Steam is a video game digital distribution service by Valve.
Steam News | Steam Beta Client news
Useful tools:
SteamDB
SteamCharts
Issue tracker for Linux version of Steam
Give me the Steam Deck layout sans screen and I'll buy several.
So fucking fed up being charged out the ass for a few extra buttons and/or shitty build quality.
I went through RMAing SIX god damn Xbox elite 2 controllers before just giving up and getting my CC agency involved to get my money back.
I just want a controller with back pedals and touchpads for mouse emulation. Is that so hard?
I’d be surprised if they weren’t making exactly that. It’d also give devs an easier way to test controlling with a deck without having to buy one
Give me the Steam Deck layout sans screen and I'll buy several.
This, they should include gyro too ideally if that doesn't go without saying
I never got into gyro controls. What are the pros for you?
I find it works really well (as a combo with stick) for FPS games on the steamdeck, feels a bit closer to mouse & keyboard in precision
I really need to give this another try. Any games you've tested this with in which gyro aim works particularly well?
I used to play a lot of Fallout 4 with gyro aiming on the Steam Controller, there was a lot of downtime between fights and gunplay didn't require perfect precision, which was great for learning how the controller felt. I'd find that I'd sit back with my hands on my lap, tilting the controller very slightly up and down for vertical aim and unconsciously using my foot to rotate the chair for horizontal. Once I got used to how it worked (including setting the gyro to only activate while the left trigger was held and fine-tuning the sensitivity) it became natural. My body just kind of figured it all out in the most comfortable way.
Nintendo's work is solid on the Switch. With all the gyro control, I got so used to it that whenever I'm using my Xbox controller on Steam I instinctively tilt the controller for control. Once you're used to stick for general direction and tilt for specifics it feels natural.
I'd recommend playing 2 types of games to get used to it.
First a single player FPS with gyro working on some kind of switch, if you have a Steam Controller, this would be when you are touching the right touchpad, otherwise with a PS5 controller for example maybe it's always on, but when you touch the touchpad it disables.
This allows you to recentre the controller when you need to so you're not twisting around in your chair.
Second play a third person action game with some kind of shooting and enable the gyro only when you pull the button to aim, usually left trigger, this will help you fine tune your aim and get used to that enhancement. I really enjoyed Horizen Zero Dawn like this and Alien: Fire team Elite.
For me personally, it's just a nice to have for games that require it. I remember pulling out my steam controller a few times when Breath of the Wild needed motion controls.
I've managed to use it as a steering wheel for the old NFS:MW
The original Steam Controller has gyro, so I can't imagine they'd leave it out of a successor.
It’s wild to me that somehow the elite controllers are worst than their cheaper brothers. I’ve owned both series. Both sucked hard.
Not to defend Microsoft, but I haven't had any issues with my Elite 2 controller, and I've had it for a couple of years at least.
But with hall effect, and slightly more angled triggers for better ergonomics since it doesnt have to be flat. And.. and..
This 100%. Personally I'm happy with the build quality on my Elite 2, but I hate that it requires Windows 10+ to update the firmware. And it really needs a trackpad.
I hope they improve on the following
I switched to an 8bitdo controller with hall effect joysticks since, but I do miss the touchpad's precision for FPS.
I'd base all expectations on Steam Deck not Controller v1. You can already see the lessons learned in the deck.
The clicky-ness of the touchpad, paddles, shoulder buttons etc. is one of the things if absolutely love about the OG Steam Controller
My day 1 ordered Steam Controller is still going strong but I’ve been constantly worrying about the day it dies. Can’t wait, if this rumour proves to be true.
Same here. I'm more worried about losing the USB Dongle.
It can be put into Bluetooth mode. Works just as well. As someone who lost their dongle
Mine had slid off the footrest I had stupidly placed it on overnight and I didn't notice that so I sat down and jerked my computer chair forward, one wheel right into the controller. It's crazy how much it broke, one side cracked, including the PCB and both the bumber and trigger on that side got badly deformed.
RIP friend, you were the best.
Still using my Steam Controller every day, with two in reserve. By far my favorite gaming controller, simply because of those touchpads. I play a lot of turn-based strategy and doing it from the couch is sublime.
If Steam Controller 2 has touchpads and does something better than SC1, I'm probably in (dependent on pricing).
Next up please make a Steam Box. I just want a PS5/XSX equivalent with SteamOS.
And because I know people will say build a PC: No, I want a pre build smallish box with kinda certified hardware so I don’t have to worry about compatibility, cooling, drivers and all that stuff.
Or release a SteamOS image so I can install it on my gaming rig.
You can just use any Linux distro and start steam in big screen mode, I think steamOs is available but a bit too customized for the deck
You have it - it’s the Steam Deck.
Fair enough. You can just dock it to a tv, like switch.
But a console like box without the constraints the Deck has (thermals, power usage, size, weight, needing a screen) would still be a valid product offering.
I personally don’t like mobile gaming, but I do like a console experience.
I run steam deck with a dock but it's closer to a switch than ps5 I guess. For what I play on a 1080 tv, with Elden ring being my heaviest title, it works perfectly.
I can see how a steam box that would deliver 4k on high end games would be awesome as well.
ILL TAKE YOUR ENTIRE FUCKING STOCK
C'mon valve my wallet's so heavy
Fuck yeah I don't care how bad it is I'll take six
Mine two steam controllers are still used almost daily, but they are showing there age in wear and tear.
So please be as great as version 1. I need two new ones
Some functionality that keeps me using the Steam Controller has been touchpads for movement, quick gadget swapping with touchpads, quick 180s/gyro activation with touchpads.
I use it to play games like Doom Eternal, Left 4 Dead 2, Spin Rhythm XD, The Finals, etc.
Sadly I don't find myself doing the same on the Steam Deck opting for the joysticks instead, since I don't find the placement, smaller size, square versus circle, and flat surface versus concave offering the type of consistency that I use the touchpads for on the Steam Controller. It feels more a touchpad appropriate for slow paced games or just desktop navigation than optimal for the way I use the touchpads on the Steam Controller. And I don't see Valve delivering on the touchpad end that I would like with the next Steam Controller with all the inputs it would be fitting in.
I hope it has 2 pads and 2 sticks, like the deck! The only think I didn't like about the original was having to use the right pad instead of a stick.
Hope for Hall Effect joystick
Fingers crossed for Joystick #2
I hope the build quality is better on this one. My old one got worn out relatively quickly.
Probably just got a bad one tbh, I've had mine since 2015 and my wife still uses it almost every day (primarily for stardew valley) with zero issues. I sometimes use it on weekends so I know there's still no issues with it
Ive been waiting for the next version of their vr. if it works with glasses almost a guarantee buy for me.
moar touchpads!!!
I hope the rubber or whatever on the sticks doesn’t turn gross & sticky with time like the original.
The Next Steam Controller will release together with Half-Life 3 and Team Fortress 3 (This time with anticheat)
LET'S. FUCKING. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Yaaaaas! I'll take 2!