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Title: Steam Controller
Manufacturer:
Coming Soon
Recent updates
The latest Steam Beta Client update includes a new feature for the Steam Controller called Activators.
Activators sit between inputs (such as a button on the controller) and binding outputs (such as a keypress).
They control how the input is turned into output and provide a number of settings to control this.
Some simple examples are long press, double press, binding cycling, toggles, and delays.
There is no limit to the number of activators that can be placed on a single input, so a button can have a normal press, a long press, and a double tap on a single button, each firing off different actions in a game.
Each activator can have its own haptic settings as well.
Here's a few simple ways that activators can make your existing configurations better :
You can use a Start Press activator and a Release Press activator to turn a toggle crouch into a hold crouch. Conversely, the toggle option will allow you to turn any action, such as a hold crouch, into a toggle.
Turbo can be set on Activators, meaning any button can have customized rapid fire.
This can be combined with multiple activators, so single press for single fire, while a long press will engage turbo mode.
Use a Start Press Activator to switch to a new action set, with a Release Press on the same button to switch back to the original set. Using this technique Action Sets can act like an entire-controller mode shift.
Also included in this update is the ability to copy any existing Action Set into the new set, making customization a lot faster.
Mode Shifts now also use Activators, so a mode-shift can be toggled on and off without continuously holding a button.
Activators can also cycle through a set of bindings.
Put Stand, Crouch, and Prone on a single button and cycle through them with each press.
This update also includes better visualizations for settings such as deadzones, with more coming soon.
Note that due to the nature of this change, configurations that are altered under the new setup are not backwards compatible, so modified configurations made in the beta client will not be visible to the stable client.
We’re excited to announce that over half a million Steam Controllers have been sold. With every controller that comes online we get the opportunity to get more feedback on how to make the Steam Controller even better. We’ve been hard at work with the community, and wanted to share some of the recent improvements we’ve made together:
Play more new games out of the box
Developers are now fine-tuning their games to work great with the Steam Controller at launch. Recent examples include DOOM, XCOM 2 and Dark Souls III, and more are coming soon.
Same experience from desktop to couch
You can now configure and use the controller from your desktop, including the pop-up keyboard to communicate with your non-Steam programs.
Rumble Pass-Through
The Steam Controller can now use its Force Reactors to capture and reproduce the rumble effects from your favorite games.
Tune once, play anywhere
Create templates from your favorite settings and apply them across all your games.
Uninterrupted action
Create multiple “Action Sets” and switch between them on the fly. For instance, in GTA V or Just Cause 3 it’s easy to switch between walking, driving and flying controls with a single button.
Works great with any game
We’ve enhanced support for games purchased outside of Steam. Once you add the game to your library you can edit and share your configurations with your friends just like any other Steam game.
Steam VR Support
Full Steam Controller support in VR Game Theater mode, including using the motion controls as a
steering wheel.
Coming soon: Even more configuration power
You will soon be able to use Activators to assign actions to press-and-hold, double click, toggle and more. For example, in DOOM you can cycle through all weapons by pressing a button or double tap it to bring up your BFG.
We'll continue to add features and functionality going forward, so be sure to keep giving us feedback on what would make the Steam Controller even better.
About This Hardware
Experience a new level of precise control for your favorite games. The Steam Controller lets you play your entire collection of Steam games on your TV—even the ones designed without controller support in mind. The Steam Controller features dual trackpads, HD haptic feedback, dual-stage triggers, back grip buttons, and fully-customizable control schemes. Find your favorite mappings in the Steam Community, or create and share your own.
We’ve improved upon the resolution and fidelity of input that’s possible with traditional gamepads. Built with high-precision input technologies and focused on low-latency, wireless performance, the Steam controller enables you to experience your games in powerful new ways.
The Steam Controller‘s dual trackpads enable the high-fidelity input required for precise PC gaming in the living room. Allowing for 1:1 absolute position input via virtual controls like a trackball, adaptive centering joystick, or steering wheel, these surfaces can be programmed to serve up whatever a game needs.
