50°

Why skeptics should embrace Valve’s new Steam controller

A week has passed since Valve announced its Steam controller, which resembles a speaker more than a gamepad and has left many skeptical of its quality. Technology has changed over the years, and the merging of touch and button controls makes a lot of sense today.

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venturebeat.com
UltimateMaster3847d ago

Skeptics should just try the controller first and see if it's good for them or not.

Tidybrutes3847d ago

A big portion of the online gaming community are quick to judge things before they try them unfortunatley.

-Foxtrot3847d ago (Edited 3847d ago )

and most of the time they are right.

As Wintersun616 has said below it's totally fine when people are saying it's good WITHOUT trying it but saying it wouldn't work and looks crap with analogue sticks isn't allowed.

Come on

This will only get the benefit of the doubt because it's Valve.

DigitalAnalog3847d ago

Except that, we already have impressions with developers and every single one of that has had a positive thing to say about the controller. So, while the opposing argument can be relevant, it is, as of now not in the winning position.

aliengmr3847d ago

@-Foxtrot

Why does this matter to you? We get it, you hate this controller.

You like the controller you have, that's just fine, what does that have to do with Valve releasing one?

Seems odd that you're debating something that you have no interest it at all.

-Foxtrot3847d ago

@aliengmr

Why do you care then, don't like my comment then ignore it

I don't get how people can say good things about something on this site over and over and over again BUT when people say negative things it's a big no no

Your just coming of as someone who loves Valve or loves what they are doing, trying to defend it and getting p***** off every time you see a bad comment directed at the product. I don't see people who hate it telling people like you off so why is it the other way round.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3847d ago
Wintersun6163847d ago

So, it's wrong to judge it before trying, but it's ok to approve it before trying?

Right.

Not hating on the controller, just taking a neutral stance here until I've tried it myself.

UltimateMaster3847d ago

I haven't said that.
We are both neutral on this until we actually try it.
I'm just the glass half full kind of guy.

jackanderson19853847d ago

i'll be willing to give it a go no doubt but i'm already biased towards the current crop of controllers and it'll take something special for me to embrace this as the norm... then again weirder things have happened

WeAreLegion3847d ago

After reading up on the controller, I'm sold. If analog sticks were still better than these pads with more advanced feedback, I'm sure Valve would have stuck with analog sticks.

These pads could be something we see on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox...Two.

iamnsuperman3847d ago (Edited 3847d ago )

I think these pads would work for certain types of games but I feel for a large proportion of game genres out there it won't. I have used haptic feedback in other products but for things like driving games or shooters or things that require quick reflex type of motion this type of control scheme just doesn't work. I know a lot see Valve as the all might ones of the gaming world but I think this will not work so well.

Also the button layout is just dumb (I am going to say that will change by the final product. It just can't work with games that require two button presses)

WeAreLegion3847d ago

This isn't normal haptic feedback. Read up on it. This is a completely new technology that Valve has developed.

Somebody3847d ago

I've been wondering about those XYBA buttons. Perhaps those are their default positions and perhaps they won't be called the XYBA buttons on the final product.

Is it possible that they are positioned to the sides is actually a "cheeky" way for Steam to tell everyone they are "putting aside" the traditional 360 controller schemes (since the very reason for the Steam Universe is Windows 8).

0ut1awed3847d ago (Edited 3847d ago )

Exactly.

People just see trackpads instead of analog sticks and just say "screw that", especially here on N4G.

Valve is pushing the living room and they are putting a lot of resources into it. If you think they are dumb enough to market a controller that people will think is inferior to other consoles, well you don't know Valve.

If you actually read the articles (again something people, or should I say kids on N4G don't do) you would realize that this controller has the potential to be the definition of a "next gen" controller.

But alas it is N4G. People will always take a title, picture, and maybe a few streamline facts they overheard to argue the correctness of their quickly acquired opinion.

Point proven above where Superman argues against haptic feedback with his general knowledge of it. Yet Valves hpatic feedback ins't even close to previous versions. It was specifically built pretty much from the ground up for the purpose it servers.

And while I'm commenting on Superman, "The button layout is dumb"?

You do realize that the 4 buttons in the middle will more than likely be used fro menu navigation and such right? The "trackpads" themselves house the possibility to have the ability to map up to 24 buttons EACH....

-Foxtrot3847d ago

I've read it and I would still prefer analogue sticks, theres nothing wrong with them and they are very, very flexible for a variety of genres.

DigitalAnalog3847d ago

That's just your opinion and an unfair comparison at that since you have not properly compared Valve's controller. Analog sticks work but they are not the be-all-end-all for the gaming market. This is why m/kb on shooters is still the prime input for the maximum control fidelity.

