games, third person games who relies heavily on buttons.

Its just a matter of using the right tool for the job. Plug in an xbox 360 controller for games where it makes the most sense. Use this steam controller for any game which you'd normally use mouse and keyboard for but want to play from the couch.
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