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[Mengy]

Before people blink, steam is going to be everywhere and people are going to be wondering how it became such a big force. Again. Because a lot of the barriers to PC gaming that have traditionally stood tall are falling. You don't ever need to see windows again, Steam Big Picture Mode is basically a total shell replacement for windows itself. Console-style UI with a no-compromise PC ecosystem.

Yep, Valve is strategically executing a pretty intense gameplan. Honestly it's what Microsoft should have done many years ago, they had all of the tech and expertise in place to do so, they just lacked the vision and willpower. It will be interesting to see where Valve is sitting a year or two from now.

 

[injurai]

people keep "tee hee"ing about force reactors are showing their ignorance.

You guys know this is an actual EE term, correct? It's a specific type of actuator by Alps. It's not a buzz term.

no you see, I think it's dope

 

[Krejlooc]

Would it be possible to open up the controller and switch the two pads so that I have the d-pad trackpad on the right side?

In the prototypes, the actuators were one solid piece so you couldn't switch them around. But there also wasn't any reason to do so in the original.

I cannot understand how that typing worked... How do you type without a cursor??

It had two cursors on screen, one for each finger:

 

[flaxknuckles]

Yep, Valve is strategically executing a pretty intense gameplan. Honestly it's what Microsoft should have done many years ago, they had all of the tech and expertise in place to do so, they just lacked the vision and willpower. It will be interesting to see where Valve is sitting a year or two from now.

Microsoft really should have done this. I can't stop thinking about it. They could have potentially been THE living room box today but they instead decided to join the console race and have to start all over again with their userbase every console generation.

 

[Krejlooc]

Yep, Valve is strategically executing a pretty intense gameplan. Honestly it's what Microsoft should have done many years ago, they had all of the tech and expertise in place to do so, they just lacked the vision and willpower. It will be interesting to see where Valve is sitting a year or two from now.

Don't forget that Valve is one of the leaders in consumer VR as well.

Valve has a lot of interesting potential at the moment.

 

[Zeyphersan]

Would it be possible to open up the controller and switch the two pads so that I have the d-pad trackpad on the right side?

The dpad trackpad isn't different from the one on the right, just has slight grooves for positioning. You can use the right trackpad as the dpad one if you want

 

[viveks86]

Would it be possible to open up the controller and switch the two pads so that I have the d-pad trackpad on the right side?

The + sign is just cosmetic (though the grooves may aid in directional movement). You can use either side as a d-pad.

 

[KevinCow]

It has Gamecube triggers? That's interesting.

 

[Krejlooc]

It will be glorious playing XCOM 2 on a big comfy couch with this

 

[ebullientprism]

Sold.

Wonder if it will work with kodi/xbmc. Would be nice to use it for everything on the htpc.

 

[Krejlooc]

Sold.

Wonder if it will work with kodi/xbmc. Would be nice to use it for everything on the htpc.

it does. It is literally a keyboard and mouse.

Funnily enough, my specific steam profile and steam controller have a weird bug with XBMC where I can't remap my controls. It only affects me, the team at Valve are stumped at why my specific profile and my specific controller won't let me delete my default controller settings for XBMC. I have to use the standard, no-mapping-set profile for XBMC. They told me to just wait for the final, haha.

My other friends with steam machines and steam controllers have had no problems remapping their controls for XBMC, though. My situation might be unique because I bricked my steam controller with a firmware update early on and they had to work with me to restore it to life.

 

[JesseZao]

it does. It is literally a keyboard and mouse.

Literally.

 

[Krejlooc]

Literally.

I'm using literally correctly. The controller identifies in hardware as a HID keyboard and mouse.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Seems like a pretty competitive price point. Same cost as Wii U Pro controller.

 

[The Dear Leader]

I'm excited to get one, that trailer did a good job summing up the uses of it. The only thing I found kind of confusing was the Wolfenstein bit with the aiming, is ADS and shoot both on the right trigger? You just have to adjust how hard you press for each action?

