[Gamers Nexus] Valve Steam Controller Review | Latency Benchmarks, Battery Life, Repairability
Posted by iDontSeedMyTorrents@reddit | hardware | View on Reddit | 431 comments
ZekeSulastin@reddit
If anyone other than Valve released a PC gamepad that needed their software running to work as a gamepad, they’d get a much stronger negative reaction than “this kind of platform dependence is… a little grim”. (~17:45)
Lelldorianx@reddit
As far as we understand, the Steam Input schema is required for it to function as both a mouse + keyboard and a controller. Bluetooth does not change the behavior in our testing. The requirement to add non-Steam games to Steam is to use Steam Input. We ran into this when programming automation (for battery testing) where the controller doesn't behave like a normal controller (right thumbstick isn't right thumbstick) without Steam Input, as it also needs to behave as a mouse/keyboard combo. I guess we could have been more critical of that, but then you're also giving up core functionality, which becomes a different criticism. The way it works makes the most sense to us, given what it's trying to be/market as. Ultimately, we did criticize that factor but it appears to be a necessary facet of design, as far as we can tell.
PMARC14@reddit
The real issue appears to be Direct Input and XInput are trash and not built for modern controllers or Handhelds. Steam Input is a good workaround but I would hope for something System Level that other controllers can also target.
Dick_Nation@reddit
The reality is that it's almost certainly not going to happen without Microsoft's cooperation, and whether they think that is going to be a good idea is anyone's guess. It presumably could be a package that could be installed on a Linux distro, but Valve probably prefers that people are running everything through Steam anyways.
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
The option is already there to make it work on Windows in general. This is not a MS issue but a Valve one.
Dick_Nation@reddit
The option is there to make it imitate a controller with a feature set from 2005. If you want a controller that does that and somehow haven't bought one in the last twenty-plus years, then go buy an XInput controller and use that. It's an insane and stupid take that everything should just keep using a deprecated standard as a fallback, when it was built for a much newer API with significantly richer features. It is absolutely Microsoft's fault that they are so far behind the times, and they should have just tried not being so far behind that they got left behind.
Down200@reddit
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/gdk/docs/features/common/input/overviews/input-overview?view=gdk-2604
Dick_Nation@reddit
I am well aware of GameInput. It also has only been officially rolled out to devices since October of last year. XInput officially launched in December of 2005. It took MS nineteen years and 10 months to finally roll out an API that actually improves features, and Valve was already so far into their development cycle with their hardware that they revealed the controller to the public mere weeks later. Microsoft's laziness got us here, and it's their own fault that Valve did an end run around them. According to reports, the controller also works without Steam active on Linux distros, because Valve can actually make that work with the kernel instead of fucking around with the restrictions and rules that MS has for their input API. Given that MS has also demonstrated they absolutely will and have leave people stranded on that, it's hard to blame Valve for just deciding it doesn't make sense for them to deal with it.
f3n2x@reddit
This is basically what Steam Input already is except it works on any platform Steam runs on and is not tied to Windows.
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
Instead of tied to windows it's tied to Steam and requires you to use Steam, which sucks just as much. There shouldn't be any of either those requirements.
havoc1428@reddit
What? Being tied to an application that needs to run in the background vs being tied to an operating system isn't even within the same realm of suck.
Vivid-Software6136@reddit
Only issues ive ever had with it was trying to get it working with games on epic. Turns out you need to launch the epic launcher from steam rather than the game itself, once that's done it works perfectly.
amazingmrbrock@reddit
That from my understanding is something epic has done more or less to be pedantic
havoc1428@reddit
Yes, this was my frustration that eventually led me to rebuy Snowrunner on Steam. Even with EGS running, you can't just execute the games .exe through Steam as a non-steam game. The game has to be launched via clicking on the "Play" button on EGS itself. It was a nightmare for remote play.
There was a command line workaround that launched the game upon launching EGS, so I would add EGS as a non-steam game instead of Snowrunner, but you couldn't play any other EGS game unless you removed the command line argument.
Mutant0401@reddit
Hence why MS have replaced both with a new GameInput API that supercedes both X/D input and adds support for a bunch of other stuff like gyro, haptics and adapative triggers etc.
No blame for anyone not using it yet (including Valve) because it's literally a year old which is nothing in terms of software adoption, but this won't be an excuse in the next couple of years.
doginpants@reddit
One of Valve's most important platforms is Linux, which doesn't have native support afaik.
