Steam Controller Demonstration

Valve:Here's a quick look at some games being played with the prototype version of the Steam Controller -- the same version that we'll be shipping to 300 Steam users later this year. We'll post more demonstrations like this soon, including footage of some other game developers using the controller to play their own games.

[sigfredod]

Luckily this is a prototype gamepad, because looks hideous, seems like a child glue the plastic parts, on the practical side seems ok, altough with the FPS seems he had to overdo to make long turnarounds

[kingduqc]

Im preaty sure it's much faster and more precise then the normal controller...

[Bimkoblerutso]

I have to say, this video did quite a bit to alleviate some of my worry, though the pads still seemed a little wonky for things that did not involve "pointer" like movement.

For instance, the free-look in FPS's and the pointer controls in games like Civ 5 looked fantastic, but the movement portion of the control scheme seemed a bit less precise in FPS's.

[UltimateMaster]

Oh no, just by looking at this demo, I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna like it.

Just the fact he had to flip his finger multiple times just to turn when I could just hold an analog stick in one direction to go there.

Nah, it already took too long just to turn.
Damn, never tough it would have taken 15 seconds of gameplay to get me uninterested in this controller.

I'm still gonna have to try it, but this was underwhelming for me.

I'm pretty sure it's going to appeal to PC gamers for sure since it has a mouse-like feel to it, but that's not my style when I play shooters.
Maybe even then, see how long it took to scroll on the map, a mouse could have gone there much faster instead of flicking the thumb several times.
Just saying, it'll probably need much more tweaking.
IMO.

From what I've seen, glorified touch pads instead of analogs, nothing a touch screen can't do. However, It does look MUCH better than the touchscreen since the sensors detect the speed of your thumbs and that impacts how fast/much you'll turn.

It's defiantly not a bad controller, but it'll be one hell of an adjustment for most console gamer that wants to try it out.

Again, IMO. I still need to try it out to really say if I truly like/dislike the controller.

[Emilio_Estevez]

Either this controller is good or the demonstrator is well very versed in using it.

[-Foxtrot]

Probably the latter

He's probably been using this controller with the same games for ages so he's really used to it.

[DeadManIV]

@Aviator On PC gamers can move to a dedicated gaming OS, where we can have games using openGL rather than DirectX. For consoles, tne PS4 is shredding the Xbone. Thus, MS can now leave gaming.

[JewyMcJew]

The multiple swipes during Civ leave me with some concern but other than that, this seems to be the most promising solution to the couch-keyboard problem yet!

And yes, shame on Microsoft for not coming up with this. Regardless of how well it works, at least Valve is trying.

[FanMan]

Ya, I am still not buying this just yet. I need to try it myself, but as of right now just from what I am seeing, it doesn't look all that great. :/

[aliengmr]

Or both? I mean its not unreasonable to assume that it could also be a good controller.

[Emilio_Estevez]

True, maybe I should have phrased that differently....

[-Foxtrot]

Ermmmm...no

I think I'll just use my PS4 controller on it

I would like them showing us a game which isn't a Turn-based strategy. How about a fighting game or something else. I'll tell you something with the button layouts and the non existent analogue sticks it'#s probably going to feel awful.

With the FPS game it seems uncomfortable as well

[LordSane]

Well fighting games are not very popular on PC, and this is primary a PC controller.

Have you ever played FPS on a Kb/Mouse? It looked very comfortable when he played CS:GO

[-Foxtrot]

" It looked very comfortable when he played CS:GO "

Not really...he also had to swipe like twice to somewhat turn...I can do things better with a normal controller or a Keyboard and mouse

[RedSoakedSponge]

@Foxtrot.

im sure you could just turn the sensitivity up so you turn with one swipe if you so desire.

[Jedimaster1]

@RedSoakedSponge

Yes, maybe. But in their tech demo to the public they never tried to adjust it to give an accurate preview of the controller's potential. This is suicide from a business standpoint, therefore they should have taken the time to polish the demonstration rather than present to the public a video that took five-minutes to produce.

[_QQ_]

Dude we get it, it isn't a Sony product!!! stop bashing somthing you have never used... On topic i hope i can hook this up to my PS4 just in case it works amazing and to play shooters, PS4 probably won't support it though:(

[-Foxtrot]

But it's fine for people to praise it when they haven't played on it...double standards much

Hypocrisy at it's best

EDIT

By the way

"it isn't a Sony product!!"

Whaaaaaaaaaaa......what the hell has Sony got to do with this. I mentioned I'll stick with my next gen controller, nothing about Sony in general

Marked for trolling, theres no point trying to start fanboy crap with comments like that

[karl]

I agree.. i love the new look of the ds4 but this valve joystick looks really promesing... id really like to connect it to my future ps4

[Einhert]

How can you tell anything about the controller from a users standpoint?

I will wait and try one out instead of using baseless assumptions.

The controller uses haptic feedback and the static provides a physical feedback without the need for joysticks.

