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[JoeyJungle]

October can't come soon enough. I haven't pre-ordered anything in so long, I keep checking my email out of habit, expecting the shipping notification that usually comes after I order something.

I've already said it, but this is just going to be such an amazing controller for CRPGs. Gonna turn up that text size and lean back. I'm more excited for this controller than I was for the new consoles.

 

[Smithy C]

Preordered. Looking forward to finally getting my hands on one.

 

[ColEx]

Does Valve charge straight away, or when they dispatch?

 

[Sleeping Lesson]

For games that have on-screen button prompts that change depending on what input device you're using, how will it behave? In Witcher 3 for example, you get Xbox button prompts until you move the mouse. Will they constantly be changing if you're using the face buttons and the pad? This problem will be addressed in games that come out after the Steam controller, obviously.

Does Valve charge straight away, or when they dispatch?

They charge when you pre-order.

 

[Maintenance]

2x AA Batteries

Ugh.

 

[Nostremitus]

I don't think you understand what resolution means in relation to a trackpad. No of course the thing doesn't have varying degrees of resolution, why would it?

Read this

I know what resolution is regarding mice and trackpads. Don't assume people are ignorant just because they don't share your views.

It was tongue in cheek because varying the resolution from the center would differentiate it from being "just a trackpad."

A fancy trackpad is still a trackpad.

 

[Gxgear]

Gonna wait for some market feedback first. I'm as intrigued as I am skeptical about consolidating PC gaming into a living room experience.

 

[Robert at Zeboyd Games]

Do you see yourself buying a PS5 or a X1 succesor (if it happens)?

i ask because for aiming and pointing, i can't possibly see a Dual Thumbstick been the default option in those systems. So enjoy the last cycle of this prehistoric system XD

If dual thumbstick controls go away, I think it's much more likely because we're all gaming on touch screens or because we've got some freaky new VR control method. In trying to cater to everything, I feel the Steam controller is never going to be as good as a more focused control scheme.

And hey, if I need to learn a new control scheme, I'll learn a new control scheme. Goodness knows I played plenty of games on the Wii. It's just I don't see that l don't see that spending the time to learn how to use the Steam controller is worth it when I already have other control schemes I'm comfortable with that I feel are better suited to the games I play.

 

[Balmung421]

I take it Alienware will have one or a couple at E3, so impressions should show up.

And I guess before the launch Valve will send out a couple to the press?

We'll probably see this at the E3 PC conference as well, right?

 

[Canis lupus]

Looking forward to it but even if it works as it should, there's still the issue with tiny UI with some games on big screens. Like in System Shock 2, the HUD is tiny as fuck on high resolutions.

 

[flaxknuckles]

You must be really bad at using analogue sticks, because they are perfectly fine for someone like me.

I know because I've played a bunch of online shooters, competitive and non competitive. They have always been perfectly suited on consoles. I can even be the top player in games like Titanfall or Call of Duty on PC, while everybody else is on a M+KB.

These are your examples? Call of Duty where recoil and bullet spread are practically nonexistent and Titanfall which enables autoaim if you use a controller on the PC version? Try that in CounterStrike or Quake and see how well those analog sticks hold up.

 

[Krejlooc]

For games that have on-screen button prompts that change depending on what input device you're using, how will it behave? In Witcher 3 for example, you get Xbox button prompts until you move the mouse. Will they constantly be changing if you're using the face buttons and the pad? This problem will obviously be addressed in games that come out after the Steam controller, obviously.

For games with X-input, the controller reports as an x-input device. So, as an example, when I play crysis, I get the Xbox button prompts even if I have keyboard stuff mapped.

The bigger problem is when you have prompts that don't match at all. Like you map q to the left bumper, and you see a big prompt on screen telling you to press q, and you're like "which button is q??"

What I do in situations like that, is that I assign the names of the buttons on the controllers to keys that instantly make them recognizable. As an example, left trigger becomes the left arrow key, the right trigger becomes right arrow key. Left bumper becomes L, right bumper becomes R. Left grip becomes [, right grip becomes ]. Then I go through and remap the in-game controls so that they use those keys. That way, when the game prompts me to "press the L key to reload", it makes sense and I know they mean the L bumper.