Haptic force actuators on both sides of the controller deliver precise, high fidelity vibrations measured in microseconds. Feel the spin of a virtual trackball, the click of a scroll wheel, or the shot of a rifle. Every input, from the triggers to the trackpads, can offer haptic feedback to your fingertips, delivering vital, high-bandwidth, tactile feedback about speed, boundaries, thresholds, textures, or actions.
With a satisfying digital click at the end of the trigger pull, dual-stage triggers can be used as analog, digital, or both types of input at the same time. Put your iron-sights on the sweep-in, and then fire with the reliable feel of a tactile switch, all on the same trigger.
Each of the Steam Controller’s input zones and buttons has been positioned based on frequency of use, required precision, and ergonomic comfort.
Hardware Specifications
Dual trackpads
HD haptics
Analog stick
Dual-stage triggers, each with 10° of travel, a magnetic flux sensor, and a tactile switch
Gyroscope and accelerometer sensors enabling tilt-to-steer racing wheel functionality and other motion-controlled input
Configurable controls
Local multiplayer capability, as supported by games
Wired or wireless (dual mode)
USB 2.0 via Micro USB port (cable included)
Estimated 5 meters of wireless communications range. Actual results may vary.
Provides up to 80 hours of standard game play using the included AA batteries during preliminary testing. Battery life will vary based on usage and other factors, such as type of batteries used.
Steam Controller
2 AA batteries
USB wireless pairing dongle
Dongle extension dock included
or other computer capable of running Steam , in order to view, edit, save, and share Steam Controller mappings.
Steam Hardware Order Terms
1. Application of these terms
These terms supplement the terms of the Steam Subscriber Agreement (SSA) for orders of hardware products offered for direct purchase on Steam (“Hardware Products”). The terms of Sections 7 (D Limitation of L No Guarantees) and 11 (Dispute R Binding A Class Action Waiver) of the SSA that apply to Content and Services shall apply to Hardware Products by extension.
2. Preorder Payment
If you preorder a hardware product, Valve will charge the amount corresponding to your preorder immediately without waiting until the shipping date. You will receive a full refund if you cancel your order at any point before the shipping date.
3. Transport Costs and Taxes
All transport costs and taxes will be disclosed to you prior to purchase. If a Hardware Product shipment is returned to Valve because delivery to you has failed, you bear the cost of the failed delivery unless you have exercised your right to cancel (see below 4.) or the failure of delivery cannot be attributed to you.
4. Right to Cancel Your Order
You have the right to cancel any purchase of Hardware Products on Steam without giving any reason within 30 days from the day on which you or a third party indicated by you (other than the carrier) receives the goods purchased. To exercise this right, you must inform us of your decision to cancel your order by an unequivocal statement.
The easiest way to do this is by using the online button provided at . Simply log in there with your Steam user account, select the order you wish to cancel and the problem you are having, then press the button labeled “I’d like to request a refund”.
To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your cancellation message before the 30 days’ cancellation period has expired and then send back the goods by following the instructions provided to you no later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation to us.
Effects of cancellation
We will reimburse all payments received from you for the goods purchased and will also reimburse delivery charges for the least expensive type of delivery offered by us, no later than 14 days from the day on which we received the above communication. We will use the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise. In any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You may be liable if the value of the goods returned diminishes due to the handling of the goods (except when it was necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods).
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest. If reimbursement occurs after the maximum time period mentioned above, the amount due to you will as of right be increased.
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Mostly Positive
(450 reviews)
Very Positive
(7,686 reviews)
I tried it. I disliked it.Are you used to having two analog sticks?If the answer is yes: Don't buy this. It felt like the touch sensitive pad didn't do what I wanted. I bought a X360 wired controller and that works great with Steam Link. Having two analog sticks is just my cup of tea. I can play Shadow of Mordor, Dying Light, all kind of FPS! That was just undoable with the Steam Controller.
