Hands On With Valve's Steam Machine Controller | Game Informer

GI: I remember people laughing when Valve first announced its new controller for the upcoming Steam Machine, but now that I've gotten my hands on the unit, I'm eager to take one home.

For decades the two analog stick controller has been a staple of the gaming landscape, but is it really the ideal way to play every game? Valve doesn't seem to think so. Its new Steam Controller is more of a mouse/keyboard replacement than a traditional controller model. As you can see from pictures of the device, it's a little bulbous, but if feels good in your hands.

[curtis92]

I kind of want to buy one just so 20 years from now after it's long since failed I can show it to people with great humor.

PC gamers don't want controllers. And console gamers have no need to ditch 360 controllers for PC. I think this controller is just valves way of stirring the pot and really emphasizing their move to the living room. I seriously doubt this will extend beyond a very niche group.

[Fishy Fingers]

I'm a PC gamer and I spend a good percentage of my gaming with a pad in my hand (currently DS4) so I'm interested. The hands on have been largely positive.

I hate blanket statements like "PC gamers don't care about pads", it's wildly inaccurate. You only speak for yourself.

[kcuthbertson]

Exactly. I do probably 50% of my gaming on PC and there's a lot of games that just work better with controllers.

Anyone who says that they'd rather play Assassin's creed with a m/k has clearly never played it with a controller.

[LAWSON72]

Okay that is why I game the majority of the time on my controller

[webeblazing]

I doubt you have a PC . Its so much hate in every valve article. These console gamers are trying to hard. People are going out of they way in every article to stir people away from steam boxes.

[r1sh12]

Personally I dont like it, but some people might.
Ill stick to traditional game controllers.

[LAWSON72]

I like the idea but I am not sure how it will feel once I use it so I an still not sure. IMO dont judge it until you try it.

[Dogswithguns]

Im not sure about those things.. it looks like the backside of a controller..?!