 

[Red]

Ugh.

It's surprising that members of NeoGAF, an enthusiast gaming community, would not welcome a consumer-friendly, non-proprietary, easily replaceable wireless option with open arms.

 

[Nabs]

These are your examples? Call of Duty where recoil and bullet spread are practically nonexistent and Titanfall which enables autoaim if you use a controller on the PC version? Try that in CounterStrike or Quake and see how well those analog sticks hold up.

The last two CODs on PC use a autoaim as well.

 

[dragonlife]

is that yuri lowenthall

 

[Krejlooc]

I know what resolution is regarding mice and trackpads. Don't assume people are ignorant just because they don't share your views.

It was tongue in cheek because varying the resolution from the center would differentiate it from being "just a trackpad."

A fancy trackpad is still a trackpad.

The guy was saying "it's the same trackpad as our netbooks."

No, it isn't. That's not to say it's not a trackpad, but it very obviously is not the same trackpads on your dell laptop. And the reasons why your dell laptop trackpad sucks for gaming, is the reason why these do not.

 

[KingV]

October can't come soon enough. I haven't pre-ordered anything in so long, I keep checking my email out of habit, expecting the shipping notification that usually comes after I order something.

I've already said it, but this is just going to be such an amazing controller for CRPGs. Gonna turn up that text size and lean back. I'm more excited for this controller than I was for the new consoles.

Yeah man. I realized how annoying M/KB can be recently playing PoE. I'd love to kick back with a controller to play through Wasteland 2 enhanced or Tides of Numeria. That and strategy games don't quite work with tradtional controllers.

 

[ashecitism]

We'll probably see this at the E3 PC conference as well, right?

Valve aren't confirmed to be there yet. Same goes for their partners.

 

[JesseZao]

When, though? I don't want to just dump money on a whim and have it arrive three months later. October 16TH??!!?! HAH

I don't need to give them a free four-month deposit to "make sure" I'm in the first wave.

I would do this if they didn't charge the full price on pre-order, but Steam doesn't work that way. Why can't they be like Amazon?

 

[Taborcarn]

I preordered a controller. Oct 16th is right by my birthday, and I could use a new PC controller as well (still using the original wired 360 one).

 

[flaxknuckles]

The last two CODs on PC use a autoaim as well.

Dang, that's even worse. Bruh probably thought he was a gaming god schooling them nutty PC gamers.

 

[Nostremitus]

The guy was saying "it's the same trackpad as our netbooks."

No, it isn't. That's not to say it's not a trackpad, but it very obviously is not the same trackpads on your dell laptop. And the reasons why your dell laptop trackpad sucks for gaming, is the reason why these do not.

No, the person asked what made these different from traditional trackpad. I thought your answer was meant to explain how they weren't trackpad. I apologize. In my defense, it just became 6am here and I haven't had coffee.

 

[Reluctant-Hero]

Valve aren't confirmed to be there yet. Same goes for their partners.

Knowing Valve, they'll set up their own thing across the street from the convention center.

And we'll love it.

 

[Dreamwriter]

I have one of the beta controllers, trust me, it's very cool in person. The trackpad doesn't feel like a trackpad, it feels like a mix between a mousewheel and a trackball. It's very precise, because it has "clicks" as you move your thumb over it, and if you swipe across and let go, it has momentum, and the clicks slow down. The haptic feedback is amazing, I have no idea how they do it.

 

[.hacked]

Preordered one, time to replace my wired Xbox 360 controller.

 

[Nzyme32]

Valve aren't confirmed to be there yet. Same goes for their partners.

PC gamer article in the Steam Controller video

ILLUMINATI

 

[Compsiox]

Knowing Valve, they'll set up their own thing across the street from the convention center.

And we'll love it.

The folks running E3 would just park a tractor trailer in front of Valves event.

 

[FistOfSyn]

im going against everyone here but controller looks horrible to use

Almost makes me want to test it... but this video REALLY didn't make me want to spend 50$ on it

 

[JoeyJungle]

Yeah man. I realized how annoying M/KB can be recently playing PoE. I'd love to kick back with a controller to play through Wasteland 2 enhanced or Tides of Numeria. That and strategy games don't quite work with tradtional controllers.