This is why Valve is amazing, they are always on the cusp of trying new things, everyone is saying the steam box is going to fail etc same thing was said about steam back in the early 2000s and look where it is now.

Oh but how dare I praise any other company on this site except Sony...

[-Foxtrot]

Again....whats with bringing Sony into this

Do all you guys have a problem with them or something and are hoping that the Steam Machines will out do them...because thats how it's coming off.

I said I'll use my PS4 controller because like others on here have said in the past the Steam Machines are open...which means you can use your next gen controllers on them whatever one you will get.

[aliengmr]

@-Foxtrot

So why do you spend all your bubbles, on nearly every article concerning this controller, when you don't like it?

Seriously, move along already. Stop acting like you are persecuted for not liking it. Don't pretend that trying to offer criticism on a product without trying it is the same as being interested in it, or thinking it might be a good idea. It's not.

You honestly act as though this controller is a threat to you in some way. Like you crave some form of validation. But then, when your credibility comes into question, you play the victim. All this over an item you have no intention of using. So either you are just trolling, or, you are just trying to convince yourself that you aren't interested.

[Somebody]

@-foxtrot

What did you say? Hypocrisy?

Steam is offering something that is new to the PC gaming world so it's only natural that a lot of people are excited over it. The product is out yet but I'm sure the fans would love it to deliver on its promised potentials. Of course everyone want to out do other controllers, just like how console fans are want their consoles to out do PCs.

Criticism and doubts are okay if it help the overall subject matter but not when it's all about you. We get it, you hate it for those obvious reasons but now let's see how Valve is taking care of them.

You gave Sony controllers a chance. Now, let's give Valve a chance.

[_QQ_]

It looks like its working great in the video, so its actually not double standard. Why hype up PS4 without playing it? because the games look great and people with hands on say it lworks great....duh. so how can you say i'm being a hypocrite? there has been nothing but good feedback about the controller, you are saying its going to feel awful yet no one with actual hands-on has mentioned that.i don't need hands on to know that everyone who has used it likes it...

[_QQ_]

your comment
"Meanwhile

https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW50...
yup def no sony bias here /S

[LordSane]

Now THIS is a Next Gen controller.

[NYC_Gamer]

I don't know how that controller will work with all type of games at the min

[Pandamobile]

Well, you just saw it working quite well with three very popular PC game genres.

[iamnsuperman]

I disagree with quite well. There was a lot of swipe swipe swipe when it came to the FPS genre.

[Pandamobile]

So? You do that with a mouse too (you can also turn up the sensitivity)

[alexkoepp]

Nothing in the Counter-Strike video showed any more precision over a standard controller

[Einhert]

No sticky aim assist on the controller and he managed to hit each of those targets precisely one after the other?

That isn't an improvement over typical thumbsticks? sorry what?

It isn't quite mouse level but that is still impressive for a BRAND NEW controller which is not even optimised for the games.

maybe if you listened he informed everyone that they were just using default keyboard and mouse setups with the keybindings changed for the controller.

When it is tweaked and optimised this controller could potentially bridge the gap between Mouse aim and controllers.

[Tibbers]

The only disadvantage the controller has are wide turns (120°+) because there's a high chance to "lose orientation", if you get my message. Otherwise it's faster and more precise than a traditional stick for aiming.

[dsswoosh]

You must be blind. The micro movement fluidity around the headshots looked like it was a mouse user.

No analog stick is able to move like that.

Sony fanboys are ridiculous on this website.

[-Foxtrot]

"Sony fanboys are ridiculous on this website."

Heres another one...what the hell is up with people bringing up Sony on articles like this.

The guy above didn't even mentioned ANYTHING about Sony.

It's trollish to try and start arguments on here by saying things like that. Theres no need for it.

[alexkoepp]

Maybe an analog cannot move like that, but I personally and many others using controllers could easily make those same shots in the same or less time using a standard controller, if you are not capable of that precision with a controller that isn't my problem.

[webeblazing]

are you saying you could do that faster without auto aim lol

[_QQ_]

I'm excited to get my hands on this.

[CaptainYesterday]

Hah nice.

[BraidedWALLACE]

The fact that you have to swipe almost twice to turn to some degree is a turn off.

[dsswoosh]

The fact you dont have the brains to realise you can adjust the sensitivity is also a major turn off.

[BraidedWALLACE]

Did i hurt your feelings... ahhhhhh Someone is upset.

Keep it Moving..Nothing to see here

[McScroggz]

Adjusting the sensitivity to turn also means increasing the sensitivity to aim. There is a balance to be made by each individual gamer, but if one needs to turn the sensitivity up so high to comfortably turn that aiming is to sensitive then it defeats the purpose.

[InTheLab]

Such anger

WoW

[Autodidactdystopia]

@ braided,

you also on a joystick have to peg the stick in the direction you want to go and then just wait while it spins slowly to your target. either way settings would be the answer to that.