0ut1awed3847d ago (Edited 3847d ago )

@ Foxtrot

You can't come to that conclusion until you've held it in your hand and spent some time with it. I know that goes both ways but I have no reason not to trust Valve at this point. They have delivered over and over again without failure in gamers eyes. One big reason for this is because they are a private company, unlike someone like Microsoft. That llows them to have no political/financial bigger picture to dilute what gamers really want. Simply put, they known what gamers want and they aren't going to waste their time, resources, or image if it's a possibility that they can't deliver.

I really don't get why so many people are against this idea, especially here on N4G. I know it's a scary thought to move away from your main known input to gaming for 15+ years but when something possibly better comes along you don't just shut it down because it sounds like it isn't what you are used to.

Not being what you are used to ≠ inferior product

-Foxtrot3847d ago

"You can't come to that conclusion until you've held it in your hand and spent some time with it"

lol...if your going to say that then I can say exactly the same to you.

You can't call people judging it, yet say it's going to be good WITHOUT playing it. Your basically being hypocritical there

0ut1awed3847d ago (Edited 3847d ago )

Come on man. If you're going to quote me, quote everything. The sentences directly after that explain my reasoning there. Sure your claim is correct but the reason it isn't hypocritical is because I actually have "insurance" behind mine.

Valve has not once disappointed gamers with false claims in the 15 years they have been around. That's my logic and where I draw my conclusion, which is very solid ground to make one on.

On the other hand the argument against Valve's controller is based on the fact that nobody has used anything other than analog sticks, therefore it can't work. That's it....

But I guess you're one of thee N4G people I was referring to that refuses to actually read?

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3847d ago
MASTER_RAIDEN3847d ago

+1 for "xbox...two"

either way, though im not disqualifying the controller by any means, it worrys me to think how fighting games might work.

webeblazing3847d ago

Thats what I'm wondering about . it look like u would break the controller play fighting games that's y I Dont use Xbox control 4 em

webeblazing3847d ago

I think their criticism hold merit even if I want it. I want 2 try it sounds interesting. I'm glad gamers in this article is having a good debate about this

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3847d ago
Liamario3847d ago

I don't think people know what sceptics are. Until you've used the controller, you'd be stupid not to be sceptical.

Tidybrutes3847d ago (Edited 3847d ago )

Im intreiged to give it a try, I've never had a gaming pc and have always played on consoles. So in a sense Im the type of person the Steam box is aimed at.

In genral the dual analog control method has been the main way I play games for that long now its hard to imagine a game controller without them (excluding Wii obviously.)

Who knows maybe this type of pad will take off and in 10 years dual analog will seem archaic in comparison... either way with next gen offerings from Sony and MS right around the corner and Steambox in the works its an exiting time to be a gamer.

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70°

Why Are Steam's Recommendations Dogpoop?

Blindfolding myself and clicking a Steam page at random would serve me better recommendations than Steam’s algorithm

Read Full Story >>
thegamer.com
UltimateOwnage10d ago

Hmm, not sure I agree with that. The recommendations I get are usually pretty good, but then again I have pretty large library of games on Steam and hundreds of them in my wish list, along with lots of curators I follow for it to build recommendations off of. On occasion it will throw me a random FIFA game or something I've never bought or shown interest in, but mostly its decent IMO.

80°

5 Best Metroidvania Games on Steam (March 2024)

Dive into the best Metroidvania games on Steam, from hidden gems to top-rated classics, and embark on unforgettable adventures!

jznrpg20d ago

Skul is a metroidvania ? It’s on PS+ soon I’ll check it out. If it’s good I’ll buy a copy physically if they have one

Nacho_Z20d ago

If Pseudoregalia is one of the best I'd hate to see what the worst look like.

330°

Dragon’s Dogma 2 releases to mixed user reviews, as microtransactions criticised

Players can pay to edit their character, resurrect the dead and other actions.

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videogameschronicle.com
AdonisIsBeast28d ago

Who cares as long as it’s optional

phoenixwing28d ago

paying to edit your character is kind of crap as far as microtransactions go

Xristo28d ago (Edited 28d ago )

I hate any/all MTX in a paid game (especially a full-price game)... but know that you can spend in-game currency (RC), which you get from killing mobs, to completely remake your character.

phoenixwing28d ago

@xRisto how much did it change the gameplay though? Changing your character would have probably not cost any rc if they weren't hellbent on getting money by making it inconvenient

koga8828d ago

You can literally edit your character using in-game gold, dropped from monsters or obtained from selling items, as soon as you reach the first main town. You can even use Rift Crystals obtained from other people using your pawn or dropped from monsters to change your entire character or Pawn. It's paying to avoid doing something that is literally in the game.