The only thing this controller is good for is casual play. The second you take it to a competitive playing field you'll be disadvantaged. The exclusion of a second analog stick is also a major problem. Had mine for 5 months, after extensive testing I have to give it a thumbs down. It's also very uncomfortable to use.
Bought it off Amazon on a sunday and paid for 1 day shipping, got it on Monday, and was super excited. Great controller with many many neat features, haven't tried it yet with a racing game (the reason I bought it) but I have played Dust: An Elysian Tail, and UNDERTALE with minimal configurations. Works absolutely perfectly. Tried to play CS:GO and KF2 andn that was a whole new story. Would take practice to master it but using the Gyro to aim in FPS's is reaaaaallllly cool, but really difficult. Would recommend over Xbox/Ps controller 10/10
If you spend the time to config it properly it works great for gaems that were never designed for a controller.Case 1) I almost exclusively use it for GW2.
PvP, PvE, Raids.... all work wonderfullyCase 2)
for FPS I use the right track pad as an ultra sensitive relative postion track pad and with a click it goes to absolute postioning for quick direct positioning on one point on the screen.
Need to switch weapons then I mount it to the left track pad as a screen overlay quick menu.
I like steam games but don't like using mouse and keyboard. So this thing is perfect. Tons of customization. Made by a company that listens to customers. Can't go wrong.
I've been using this controller since the first day they were released and although I don't think it can compete for accuracy with a mouse it fills a huge void for me. There seem to be a lot of games out there that don't support controllers natively but are perfect format for them. A few examples would be torchlight, hotline Miami or binding of Isaac.I can honestly say this device is the best solution for playing those games with a controller and can also be used as an htpc controller.I've already said that I don't think it's very good for fps games but I also don't think it's better than a regular controller for games that already support controllers.Specifically:-I'm not super fond of the feeling of the joystick. Maybe it's just me but the action feels a bit sloppy.-The position of the joystick in relation to the buttons doesn't seem intuitive. -I like the trackpads but using them both seems awkward and using one with the joystick is crooked. Overall I love the idea and all the features but I think we'll see a few more iterations before it really competes on the same level as my Razer Sabertooth.
Product received for free
When I say I got this product for free, I mean it came in a package with a pc and I did'nt pay for the controller itself.The steam controller, while very well made, doesn't feel right, the track pads aren't sensitive enough, in my opinion you might as well buy an exbox controller and get the driver, much cheaper and the joysticks are easier to handle. Also the buttons are a little too far for me to reach.... and I have big ????ing hands. Overall great idea but there are some things that could be worked on.
It's alright a little difficult to use at first. using it on my PC's it seems to have problems with connectivity I don't know why and glitches here and there but with the steam link it works fine
Really enjoying the steam controller!
Once you have spent a good month shaking off the familiar feel of a xbox360 controller for PC gaming you begin to understand just how technologically advanced this controller is. When I first got it in my hands I struggled with the layout and panicked in game multiple times and very nearly gave up. Then I started playing shadow of mordor.Shadow of mordor uses multiple actions per button and this is where the controller shines. Soft pull, hard pull, short press, double tap, long press and more actions can be utilised per button and adding gyro controls to any game really makes aiming and camera placement a breeze.
If you cant be bothered, try a user made config and tune it.Now I can configure this pad to any game and give my own input of how a game should be played. I have almost limitless scope to have an action not just mapped, but also tuned to my own taste.Buy one, spend a while swearing at it, and you will end up falling in love with it I promise.
416 people found this review funny
Simple Review:I gave one to my 8 year old daughter, who up till now did all her PC gaming with an XBOX 360 controller. Her initial response was, &It's kind of big&. We spent a day playing through all her favorite games (Castle Crashers, Dungeon Siege 3, Grow Home, Goat Simulator, and Risk of Rain) and no matter what kind of game it was she was able to play effortlessly with the Steam Controller. She even managed the 3D games better than what the dual analog sticks allowed her before.At the end of it all she now prefers the Steam Controllers. I like them a lot, but I was worried they'd be too big of a jump (with the touchpads) for her but she needed no instruction and picked them up intuitively. +1 to smart design that even an elementary school child can grasp and understand.
