Steam Controller hands-on at GDC 2014 " I didn’t once feel comfortable, in control..."

The new version of Valve’s Steam Controller is out in the open at GDC, playable for anyone in attendance. We’ve spent some time with it on the show floor, playing Portal 2, Broken Age, Dirt 3, and Strider.

[JsonHenry]

Bad news. It could just be because it is different. I didn't feel comfortable with the DS4 coming from using the 360 controller at first either. But now I feel uncomfortable using the old 360 controller on my PC.

[3-4-5]

Mouse & Keyboard is a Big upgrade in control for certain games, mainly strategy games and some FPS.

* Why are they trying to take away that advantage and water it down to LESS control than a controller ?

They are taking their one advantage ( for some games), and turning it into a disadvantage by making a worse controller than any other.

I don't get it.

Somebody within these Gaming companies need to grow and pair and start calling our their Peers for completely horrible gaming ideas.

* Imagine the GAMES we could be playing from the money that was spent on this instead ?

[PeaSFor]

but "Gaben cant do no wrong" they said...

[pandehz]

After the 50,000th donut Gaben couldnt reach for the F1 key.

Thus the new controller.

[joab777]

Its for the living room and large screen TVs. But, many games r adding keyboard and mouse for the PS4.

I think the issue is simple. We have much less control with our thumbs than we do our entire hands. Thus, much more control over precise movement with a mouse than a trackback that we control with one right AND one left thumb.

[aliengmr]

If only they were smart enough to release a "beta version" or something. You know, something the community could mess around with or identify flaws before they release it to the public.

I think its real funny that everyone is taking ONE guys opinion as absolute fact.

[starchild]

I've read plenty of positive impressions as well. Just because this particular person didn't find it to be comfortable doesn't mean that others don't.

This controller is for playing certain genres--strategy, MMORPG, etc--from the couch. Or any other game that doesn't have controller support.

Personally, I see myself using all 3 forms of control: keyboard and mouse, gamepad and Steam controller. Depending on the game and where I am playing.

[3-4-5]

I think it would be better to adapt a keyboard and mouse feature to consoles than the other way around.

[alexkoepp]

The whole concept to me sounds like playing a fps on a laptop using the touchpad, just awful.

[elninels]

One guys opinion.... back off vultures.

[hkgamer]

It just seems like Valve doesn't know who to market the steambox to.

Mouse and keyboard is definitely the best option for most games, but for others, like platformers, sports, or "console" games it just doesn't work.

However, this gamepad just seems like its trying to replace a keyboard and mouse. Therefore it's not as good as a keyboard and mouse for FPS and not as good as a gamepad for games like FIFA.

[ramiuk1]

really?
the controller was a worry for me ,when MS revealed all the things that made me change camps to sony,the pad was a worry as i love xbox360 pad.

The second i put DS4 pad in my hand it was perfect,ds3 pad gave me cramps within 10 mins,ds4 pad i can play for hours

[parentoftheyear]

I always lived PlayStation but I agree the shorter grips on ds3 compared to ds4 make a worlds difference.

[hkgamer]

360 pad kinda fits my hand perfectly and probably for most other people with different size hands but it always felt weird when i try to press buttons or even use the controller.

I've always liked Playstation controllers but after using DS4, the older pads jst kinda sucks. Would love to try the xbone one aswell.

[webeblazing]

he mostly talks about the sensitivity of the track pad which can be changed. each track pad also have different modes. with anything pc gamer do, you just have read the info they give you because theyre the worst site when it comes to opinions.

[Muffins1223]

I think people will get use to it,it could be bad but who knows! Seems like valve would just stick the traditional controller if it was really this bad but since there doing this it seems like it would be better or have a reason for them to make it different.

[CrossingEden]

I actually felt completely comfortable using the ps4 controller despite being primarily a 360 fan last gen. I'm assuming that the lack of controller sticks is what makes it uncomfortable.

[Muffins1223]

Yea the controller is great!

[DVAcme]

Well, although they have their differences, the DS and XB family of controllers are pretty much equivalent(D-pad, dual analogs, four face buttons, four shoulder buttons), so in those cases, it's more a matter of personal taste.

The Steam controller is NOT equivalent, it is based on a new technology. But from all accounts, it seems it is a flawed, or at least not well-implemented, technology as it is currently. And the excuse that you have to "get" how to use it is bullcrap, a controller should by its nature be intuitive. Even a controller as drastically far from the norm as the Wii's was simple enough to grasp and use effectively after a few minutes of acclimatization.