 

[Krejlooc]

I'm excited to get one, that trailer did a good job summing up the uses of it. The only thing I found kind of confusing was the Wolfenstein bit with the aiming, is ADS and shoot both on the right trigger? You just have to adjust how hard you press for each action?

The controls for every game are completely remappable. The triggers identify as two separate inputs - an analog slider and a digital push button. They just mapped two actions to one button to show the difference. You could make any button on the controller be ads.

 

[weekend_warrior]

I don't get it tbh.

It's a controller that supposed to be as easy to use as a dual shock and as precise as a keyboard/mouse.

 

[Nzyme32]

It will be glorious playing XCOM 2 on a big comfy couch with this

This was one of my first thoughts. It releases in November, so does the controller and I know I'd be purchasing one anyway while I attempt every possible method of more intuitive lounge gaming. It will make a good test. Although I am interested in seeing what native support implementations could bring to the table

 

[Shadowhaxor]

If they didn't charge immediately I think I would've preordered one. It seems pretty cool and I'd love to see how it feels.

Oddly enough when I pre-ordered my controller I wasn't charged.

 

[Bytes]

I'm using literally correctly. The controller identifies in hardware as a HID keyboard and mouse.

Not really, as the controller is not literally a keyboard and mouse. It just tells the computer that it is one.

 

[Maffis]

I was tempted to buy it but I don't know why Swedish people should have to pay 85 dollars for it.

 

[The Dear Leader]

The controls for every game are completely remappable. The triggers identify as two separate inputs - an analog slider and a digital push button. They just mapped two actions to one button to show the difference. You could make any button on the controller be ads.

That's pretty cool, I could see that being really useful, like a light attack in a game being the analog push and strong attack being the digital click, man I need to get one of these...

 

[molnizzle]

I'm using literally correctly. The controller identifies in hardware as a HID keyboard and mouse.

Shit really? So this can control a mouse cursor in Windows itself? I don't do anything on my PC but play games, but I still need to bust into the Win 8.1 UI every so often to mess with stuff. I have a Microsoft HTPC keyboard but the trackpad is terrible, I was literally just looking at the $99 Loitech K830 as a replacement.

Also HID means it can wake PC from sleep right? Finally.

 

[Red]

Yep, Valve is strategically executing a pretty intense gameplan. Honestly it's what Microsoft should have done many years ago, they had all of the tech and expertise in place to do so, they just lacked the vision and willpower. It will be interesting to see where Valve is sitting a year or two from now.

Microsoft plays it safe. Risk aversion is their modus operandi. When PC gaming was "dying," MS jumped ship. Valve was wise enough to stay the course. GFWL was Microsoft's lame attempt to climb back onboard.

 

[Nzyme32]

Would anyone happen to know what the usage is of a magnetic flux sensor in the triggers?

Shit really? So this can control a mouse cursor in Windows itself? I don't do anything on my PC but play games, but I still need to bust into the Win 8.1 UI every so often to mess with stuff. I have a Microsoft HTPC keyboard but the trackpad is terrible, I was literally just looking at the $99 Loitech K830 as a replacement.

Also HID means it can wake PC from sleep right? Finally.

Steam provides a bunch more usefulness to the controller, but you can apparently just use it since the device will detect it as a mouse and keyboard (or I imagine whatever the firmware was last set to be). I think Krej once mentioned using it on Windows 98 and a Dreamcast (he'd be a better person to answer). Pretty cool

 

[Krejlooc]

Not really, as the controller is not literally a keyboard and mouse. It just tells the computer that it is one.

It isnt just "telling the computer that it is a keyboard and mouse," it is operating along the same interface. It is literally a keyboard and mouse in terms of the hardware. There is no software emulation going on.

This is all a keyboard is:

 

[ebullientprism]

it does. It is literally a keyboard and mouse.

Funnily enough, my specific steam profile and steam controller have a weird bug with XBMC where I can't remap my controls. It only affects me, the team at Valve are stumped at why my specific profile and my specific controller won't let me delete my default controller settings for XBMC. I have to use the standard, no-mapping-set profile for XBMC. They told me to just wait for the final, haha.