On Microsoft's documentation
IIlIIlIIlIlIIlIIlIIl@reddit
This is a weird thing to say considering Windows accounts for 93% of all Steam users.
dztruthseek@reddit
Yeah....for now.
UrToesRDelicious@reddit
Steam Deck and Steam Machine both run Linux. Linux is instrumental to Valve's hardware strategy regardless of total market share.
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
So fuck over 90% of their install base because Gabe has a hard on for Linux simply because of an old grudge?
PMARC14@reddit
Wow going through these docs it looks sick and will be big stepup, but Microsoft is almost 5 years late as usual.
Vb_33@reddit
Nah nobody will make something as good as Steam input in the same way that nobody has a store as good as Steam. Other companies just don't have the tism Valve has when it comes to these things.
PMARC14@reddit
I mean my hope is steam input can be extricated from Steam by Valve themselves. System level driver target please for every Chinese controller company to go target.
oioioi9537@reddit
good point, i guess the mkb feature unfortunately necessitates this workaround. at the end of the day, anyone who doesnt need to use mkb feature has a plethora of alternative controllers that offer better bang for your buck anyways. still sucks that this means you cant use it on gamepass
MagicalYuna@reddit
https://github.com/Alia5/GlosSI
https://github.com/Alia5/SISR
These tools allow it to be used with Game Pass and any other application that Steam cannot hook into.
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
Has this been tested with the new controller? Because if this works for sure I'll definitely get one.
MagicalYuna@reddit
No idea if anyone has tested but there's no reason it wouldn't work, Steam Input handles all the device specific communications and translates the data into an emulated XInput device for the application which uses a device agonistic API to interact with it. So any controller Steam Input supports will work with those tools, in fact the developer themselves has already stated on the SISR issues tracker.
madn3ss795@reddit
Mkb feature can be completely software side. Steam itself supports adding mkb to any XInput controllers, or you can use aftermarket software like Controller Companion for it.
ramanmono@reddit
This is not good argument. If I buy a 100 dollar controller why not let me use it anywhere. Have an option to disable the extra features so it can be connected as a normal controller on other platforms like an iPad for example.
I now have to buy a 100 dollar controller because yes I do use steam and like the pads and gyro, but have to buy separate controller for platforms that don't support it.
Vb_33@reddit
You can use with game pass but you have to use workarounds
MagicalYuna@reddit
Ultimately, we did criticize that factor but it appears to be a necessary facet of design, as far as we can tell.
This requirement is due to them choosing to implement the KBM functionality entirely within the host rather than directly on the controller. If they so wanted they could have done it within the hardware by making the controller act as a hub reporting to the OS as a XInput controller, keyboard and mouse device giving native system wide input for all three without the need for Steam running though it would still need specialised software to reconfigure the controller mappings. The problem with this it would have made the controller firmware significantly more complex & expensive to develop and possibly have increased its RRP, it was easier and cheaper to just do it through the already existing Steam Input that already supported it especially considering the vast majority of users will be playing through Steam anyway and it can still work for non-Steam applications if needed whether directly adding & launching them through Steam as a non-Steam game or using software such as GlosSI or SISR to act as a system wide controller for incompatible applications Steam can't hook into.
So it really wasn't a necessary facet of design but one they chose for simplicity and cost savings, and honestly I can't fault them for that.
Snappish_Orc@reddit
Would it be possible to ask Valve if they could implement GameInput? Not that knowledgeable in this area but reading [this comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/hardware/comments/1sx9tt0/comment/oimu22m/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button), it looks to be pretty good?
max123246@reddit
The controller could have supported both modes. X-input for compatibility, and Steam input for the full feature set. The fact that they didn't implement X-input was intentional
atatassault47@reddit
I'll be watching your video later, but can the back buttons act as unique buttons? That would be so clutch being able to map new actions rather than clone them like basically every other back button controller does.
Asleeper135@reddit
Assuming it works like on the Steam Deck, yes. Actually, now that I think about it even my DualSense Pro works like this when using Steam Input, and I imagine the same is true for virtually any controller with back buttons.
max123246@reddit
This is not true at all. Most 3rd party controllers do not let you map it to arbitrary buttons
SpicyCadaver@reddit
I'm afraid this isn't actually that common.
Unfortunately, only the DualSense Edge, Xbox Elite, and Steam Controller have their back buttons recognised as unique buttons on Steam Input by default. For other controllers workarounds have to be used, like OS-level remappers such as xpadder or reWASD. Some 8bitdo controllers also have their own firmware workarounds to make their back buttons play nice with Steam Input.
