A better look at the updated Steam Controller

With Game Developers Conference around the corner, Valve has offered a better look at the updated controller.

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Valve announced it would be changing its Steam Controller at Steam Dev Days. The invite-only event let us know that the controller had dropped its touch screen in favor of physical buttons. Unfortunately, we couldn't get a proper look at what the controller now looks like. With Game Developers Conference around the corner, Valve has offered a better look at the updated controller. "The latest version refines ergonomic aspects of the Controller by adding two diamond-patterned button layouts in the area previously designated for a touch screen display," a Valve representative described in an email. "These analog buttons are offered in addition to the touch pads featured in the original prototypes." The addition of buttons--especially those that align with the now-standard Xbox configuration--should make switching to a Steam Controller much easier. However, it also makes the controller less unique, which may make it a difficult sell for gamers that are perfectly content with their Xbox 360 controllers.

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Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    March 14, 2014 12:30 PM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, A better look at the updated Steam Controller.

    With Game Developers Conference around the corner, Valve has offered a better look at the updated controller.

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      March 14, 2014 12:36 PM

      Seems like they retained the big differentiator. I'm looking forward to getting this.

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      March 14, 2014 12:38 PM

      i like how it is has directional buttons instead of a directional pad because fuck directional pads.

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        March 14, 2014 1:38 PM

        And it's symmetrical so left-handed players can use it with no problem.

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          March 14, 2014 5:22 PM

          Do left-handed players have a problem with the directional pad on the left?

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            March 14, 2014 5:30 PM

            I am a left handed player and have no problems with it, but then I am cross-dominant so maybe not the best anecdotal evidence.

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              March 14, 2014 7:15 PM

              I just find it an odd idea. I would assume if anything, better coordination with your left hand would make for better ability to manipulate a dpad or thumb stick. In either case, the rest of us seem to manage building that ability just fine without having any kind of advantage that I'm aware of. I guess I just don't see how handedness actually matters here.

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                March 17, 2014 11:31 AM

                I'm left handed but I guess that's not what I mean. I use a standard controller setup but if someone were to choose to play it with southpaw style where movement is on the right and jumping / firing / whatever is on the left, then they can switch with no problems thanks to the layout of the buttons.

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                  March 17, 2014 12:21 PM

                  Right, I understand that, I just wonder how many people there are who would care to do that.

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        March 14, 2014 1:50 PM

        God I wish it had the standard D-Pad

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          March 14, 2014 1:53 PM

          gotta agree here. I wonder why they strayed from it. Is there a licensing problem maybe?

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      March 14, 2014 12:39 PM

      I really want to try one.

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      March 14, 2014 1:48 PM

      The tiny buttons are kawaii

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      March 14, 2014 2:22 PM

      [deleted]

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        March 14, 2014 2:41 PM

        Probably if you're using a Steam controller you're going to use the touch pads instead of a dpad.

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          March 14, 2014 3:08 PM

          I could actually see the touchpads being effective for circular movements in fighting games

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            March 14, 2014 4:14 PM

            One of the Meatboy devs played through his game with it (although he suggested something tactile to let you know where you are on the pad). It sounds like it'll replace dpad movement just fine. For the games that use it for other things, like Dark Souls, you still have the four buttons there.

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      March 14, 2014 4:56 PM

      Kinda looks like a Wii U Pro Controller now except it with trackpads instead of analog sticks. And 4 buttons where the D-pad would be for some reason.

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      March 14, 2014 7:20 PM

      I am excited.

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      March 14, 2014 8:08 PM

      While the facts remain unknown at this time, the directional buttons may be the worst solution for directional input ever conceived. RIP steam controller 2014.

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      March 15, 2014 8:21 AM

      it looks like i need big hands to use this controller... which i don't have.

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