Valve has released a video demonstrating its Steam Controller, a handheld gaming controller that will eventually be compatible with many Steam games, including popular titles like Portal, Counterstrike and Team Fortress.
The Steam Controller is designed to work with all the games on Steam: past, present, and future. Even the older titles in the catalog and the ones which were not built with controller support. (We’ve fooled those older games into thinking they’re being played with a keyboard and mouse, but we’ve designed a gamepad that’s nothing like either one of those devices.) We think you’ll agree that we’re onto something with the Steam Controller
The Steam Controller includes a touch screen in the center of the device with a pair of trackpads around the outside using "super-precise" haptic feedback and "dual linear resonant actuators" to deliver a range of force and vibration feedback sensations.
The Steam Controller is currently in beta and is designed to work primarily with the Steam Machine set-top box. It will also work with any PC version of Steam, including Steam for Mac.
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Ew, Steam.
-said no one, ever.So... this is like a combination of a keyboard/mouse and a controller that isn't actually as good as either.
Gotcha.
Works better than a controller for keyboard and mouse games, so it does have a purpose. Plus, it being inferior to a standard controller is opinionated.
So... this is like a combination of a keyboard/mouse and a controller that isn't actually as good as either.
Oh dear, we need to sit down for a talk... #SomeoneIsWrongOnTheInternetGotcha.
This isn't by any means a replacement for the keyboard and mouse; it's an option for PC gamers who want to play on the couch in front of their big-screen TV instead of on their computer monitors. It's also for people like me who prefer to use a mouse and keyboard for some PC games (Deus Ex: Human Revolution, StarCraft 2, PlanetSide 2) and prefer to use a controller for other games (Crysis 2, Skyrim, Dishonored).
Valve wants to expand their Steam service into the livingroom instead of the seclusion of one's bedroom or laptop. And in order to do that, they have to have a controller that not only works with every PC game, (like the Steam controller does) but one that's made by them and not a third party like Microsoft or Sony or Logitech. So, they made their own controller with an incredibly bold and modular design.
But if you don't like it, you don't have to use it! ;)
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The Six Axis already works pretty good out of the box in OSX, better than in windows. I actually haven't been able to use it in windows at all. I also have GamePad Companion that I can use to remap all the keys. That was only $5 so that's better than having to go out and buy another gamepad when I already have a perfectly somewhat already working one.
Sixaxis works great in OSX? Hmmm... I should try that out.And yeah, I hear you on your second point. I already have a perfectly functional wired Xbox 360 controller that works great when I use Windows 7 through bootcamp. So I don't have a real need for the Steam controller (which could very well cost upwards of $70 for all I know *insert joke about Steam sales here*) but I'm still excited about the fact that it's provided as an option for gamers to use. :)
It'll probably work for most games, but for competitive FPS, mouse is still going to win. This is essentially turning mobile phone control back onto a controller..
This has something touchscreens currently don't: haptics. Playing games on your iPhone is just you sliding your thumb across a perfectly flat piece of glass. There's no feedback whatsoever. This controller? Some way, some how, it manages to give you what you expect despite being perfectly flat. I bet something's clicky in it.
Don't believe me? Just listen to what the Team Meat guy has to say about it (http://tommyrefenes.tumblr.com/post/62476523677/my-time-with-the-steam-controller). If you can play Super Meat Boy on this thing without any issues, it's a good controller.
Gotcha.