My other friends with steam machines and steam controllers have had no problems remapping their controls for XBMC, though. My situation might be unique because I bricked my steam controller with a firmware update early on and they had to work with me to restore it to life.

Fantastic.

I dont even need to remap it. As long as the default XBMC profile (I am assuming we mean X360 controller mapping) works fine I am good.

 

[Krejlooc]

Shit really? So this can control a mouse cursor in Windows itself? I don't do anything on my PC but play games, but I still need to bust into the Win 8.1 UI every so often to mess with stuff. I have a Microsoft HTPC keyboard but the trackpad is terrible, I was literally just looking at the $99 Loitech K830 as a replacement.

Also HID means it can wake PC from sleep right? Finally.

You can use this on any system that accepts hid mice or keyboards. I have used this in windows 98, as an example..ive used it on my ps3. I have used it on my dreamcast[/img].

It is literally a keyboard and mouse.

 

[MercuryLS]

Looks good to me.

I'm willing to try anything at this point.

I hate KB+M for 3rd person games and I hate analog stick controllers for 1st person games.

I need that middle-ground controller to bridge the gap. Hoping this is it.

While I wouldn't say hate, I agree with you. This looks like a great mix between the two, I hope it's as good as it looks in the video.

 

[JesseZao]

It is literally a keyboard and mouse internally.

FTFY

 

[Krejlooc]

Fantastic.

I dont even need to remap it. As long as the default XBMC profile (I am assuming we mean X360 controller mapping) works fine I am good.

No, the default mapping is kinda wonky, its wasd for the left pad, mouse for the right, right click on the left trigger, etc.

It is useable but I definitely wish I could change my mappings. Like I wish the left pad was the arrow keys so I could navigate without using the mouse.

 

[molnizzle]

You can use this on any system that accepts hid mice or keyboards. I have used this in windows 98, as an example..ive used it on my ps3. I have used it on my dreamcast.

It is literally a keyboard and mouse.

holy shit.

How does typing work? Win8 has built in support for on screen keyboard, right? But I assume you can't use Valve's coolguy dual cursors.

 

[chrominance]

The controls for every game are completely remappable. The triggers identify as two separate inputs - an analog slider and a digital push button. They just mapped two actions to one button to show the difference. You could make any button on the controller be ads.

This was the part of the ad that made me the most excited, but then I realized I had no idea how you would hipfire if ironsights and fire were on the same trigger, unless the controller has separate inputs mapped to "slow pull" versus "fast pull."

 

[Skyzard]

I swear I heard them say one-to-one mapping for the mouse cursor and the right thumb area.

That just marketing bullshit?

How about with different resolutions...

Wonder what the acceleration is going to be like for non-point and click games. Think I'll hold out for some user reviews.

 

[Head.spawn]

I was all set to pre-order now that I got home, but I just saw the date... Oct?

Ehhh, nope. If this was coming out soon, like say within a month, sure I want to make sure I am down for one. October is just too far away.

 

[Nzyme32]

This was the part of the ad that made me the most excited, but then I realized I had no idea how you would hipfire if ironsights and fire were on the same trigger, unless the controller has separate inputs mapped to "slow pull" versus "fast pull."

I'm taking a guess that it may be able to do that since I have no idea what a magnetic flux sensor is doing in the triggers

I swear I heard them say one-to-one mapping for the mouse cursor and the right thumb area.

That just marketing bullshit?

How about with different resolutions...

Wonder what the acceleration is going to be like for non-point and click games. Think I'll hold out for some user reviews.

It is 1:1. You can increase sensitivity and add mouse acceleration if you really wanted to, but it is better acting as a virtual trackball, in which case you can flick it, and dependant on the size and weight of the simulated ball, it will carry on moving till the momentum stops it

 

[Krejlooc]

holy shit.