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104 people found this review funny
[EDIT: For my european mates, as I've been asked that a lot: It shipped from NL by GLS with tracking-number. So no worries]Niiice!I'm usually not a controller-freak, as most games that I favor play waybetter with mouse/kb than with a controller. But sometimes it's just way more comfy.Then I saw this little gem, noticed TOUCH-PADS instead of thumb-wheels and didnot hesitate much nor read anything prior and just ordered one.Is it the missing link or an overpriced useless gadget?On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is a diabolic laughter and 10 is an instantdisposal of my mouse and keyboard, it's a solid 7-8. Great idea, much love for details and close to a really solid new type of controller.The good (what to love): Gain precision without loosing comfort TONS of configuration options. Really a damn lot to tinker it to your preference The tactile feedback is awesome. Using the touch-pad like a trackball REALLY feels like a trackball. You have to feel it to &see& what I mean. Oh and all buttons have tactile feedback too. Oh and all feedbacks are configurable too. Wireless OR wired. Your choice. Gyroscope. What a nice addition. Steer your car by tilting it, just like you do with your mobile. Firmware is update-able Too lazy to configure it? Choose some pre-mades by Steam or from a bag of community-created. Nice feature! The touch-pads are quite responsive and really usable The on-screen-keyboard used with dual touch-pads is kinda great. Takes some time but at least you've never typed faster from your couch (without a keyboard) The two added big buttons on the rear are GREAT and every other controller should have them too! Easy to press but not too soft so you're never hitting them accidentally The two triggers have a soft-pull (like usual) AND a full-pull feature (that means: It's basically two buttons in one) The thumb-wheel is even tighter than from the XBOX One (Good or bad, that's subjective I guess) Uses two AA-Batteries. Easy to replace and better than an integrated accu. It's kinda useless, but you can enable a HUD ingame that shows you what you're doing (like your thumbs position on the touch-pad etc.) You can totally configure everything with only the controller itself, it's completly integrated with &BigPicture&, no mouse neededThe bad (not good, but no show-stopper): Only configurable in &BigPictureMode&? Come on, that's kinda dumb and took me like an hour to find out (I didn't RTFM!) Only natively works with Steam games? Come on, that's not nice. (But there's a workaround
for Linux though) (Problem will be fixed, see comments)(Problem not really fixed (see comments). It got the same overly bright LED-Logo like the XBOX. Why? Just WHY? In a darker room it's simply annoying.(See comments, problem solved) The triggers only have like half of the range of the XBOX One controller. A bit too short for my taste, but others may even like itThe ugly (what to hate, may kill the fun): Using TWO controllers (like XBOX and Steam) is not possible. Local multi-player would not be possible (seems it's possible (see comments), guess I just tested the wrong games) It can be horribly problematic with games that do NOT allow simultaneous usage of mouse/keyboard AND the controller It...feels...cheap. The XBOX One controller is a lot cheaper but feels WAY more valuable and of a much higher quality. The Steam controller just looks and feels like it came out of a Kinder Surprise. Recommended?For anyone who likes controllers and may adapt to a &new& one that does a lot of things differently: Yes.For those who would never switch a controller because A/Y were swapped or something minor like that? Better not.For people who always missed the ability to tinker and adapt hundreds of values to their controller to make it THEIRS: YESYESYES.This thing is even totally fulfilling as a HTPC-Remote :-)Is it the missing link? Yesno. Kinda. It's very close and could use some tweaks. But one does really need to adapt to it. It's not just &another& controller and they didn't just swap 2 buttons. It's really different. But better.I'm quite sure that If you invest enough time to adjust its settings AND invest enough time to adapt to it you may really master even a competitive FPS against mouse+keyboard players. Something that's totally unthinkable of by using &normal& controllers (except maybe you're a controller-god playing against m+k-newbies)I really like the way Steam wants to go here, and I'm not easily impressed. This thing has a lot of innovation and some really nice details (talk about the tactile feedback!). Well, except the price. But considering your alternatives are more or less ZERO...
