Valve Delays Steam Controller to 2015

[Gahars]

In a shocking turn of events, Valve struggles to keep to a schedule.

Valve's take on the gamepad, the Steam Controller, won't make its previously planned 2014 release date. In an update to the Steam Universe group, Valve's Eric Hope said the controller is now "realistically" looking at a release window in 2015.

"We're now using wireless prototype controllers to conduct live playtests, with everyone from industry professionals to die-hard gamers to casual gamers," Hope said in a new update on Valve's Steam Machine hardware. "It's generating a ton of useful feedback, and it means we'll be able to make the controller a lot better. Of course, it's also keeping us pretty busy making all those improvements. Realistically, we're now looking at a release window of 2015, not 2014."

Hope said Valve is eager to get Steam Machines into the hands on players, but that "our number one priority is making sure that when you do, you'll be getting the best gaming experience possible."

Polygon
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And this is what happens when you try to reinvent the wheel. I'm glad they tried, and I've been interested in Valve's attempts, but it seems that they don't quite have a grip on this whole controller business. I've become less and less optimistic about the project, and honestly, I have to wonder if this will ever see the light of day at all.

I appreciate Valve's dedication to making quality products, but I'm afraid they've forgotten all about that "product" bit.

But maybe I'm just being a Downhearted Diedrich. Who knows, maybe Valve will get these out sometime between now and the inevitable heat death of the universe. Just... don't hold your breath.

 

[DinohScene]

Steam controller, coming with Half life 3.
Release, March 33.

 

[vayanui8]

Tbh I don't think this controller will make a difference at all, and will just be too big of an adjustment. The Xbox controller is standard now, and works for just about anything you need it to. Anything that it doesn't work that well with simply will never work as well on a controller. I applaud valve's efforts, but this controller just doesn't have enough going for it to warrant a purchase from most people. I really don't think theres anyone anticipating its release at this point. Hopefully they can move past this idea if it fails and focus on their more successful ideas.

 

[Veho]

Who knows, maybe Valve will get these out sometime between now and the inevitable heat death of the universe. Just... don't hold your breath.

Well, the current prototype is the second version that they unveiled, and you know what they're like when it comes to unveiling third iterations of things.

 

[Clarky]

Does this mean the Steam boxes are delayed until 2015 too?

 

[FireGrey]

2015 real time or valve time?

 

[Walker D]

Hope this controller turn out to be good ( by good I mean precise, comfortable, low latency and with good battery life a la Wii U pro controller).

And a good and comfortable D-pad activated by micro-switches wouldn't hurt too..

 

[Qtis]

Does this mean the Steam boxes are delayed until 2015 too?

Yeah.. http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/05/valve-steam-machines-delayed-until-2015/

 

[Mythrix]

I think it's good that they have extensive player testing, and I'm happy to hear that they are taking feedback seriously.

Delays do suck, but it's not as if this is a product that *needs* to be released quickly to not be outdated in any way. I can still play Steam games perfectly fine in my living room with my "long HDMI cable and wireless keyboard/controller" setup. I don't think any PC gamers are going to quit Steam to go over to console gaming just because the Steam Machines are delayed...

 

[Arras]

Tbh I don't think this controller will make a difference at all, and will just be too big of an adjustment. The Xbox controller is standard now, and works for just about anything you need it to. Anything that it doesn't work that well with simply will never work as well on a controller. I applaud valve's efforts, but this controller just doesn't have enough going for it to warrant a purchase from most people. I really don't think theres anyone anticipating its release at this point. Hopefully they can move past this idea if it fails and focus on their more successful ideas.

IMO saying "the Xbox controller is perfect and if it doesn't work well on that it won't work well on anything" is kinda ignorant. The way these mini-touchpads work will allow you way more precise control for any game that involves the cursor or things like FPS games.

 

[shadow1w2]

Good thing they are delaying it, just look at that D-pad! Augh.
A cross or a disc guys, don't make them into buttons I'm not using a touch pad for digital movement thats just a bad idea.
Then again if they are each a separate button and can all be pressed at once that might not be too bad but that can still be done in a classic d-pad function.
Also missing the touch screen thing but I guess that makes sense.
Actually is that image up to date or just an old prototype?
First I've seen of the d-buttons variant without the touchscreen or four buttons grouped in the middle.

Either way I'm still looking forward to it but I'm fine waiting for the controller to be made just right.
Valve knows they'll have to get it perfect or get a large back lash and they aren't the type to make something broken and expect full price for it.
Least I don't think so heh.

Now I wonder if the Steam Boxes release soon will that mean they'll be trying to include a wireless keyboard and mouse setup?
I'd love to see a third party like Logitech make a Steam OS compatible controller with Xinput and Direct Input modes. :3
Somehow I have a feeling Valve would totally be down for this.
Still looking forward to a controller that can work well for mouse and keyboard games which I think is their main intent rather than the usual traditional approach.