A major problem I see with the haptic controller is lack of touch feedback. And I don't mean vibration, what I mean is that you can accurately feel that you're inputting data. Let me explain: you have an analog stick. An analog stick has a default central position, and by tilting it in any direction, you can feel the stick exerting resistance to your tilting. That resistance is highest when the analog is fully tilted. By touch, you can gauge what direction and how much pressure you're exerting on the controller, thus giving you a good idea of how you are inputting data. The haptic controller basically forces you to control the game without getting feedback from the controller on how much input you're putting into it, which must feel ridiculously awkward. And Valve may say that it replicates PC controls of keyboard and mouse, but THOSE give you feedback too! You can feel the mouse moving and feel the mouse buttons and keyboard click as you use them.

[Gamer1982]

360 to ps4 isn't that bad i don't get why you had issues i still use 360 for pc and ps4 for well my ps4 obviously. I can switch no problems.. You juts know what your holding in your hands after a while and get used to it.. The only bit that gets me is when I say press square using an xbox pad. As for this article well.. Ever since I saw that pad I said it looked bad. The layout of buttons and the actual look is all wrong. People say oh its new but so was the atari lynx pad and that was just plain awful too.

[SteamPowered]

360 controller ftw I guess. I would rather have controller support for gamepads than a m/kb emulator/controller anyways. Hopefully steam tries again. Look how much X1 and PS4 sunk I to the new controllers development.

[Hellsvacancy]

I never liked the feel of the MegaDrive controller, that's what this controller looks like, I like the touchpads though, i'm assuming they're more accurate than the analog sticks that we still use in a digital world

[cyguration]

I sure hope they don't change the haptic touchpads. I REALLY, REALLY want a controller with that exact kind of thumb control.

100% of this negativity is because most people aren't used to it, especially console gamers who have probably never used a touchpad for gaming in their life.

I remember also hating the N64 controller, hating the GameCube controller and taking a week or so to get used to the original Xbox controller. I'm not sure why people would expect to get accustomed to a brand new style of controller in a matter of minutes.

[Hellsvacancy]

I like the touchpads, have always stated so

[ArtificiallyYours]

Well reinventing the wheel never came with easy success.

[DeadRabbits]

If it ain't broke don't try and fix it! Just stop fanny farting around Gabe and release HL3

[Hellsvacancy]

It IS kind of broke though, if we a had decent/accurate thumb sticks we wouldn't have to deal with how "using a mouse/keyboard is better for fps gaming than normal gamepads"

[Gamer1982]

Erm theres only a minor difference and keyboard and mouse are only better for FPS no other genre.. No point in a new pad for 1 genre especially when you can use mouse and keyboard on your consoles.

[colonel179]

I actually think that the dual, haptic trackpads could work much better than analog sticks, if programmed correctly. It looks as if there is more possibilities of control with the trackpads.

Hopefully they get it right, because it does seem to have potential.

[Somebody]

That's the important part of any hardware- support from developers. We've seen a number of hardware that are doomed(WiiU and pre-PS4 Vita comes to mind) all because of the severe lack of developer support.

This is a beta/prototype that is fresh from Valve's own 3D printer presented to a tech conference. We've yet to see how the final product will perform and what developers and modders will turn it into after launch.

[Chapter11]

That awful D-pad is a dead give away. If they make something so obviously awful, imagine how the rest of the controller will be.

[HaMM4R]

Woops, sorry for the double post

[HaMM4R]

I don't think you can really judge a controller on its D-Pad. Remember the 360's? It was fucking awful but the overall controller still stands as one of the best of all time (do not take this is me saying that the Steam Controller is brilliant, I think it could go either way but ill reserve judgement until the final unit ships)

[MasterCornholio]

The lack of analog sticks seems like a bad design choice to me.

[sarshelyam]

You would think, but the trackpads are remarkably precise. I left impressed when I wasn't expecting to.

[yezz]

Precision is useless if the feel is awful... I've never had problems with analogs other than some of them wear off too easily.

[starchild]

But lots of people who have used the Steam controller--both the previous version and this new one--have said the trackpads feel great.

I think this form of control has tremendous potential and I have no doubt that Valve will get it right.