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2,708 people found this review funny
Do you like controllers?Do you hate having to sacrafice bindings in order to get the most important ones to fit onto your gamepad?Do you wish the thumbstick wasn't so ham-fisted and inaccurate?Do you like buttons?Like a hundred seperate programable buttons?Do you wish your 360 controller had a little more &umph&?Is black your favorite color?Do you have a computer?Do like like video games?Are you on steam?Are you looking through reviews cause you're not sure whether to buy it or not but you could be persuaded? Do you like things?Do you have a pulse?Do you exist?What happens after we die?Is this all that life is?Are we just waiting for the day our lives end?Is there a meaning to any of this?!I don't want to die.I'm scared.If you answered yes to any of these questions, this controller is for you. A+ Most existential controller out there
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89 people found this review funny
My experience so far:Playing FPS games:With Kb/M - 10/10With Steam Controller - 8/10With X360 Controller - 5/10Playing Typical Kb/M games that require mouse cursor movement (Torchlight 2 for example):With Kb/M - 10/10With Steam Controller - 7/10With X360 controller (using joy2key or controller companion) - 3/10Playing Full gamepad support games (Such as racing or platformers):With Kb/M - 2/10With Steam Controller - 10/10With X360 Controller - 10/10All in All - The Steam controller is the best single option for PC gaming. However if you want to play online competitive games like CS:Go or LoL, you better keep your gaming mouse on hand as you would have no chance without it. If you're a laptop or couch gamer with no regular desk to play at, the Steam controller is a 10/10 must have item. That's what makes us lucky as pc gamers though. Not only do we have these 3 options to play with, but we can even have them all plugged in simultaneously so you can just grab it as you need it.
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675 people found this review funny
My review for the Steam Controller is very simple. This controller is like a fap with the other hand:-It feels completely unfamiliar but nice in a new kind of way.-It kinda works but it's not so easy at the beginning, you have to practice a lot.-You'll end up going the traditional way if you're not patient enough.-You know it feels good, you know you are pleasant with it, but you can't just hit the spot just yet. Either not accurate enough or quick enough.-A mind blowing experience if mastered.
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114 people found this review funny
Sure, it's different.Sure, it takes some getting-used-to.Sure, it lacks a d-pad* and rumble support**.But this thing is literally a game-changer. I can play mouse-driven games, such as Icewind Dale Enhanced Edition, Pillars of Eternity, Card City Nights and the like, from the comfort of my couch. I can play FPS games with much more precise aiming thanks to a combination of trackpad and gyroscope aiming. I can remap games to play exactly how I want, even games that didn't include any gamepad support whatsoever - no need for external third-party software such as AntiMicro - and I can manage those configurations WITH the gamepad! I can also share my configurations with the Steam community easily, and they're applied automatically by Steam on the fly. Oh yeah, and it all works identically and seamlessly on Linux, Windows, and OSX.Valve have pushed out several firmware updates for the Controller, as well as many beta Steam client updates which not only fixed some bugs, but also added, expanded, and improved upon the ways we can configure this thing. They're listening to our feedback emails, as I've seen several additions which I specifically requested, myself. Even how it is now, it's virtually infinitely configurable, and once you get used to creating and tweaking configs, you'll figure out what you like and become a pro at setting up configs for your favorite games in no time.Battery life seems to be quite good. The included batteries endured daily use from the day my Controller arrived on October 16th, until I finally had to replace them on the morning of November 16th. It doesn't compete with my Logitech F710 experience, but I still can't complain about that, considering what I typically got out of my DualShock 3.This is only the first retail iteration, but I think they nailed it. I now have no need for any of the other gamepads I've invested in over the years, and I no longer need a keyboard or mouse for the games that don't support gamepads natively.Thank you, Valve!Sincerely,A long-time gamepad user who has longed for something better.PS: now you gotta figure out a way to make fonts readable in all games in a ten-foot setup.* - seriously, STOP calling the left trackpad a d-pad. IT'S NOT A D-PAD! It's a trackpad! It's far more useful than a d-pad will ever be, and touch-to-move is the best thing since sliced analog stick.** - each trackpad has haptic feedback, but this is not yet being used in any games that I'm aware of to emulate traditional rumble support or anything of the like. And really, do you even care about rumble support? A lot of games don't support that anyhow, and it's not like you get it in your standard keyboard and mouse either.
