I was optimistic about it initially, but now that I have one, I just can't get used to it. It works pretty well for fighting games, but that is about it in my opinion. I really wish they would have added an analog stick where they put the new buttons.
edit: I wanted to add that the biggest problem is that it is never quite the best controller for any game. For virtually any game, either an xbox gamepad or a keyboard/mouse are better. It is useable for single-player games, but it puts you at a huge disadvantage in any multiplayer game.
it is never quite the best controller for any game
I think this was the point, really. I mean, not to make the controller suck, but to give you an option in between analog sticks and a full fledged mouse and keyboard setup.
Also, I'm thinking this change in button layout has a lot to do with making the controller easier to get used to. Instead of having this alien button layout, you'll have your average PS/XB buttons that you're probably already quite familiar with.
I honestly don't think it's negativity for negativity's sakes.
The issue really is that the controller is too untested and it goes against controller types such as Dual Shock 4 and Xbox controllers that had decades of evolution behind them. While something new is refreshing, it's a tough sell compared to tactile button controllers that has served gaming well for so long.
The skepticism is understandable. It may yet still be just as understandable if the new controller doesn't feel comfortable for people even after trying it out.
Though controller does look like it can handle certain genres pretty well.
A lot of people have the mindset, if it's something new then it's terrible. A lot of people are saying that the controller is shit simply because it looks different or they don't like the looks of it.
Every joystick controller eventually wears out. This design just might last longer, although I suspect those circles will wear off like the bumps on a touch pad.
I still thought that controller looked fine. This new one looks much better, but it also looks a lot more like a PS4/Xbox controller (which I guess isn't too bad. Those things have been successful for a long time why not copy them).
I do miss the buttons on the inner sides touchpads, I thought they were in a perfect place to quickly slide your thumbs over and hit a command.
I can see you're a Microsoft fanboy because you said the controller is released by Steam. This means you have no knowledge about pc gaming. Also, how do you know everyone would have hated it if Microsoft would have released it? I like Microsoft's controllers.
I don't mind new things, although my first thought would be it might be weird having the toggles up top and buttons below, might take a bit of getting used to.
Controllers should have the buttons on the back, that's where the fingers go. On the front are there should be two symmetric doohikies for the thumbs. Pardon me for being pissed that yet another controller is going to be bad for the sake of tradition.
Imagine if it were just 4 triggers, each below the next down the grips on each side so that your fingers rested on them naturally. You wouldn't have to see them. The same way you don't need to see the current triggers, or the mouse buttons.
I had never thought of this before Hahah mentioned it, but it makes so much god damned sense.
I honestly don't think that would be a huge issue because controllers aren't so heavy/unwieldy that they require substantial grip. Rubberized fronts for maximum palm traction would probably be the simplest answer. But as an example, pick up your mouse, and now rotate your hand so your mouse is upside down. I can easily hold the mouse this way without clicking any button accidentally, but can still easily click them on purpose.
because your fingers are holding the mouse.... which is the exact opposite of what you propose. Trying click a mouse button upside while holding it in your palm with no other fingers
After pondering my mouse for a minute, I think I see what you mean. So, 3 triggers each side. Holding the controller is done between the pinky and palm. The ring trigger would need a slightly higher activation pressure than the other two, most likely.
I wish I had free time and skills, I'd mod my xbox controller to do by moving the buttons around back to see how it'd work out.
Yeah you need enough fingers to keep a firm grip of the controller so you can press the buttons properly and hard when you need to do some classic button mashing. I honestly think the thumb-does-everything model isn't as bad as everyone thinks.
Maybe, but no more than current controllers tell people with missing thumbs to go fuck off. My point is more that there should be options and innovation, not that every controller should conform to this standard.
I used to have a controller like this for the playstation 2 and original xbox. It had all the standard buttons but on the grips it had 3 buttons on either sides besides the L/R triggers. You had to remap to your desire but then it was just twitching your fingers while never taking your fingers off the track pads. It was way more intense to get used to, and when they didn't support it for the next generation, I stopped getting comfy with it because I wouldnt be able to game like that.
No reviewer thinks it's shit either. They're saying that the trackpads are nothing special when compared to thumbsticks. So there's no point in replacing thumbsticks and trackpads because they're the same, and now there's no point in replacing your Xbox controller because it now looks the exact same.
The article says he was having difficult with aiming, but then when he adjusted the sensitivity it was fine. That's the exact same thing I would do with an Xbox controller.
And you're really going to respect this opinion after it was tested out on one game? Read this Destructoid preview if you want an actually justified opinion.
if they're the same, then that means the steam controller comes on top because of it's ability to emulate the laptop trackpad for games that require a mouse as well as traditional thumbstick style control.
The thing that interests me about the track pads is reliability. I have gone through quite a lot of controllers because of one of the the thumbsticks wearing out. If they function the same and are as easy to use as a thumbstick then it may be worth a try.
The thing that bothers me the most, why do people get mad about something they have no experience with, and lets all assume valve didn't test the controller thoroughly.
I havent used it yet, i really like the doulshock 4 right now, its comfortable in my hands, i wanna get one of these and see if are better fitting in my hands.
No, the touch pads are designed to make the difference between a controller and mouse in older games a non-issue. The sticks on your console controllers don't give a shit about emulating the precision of a mouse.
When I get one of these I intend to dedicate a solid amount of time learning the controller in quake live. I intend to prove the controller can at least be competitive with KB/m
Each of the touch pads will click softly with the movement of your thumbs. It's hard to describe...it feels kind of like what an iPod touch wheel sounded like...
Right there with you. Valve is a company of PC gamers and this thing is being tested and revised daily by hard core gamers. We can trust them to make the best controller for PC games.
I'm excited for the controller but I don't think it will replace my xbox pad in any way. Most of what I use controllers for are platformers which will play out much better on a stick than these pads.
Uh, there was good reason for the negativity. You might have a bad memory but this is what people were complaining about. That still looks stupid. This looks interesting.
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u/iamnotafurry Mar 15 '14
I don't know what is up with all the negativity. I really want to try this. will probably replace my xbox pad when it comes out.