Definitely! Pretty much every game that's super mouse-heavy is going to be awesome with this. I don't think SC2 or other fast-paced RTS games will work very with this, but this is going to be great for things like Civ, Endless Legend, Europa Universalis, Crusader Kings, Invisible Inc, etc. I think it'll also be great for turn-based roguelikes like Tales of Maj'eyal. And The Witcher 1 will probably work great with this as well.

 

[Refreshment.01]

I don't see the traditional dual thumbstick controller going away, tbh.

That would be a sad spectacle.

However, i remain an optimist. By 2018 will have enough alternatives to properly aim.

If dual thumbstick controls go away, I think it's much more likely because we're all gaming on touch screens or because we've got some freaky new VR control method. In trying to cater to everything, I feel the Steam controller is never going to be as good as a more focused control scheme

Tell me something, what is the exact function that the right tumbstick is achieving that makes it irreplaceable in the "focused" control scheme you talk about?

 

[FLAguy954]

Actually I was serious ;-)

Did you ever try to play a shooter on the trackpad of your notebook ?

What I saw in the tailer is more or less the same thing.

From the info I got from this thread, the DPI on the trackpads is way higher than a typical laptop trackpad.

 

[M0nochromatic]

is that yuri lowenthall

I can't unhear him now, but there's no way that's him.

 

[weekend_warrior]

Looks pretty ugly, and I don't really see how it's much better then a regular controller, but if it works good then this plus a $500 steamboat might finally be the hing to push me off consoles into PC

Spoiler

console

gaming.

 

[driver116]

Looks awkward.

 

[Hip Hop]

Dang, that's even worse. Bruh probably thought he was a gaming god schooling them nutty PC gamers.

I did feel like one tbh.


Anyway, so far, I can see the controller being great at games where precision being required isn't a thing.

For something with precision, the analogue gives you a "visual" cue as to where exactly you are with your thumb. You feel it, and you react to that.

I just can't wrap my head around the "trackpad" giving you that same feel to adjust your aim accordingly, especially when no feedback as something pushing against your thumb isn't there, It's just your thumb sliding. That's why I never had problems with analogue, the feedback you get no where else is great. Yeah, they've made some adjustments for that sort of thing, but still. This is what smartphone third and first person games have treated me with, so I guess
my expectations are warped. Trying it will maybe change that when I get my hands on it.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

Can this thing pair up with a android phone by any chance ?

 

[Sunnington]

It's surprising that members of NeoGAF, an enthusiast gaming community, would not welcome a consumer-friendly, non-proprietary, easily replaceable wireless option with open arms.

I didn't know the Spin Doctors got back together again. That sure is a fancy way of saying double A batteries.

 

[Beardz]

I think these will be great for HTPCs. I would use it normally to control my windows interface if A) the version I had was wireless (it's wired) and B) I didn't have this:

Which also acts as a keyboard and mouse (press the center button and you can wave it like a wiimote to control your mouse on screen) and is universal so it controls my TV and stereo in addition to my PC. That remote is the main reason I don't use the steam controller to control the OS normally, otherwise the steam controller is perfectly fine for using every inch of windows or steamOS from a couch.

You can use an app to control your pc, I use unified remote to do this. If our phone has an infrared port, you can download another app to control any device you want.

 

[_Ryo_]

Haptic feedback in the analog stick?

Every input, from the triggers to the trackpads, can offer haptic feedback to your fingertips, delivering vital, high-bandwidth, tactile feedback about speed, boundaries, thresholds, textures, or actions

.

 

[kikonawa]

that controller looks as easy to use as my phones screen..... ugh

 

[Serick]

I did feel like one tbh.


Anyway, so far, I can see the controller being great at games where precision being required isn't a thing.

For something with precision, the analogue gives you a "visual" cue as to where exactly you are with your thumb. You feel it, and you react to that.

