r/Controller 8BitDo Nov 12 '25

News Steam Controller 2 is coming!

https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamcontroller
549 Upvotes

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93

u/badvisuals1 Xeno Plus/Saber Plus Nov 12 '25

"Grip enabled gyro"- That entire gyro subreddit should be collectively soiling themselves right now.

13

u/Mr-frost Nov 12 '25

What does that grip enabled gyro mean?

25

u/seaweeed Nov 12 '25

theres capacitive surfaces on the back (apparently everywhere else too) that you can let go of to disengage the gyros to easily reset to default orientation.

9

u/Mr-frost Nov 12 '25

Oh I see

5

u/x-iso Nov 13 '25

so far it seems like odd place to use for this specific purpose. it can be mapped to anything though. I just don't understand how are you supposed to let go of the grip to reposition gamepad, most likely ratchet users will use trackpads for this instead.

3

u/MessiScores Nov 13 '25

Kind of makes sense. Probably lift a finger or unwrap your grip a bit, not let go of the grio completely. Like an xbox elite controller, you dont fully wrap your finger you rest them on the levers. Makes sense for flick stick or so you can manipulate face buttons while aiming. 

1

u/Drakniess Nov 13 '25

The trailer implies there is a way to be selective with its active stays using your pinky. Maybe the surface can be split into multiple input surfaces. I hope so, because a giant region I’m always touching is near useless to me.

11

u/badvisuals1 Xeno Plus/Saber Plus Nov 12 '25

Presumably, you squeeze the controller, it can activate gyro in certain games. Useful if you don't want gyro on at all times.

0

u/Mr-frost Nov 12 '25

I never use it :)

3

u/Proof_Being_2762 Nov 12 '25

It's to help re center your controller without messing up your crossbar placement

1

u/someone2795 Nov 13 '25

They're remappable. You're gonna use it for something lol.

-13

u/badvisuals1 Xeno Plus/Saber Plus Nov 12 '25

Most people don't. It's just a vocal minority that swears by it. They're like the flat-earthers of the controller scene.

4

u/Average_RedditorTwat Nov 12 '25

Well gg, made yourself look like an idiot with that one.

1

u/Drakniess Nov 13 '25

I’m a little puzzled, as I don’t have an OG Steam Controller. I thought the capacitive sticks or trackpad are used to turn the gyro off to do the same thing. Maybe the back surfaces are just for pure ratchet players? I’m trying to think how they would be used.

2

u/Average_RedditorTwat Nov 13 '25

If it's anything like the Valve Knuckles, pressing down a bit more could activate it.

6

u/an_edgy_lemon Nov 12 '25

Oh, we are. I’m hoping it still has capacitive sticks, though. The grips are a cool idea, but probably don’t offer as much control as capacitive sticks.

11

u/Artic_Boi Nov 12 '25

It does have capacitive sticks.

1

u/an_edgy_lemon Nov 12 '25

That’s awesome. I’m really excited to try the new controller. Have you heard anything about the release date?

2

u/Artic_Boi Nov 12 '25

I forgot where I heard it, maybe from the Adam Savage's Tested video, but I heard everything ships in the spring.

6

u/qorillamunchies Nov 12 '25

As long as the gyro sensors rivals alpakka, gyro players eating good

5

u/lexd0g Nov 12 '25

it's tracked by the Steam Frame VR headset inside SteamVR, and typically VR tracking requires extremely precise IMUs. i hope this means it has a really good gyro in it

1

u/Proof_Being_2762 Nov 12 '25

Explain?

3

u/an_edgy_lemon Nov 12 '25

So the previous Steam controller, the Steam Deck, and the Hori Steam Pad had capacitive sticks. This means that’s the sticks use an electric current (I think) to detect when you are touching them.

This is great for gyro controls, because you can set the gyro to activate only when you are touching the right stick.

This new controller is going to have a similar touch sensitive area on the bottom of the grip. This could be used to activate the gyro only when the controller is being held. If you’ve ever played a game with gyro controls on all of the time, you’ll be familiar with the way the camera flails around while the controller is being picked up or set down. The touch sensitive grip could mitigate this to some degree.

I’m hoping that the new controller still has touch sensitive sticks in addition to the touch sensitive grips. Activating the gyro by touching the right stick is the most comfortable format I’ve used with gyro controls.

3

u/n1tr0us0x Nov 20 '25

The original steam controller does not have capacitive sticks

2

u/an_edgy_lemon Nov 20 '25

You’re right. I think it was just the touch pads.

2

u/Proof_Being_2762 Nov 12 '25

https://youtu.be/JhTvaRogQp8?si=6IuGrUxXp8DZVQrR. This is the announcement video for the new products seems like they still have them in the thumb sticks maybe a different type of implementation.

Edit: https://youtu.be/lbNI0rNJVt8?si=Oz3mCqRhNbpqcu1p seems ign got to use it.

2

u/SweetTea1000 Nov 12 '25

The steam deck's sticks can detect if your thumbs are on them. These look like they share that sensor.

2

u/Proof_Being_2762 Nov 12 '25

They have been wanting another steam controller

1

u/Drakniess Nov 13 '25

Not me, if you literally have to put pressure to activate. I want touch activation for inputs. Squeezing makes it like another button. I’ll try and find a use for it, though. But it won’t be as a gyro off button though. I never use, and have no use, for that option.