Valve demonstrates Steam Controller [video]

Post by alan_cx » Sat, Oct 12, 2013, 7:16 AM UTC

Steko wrote: post #67

bbx wrote: post #51

Valve's main objective was probably to replicate the keyboard/mouse combo rather than improve or alter the standard joystick gamepad (like the X360 Controller). In the end, it looks like a controller halfway between these 2 types of input. The main problem with a controller-based "mouse" (and it shows in the video) is that you control the cursor with only your thumb rather than your full hand gently set down on your…

"I guess we'll never obtain a perfect alternative to the mouse" Because Valve's first effort doesn't completely replace a mouse? That seems a bit defeatist. "control the cursor with only your thumb rather than your full hand " Control with the thumb vs hand isn't the problem so much as that thumbs are not pointy like mouse lasers. Valve should look at adding a tiny fingertip digitizer. Of course they are still lackin…

Post by banachtarski » Sat, Oct 12, 2013, 8:28 AM UTC

jotm wrote: post #82

haberman wrote: post #74

I have never been able to get good at using analog sticks with FPSs. I'm so bad at it that if the game doesn't have auto-aim, I basically can't enjoy the game because I am sucking so badly. The problem for me is that the analog sticks are velocity-based; ie. you don't get to control the position directly, you can only control the first derivative of the position, the velocity. That means instead of just moving the co…

I can't believe that the trackball (very old tech might I say) hasn't replaced the analog sticks yet! People have already modded controllers with a trackball, and it works great for the most part, bringing the best of both worlds together, yet Sony and Microsoft still insist on using analog sticks...

Post by thu » Sat, Oct 12, 2013, 8:58 AM UTC

banachtarski wrote: post #83

jotm wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't believe that the trackball (very old tech might I say) hasn't replaced the analog sticks yet! People have already modded controllers with a trackball, and it works great for the most part, bringing the best of both worlds together, yet Sony and Microsoft still insist on using analog sticks...

The reason is because it doesn't work. How do you walk forward continuously for a long stretch? Do you roll it to some position and keep it there? Do you keep rolling?

Post by emil0r » Sat, Oct 12, 2013, 10:02 AM UTC

thu wrote: post #85

banachtarski wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The reason is because it doesn't work. How do you walk forward continuously for a long stretch? Do you roll it to some position and keep it there? Do you keep rolling?

Yet you have two such analog sticks. But usually only one is used the way you describe, to keep walking continuously. The other is usually used to rotate a bit, to look around you. So it seems having an analog stick on the left of the controller and a track ball on the right would be nice.

Post by oblio » Sat, Oct 12, 2013, 11:06 AM UTC

emil0r wrote: post #87

thu wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yet you have two such analog sticks. But usually only one is used the way you describe, to keep walking continuously. The other is usually used to rotate a bit, to look around you. So it seems having an analog stick on the left of the controller and a track ball on the right would be nice.

The rollers for the tracking ball would collect a lot of dust. Could be one reason they opted out of it. Cleaning the rollers for the track ball every other week to get a smooth feeling would quickly become bothersome, contrary to the nice feeling of relaxation or thrill the console is supposed to give you.