PRIMORDUS28d ago

They are lucky there using Denuvo or their game and all future DLC etc. would be for free. 🤣

phoenixwing28d ago

@koga you completely missed the point i was making but go ahead and act like i'm being the wrong one

lucian22927d ago

you can pay ingame currency though; why are ya so derp

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 27d ago
Crows9028d ago (Edited 28d ago )

Capcom cares quite a bit....hence why it was kept from reviewers and initial impressions.

As far as optional...yeah...ALL mtx are optional. That's not the problem. The miss the mark entirely.

Heck buying the game is "optional" too.

The fact that they were hiding this is scummy as hell. I was going to buy this day 1 or day 3. Now I'm reconsidering the purchase entirely because as the reviews point out...there are certain design decisions which have not changed but funnily enough seem to be remedied by these mtx...

In other words they may have left certain features in the game in order to monetize them. So the mtx affected the development of the game in a negative way.

garos8228d ago

I'm certainly not buying it anymore. It has affected at least one sale from me. I'll pick it up second hand

peppeaccardo28d ago

Very close to buy the game at a discounted price but not anymore.
Bad business practice and hence they do not get my support/money !

warriorcase27d ago

It wasn't kept fromreviewers s though. Twitter reviewers are saying there was mention of mtx's in the reviewers guide

-Foxtrot28d ago (Edited 28d ago )

STOP. USING. THAT. SHITTY. EXCUSE

God damn man

Look how DLC changed after Oblivions horse armour, within 10 years most developers took the absolute p***. What was said then aswell? “It’s only optional who cares?” Now look where we all are.

There’s no half measures with these things, when will people realise this.

jwillj2k428d ago (Edited 28d ago )

Oh it’s gonna get worse. Ng+ locked behind mtx, “cool downs” preventing you from playing for more than 3 hours at a time unless u pay the mtx for unlimited access, main campaign bosses, in-game music, certain dialog, difficulty modes, certain npc interactions, all locked behind mtx, etc.. etc. gonna end up being like the NBA 2k games eventually paying for cross overs and shit… They gon get mid-evil on our asses.

OMGitzThatGuy28d ago

I can guarantee most of the items you can buy with mtx and ingame currency wouldn’t exist in ANY paid form if the main goal wasn't monetization. If the goal is to give idiots who are willing to pay for basic game features as mtx a way to do things faster then the only ones the mtx hurt are the non paying players as you are now locking features behind a grind that you chose to put in the game that you are essentially admitting to creating some type of time sink. I have never heard of a game locking basic character editing behind a ingame paywall, it’s usually just an option.

Chard27d ago

Takes two to tango though - unfortunately people buy this garbage which incentivises the behaviour. It's an inevitable outcome of the profit motive

thorstein28d ago

@Mario

Yes. And so are resurrection "Wakestones." You can find them but they're rare.

victorMaje28d ago

Buying the game is now very optional too. If you don’t know why then you don’t get it.

shinoff218328d ago

Because it's only a door way. That's why we care. We've already seen some shit since Mtx was introduced.

Rimeskeem28d ago

1. DD2 is an ARPG with 8 different playable classes
2. There is no multiplayer aspect to the game
3. You can only have one character (have to pay for more)
4. You cannot delete the character unless you go into the game files
5. The game is $70 dollars upfront

Having to pay for more character slots in a game that *features* 8 playable classes is pretty much not optional for an ARPG.

Angyobangyo28d ago

Judging from steam reviews, gamers care. Not plastic gamers. Why didn’t Itsuno mention such MTX would be available in-game? Why weren’t the MTXs there for review copies?

Kiryu199227d ago

Who cares is how all this started. The many many excuses. Please keep defending these greedy publishers and unfair tactics. We be gamers are the problem

Horse armor

$10 online passes if buying a used copy

Cheat codes gone and are replaced by micro transactions

Unlocking stuff by playing games behind micro transactions and XP boosters

It’s only cosmetic

No one is being forced to spend even though publishers are literally making their games more grindy to force people to play

Full priced games have mobile game type micro transactions

$70 priced games because higher development costs while making record profits and laying off record number of employees

And to play the game early pay us extra $20-30 on top of full price

Release games now and promise to maybe fix them later only to abandon the game

Day one patches that make the games worst

If it’s your favorite game defend the publisher if it’s not hate on another publisher for similar content

SixFrvgz27d ago Show
+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 27d ago
kenpachi28d ago

Must have picked up some EA crew to put this in the game

robtion28d ago

Yeah these are really bad ones. Directly impacting gameplay too. Super scummy move. I hope nobody buys them.

