Steam Controller

Joe! said:
I've just seen Paul's Hardware's video on the Steam Controller and needless to say I am not taken away by it.

I'm interested in what it is like for racing games as that's my primary use, so please keep me updated TwsT.
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I think it is something that you would have to use for a month to make a proper decision.

For racing games you are going to use the stick or motion control. I do not think it will be much different than what is currently out there.

It is basically a compromise so you can play certain games on your couch and have a decent level of control.
 
Fair enough. I use triggers on my Xbox One controller for acceleration and braking which is what put me off when I first saw the Steam Controller.

I suppose it is not aimed at the at-the-desk gamer like I am though :eek:

Thanks.
 
Joe! said:
Fair enough. I use triggers on my Xbox One controller for acceleration and braking which is what put me off when I first saw the Steam Controller.

I suppose it is not aimed at the at-the-desk gamer like I am though :eek:

Thanks.
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The triggers are fine on the controller, they have a great level of depth with a click at the end. Also the paddles on the rear will be great for gear changes.

I will play some racing games later and get back to you.
 
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You are a star, thank you.

The paddles are what entice me most about a controller - The Xbox One Elite controller has 1-4 paddles (you can plug them in yourself) as well as modifiable analog sticks, but it also has the massive price tag to match.

I will be very interested in what you come out with - Thanks!
 
To be honest, I am finding the whole controller a little overwhelming at the minute.

Played some Project Cars earlier, works as expected using analogue stick to steer, paddles for gears and triggers for accelerate and brake.

There are a few interesting custom setups using the touch pads. One uses left pad to steer, and right pad to accelerate and brake, worked surprisingly well but not for me I don't think. You can also use the gyroscope for steering, so physically tilting the controller like a wheel. Works fairly well, and is quite fun.

Just played Portal 2, and Valve have setup their own profiles, these work much better. It feels like the game has been designed for the pad. If you hold down the right touch pad you can move the controller around for very accurate aiming, would be good for iron sights.

Not really mastered the controller yet, and my wrists are achey. Feels a little big, and am struggling to aim with the right pad whilst firing with right trigger. Overall I am glad I bought it, I am having fun playing about. It does a hell of a lot, but might be a case of jack of all trades.
 
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Interested in one of these, but after reading/watching a couple of reviews, will wait and see what the inevitable second iteration brings.
 
To be fair I haver never been very good with analogue sticks for first person shooters. Really crap at aiming.

I have used this for a few hours and I am much better with this than a xbox controller already. It is never doing to be good at twitch online shooters, but for single player games on the couch it could be ideal.

The controller definitely is not perfect and the abxy buttons are useless. But I think the whole idea is not to use the abxy buttons at all when you are using the touch pad.
 
i'm having a similar quandary.

I think i need more time to get used to it. Concept is good but it's still very surreal and the sensitivity of the touch pad takes some getting used to.
 
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Joe! said:
I've just seen Paul's Hardware's video on the Steam Controller and needless to say I am not taken away by it.

I'm interested in what it is like for racing games as that's my primary use, so please keep me updated TwsT.
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There's only one type of controller you need for racing games and it certainly isn't a pad :p

If you're serious about your racing games then put that 40 quid towards a half decent wheel.
 
The question is, will the price of this controller go up after release day? I'm interested in getting one but want to test it first before I waste my money.
 
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yeah, id second the buy a wheel thing, itll depend on what you play as to if your better, codies f1 games have a bunch of aids to help joypad users... they where to strong and where way better than wheel :/

but proper games/sims are much better and enjoyable :)
 
I've not tried a racing game yet but there isn't a lot of travel on the triggers so I can't see it being that great for throttle control (vs. a 360 or DS4 controller).
 
Can someone take a photo of one next to a PS2/PS3 controller and a 360 controller. (for size reference)

Tempted to get one..
 
here is a few comparison pics versus a 360 controller, it definitely is bigger bt doesn't feel awkward in my hands
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compared too a dualshock3 its huge and weighs a lot more.
 
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coupe69 said:
There's only one type of controller you need for racing games and it certainly isn't a pad :p

If you're serious about your racing games then put that 40 quid towards a half decent wheel.
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I am not serious in the slightest, I play them to waste 20-30 minutes when I am bored, not dedicate hours on end to. A wheel isn't for me, I've tried 2 DFGTs, a G27 and a T500 RS.

pingu666 said:
yeah, id second the buy a wheel thing, itll depend on what you play as to if your better, codies f1 games have a bunch of aids to help joypad users... they where to strong and where way better than wheel :/
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Those assists are gone in 2015, and were only present in 2014 for that matter - I do play the F1 Games as well as Assetto (I was never fond of PCars so I haven't played since release. I'm set on using a controller and the Steam controller is an interesting concept, hence why I am interested :)

andshrew said:
I've not tried a racing game yet but there isn't a lot of travel on the triggers so I can't see it being that great for throttle control (vs. a 360 or DS4 controller).
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That's not good to hear, I guess I'll wait for the Xbox Elite reviews and make my mind up, but it's definitely swayed away from the Steam controller, as neat as the touchpads sound in theory.
 
I watched a few youtube reviews on this and will leave it for now. I think the idea is interesting but doesn't sound like it will truly replace everything, I dont think there is any way to use this controller to bring up the on screen keyboard to log into windows itself is there? Is it only active within the steam interface?

On my downstairs PC I have an android air mouse with keyboard which I can use to login and do simple web browsing and also a 360 wireless controller for games, so only 2 devices and it works pretty well.
If anyone can confirm it's possible to use during logon and windows for entering text and browsing then it becomes a bit more interesting to me but ultimately like it or not at the moment there is a controller standard and that still is a 360 pad, most games are written with that in mind and generally just work without having to mess around with profiles.
 
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