Vb_33@reddit
That's what you could do with the original steam controller and the steam deck. When I found out console back buttons just copied already existing buttons I was so disappointed.
Sufficient-Trash680@reddit
I have an 8bitdo with a gyroscope for Switch games, but I can put it in xinput mode and the gyro simply doesn't do anything, which is fine. They don't need to figure out how to get all the functionality to work via xinput or dinput, they can just add a compatibility gamepad mode where that shit gets turned off.
ramanmono@reddit
Nah, there needs to be a mode, some button combination or something to switch it normally controller without steam, even if that mean losing touch and gyro.
PenguinJim@reddit
Thank you for rounding $99.99 correctly, by the way! It's concerning how many reviewers don't know how to do that. Nice video so far, will find time to finish it later. :)
ZekeSulastin@reddit
Thank you for the additional details!
humanmanhumanguyman@reddit
Valve's fanbase is basically a cult at this point
Creepy_Accountant946@reddit
Cause the steam owner basically looks like the typical Reddit neckbeard
havoc1428@reddit
"The steam owner" lmao. A child's hands typed this comment.
o_oli@reddit
For me it's more that it just doesn't bother me. I exclusively run games through Steam BECAUSE it has amazing controller support. They do it better than anyone else and its not even close. So...oh no I am forced to use the thing I want to use anyway? Cool. I don't think thats cult like behaviour its just the route of least friction.
ramanmono@reddit
How would you run through steam this controller with Bluetooth support to play a game on an iPad Pro?
mistiklest@reddit
Do I want to do that, though? I don't even own an iPad Pro, so why would I care if it's compatible?
ramanmono@reddit
The fact that any other bluetooth controller works on mobile devices shows that this is bad and they can only do it because their status as the "good guys".
mistiklest@reddit
Okay, but that's a matter of buying peripherals that fit your use case. I don't get mad when a wired device doesn't connect to my phone, I just buy a different device.
ramanmono@reddit
You can use a dual sense just fine on any Bluetooth enabled mobile device. It not being primary use case is irrelevant to it not working on other platforms it actually connects to, but just doesn't get mapped.
bluetooth mouses with all kinds of extra buttons connect just fine as a basic mouse on mobile devices for example. You don't need to buy a special less advanced mobile specific mobile only bluetooth mouse.
Strazdas1@reddit
Why would you want to do that, though?
ramanmono@reddit
I don't know, maybe because there are mobile games and any other bluetooth enabled controller does it just fine.
Strazdas1@reddit
Irrespective of that, why would you want to use a controller with iPad Pro.
ramanmono@reddit
Millions use bluetooth controllers on mobile devices. If you now have a high quality 100 dollar bluetooth controller (this steam controller). It just sucks that it connects but you still can't use it because the standard gamepad controls aren't mapped properly without steam.
You now have to buy a separate controller, which CAN BE an XBOX or Playstation controller mind you, for platforms where steam is not available.
And I don't mean using xbox controller on an xbox or ps controller on an ps either.
o_oli@reddit
I think this is a smaller market than you think lol. 99% of people buying a PC game controller probably are not looking to also use it on a phone or tablet, and if they are its probably through Steam link where the controller works fine.
ramanmono@reddit
Any other bluetooth controller works on mobile devices. This isn't some special controller. Do you see the design, it is a standard controller with some extra features.
The standard features should work just like the other controllers.
"You think" and then go lol. Ever thought that you might think wrong...LOL Besides it doesn't matter that mobile or other non steam platforms aren't the primary use. The fact that it connects using a globally available protocol and has everything a basic controller has, actually connects, but just won't map properly because no steam is just objectively bad. That is not an opinion.
havoc1428@reddit
Needing it to work on an iPad Pro is such an edge case I don't even know why you would even bring it up.
ramanmono@reddit
Any other bluetooth controller works on mobile devices, so no not an edge case. This is steam feeling like they the good guy monopoly so they can do this crap.
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
Yet if MS had decided the Xbox controller only works on games from their launcher, you'd all be up in arms. That's the main issue. If people want to treat Valve as if it is better then they need to be held accountable. What I am seeing here is a company having a monopoly over PC gaming and using that to their advantage and people are defending them for it.
havoc1428@reddit
Well I think you're missing a key bit of context here. There is a big difference for the end-user between needing to launch a game through a platform and actually buying the game on that platform. Steam in this particular case is somewhat akin to running DS4Windows to get your PS4 controllers to properly work on PC.
o_oli@reddit
Right but people would be only up in arms because the Xbox app on PC is shit and 99% of people use Steam instead. Thats my point. People only care when it's an inconvenience, and when ALL of my gaming goes through Steam anyway then I don't care that my controller needs to also. Its literally my preference that it does and has been for over a decade.
