At this point, the controller is the most exciting thing for me.
Steam machine is cool, but with how good handheld PCs already are, I'd be ok spending a bit more and just using those instead and docking it for TV gaming.
Steam Controller was significantly better than Xbox controllers for some kinds of games, but it was much clunkier for others. Steam Deck's controller is an improvement over either of them, and this new Steam Controller appears to be pretty much Deck's controller without the Deck, with some tiny extras added.
The Steam Controller is amazing for first person games. I set the right pad to quick mouse movement with some inertia and the gyro to precise mouse movement, and it feels so natural and pleasant to use.
I have six of the previous generation controller and I love them, only minor annoyance is pairing them occasionally. I don't really use the haptics part all that much though
idk about that - integrated buttons, battery, screen, size constraints and the R&D work that goes into all of that is probably significant compared to 'box with hardware and usb ports' (oversimplifying to make a point here though - of course lots of design work went into this as well).
As someone who bought the original Steam Controller, I'm very excited it's finally getting a successor, especially since it supports Bluetooth. It is always annoying having to move my USB dongle between my desktop and my Steam Link whenever I want to change where I am playing from.
Nice to see a symmetric controller for PC. As someone whose hands are mirror opposites of each other (they put my second left hand on backwards) I really appreciate such controllers.
I have two left hands but the one on my right arm is backwards, making them mirror opposites of each other. Because of that I prefer symmetric controllers.
Really? I'd assumed it was just a commercial failure because Valve tried to replace an analog stick with a trackpad that performs worse in almost every way.
Pretty much everyone I know bought one, tried it for a while, and determined that the trackpad simply did not work well enough. It's a really cool device and I've been trying for years to actually use it. It's great hardware, but the ergonomics and UX is really just not good.
I have the original Steam Controller. It's OK, and a nice alternative even for general usage to move the mouse cursor, etc.
I also have a GameSir Cyclone 2 controller. Works great for Steam, Epic/Heroic, and works well for Switch (though the button layout was "incorrect" but perhaps it can be changed)
Personally, I prefer the Cyclone/X-box style controllers better. Well, Xbox does not own that style but, in my opinion, they helped to perfect it.
(I guess it was Game Cube the started that style officially)
Never liked the Playstation controller where the analog sticks were at the bottom. However, this new Steam one might be OK as the sticks are higher up.
I’m hoping the controller is popular as it will encourage pc indie developers to make console friendly user interfaces and make games work with the deck.
Excited for deck 2.0 in a few years too, maybe 2027/8.
I have to say, I am nearly as hyped about this controller as I am about the frame. I can hook up my gaming PC to my living room TV to play on the couch and a decent controller is all I was missing. I always thought a steamdeck just as a controller would be great, especially the touch pads. I hope the latency feels great over wireless, but I don't mind the USB-C connection if needed.
Valve really did great here with providing all three connection options (BT, dedicated wireless, USB-C).
Yepp, saw that number and I am very hopeful about it. But numbers are not everything and can be gamed (heh), the "feel" during gameplay is most important. I hope to try it out "early 2026" :).
I get very annoyed by the atrocious audio delay of Bluetooth, so I'll keep my long USB cable ready.
P.S. I am aware of USB also not being zero latency, but it is the lower bound, the dongle is USB as well.
Typical Bluetooth latency (in my experience as a HW dev) is 9.5ms. I'm pretty skeptical of 8ms for a proprietary protocol, but in an optimistic sense. I would be shocked if the latency is that high for a custom protocol.
Raw 802.11 with no IP stack can get below 5ms IIRC
Readit News
Steam machine is cool, but with how good handheld PCs already are, I'd be ok spending a bit more and just using those instead and docking it for TV gaming.
I have a 8bitdo controller and they are really good. They work perfectly with Debian 13 and probably pretty much every other distro.
https://www.8bitdo.com/ultimate-3-mode-controller-xbox/
I, too, agree that the symmetric layout is the correct one.
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/court-upholds-jurys-decision-i...
Pretty much everyone I know bought one, tried it for a while, and determined that the trackpad simply did not work well enough. It's a really cool device and I've been trying for years to actually use it. It's great hardware, but the ergonomics and UX is really just not good.
Steam Frame https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45903325
Steam Machine https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45903404
I also have a GameSir Cyclone 2 controller. Works great for Steam, Epic/Heroic, and works well for Switch (though the button layout was "incorrect" but perhaps it can be changed)
Personally, I prefer the Cyclone/X-box style controllers better. Well, Xbox does not own that style but, in my opinion, they helped to perfect it.
(I guess it was Game Cube the started that style officially)
Never liked the Playstation controller where the analog sticks were at the bottom. However, this new Steam one might be OK as the sticks are higher up.
We shall see.
Excited for deck 2.0 in a few years too, maybe 2027/8.
Valve really did great here with providing all three connection options (BT, dedicated wireless, USB-C).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbNI0rNJVt8&t=1m13s
I get very annoyed by the atrocious audio delay of Bluetooth, so I'll keep my long USB cable ready.
P.S. I am aware of USB also not being zero latency, but it is the lower bound, the dongle is USB as well.
Raw 802.11 with no IP stack can get below 5ms IIRC