It’s not the clearest photo, but it clearly has both 2 thumb sticks and 2 track pads.
This thing looks almost as big as The Duke.
I fear that, just like the Steam Deck’s controller, it won’t be usable without Steam running. IMO by default and without any special “driver” running in the background, the sticks and buttons should just behave like a Xbox controller.
The original Steam controller worked without Steam running, even including some of the extra features like mouse and scrolling functions for the trackpads if you wanted it to. So here’s hoping
It could just be my screen, but that render is hard AF to decipher. Here’s a quick n dirty curves manipulation to get better contrast.
Thank you - I couldn’t see the buttons between the track pads before. Does anyone have an idea what that might be?
if its the same as steamdeck, those are the steam and … (status) overlay buttons.
Give us the circle pads back! Just keep making the steam controller actually, with another back paddle, hall effect stick… Damn squares.
I was going to say that if you wanted one they’re cheap on eBay, but after checking, they’re $50+
Anyone got a non-xitter copy of this news?
There will probably be gamingonlinux/steamdeckhq articles in the morning, but for now this is the only source.
I love my Steam Controller. I still use it majority of the time over my playstation, nintendo, and xbox controllers because of the touchpads.
But, I didn’t like using the touchpads on the Deck because of the size, shape, and orientation making it a regression for maining the touchpads for the games I play. So not surprised by the leak, since Valve would obviously be better off focusing on making the ergonomics better for joystick users than touchpad users. Still let down because it’ll mean for touchpad focused users like me Steam Controller is the only touchpad centric controller on the market with great ergonomics, size with 40mm concave pads, and circular shape for more consistent swipes.
But, it is discontinued and the gyro feels aged compared to the options out there. Will still be using it though from the looks of it for years to come hoping for an eventual dual pad centric controller from some niche group.
Looks good. I just hope they bring back two-stage triggers, as those are missing from the Steam Deck.
What’s a two-stage trigger? Analogue until it’s all the way down, then a click (like the GameCube)?
This is correct, linear trigger with a click at the end very useful in desktop mode to have it slow the mouse movement with a trigger pull and then the trigger click for the mouse click.
Oh that’s cool, I’d not even considered using it to control a mouse
I got an 8bitdo controller (ultimate 2C or whatever), and it feels really nice. Except the triggers are not two-stage. And it’s smaller.
Makes sense that it would match the inputs on the Steam Deck.
I love it. Absolutely buying one.
Fantastic. I love my steam controller, I’ll buy the next one in a heartbeat
This seems like a prototype that they can make using the parts from the current deck.
I’m not sure the two square pads make sense on an actual controller, and I feel like those thumbsticks would be just out of comfortable reach.
I remember seeing the Steam Deck and thinking “the button placement is really weird, none of this looks comfortable”. Then when I took it in my hands for the first time, everything made sense.
I’m a big Steam Controller trackpad user, and I already nearly never use my Deck trackpads because they’re too low down. This new one just looks like a normal controller with extra bulk, and nonsense in the area no controller except the N64 used because it’s not where most people grow fingers. I guess it’ll at least have paddles, but they’re hardly a unique feature these days. I really just wanted the existing one again, but with more paddles, an option for an integrated battery, USB-C instead of micro B, and an official supply of replacement thumbsticks instead of having to bodge in 8bitdo ones that aren’t quite the same shape.
Oddly, I almost exclusively use the trackpads on my deck. I tend to play mainly mouse-driven games.
It seems to me like the thumbsticks are in the same ergonomic location as on a Playstation controller, and the trackpads are just in the empty space that would otherwise be there. I’m fully into it even if this is what it looks like when complete
To me it looks like they’ve shoved the joysticks up where the trackpad is on playstation controllers. If they haven’t, that’s even worse.
There’s nothing below the joysticks on the playstation controller, because that area isn’t within comfortable reach for your thumbs.
Sure you can put stuff there, but bending your fingers theres isn’t fun. That’s already true for some users when using the trackpads on the deck.
@Fubarberry Sadly caving to the need to have so many different inputs much like the Steam Deck, it looks much less elegant and striking than the original Steam Controller. Like it’s trying to be several different things in one package instead of the bold new single direction of the original SC.
Yeah, I find the controller disappointing as a Steam Controller user because I want a new touchpad centric controller for updated gyro with the old one not feeling smooth for high refresh rate displays.
The approach they went with is one that satisfies joystick users who aren’t really lacking for options when it comes to joystick controllers, but disappointing for the few half dozen users who main the touchpads and have only the option of the discontinued Steam Controller. The Deck pads were a let down for me with the ergonomics, placement, size, and shape so they didn’t end up being a good touchpad successor for my use case opting for the joysticks when I use the Deck.
I’m not surprised with the more mainstream direction they went. Just disappointed but I expected to be disappointed.
I’m pretty surprised nobody seems to like the Deck’s touchpads. Yes they’re a bit of a compromise, but I have been playing hundreds of hours using the right trackpad for camera control on my Deck and they’re pretty great. Maybe my hands are weird.
I have big hands, and just looking at this picture makes me think even I’m going to have trouble using the control sticks normally. They’re literally the closest thing to the center of the controller.
That being said, it’s just my first impression of it, and this looks like it might just be a prototype, so I’ll wait and see.
There were similar concerns when the steam deck was first revealed, and it works fine. So I’m not too worried.
The thumb sticks seem high. Not sure it’d be fun to use
They look like they’re in about the same position or lower than the sticks in the steam deck.
I’m guessing it’s a little lower since there’s no screen in the middle so your hands are angled together a little more.
Idk, it just looks weird, maybe since its a render, but unless this controller is very small it does not look comfy. The steamdeck controls seems fine, due to how you’re forced to grip it, although I’ve never tried it.
They need to market it properly. The average gamer didn’t know how to use the SC to its fullest potential. I would recommend free software that showcases the controllers abilities that can be used with competitor controllers for comparisons. Software with simple games that teaches the user how to make use of all the functions would be a great boon to their sales. It would also help reviews spread the word.
Iant that what Aperture Desk Job did?
It did, and I think it did so very well
Honestly, the biggest issue with the original was that it’s non-traditional layout meant that games with built in controller support didn’t necessarily work well on it. This layout will make it full featured as a “normal controller”, while offering additional input options when the game benefits from it.
As an avid and current Steam Controller user, top-down twin stick shooters are still awkward. Having a second stick while still having both pads will be a monumental improvement.