[lfc_4eva]

I wonder if the size of your thumbs will play some part in its precision. With the thumbsticks, your thumbs push the stick in a particular direction. However I feel people with HUGE thumbs may be at a disadvantage. Does the size of contact with the pad affect its precision?

I maybe don't understand how these actually work, but hey I've not had a go yet :-)

[sarshelyam]

This is absolutely subjective and a learning curve is to be expected when trying something new.

As a console gamer, I went into this wondering how track-pads could deliver, so I sought out two very twitch heavy games to put it to the test, Towerfall and Strider. Not once did I feel like I wasn't in control, in fact, both games responded accurately and did exactly as I was hoping. They moved when I wanted them two, where I wanted them to, and the funny thing is...I can see these track-pads causing far less fatigue on the thumbs when playing longer game sessions.

That said, the learning curve proved problematic when trying to locate the face buttons which, on most controllers, are located right where the right analog normally is. I often found myself hitting the wrong button, having to look at the controller to re-adjust my thumb placement. Again, this is a learning curve as we've been so accustomed to that location left for the right thumbstick...but it seemed a common complaint.

I'm on board with these trackpads...they're definitely getting there.

[starchild]

Thanks for sharing your impressions. I've heard other similar positive opinions from others as well. I hope to get my hands on the Steam controller soon.

[richardkuohn]

I don't like the look of the controller. It's not appealing enough for me to want to pick it up. It looks uncomfortable just looking at it.

[SixtyNine]

I can't wait to try it out.

[Summons75]

It looks uncomfortable, I'm not surprised its true.

[UNIFIEDONE]

They need a traditional layout for the controller with analog sticks and dpad.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

It has big problems and from what I hear it's headed back to the drawing board.

[kingPoS]

I suppose it all comes down to preference, On my laptop I I much prefer to use a mouse over the built in touch pad. Likewise, I can't see myself ever giving up use of analog sticks on a controller. It's far too useful a medium for me to toss aside.

Gateway MT6706 2008

[cyborg47]

Being a pc gamer,the first time I tried playing an fps on a console, I thought it was fcking awful and wondered how the console gamers keep playing fps' using the controllers. Though I slowly got used to it. So obviously, I believe the steambox controller will take some time to get used to.
Though I wonder why the console gamers are hating the trackpads just because the controller isn't designed with their beloved thumbsticks. Its not like Valve is forcing it down their throats. Dont like it? Dont buy it.

[yezz]

"Though I wonder why the console gamers are hating the trackpads just because the controller isn't designed with their beloved thumbsticks. Its not like Valve is forcing it down their throats. Dont like it? Dont buy it."

What are you trying to say there? Some people don't like the trackpads therefore don't like the controller. I think that's more than good enough reason...

[annus]

The majority of people hating on the trackpads haven't even used it. They think it looks crap, so they assume it will be crap. It's the same people that say VR headsets suck and don't work, yet have never even tried them.

[cyborg47]

"What are you trying to say there?"

I'm trying to say that whoever's saying that the trackpads aren't as good as the thumbsticks without using the steam controller enough(and I don't mean a half hour of usage), aren't qualified to make a judgement about it, there's no weight to their opinion. I gave my first PC to controller transition as an example too.

[esemce]

I think this would be better if it had a left thumbstick.

[G20WLY]

Agreed.

(And a right one too).

[Wikki]

I had a controller like this for my NES... hated it. They joystick nub adds a tactile feel that slight touch can't mimic. I think the way they should have gone was more towards the wii+nunchuck controller, but not motion based. Remove the need to hold your hands together, but still have the same skill ability as the regular controllers.

[Reefskye]

I use DS3 and Keyboard and Mouse, soon as I use a 360 controller I find it uncomfortable. Doesn't mean the 360 controller is crap just means am not use to it. I'm sure same would apply to Steam machine controller.

When I first properly got in to PC gaming back in 2000, I found that uncomfortable and was loosing hand placement on keyboard all time, now its like second nature.

Just like when people complained about Ds3 being to small and they have big hands try being nearly 7 foot tall was no to big for my hands, all about getting use to holding it I seen people who never use DS3 hold it like they where gripping on for their life while playing a game, it's not to small your holding wrong.

[hkgamer]

All the videos I've seen on youtube about the steam beta controller were pretty positive.

They did mention that it takes a while to get used to and is better for FPS then 360. However, if you are on PC and playing FPS I don't see the point of trying to use a gamepad.

If you not playing FPS with that controller, then that controller is pointless.