How does typing work? Win8 has built in support for on screen keyboard, right? But I assume you can't use Valve's coolguy dual cursors.

The physical buttons map to specific keys. If steam isnt present, the controller will default to the normal firmware which has wasd on the right pad, etc.

If steam IS present, then what happens is that the microcontroller inside the controller gets reflashed every time you launch an executable. When you tell steam your mapping, it will actually reprogram the keys internally on the microcontroller. There is no translation software going through, it is literally sending the keypresses.

If certain games support text input through the steamworks api, you get that pop up menu when you entet a text field so you can send a full keyboard set of keypresses.

 

[Krejlooc]

I swear I heard them say one-to-one mapping for the mouse cursor and the right thumb area.

That just marketing bullshit?

How about with different resolutions...

Wonder what the acceleration is going to be like for non-point and click games. Think I'll hold out for some user reviews.

The resolution for the touchpads is enormous, bigger than most screens. I can make it so sensitive that half a swipe takes me totally across the screen at 1080p.

 

[Fitts]

Is GameStop the only retail partner for this or will the controller be available at other stores when it's released?

 

[Unai]

Shit really? So this can control a mouse cursor in Windows itself? I don't do anything on my PC but play games, but I still need to bust into the Win 8.1 UI every so often to mess with stuff. I have a Microsoft HTPC keyboard but the trackpad is terrible, I was literally just looking at the $99 Loitech K830 as a replacement.

Also HID means it can wake PC from sleep right? Finally.

Exactly. Some people have used it even in the Dreamcast, because that console accepts mouse and keyboard.

 

[molnizzle]

The physical buttons map to specific keys. If steam isnt present, the controller will default to the normal firmware which has wasd on the right pad, etc.

If steam IS present, then what happens is that the microcontroller inside the controller gets reflashed every time you launch an executable. When you tell steam your mapping, it will actually reprogram the keys internally on the microcontroller. There is no translation software going through, it is literally sending the keypresses.

If certain games support text input through the steamworks api, you get that pop up menu when you entet a text field so you can send a full keyboard set of keypresses.

Yeah but I don't really care about steam itself, current controller works fine for that. I'm looking for an actual KB/M replacement for when I need to edit some settings in Nvidia Inspector or download a mod from the web. Or hell, edit an INI file.

Could I do that with this thing?

 

[Gamesadict]

I need this.

 

[Skyzard]

Okay nice, thanks for the reassurance guys.

 

[Krejlooc]

Yeah but I don't really care about steam itself, current controller works fine for that. I'm looking for an actual KB/M replacement for when I need to edit some settings in Nvidia Inspector or download a mod from the web. Or hell, edit an INI file.

Could I do that with this thing?

Sure, you could use the on screen keyboard built into windows 7 onward. Ive done that before.

 

[molnizzle]

Sure, you could use the on screen keyboard built into windows 7 onward. Ive done that before.

O_O

#gamechanger

 

[MercuryLS]

I really hope the second gen Alienware Alpha is a big upgrade. I'll get that with the SteamOS and Steam Controller bundled. This will be my first real push into PC gaming, I'm quite excited. If I'm happy with it I may just slowly move away from console gaming altogether.

 

[Memorabilia]

That should have casually shown some Half-Life 3 gameplay footage. Like it's no big deal.

Lol This made me laugh. It'd actually be kinda genius to do it that way.

 

[LegoArmo]

Will probably buy. The end of the year is when I'm probably going to build a new gaming PC. I hope this will make playing some old games feel new all over again.

 

[Krejlooc]

Will probably buy. The end of the year is when I'm probably going to build a new gaming PC. I hope this will make playing some old games feel new all over again.

Trust me - Try System Shock 2 when you get the controller. It is a great example of a game that realistically could never be played with a normal controller. I played it using my steam controller on an actual windows 98 PC with dual Voodoo 2 accelerator's installed in SLI.

As in, a PC that was built like 2 years before Valve even existed.

 

[Koyuga]

Looks nice but AA batteries? That's so gross.