Steam Hardware Announced (Frame, Controller, Machine)

[Taleweaver]

That makes sense. Is the touchpad setup better for point-and-click, FPS? How about 3D platformers?

Easy there, tiger. This is from what I remember from nearly ten years ago. But ey... With that caveat...
Point n clicks work fine on deck, to the point where the controller becomes invisoble (if you know what i mean). IIRC the og controllers were a slight bit better in grip due to shape, so... I presume at least equally.

Not played 3D platformers on either with those (on deck, i just use both joysticks).

FPS... back then there was propaganda saying it was better. I've not played much... Just enough to say that it is not technically wrong in my opinion. Mind what I'm saying: not technically wrong.
By that I mean that I don't see the point in FPS'es on anything but keyboard&mouse. I'll probably do something with those newer Doom games on Steam deck, but back then that controller was aiming to replace keyboard&mouse. It didn't. Yes, compared to other controllers those trackpads were good. But what's the point of being better than another controller on a pc when pc mice exist?

I'm older now. I don't care about fps'es anymore. For me, the usecase would probably be better as a faster controller keyboard and decent turn based mouse controls (cities skylines on tv or something). Heck... Some pc virtual board games like dead man's draw blew me away on how well it played with those trackpads.

 

[The Catboy]

Massively underpowered GPU with only 8GB of VRAM, no upgradeable parts, and according to GamersNexus, will be priced higher than the consoles, including the PS5 Pro.

And as a device that runs the shitty SteamOS, it cannot run Battlefield 6, Stalker 2, Black Myth: Wukong, etc., etc. Here's a list of over 8000 PC games it cannot run.

The fact that this is a 1080p device for playing circa 2020 AAA games but won't even be as powerful as a base PS5 and won't be upgradeable like a real PC makes this dead on arrival. Only fools will purchase this obsolete-on-debut device.

Where did you get the information for your first claims?
Also, "unsupported" does not mean "can't run," literally just look up any of these games and you will find either they run with some workaround, perfectly fine but without official support, or running some kernel-level anti-cheat/DRM that you honestly should be more concerned about. That said, your post is ill-informed, and it's obvious you have no idea what you are on about.

 

[Reualed]

That is interesting. It makes me wonder if I can be sold on touchpads in place of traditional analog sticks. All the more reason to wait and see what the pricepoint is on the new Steam Controller.

From my personal experience, no, in regards to replacing analog sticks.

I mean it is really neat and definitely a different feel. But I personally wouldn't recommend it. The problem trackpads have is keeping a consistent spot on the pad. If you need a quarter or half stick input. It can be really hard to get a feel for where that is on the trackpad.

As I have played 3d platformers with just trackpads for fun.

 

[Robert Newbie]

From my personal experience, no, in regards to replacing analog sticks.

I mean it is really neat and definitely a different feel. But I personally wouldn't recommend it. The problem trackpads have is keeping a consistent spot on the pad. If you need a quarter or half stick input. It can be really hard to get a feel for where that is on the trackpad.

As I have played 3d platformers with just trackpads for fun.

I appreciate that. I was interested in what kind of controller Valve would make, but when I saw the trackpads, I didn't think it'd be for the type of games I play. It's been nice hearing from OG Steam Controller owners to help confirm those suspicions.

Since the new Steam Controller is more traditional in design and comes with a bunch of nice features, it definitely has my attention. I wouldn't buy it at launch, but I would wait and see what users have to say about it.

 

[Reualed]

I appreciate that. I was interested in what kind of controller Valve would make, but when I saw the trackpads, I didn't think it'd be for the type of games I play. It's been nice hearing from OG Steam Controller owners to help confirm those suspicions.

Since the new Steam Controller is more traditional in design and comes with a bunch of nice features, it definitely has my attention. I wouldn't buy it at launch, but I would wait and see what users have to say about it.

Yeah, but the trackpads are really solid for virtual menus and hotkeys. That's often where they shine. And that's why often people think straight to emulation. Since you can map hotkeys for just about every key you may want access on occasions to the virtual menu. (Virtual menus are set up through steam input)

 

[lightwo]

That is interesting. It makes me wonder if I can be sold on touchpads in place of traditional analog sticks. All the more reason to wait and see what the pricepoint is on the new Steam Controller.

Since it will be like on Steam Deck, absolutely! If you want precise mouse control, the trackpads are the closest thing to an actual mouse while resulting in a form factor you can hold entirely in your hands.

I played some first/third person shooters and the like, and while it isn't perfect, after some practice, making the best use out of the trackpad and perhaps gyro will result in a pretty good experience, way better than just relying on sticks.

Also, @Reualed presumably referred to just translating inputs to thumbstick inputs. The great thing is that in Steam, you can pick a profile which uses right trackpad as mouse while still having other buttons mapped to gamepad inputs, or if that causes issues, you could map them to keyboard inputs. Either way, it means trackpads won't behave erratically from having to emulate sticks with their limited travel.

Oh, and a protip: I always disable trackball mode, it could throw you off if you make rapid movements. Of course, personal preference, but unless you're a trackball user already, it's probably no good

 

[Reualed]

Also, @Reualed presumably referred to just translating inputs to thumbstick inputs. The great thing is that in Steam, you can pick a profile which uses right trackpad as mouse while still having other buttons mapped to gamepad inputs, or if that causes issues, you could map them to keyboard inputs. Either way, it means trackpads won't behave erratically from having to emulate sticks with their limited travel.

Yeah I was referring to it that. Specifically as a weird thing by mapping both trackpads to thumbsticks just to goof around.


Doing a situation where the left analog stick is still the left analog stick but the right trackpad is as mouse. It's a pretty solid experience, assuming that the game in question plays nicely with both inputs being used. (Some don't)

 

[Antho27mellilium]

No homebrew need. Is just a computer.

I like who the faceplate of the steam machine remind me the new 3DS.

 

[lightwo]

Doing a situation where the left analog stick is still the left analog stick but the right trackpad is as mouse. It's a pretty solid experience, assuming that the game in question plays nicely with both inputs being used. (Some don't)

Yep, but it's well worth trying. Mixed inputs tend to either be supported without problem, or the UI keeps switching between controller and keyboard hints, or there's lag. Still, there's always the alternative of mapping controller inputs to keyboard keys in order to use right trackpad as mouse without problems.