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[The Elite]

If I preorder, do they charge me now or when it ships? If they wait until shipment I'll go ahead and preorder one so I can have it early.

I know EB in Canada charges when you ship.

 

[Tobor]

I wonder if we'll get confirmation if we're getting one of the October units?

 

[The Elite]

I wonder if we'll get confirmation if we're getting one of the October units?

The website still said October for me, so I hope that means I'm confirmed.

I hate waiting when everyone else is getting their toys.

Also, Steam Link should be in the OP as well.

 

[Lingitiz]

Please don't put words in my mouth. Tradtional controllers =/= precision. Just comfort. Third person action, Witcher, Batman, Assassins Creed is fine for a controller. For anything requiring precision, I use M&K.

It seems like it offers the same options as traditional controllers, but for those games the trackpad should provide faster movement of the camera and menu navigation with the trackpad.

As someone currently playing TW3 with controller but switching over to kb/m for quicksave and menus, I feel like this could help a lot. Definitely going to give it a try.

 

[Grief.exe]

That trailer was the best demonstration of the controller so far. Valve should have led with this material from the start.

 

[Erekiddo]

Can we update the OP already? Tons of same questions, myself initially included.

 

[Easy_D]

"Force actuators" in the controller stimulate where your thumbs are on the pads to give different sensations to simulate different things. It's apparently much much more accurate that usual force feedback so they can give the illusion of of a small ball being in the pads for example or boundaries of segments. The original used to make a clicking noise for when you "flick the ball" and it carries on spinning from its simulated momentum. I read somewhere that they have similar feedback in the triggers but I am curious about traditional force feedback that more heavy and whether the controller does anything with that

Rumble hasn't really changed since the N64 rumble pack. It traditionally uses a spinning motor to shake.

You can see it there in the bottom right.

The Steam controller uses a linear actuator. It's more like a piston that moves forward and back.
It will probably look something like this.

This should be able to create a much broader range of sensations than the old spinning weight, because it is much more precise. Think of it as higher resolution shaking.

How much of an actual difference it will make in games? Jurys still out on that one, but I want to try it.

Ah, thanks guys. Now I'm really curious to try this out.

 

[Majukun]

since my controller is slowly dying i might be interested..but it costs too damn much for just a controller

 

[The Smoking Bun]

Should I bother trying to purchase this while sitting in India?
Will it even be delivered outside the USA?
What kind of taxes and import duties will I be facing?

 

[ieptbarakat]

I hope there's a version that replaces the analog stick with a d-pad. Can't ever find modern pc controller with a good d-pad.

 

[flaxknuckles]

I guess they look suboptimal to me for anything that requires 3rd person world movement.

That small moment in the video when you see the user having to swipe his thumb multiple times to move Geralt really stood out.

I have on ordered now since I think it's the only controller compatible with Steam Link.

But he was using an analog stick to move Geralt. The thumb swipe was for the camera.

Anyway, Steam Controller is bought #TaxEvasionMasterrace

 

[Grief.exe]

I hope there's a version that replaces the analog stick with a d-pad. Can't ever find modern pc controller with a good d-pad.

The haptic touch pads have simulation for mice, trackball, dpads, and analog sticks.

 

[zephervack]

Anyone knows what is happening when they are typing with the on screen keyboard, so confusing.

 

[FaintDeftone]

I know EB in Canada charges when you ship.

Sorry, I should have stated ordering through Steam itself. I didn't know Gamestop sold these until like 2min ago, heh.

Looks like they charge you right away. Answered my own question. I'll just preorder one at GS in-store.

 

[Ziffles]

Pre-ordered, because unlike direct digital software, pre-ordering hardware actually makes some sense.

I wonder if we'll get confirmation if we're getting one of the October units?

I assume that if you're able pre-purchase via the "Get Yours Oct 16" link, you're getting an October unit.

 

[Red Hood]

I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH MY FINGERS

I really need a hands-on with this, because I feel like it doesn't feel comfortable for the fingers. It just looks... new.

 

[Nzyme32]

So the dongle is basically for those who want to use this on a Windows machine?

I don't need it if I get a Steam Machine?