Overall I'm just happy they are trying, video games haven't had a lot of new hardware after the gimmicky generation died down.
Not to mention controller design doesn't really seem to be aiming for improvement so ya, I hope this controller is well worth the wait.

 

[Arras]

Good thing they are delaying it, just look at that D-pad! Augh.
A cross or a disc guys, don't make them into buttons I'm not using a touch pad for digital movement thats just a bad idea.
Then again if they are each a separate button and can all be pressed at once that might not be too bad but that can still be done in a classic d-pad function.
Also missing the touch screen thing but I guess that makes sense.
Actually is that image up to date or just an old prototype?
First I've seen of the d-buttons variant without the touchscreen or four buttons grouped in the middle.

Either way I'm still looking forward to it but I'm fine waiting for the controller to be made just right.
Valve knows they'll have to get it perfect or get a large back lash and they aren't the type to make something broken and expect full price for it.
Least I don't think so heh.

Now I wonder if the Steam Boxes release soon will that mean they'll be trying to include a wireless keyboard and mouse setup?
I'd love to see a third party like Logitech make a Steam OS compatible controller with Xinput and Direct Input modes. :3
Somehow I have a feeling Valve would totally be down for this.
Still looking forward to a controller that can work well for mouse and keyboard games which I think is their main intent rather than the usual traditional approach.

Overall I'm just happy they are trying, video games haven't had a lot of new hardware after the gimmicky generation died down.
Not to mention controller design doesn't really seem to be aiming for improvement so ya, I hope this controller is well worth the wait.

I think they got rid of the touchscreen after they realized it was an expensive component and pretty much the least used.

 

[Minox]

Well, the current prototype is the second version that they unveiled, and you know what they're like when it comes to unveiling third iterations of things.

Steam Controller 2 Episode 1?

 

[Foxi4]

For the love of Lord Gaben, it's just a controller, how long can it take to design it?

 

[icantfeelmyarms]

God I hope those "analogues" don't catch on... Those look horrendous to use. The controller looks fine IMO, if it only used normal sticks.

 

[Arras]

God I hope those "analogues" don't catch on... Those look horrendous to use. The controller looks fine IMO, if it only used normal sticks.

That would also turn it into yet another twinstick +dpad + 4 button controller like everything else out there though, which wasn't the point. They may look odd but apparently they use a special feedback system and they work really well.

 

[icantfeelmyarms]

That would also turn it into yet another twinstick +dpad + 4 button controller like everything else out there though, which wasn't the point. They may look odd but apparently they use a special feedback system and they work really well.

As the ancient tomes proclaim: it if ain't broke don't fix it. Look at how good "beating the norm" did for Nintendo... The Wii may have been a huge cash cow, but being creative in controls only loses people most of the time. Seems like the current norm are the classic sticks and touch pads (and keyboard/mouse).

 

[Arras]

As the ancient tomes proclaim: it if ain't broke don't fix it. Look at how good "beating the norm" did for Nintendo... The Wii may have been a huge cash cow, but being creative in controls only loses people most of the time. Seems like the current norm are the classic sticks and touch pads (and keyboard/mouse).

The problem is, it is broken. While some genres are better with a gamepad, there are others that gamepads are traditionally not very well suited for, like most strategy games, and almost everyone prefers keyboard + mouse for shooters because of the accuracy boost. That's what they're trying to change - this is a controller that is supposed to work better for games that would traditionally be played with keyboard + mouse over a controller because it's meant for the PC platform.

Also, I hate that saying. By that logic there would never be any significant improvements ever.

 

[Taleweaver]

Aw, damnit!

*sigh*

I too, fear I've been too optimistic about this. There is indeed a ton of feedback on the controller. On the ORIGINAL controller, that is. Since the change to the two diamond-cross buttons, things have become very quiet. From what I gather, those circles do a really good job of mimicking a mouse, once you're used to it. The center buttons, however, were barely ever used, and with the touchpad being the most costly component, it was a good move it was scrapped. The irony, however, is that with it being more akin to standards, they have more competition. And delaying things may end up with others filling the market (like amazon).

The good news, however, is that they now have extra time to devote to steamOS. Last I tested it (a few months back), it really needed a lot of work yet to be done.

Still...I really wouldn't want to be one of those hardware developers right now. A delay because of the CONTROLLER???

 

[Veho]

For the love of Lord Gaben, it's just a controller, how long can it take to design it?

It took 40 years for controllers to reach today's standard, so what's an extra year or two?

God I hope those "analogues" don't catch on...

Is it because you hate precise controls?

As the ancient tomes proclaim: it if ain't broke don't fix it.

...and wallow in mediocrity forever. Too many people take that saying to mean "if it works, no matter how poorly, don't ever improve it".

Look at how good "beating the norm" did for Nintendo...

It made them a ton of money, and everyone and their grandmother is implementing motion controls into their devices now.