I just can't wrap my head around the "trackpad" giving you that same feel to adjust your aim accordingly, especially when no feedback as something pushing against your thumb isn't there, It's just your thumb sliding. That's why I never had problems with analogue, the feedback you get no where else is great. Yeah, they've made some adjustments for that sort of thing, but still. This is what smartphone third and first person games have treated me with, so I guess
my expectations are warped. Trying it will maybe change that when I get my hands on it.

The controller does give your thumb feedback (and I don't mean grooves or bumps on the surface). You can feel it.

Read this.

 

[ColEx]

So many games i want to play on a big screen, had to pre-order. Long wait though....

 

[Mr.Pig]

It's surprising that members of NeoGAF, an enthusiast gaming community, would not welcome a consumer-friendly, non-proprietary, easily replaceable wireless option with open arms.

Some members probably don't know what rechargeable AA batteries are.

 

[SourBear]

Really it boils down to this new release video doing a poor job of showing off the features of the controller. That one gif floating around with the guy playing portal 2 does a better job and its just of him using the right pad to look around. It is immediately evident from that gif how the thumb pad is different from a trackpad.

 

[Nzyme32]

I think they're 2000mAH.i just bought a new pack at Costco similar to this pack:www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00N05RL22/r...711&sr=8-9&pi=AC_SX110_SY165&keywords=Eneloop

Thanks a lot!

 

[ashecitism]

So, this part (Templates) is new

 

[The Cowboy]

Hmm. I was on valve site because they had the link solus up for preorder and GAME don't, but then was swayed by the returns policy. I guess GAME would still have distance selling regs and probably easier/cheaper to return too? Good point.

Yep, the pad and link would indeed be covered by the distance selling laws, plus you can actually return an item purchased online to a retail store for a refund to save time (if you have one local).

As weird as it is for me to say this (as i really don't like Game), they are the better place to get this from in the UK right now. Due to the postage cost on Steam and the distance selling laws (and the fact you can return your items to any Game store near you aswell), they are actually the better deal..

Edit.
I see you actually went ahead and ordered, so feel free to ignore the above .

 

[Unai]

I did feel like one tbh.


Anyway, so far, I can see the controller being great at games where precision being required isn't a thing.

For something with precision, the analogue gives you a "visual" cue as to where exactly you are with your thumb. You feel it, and you react to that.

I just can't wrap my head around the "trackpad" giving you that same feel to adjust your aim accordingly, especially when no feedback as something pushing against your thumb isn't there, It's just your thumb sliding. That's why I never had problems with analogue, the feedback you get no where else is great. Yeah, they've made some adjustments for that sort of thing, but still. This is what smartphone third and first person games have treated me with, so I guess
my expectations are warped. Trying it will maybe change that when I get my hands on it.

It has haptic feedback.

 

[Maintenance]

Some members probably don't know what rechargeable AA batteries are.

Some members don't want to be stuck in the past with AA batteries, rechargeable or not.

 

[JoeyJungle]

If dual thumbstick controls go away, I think it's much more likely because we're all gaming on touch screens or because we've got some freaky new VR control method. In trying to cater to everything, I feel the Steam controller is never going to be as good as a more focused control scheme.

I think that the Steam controller is definitely going to be the best game for kb/m heavy games, like Civ or Pillars of Eternity. Right now the only controller option for those types of games is a 360 controller with xpadder (or something similar), with the analog stick mimicking a mouse. Which is TERRIBLE and incredibly frustrating to use. You either need to set the sensitivity super high to get the cursor from one edge of the screen to the other in less than 30 seconds, or you need to set it super low to make it precise enough to actually click on things. It's just impossible to use for more than 5 minutes and not want to throw your controller out the window.

So for me, that's what the Steam controller is replacing. I have lots of slow-paced mouse-heavy games I'd like to play while leaning back in my chair, and by the very fact that it has trackpads instead of analog sticks makes it the #1 controller for games like Civ or Pillars of Eternity (and it may actually be better than using a kb/m).

It might be good or even great in FPS games or third person action games or 2D/3D JRPGs, but I honestly have no idea what to expect when using it for those genres until I actually try it. But for slow-paced kb/m heavy games, this is just a godsend for me. No more wrist pain after marathon sessions is going to be AWESOME!