Not to mention the center circle could be a marker for a dual zone type setup where inside the circle is very precise and outside is very fast (on the physical pad)

Either way, this looked good to me. I want it now cant wait till its really tuned. It will be a beast.

[CanadianTurtle]

This is pointless. I can't believe people are looking forward to this...
What's wrong with having buttons and analog sticks on a controller?

[JewyMcJew]

Can't play Civ with analog sticks... at least, not well.

[aliengmr]

What's wrong with 'not' having them?

You aren't being forced to use it, so...

[TomahawkX]

IMO tapping down on track pad to shoot isn't as fun as pressing a button to shoot.

[Tibbers]

Then use the shoulder buttons or triggers. Another case solved.

[Pandamobile]

I don't know how people can be so unaware of simple fixes like this.

This may be a shock to you, but on a PC game, you can map your controls to anything you want. You can control a game with a synthesizer if you really wanted to.

[MASTER_RAIDEN]

theres no denying that this controllers going to take a lot of getting used to. one thing that worries me right off the bat is left and right movements. you can see in the video that the demonstrator slides his finger to the left (or right), stops, then picks his finger up and repeats just to make his character turn to where he needs. definitely would have rather seen the demonstrator hold down the pads to show that that works as well.

extremely turned off by this controller initially, but i have so much faith in valve as a company that ill come at it with an open mind. JUST SHOW ME A FIGHTING GAME FIRST.

[Autodidactdystopia]

You ever see a trackball mouse?

That is what is happening in the picture.

ON a stick you have to max it out in the direction you want to turn and then WAIT for the settings to crawl you over to the angle you want to face.

with this you flick it as fast as you want and it will move faster...

Easy to use , hard to master. Classic formula for things worth doing.
:D

[Skynetone]

lets see a fifa game

[MadLad]

Very optimistic about this controller.

[RedSoakedSponge]

i like the trackpad idea for the right thumb, but the left thumb i feel still needs to be a stick for some reason. :/

[McScroggz]

I'm a big fan of Valve as a company, but I'm not going to automatically assume they will make hardware as good as the software they've created. To my knowledge this is the first foray into the hardware market, and I'm just not sold.

I can wrap my head around the idea that the haptic feedback feels cool and that the trackpads are more accurate than analog sticks. Maybe that's enough for a niche amount of people to get the controller for the games that want to play on the couch. I get that. I hope it works. But to me I just have a hard time believing the controller will evolve into much more than that - and to Valve's credit that IS their goal.

The biggest issues I have are that it seems movement, specifically things like turning sharply, might be awkward and inefficient and the lack of accessible buttons. They have triggers and a couple buttons on the back, but the face buttons on the controller are not anything that can be easily and quickly accessed.

At the end of the day, it's something I'd have to use to really know how good/bad it is. I hope that the controller is a success for what Valve wants it to be, which is to play certain PC games on the TV while sitting comfortably on the couch. However, I am HIGHLY skeptical that it will be anything more than that and those who proclaim it to be the next gen controller needs to probably hold your horses. I don't see it overtaking the DualShock 4 or the Xbox One controller for the majority of games.

[aliengmr]

Is this controller going to be compatible with PS4/Xone? I assume not. So it primarily targeted at the PC audience, which has several options to choose from, and in this market it might overtake both if its good.

In the console market, probably not, but I don't think that's the target audience.

Also, Valve has been exploring different controller concepts for quite a few years.

[McScroggz]

When I said I don't think it would overtake the DualShock 4 or Xbox One controller I was referring to PC players who use controllers for some games. There is absolutely know way to know how good this controller will turn out, but while it looks like it might be a viable option for some PC games over traditional controllers I don't believe out of all the PC gamers who use controllers sometimes that the majority of them will switch from DS4/X1 to the Valve controller.

Of course, the controller could get modified, become the greatest thing ever and I'd be wrong. I have no problem with that if it happens. We are just in a forum and I like giving my opinions on things :)

[EXVirtual]

Trackpads look pretty responsive, but the face buttons are my main issue. Having said that, the most popular games on the PC are usually MMOs and FPS', while fighting games and RPGS aren't very popular on the PC. The controller seems to be designed for specific genres. Not a bad thing really. The controller is gonna take some time to get used to though. Also, it seems you have to swipe twice sometimes. Bit of a turn off.

[Roccetarius]

Yeah, people using this controller will definitely get destroyed. No doubt you're going to hear about it, when people get their hands on it. Especially competitive games will have no place for this.

[Pandamobile]

Destroyed by mouse users in a FPS game? Probably. They'll probably be able to put up a good fight against a seasoned controller user in shooters though.

I can already that I'll be better at shooters with this controller than a PS3 or 360 controller. It looks so much more fluid.

[BenRage3]

I for one am extremely excited for this controller. Hell, I am excited in general that Valve is joining the hardware business. I cannot wait to get my hands on this controller!

[isarai]

I mean i'm all for it, but in all honesty that seems like it's going to make your right thumb sore as FUCK!