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28 people found this review funny
The Steam controller is Valve's attempt at cornering the hardware gaming market.I've owned a lot of controllers in my life. The Steam controller is by far the most different out of any I've used. It's to the point where I'd recommend you suspend your impression of what a controller should feel like when using it.My first impression of the device was very mixed. The build quality left something to be desired compared to the 360/PS4 controllers, the touchpads were very awkward and I was put off by how some games require configuration before it can be adequately used.However after using it for a little while I noticed my thought process going into it was the complete opposite of what the controller is geared toward using. It functions like a hybrid of a gamepad and a mouse. When I stopped using the right touchpad like it was supposed to be a joystick, and viewed it more like a series of buttons I moved my thumb over, I noticed my accuracy shot way up. It's a piece of hardware that grows on you very slowly and needs a little patience before it can be used effectively. It's not a perfect controller, and not one I'd recommend lightly. It takes a lot of getting used to and isn't perfect for all types of games. However it has been an adventure getting used to it and figuring out it's little quirks, and I do salute Valve for trying something new rather than sticking to the current mold.
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So Valve has a lot of guts. Not exactly the squishy, immacuately rendered kind we've seen in Half-Life and Team Fortress 2 and such, but rather brave type of guts to create this strange sensation of a controller. I mean, two trackpads? One thumbstick? Face buttons below the trackpads instead of above them?! What kind of insanity is this?Well, that's Valve for you, and it's that kind of insanity that leads to breakthrough innovations in how we can engage ourselves in our games.Before I get in-depth on this odd hunk of seemingly cheap plastic itself, what needs to be discussed is the purpose and experience a controller is supposed to provide.The controller is the gamer's gateway into the world they're about to play. It's the controls to a ship, the steering wheel to a race car, the command center of a battlefield or the hilt of a firearm, and it's the tool that connects us to characters and the game's mechanics. Through limited inputs it has to be able to get us to perform a number of actions in the world it's connecting us to and feel as immersive as possible without getting in the way with wonky placements of buttons or sticks to distract us from our play. Seemless and natural are two of several absolutely fundamental checks a controller has to pass to enable gamers to become engaged and immersed in their game worlds.Over the years, two formulas were gradually perfected, which were the precision of a mouse, and the accessibility of a controller. Up until now these were always kept seperate and mastered in their respective environments, and were both unique distinctions. However, this also created a large gap that kept the two worlds apart.This is where the Steam Controller comes in.This thing is both a marriage and a divorce from conventional controllers used today. To elaborate on the former analogy, the controller borrows concepts from Microsoft's 360 controller design and the PS4's DualShock 3 and 4. From Microsoft it borrows the face buttons X, Y, A, and B (right down the color scheme and button placements), the middle start/select and Home-type buttons, and the placement of the triggers. From Sony it borrows the Gyroscopic controls and the PS4's touch-pad, as well as the lower placement of the one control stick it has.Beyond that is where the controller destroys every fundamental controller desig by removing the right analog stick.*dun dun duuuuuuuun*Before we call blasphemy on Valve, however, this drastic change yields some even more drastic results in how a player interacts with their gaming space. It even changes the casual non-gaming space in surprising ways as well.The difference can be seen clearly when booting up an FPS. Normally with a right stick, you'd be fighting with nudging the controller just enough to line it up with a target without going too far, and often required orienting your character to further line up the shot when there wasn't aim assistance.With the Steam Controller, the sensation is less like a shoddy claw machine and more like the natural turning and tilting of your head when you want to look at something.Your thumb would slowly glide and stop exactly where you want to be looking without any additional fiddling, nudging, tapping, or additional inputs. Then when you add on the haptics, it creates a strange yet subtly satisfying