I'm not saying its good business practice but the reality is I simply don't care and I don't think the majority will either.
42LSx@reddit
It's becoming like Apple, and look at how how money they make and how their Hardware is glazed on this sub.
IORelay@reddit
Yeah, this is practically like ecosystem lock like what Apple attempts to do, and that is heavily criticized.
f3n2x@reddit
What are you talking about? Both MS and Sony have done shit all to fully support their controllers on anything other than their own platforms and in some cases not even that (e.g. you can't even turn down the light of a series controller in Windows AFAIK) and most if not all other 3rd party controllers just pretend to be xbox controllers running on MS software with no real additional or alternative features.
lavenderechoes@reddit
Sony literally published and maintains Linux drivers for the Dualsense lmao
Considering Valve is "big on Linux" it'd be cool if they did that. Or extended SDL to at least support basic inputs for their controller, like they already do for a bunch of other controllers.
As it stands, I don't really get why this controller can't work as a basic gamepad when Steam isn't running.
boringestnickname@reddit
It took aaaages before Sony controllers played nice with PC.
ThatOnePerson@reddit
Sony don't actually do much more for the Dualsense. Like their drivers for that don't support the Edge's extra buttons.
Valve funds SDL. The main developer, slouken, has worked at Valve for years. And they've actually already added open source support for SDL for the Steam Controller: https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL/commit/1998b650452bdf0bee5209e20e4715b4295abe8c
-WingsForLife-@reddit
The Dualsense still gets crippled once you use it wirelessly too, especially if you enjoy the really great rumble.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
And there's apps for both Dualsense/Dualsense Edge and the Xbox controllers to update the firmware and change button mapping
sh1boleth@reddit
Gonna watch the video later but the controller doesn’t support XInput? In 2026?
dovahshy15@reddit
Probably because neither Xinput nor DirectInput supports some of the features of the Steam controller, like gyro or the touchpads (or using it like a keyboard and mouse).
sh1boleth@reddit
Sure but a controller in its own firmware can/should be able to operate in multiple modes for greater compatibility and friendly user experience
aj_thenoob2@reddit
Right. This is quite unusual. Xinput is needed for many games...
lowlymarine@reddit
Seems perfectly usual to me, if your main goal is locking people in to your ecosystem. I yearn for the day PCMR folks finally understand that the billionaire monopolist with a fleet of mega-yachts is not their friend. But I fear it will only come when Valve does something truly monstrous (more so than mainstreaming nontransferable digital licenses and loot boxes and battle passes and online casinos aimed at children, that is).
boringestnickname@reddit
Unless there is some sort of revolution, I think the best we can hope for is the owner class understanding that better products sells better (in the vein of what GabeN is doing.)
KoolAidMan00@reddit
The last time they faced actual serious backlash was when they tried to monetize Skyrim mods back in 2015. Somehow that got memory-holed.
I think people give them a lot of leeway because Steam has improved so much over the last five years while so much else has degraded. Either way people let them off the hook quite a lot, and I hope that this is addressed in a Steam Controller update. It reeks of platform lock-in, which is wild because Steam supports everything going the other way (DualSense, Switch 1 and 2 pro controllers, etc)
watnuts@reddit
You're forgetting the flak from the dogshit redesign in 2019 (or 2020?).
All the bitching about small mode removal; ridicule about game "cards" and religious defense of "it's the dev's job!", etc.
SchighSchagh@reddit
5 years? Bro, all us millennial grew up with Steam since the early counter strike days. They've not perfect, but they generally move the gaming industry in a Pro-gamer direction. They've had big W's the past 5 years with the Deck and all the awesome Linux/Proton stuff, but they were doing great things long before that too.
As for they controller being tied to their platform. OK? What do you want to use it on, a Nintendo? Fact is anyone who's interested in the SC2 already has steam games they want to play. And any gamer who doesn't have steam games already has quality first party controllers for their console of choice. So who exactly is harmed by requiring Steam to be running with the SC?
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
No true millennial would mention growing up with Steam in a positive light. The introduction of Steam was literally one of the worst things back in the day. I took years for it to be seen as anything positive when they introduced their sales as before it was literally a major annoyance.
42LSx@reddit
As someone who was there when Steam was announced, no, already by the release of CS:S it was seen as a positive.