Although on the Alienware Steam Machine you can hide the dongle in the port beneath the console, so it's not intrusive anyway.

Did not know this. Pretty Cool.

That's right. For any existing PC you'll need the dongle which comes with it, but apparently that can bind 4 controller at once (the Steam Controller API can handle up to 16 - no idea why), but the steam machines have it built in, so you don't need anything extra. Any PC can use standard bluetooth but you miss out on the latency reductions.

 

[Sargon]

5 meters of wireless range?

That is pretty terrible.

 

[Interfectum]

I guess they look suboptimal to me for anything that requires 3rd person world movement.

That small moment in the video when you see the user having to swipe his thumb multiple times to move Geralt really stood out.

I have on ordered now since I think it's the only controller compatible with Steam Link.

Steam Link hardware specs page bro:

Supports Steam Controller (sold separately,) Xbox One or 360 Wired Controller, Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows, Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710, or keyboard and mouse

 

[El Topo]

$50
55€

Thanks Valve.

Given EU regulation and the recent development of the exchange rate I think the pricing is adequate (compared to the US). I'm a bit more skeptical regarding Steam Machines. No European prices for those yet.

 

[JayWood2010]

Says it on the main page.

Nov 10th - General release
Oct 16th - Preorder release. (For preorders done today only, apparently - or until they 'run out'?)

Awwh I was really hoping for a release this summer :/ Thanks for answering though

 

[Tobor]

I'm so stoked for this. Never again will I have to ask if a new PC game has controller support. They all do!

 

[zer0blivion]

Pre-ordered the Link and Controller via EBGames.ca confirmation email says release date is 10/16/2015. Can't wait for October.

 

[viveks86]

Just from the video the thumbstick and buttons look so awkward, look like you really have to have long thumbs or stretch awkwardly. I'm just saying this from the video, I will reserve actual judgement for when I actually get one in my hands.

I read somewhere that the decision was somewhat deliberate. They want to treat the thumb stick and buttons as "legacy" support and really want to make them secondary input to the haptic trackpads. Not sure I'm convinced by that argument yet, but I see where they are coming from. The idea is to map as many primary functions as possible to the track pads, shoulder and rear buttons and have the thumb stick and face buttons purely for miscellaneous stuff and hotkeys. That way you really don't have to take any of your fingers off their normal resting place during most of the gameplay. It's a bit of a departure from the norm and so will take some getting used to. But it could end up being far more effective in the long run.

 

[dh4niel]

Looks weird as hell to hold. Really want to give it a go though.

 

[TheTux]

$50
55€

Thanks Valve.

Yes wtf, EU taxes I guess.

 

[Salsa]

im in


ready to be fucked with latin america shipping tho

 

[Donuts]

Seriously interested in one of these. I bought Controller Companion off of steam to use my 360 controller with my keyboard, hopefully this will be just fine as well. Will wait for initial reviews though, can't really tell how anything will do initially nowadays

 

[CosmicQueso]

Couldn't pre-order the Controller and Link fast enough. Can't wait.

 

[Inferno313]

If I pre-order on Steam do they charge me now or in October?

 

[Nzyme32]

I'm so stoked for this. Never again will I have to ask if a new PC game has controller support. They all do!

That's exactly what I am looking forward to!

If I pre-order on Steam do they charge me now or in October?

Apparently according to the small print, they charge now, but you can cancel up to the point of dispatch. I went for one of the GAME stores since they do free delivery and won't take cash till dispatch

 

[Nokterian]

I am going to buy the steam link and controller so i can sit in front of my tv playing pc games.

 

[ieptbarakat]

The haptic touch pads have simulation for mice, trackball, dpads, and analog sticks.

If we're looking for phone quality controls then sure, but it definitely won't be used for any precise 2d movement games.

 

[Sargon]

If I pre-order on Steam do they charge me now or in October?

Now.

If you don't want to be charged until October, you could preorder from Gamestop instead.

 

[Donuts]

I'm so stoked for this. Never again will I have to ask if a new PC game has controller support. They all do!

Just realized this...