CrimsonWing6928d ago

Yet Helldivers 2 gets a pass? Y’know a GotY contender by the name of RE4 had them and so does Devil May Cry V. The funny thing is I enjoyed both of those games thoroughly without having to buy a single microtransaction.

What I do consider a valid complaint is not being able to start a new game or being able to edit your character. That’s kind of a seriously baffling decision, but then I think how I played Dragon’s Dogma 1 and I never edited my character and I just did a 100% playthrough on a single file and didn’t start a NG since. So, I don’t think these are really going to impact me, but I can see how it will others.

Crows9028d ago

Helldivers 2 is a live service game where everything is obtainable in game with incredible ease.

Not sure about re4 or DMC but nobody is giving anyone a pass ...this article is about dragons dogma 2...not those games.

What is valid are in game features made to supposedly force you to think carefully only to have a surprise online store offer solutions to built in problems for more money.

Goosejuice28d ago

Those same things they are selling can be found Ingame as well. U can buy the character editor through merchants with gold. Don't get me wrong..I dislike these mtx they are doing but you don't need to buy them to be able to get them.

CrimsonWing6928d ago (Edited 28d ago )

Oh my bad, I can’t bring up games with microtransactions that nobody had a sh*t fit over. My mistake.

I love how people move the goalpost.

Crows9028d ago

@goose
@crimson

All mtx sucks. I'd rather helldiver's not have them because it makes me wonder if the rate at which you collect materials. That said. The games features are all fully enjoyable and aren't affected by the mtx.

That's not the case with dragons dogma 2...they left in place features that are supposedly part of the challenge of the game only to let you buy your way out very conveniently. I didn't look through all of them but I've heard some are rare but can be purchased with more money now. Even more so in a game about managing weight load there's a tent, I believe, that you can pay more money for that weighs less than your typical tent...not all sure on all the mtx and I'm aware that you can purchase many through in game vendor but they're incredibly useful mtx that are obtained much more slowly in game...or even a limited amount of them.

Instead is selling fast travel...just let us don't for free....or instead of selling cosmetic changes...how about letting us do it for free...

Nothing in helldivers comes close to this abomination

Angyobangyo28d ago

One is a single player game and one is a live service game. One is $40 vs$70. And most importantly, one game is there to spread democracy.

Ironmike27d ago

It's not incredibly easy for certain things in helldivers though u still have grind quite bit but u ate correct in saying u can eventually get enough medals to purchase stuff

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 27d ago
Moegooner28d ago

Read your comment again and maybe, just maybe you might realise how dumb it was.

CrimsonWing6928d ago (Edited 28d ago )

What was dumb about it? That I pointed out the hypocrisy?

garos8228d ago

It was extremely scummy that capcom hid this from reviewers. I have no doubt this game is good but these type of microtransactions don't sit well with me. They've lost a sale from me

Lionsguard28d ago

I was going to pay full price to support this game because I've been waiting for it for forever but I think I'll wait until I get it for free from Epic or a Humblebundle monthly.

Redemption-6428d ago

I am not defending Capcom, as I am not a fan of MTX in single player games. I do however belive they were open to reviewers about having MTX in their game. The reviewers just decided to leave that part out. Which is very disingenuous. There are some companies that get away with these things. Image if this was done by EA, Ubisoft, or even Activision? I am positive those defending Capcom, would have had their pitchforks ready if the companies listed above did this

anast28d ago

That's why reviewers can't be trusted. In fact, they are not reviewers at all. They get free codes to talk about stuff they don't understand nor care about.

Sanctusone28d ago

I mean it was pretty obvious to anyone with eyes...one of the items you get from deluxe edition was in game items.
1500 Rift Crystals - Points to Spend Beyond the Rift (A)
Which honestly I figured they kept a similar mtx system like DMC5 and the optional red orbs.

Lionsguard27d ago

1500 Rift Crystals doesn't mean anything. The first game had Rift crystals too, you just earned them by people hiring your Pawn and you get it from certain quests.

anast27d ago (Edited 27d ago )

A reviewer's job is to point out the obvious of a product as though they were the consumer. This means reviewers, to do their actual job, would need to review the complete game: the edition they are reviewing, how they got the game, technical aspects, story, and monetization scheme. Since, it is obvious that MT's are a part of the game, it would need to be reviewed. This way people can be informed, so they can decide if they want to play this style of game/monetization scheme.

For example, AC Origins was bad with Mt's. I had to farm side missions or pay to advance the story. This was after I already did close to 25 or more side missions. While I was grinding there were constant reminders that I could pay to ease the grind. I would have never bought the game if it were reviewed properly.

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