The Valve Thread

[MegaTrousers]

Isn't this what they hinted - a modular controller. The sticks and whatnot go on those blank circles. Unless its some horrible touch pad.

[ngchol]

"In the center of the controller is another touch-enabled surface, this one backed by a high-resolution screen".

"In order to avoid forcing players to divide their attention between screens, a critical feature of the Steam Controller comes from its deep integration with Steam. When a player touches the controller screen, its display is overlayed on top of the game they’re playing, allowing the player to leave their attention squarely on the action, where it belongs".

Er.... so why have a second screen?

[Alex W.]

[Spacehost]

The touchpads are also speakers. Because Valve are insane, and I love them.

[Alex W.]

Isn't this what they hinted - a modular controller. The sticks and whatnot go on those blank circles. Unless its some horrible touch pad.

I don't have the heart to tell him.

[Comrade]

Isn't this what they hinted - a modular controller. The sticks and whatnot go on those blank circles. Unless its some horrible touch pad.

Bad news.

[Mr. Gerbik]

Why do they link to Euro Truck Simulator 2 of all games they could've linked as that one already features controller support?

[NecroMorrius]

The Steam Controller is built around a new generation of super-precise haptic feedback, employing dual linear resonant actuators. These small, strong, weighted electro-magnets are attached to each of the dual trackpads. They are capable of delivering a wide range of force and vibration, allowing precise control over frequency, amplitude, and direction of movement.

This haptic capability provides a vital channel of information to the player - delivering in-game information about speed, boundaries, thresholds, textures, action confirmations, or any other events about which game designers want players to be aware. It is a higher-bandwidth haptic information channel than exists in any other consumer product that we know of. As a parlour trick they can even play audio waveforms and function as speakers.

Sounds kind of insane. I want to try one.

[simms]

LOL what the fuck is this

I love it....what is it?

[Jack]

It's doing a O_O face. And so am I.

[DocG]

The controller sounds intriguing and exciting, but it ain't no Half-Life 3, is it?

[Alex W.]

Seriously though, this is just crazy enough to work and almost normal enough to stay compatible with the dual-stick paradigm.

Can PC gamers adapt to analogue movement?!

[PK]

Sounds kind of insane. I want to try one.

Yeah to be honest after the initial genuine real life LOL I really want to find out what it's like to use. It looks completely mental but you can't accuse them of not trying to innovate!

[Spacehost]

Seriously though, this is just crazy enough to work and almost normal enough to stay compatible with the dual-stick paradigm.

Can PC gamers adapt to analogue movement?!

Adapt? The mass suicides are already underway.

[El Spatula]

The sun thing has changed again......

[Untogether]

The Steam Controller is built around a new generation of super-precise haptic feedback, employing dual linear resonant actuators. These small, strong, weighted electro-magnets are attached to each of the dual trackpads. They are capable of delivering a wide range of force and vibration, allowing precise control over frequency, amplitude, and direction of movement, Captain.

Did they just lift that wholesale from a script of Star Trek: Next Generation?

[Wiper]

Not being funny, but what the fuck is up with the button placement?

[Comrade]

I was just about to say that maybe using trackpads for movement and camera in 3D games could be cool, and then I remembered Super Mario 64 DS, and realised it's been tried, it was terrible, and Valve have gone insane.

[Anjin]

Why do they link to Euro Truck Simulator 2 of all games they could've linked as that one already features controller support?

Start of an ARG? Probably too obvious, I'm trying to find any positive in this announcement. It might be an amazing controller but mouse and keyboard + 360 controller are already fine. :\

[revlob]

I'm going out. I want this blue star mystery solved by the time I get back. Get cracking you lot.

[Manflurry]

Someone post the Homer car then lock the thread forever.

[snowbind]

It looks like a companion cube.

[Alex W.]

Not being funny, but what the fuck is up with the button placement?

What's up with the button count, for that matter? Is the Master Race OK with games that only need two triggers, two buttons each side, and a touchscreen?

[DocG]

Posterity.

N3v3r forg3t.

[Alex W.]

I was just about to say that maybe using trackpads for movement and camera in 3D games could be cool, and then I remembered Super Mario 64 DS, and realised it's been tried, it was terrible, and Valve have gone insane.

That was a flat screen. A concave pad might work!

I'd actually really like to try this. What are the Steam Community reactions like?

[Jack]

Right mouse, left shoulder. Left mouse, right shoulder.

[PK]

Mr. Gerbik, on 27 Sept 2013 - 18:06, said:

Why do they link to Euro Truck Simulator 2 of all games they could've linked as that one already features controller support?

Start of an ARG?

Holy fuck, I know what I'm doing for the next 48 hours. Time to find 3g of speed from somewhere

[NecroMorrius]

So, when you push "up" on these, you'll actually get feedback from the trackpad pushing back and providing a sort of "spring back to centre" sensation. And then when you use it as a mouse to scroll around menus, you'll feel a little bump under your finger exactly where the button is on screen. It's not rumble, the touchpad will actually take on texture and friction based on whatever you're doing with it.

I can imagine it working and replacing thumbsticks, if the haptic sensation is right. It sounds really cool if it works, sort of like the "texture touchscreen" that always gets rumoured for the latest iPhone.

The Steam Controller is built around a new generation of super-precise haptic feedback, employing dual linear resonant actuators. These small, strong, weighted electro-magnets are attached to each of the dual trackpads. They are capable of delivering a wide range of force and vibration, allowing precise control over frequency, amplitude, and direction of movement.

This haptic capability provides a vital channel of information to the player - delivering in-game information about speed, boundaries, thresholds, textures, action confirmations, or any other events about which game designers want players to be aware. It is a higher-bandwidth haptic information channel than exists in any other consumer product that we know of. As a parlour trick they can even play audio waveforms and function as speakers.

Also, the shoulder buttons don't matter with portal 2. You're just firing portals. It probably already works that way on a pad - can't remember for sure.

It sounds cool, better than the 360 pad with a trackball stuck in it they filed a patent for.

[Comrade]

That was a flat screen. A concave pad might work!

I'd actually really like to try this. What are the Steam Community reactions like?

No way, without self-centring it won't work. I suppose it's theoretically possible that this haptic rumbling shit will do that, but I heavily suspect that it will be more like it buzzes when you're off centre. I don't see how rumbling could actually push your thumb into place.

[Alex W.]

So, when you push "up" on these, you'll actually get feedback from the trackpad pushing back and providing a sort of "spring back to centre" sensation.

It's not magic, Moz. Those rings to mark the centres are there for a reason.