 

[Sorcerer]

I read somewhere that the decision was somewhat deliberate. They want to treat the thumb stick and buttons as "legacy" support and really want to make them secondary input to the haptic trackpads. Not sure I'm convinced by that argument yet, but I see where they are coming from. The idea is to map as many primary functions as possible to the track pads, shoulder and rear buttons and have the thumb stick and face buttons purely for miscellaneous stuff and hotkeys. That way you really don't have to take any of your fingers off their normal resting place during most of the gameplay

I think I read that Valve added the stick because too many people were freaking out about its absence. But from I understand one of the engineers on the project said it is there for "training wheels".

The hope is that people will get comfortable with the track pads and forget the stick altogether. Maybe a future iteration will drop it if people end up loving the track pads.

 

[Kssio_Aug]

May get one for PC gaming! It looks good!

 

[FLAguy954]

This is something I have always dreamed of having as I love using a controller but I can't get used to the 'keyboard' part of the KB+M control scheme.

If the compatibility is as good as an Xbox 360/Xbox One controller, day fucking one for me.

Edit:

I'm so stoked for this. Never again will I have to ask if a new PC game has controller support. They all do!

Day one it is lol.

 

[Interfectum]

I think I read that Valve added the stick because too many people were freaking out. But from I understand one of the engineers on the project said it is there for "training wheels". T

The hope is that people will get comfortable with the trackpads and forget the stick altogether. Maybe a future iteration will drop it if people end up loving the trackpads.

I bet Steam Controller 2.0 drops the analogue. As you can see even in this thread people need baby steps to something different.

 

[jett]

I'm not convinced but it certainly makes me curious to try it.

 

[Grief.exe]

If we're looking for phone quality controls then sure, but it definitely won't be used for any precise 2d movement games.

Nope, these are some extremely high quality haptics.

The Super Meat Boy devs were playing through their game with an early version and came away very impressed with the dpad emulation.

Edit: I guess you're ignorance has been alleviated twice.

 

[Nzyme32]

If we're looking for phone quality controls then sure, but it definitely won't be used for any precise 2d movement games.

It will, in fact the creator of super meat boy says he has no problem playing both Super Meat Boy or Spelunky with the original version

 

[Blanquito]

I really like the idea of the buttons for your ring & pinky fingers.

I couldn't really see from the video, are there still two shoulder buttons or is that button essentially the trigger now?

 

[ThatStupidLion]

looks pretty awesome. really interested in those rear grip buttons.

 

[Mindlog]

Back buttons?
Bought. Bought bought bought bought bought. Bought. Where's my controller already? Bought.

 

[Nzyme32]

I bet Steam Controller 2.0 drops the analogue. As you can see even in this thread people need baby steps to something different.

PCWorld got chatting to one of the Valve devs at GDC when checking it out. They found that:

• Takes about 2 hours to get used to it
• The best controller configurations were found to be the ones where you don't take your thumbs away from the trackpads - implying abxy mapped to the pads as well as the analogue stick on the other pad
• Suggestion that the button diamond and analogue stick are just to help you transition over to the pads - which was also the suggestion when the analogue stick was first spotted by SteamDB and someone asked Valve

So, you could be right

 

[viveks86]

I think I read that Valve added the stick because too many people were freaking out about its absence or a d-pad. But from I understand one of the engineers on the project said it is there for "training wheels".

The hope is that people will get comfortable with the track pads and forget the stick altogether. Maybe a future iteration will drop it if people end up loving the track pads.

Yup. It all makes sense. But it remains to be seen if something so disruptive will gain traction. We tend to be set in our ways. We like getting the same stuff and doing the same things over and over again.

 

[Hoo-doo]

Gaming with a trackpad. Yeah, no. There's absolutely no substitute for a second analog stick.

Looked crazy awkward having to slide around just to rotate the camera in The Witcher 3. It's like playing a 3D game on my macbook trackpad.

 

[Servbot24]

Is it known if there will be any PC / Mac compatibility differences?

 

[collige]

If we're looking for phone quality controls then sure, but it definitely won't be used for any precise 2d movement games.

One of the devs for Super Meat Boy confirmed that it works fine for both SMB and Spelunky. That was in 2013 as well.