vibrating sensation in the trackpad when each very tiny little &tap& under your thumb was a half-second toward your perfect headshot.Making those headshots gets alarmingly easier too, without having to micromanage your thumb on various keys, thanks to the inclusion of extra commands where your hands would already be positioned. The back buttons are two great examples, as your fingers are already wrapped around the controller. So being able to do a subtle squeeze to reload your weapon, for example, or jump or any other command that'd normally require you to pry your thumb away from your movement key would be mitigated thanks to these buttons. The two-stage triggers also help with this, as you can assign a command to when you're lightly holding a trigger, and then pulling them all the way. And don't worry about accidently hitting the half-pull command all the time, as you can adjust when and how the command would register or be skipped if you attempt to pull a hair-trigger.Another surprising bonus is the versatility of the left trackpad. The functionality can be changed in a variety of ways, from acting as a traditional D-pad, to a secondary button pad, trackpad, or even pull up a small touch-screen menu for weapon swapping, macro commands, or other useful functions. The same can be applied to the right trackpad as well.Yet with all these customization and control possibilities lies the Controller' its' very high learning curve.When you first start, whether you attempt to play a game for the first time with remapped or community-created controls, or try to make your own controls for the first time, it will make you want to hurl the black dongle out the window and demand a refund from your chosen retailer for banking on a seemingly dumb gimmick. The controller will feel uncomfortable, the placement of the buttons will feel cramped, using the trackpad will feel imprecise at first, and there's too much set-up just to jump into the action (since the gamepad uses seperate settings than the game).The truth is that the controller is like breaking in a horse. Whether you're experienced with handling controllers or not, you're going to have a hard time taming it and getting it to do what you want. But once you break it in, care for it, and learn how it works, you might discover an incredible companion to experience games with... assuming you like to play video games with horses, that is.Other little quirks can make getting used to the controller even more challenging. One such example is not having a real sense of the center of the right trackpad during play, as trying to find a &resting position& for your thumb without any kind of physical guide can cause first-person games to be unintentionally floaty with the camera, just to name one scenario. Without extensive time and fiddling with &dead zones,& this can either frustrate your inner sniper or add to the &natural head turning sensation& when playing an exploration-based game. Again though, your mileage may vary depending on the game. Typing using the trackpads as virtual fingers for a virtual keyboard with using the triggers to hit each key is also a strange sensation when typing to friends or in type boxes in games as well.By this point though, we're getting too deep into the nitty and picky, let's get down to the brass tax of whether or not this piece of seemingly cheap plastic is worth your time, patience, and ultimately, your money.This controller doesn't excel over the mouse's precision and keyboard's versatility, and it's slightly less comfortable, cheaper, and ergonomic compared to traditional controllers, and may even feel a bit too compact and overcomplicated at times. But where it may serve as a jack of all trades to connect the best of both worlds, it certainly accomplishes its' goal and is more than just a gimmick or a novelty. It's a way to
play your Steam games from the comfort of your couch, or bed, or equally more comfortable furniture that may or may not be your swiveling office chair, regardless of being gamepad-native or not. It does that, and it does it very well, and with time, it could definitely become an essential part of your Steam experience. And so, to enjoy the Steam Controller is to sign a contract. That contr open your mind, try new things, have patience, but have a good time. If you accept and dedicate time to this controller, then you may find couch or bed-based Steam-gaming may actually be the greatest far-fetched concept ever.
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1,360 people found this review funny
this is the best big black thing i have ever held in my hands
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190 people found this review funny
$50 Steam Controller (Includes Back Paddles) vs. $150 Xbox One Elite Controller...+1 Steam
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