Sure, at the very beginning it wasn't good, but that was more because of the server issues rather than a principled stance against it.
It offered so much usability (never again did you have to download 4 seperate patches and install one after the other) and completely replaced things like XFire.
KoolAidMan00@reddit
Buddy I have a four digit Steam account created on September 12th 2003, the day it launched when it was just an optional launcher for CS 1.6 and over a year before HL2 came out.
People HATED the Steam requirement for HL2 for years. People would buy a boxed copy from the store and be furious when it just had the Steam installer and license key. The actual release of HL2 was a mess, authentication and launch issues for weeks.
More to my post, Steam was in horrible shape for most of the 2010s, stagnant in features while getting flooded with software. The last five years represent massive leaps in library management and store discovery, not to mention the UI improvements and integrations with their own hardware starting with the Steam Deck in 2022.
Its funny you mention that given that the Switch pro controller has much wider hardware compatibility than the Steam Controller. I travel for work and if I pack a controller it will be a single one that works with a variety of hardware. The DualSense works with pretty much everything and I can pair it with four devices. The Steam Controller doesn't even work with a MiSTeR FPGA, something that literally all of my other controllers work on. Its nuts.
If I get a SC it will just be for my HTPC, a shame because having the same broad compatibility as my other gamepads would put it over the top.
Strazdas1@reddit
Valve wasnt the one monetizing skyrim mods. It was Bethesda that did this.
Lat time valve got seriuos backlash was when CS:GO skin gambling scandal happened.
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
Considering that Gabe did an AMA fighting any criticism against that tooth and nail I very much doubt the idea wasn't brought up by Valve first.
Strazdas1@reddit
If it was brought up by Valve, why is Bethesda the only publisher to ever try to implement it and why did Bethesda implement it on non-steam platforms too?
KoolAidMan00@reddit
Part of fighting it tooth and nail included Gabe pushing back on accusations that a paltry 25% commission to mod creators was exploitative.
If you want to know how someone gets a fleet of yachts, this is the mindset it takes.
Gullible_Goose@reddit
Valve very much had a role in that, considering they built the architecture for paid workshop mods in the first place and announced planned future support for paid mods in the workshop. The backlash forced them to backtrack
Strazdas1@reddit
Valve facilitated (and Gabe defended it) but it was Bethesda that pushed for it which is why Bethesda games the only ones that did it.
Gullible_Goose@reddit
Skyrim was the first in what was planned to be a rollout for payment support through the workshop for all sorts of games. They noted both Valve and non-Valve titles as planned examples in their apology post.
Cushions@reddit
Wouldn’t surprise me if the brains behind that were primarily Bethesda.
max123246@reddit
Congrats. You fell into the exact redditor mindset that thinks Valve does no wrong
Dapper-Highlight-739@reddit
I mean, Gaben did a whole AMA about said Skyrim mod issue where he defended it to death to the point where most of the thread was clowning on him
KoolAidMan00@reddit
I totally forgot about the AMA. Wasn't he trying to defend a 25% split to creators?
Those yachts don't pay for themselves!
KoolAidMan00@reddit
This was at the height of Valve's innovations with MTX, loot box gambling, Steam Marketplace transactions, etc. By 2013 I already assumed that their next step would be monetizing mods.
I thought they were going to do with mods in Dota 2, just like they rolled out new forms of monetization and distribution in their prior games (HL2, TF2, CSGO, etc). It made since given how huge mods were in Warcraft 3. Valve would love to have a tollbooth in front of something like that. Instead they salted the earth for that idea by launching it with Skyrim.
It is possible that Bethesda approached them with the idea but I am positive that Valve was going to attempt with some game no matter what.
Sictirmaxim@reddit
Steam greenlight was also a huge blemish, they would let every single asset flip and scam on their storefront. It made the whole app a shovelware heaven.
BrushPsychological74@reddit
That's real funny how he keeps doing real friendly stuff and often times has to do nothing and be the best option by a country mile.
I'm so tired of this stupid conflation where just because someone is successful and rich, they must be your nemesis or at the very least they cannot be our friend. This is clearly poisoning the well fallacy with some genetic fallacy built in.
Being rich and being our friend are NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.
Just because valve isn't perfect doesn't mean that they've not been incredibly friendly to us consumers.
max123246@reddit
No they really haven't. You've been Stockholm syndromed because the alternatives have been even worse
They invented loot boxes in AAA games
They tried to make paid mods a thing on steam for Skyrim. Gaben defended a 30% cut for modders. 70% would go to Bethesda and Steam.
They had an anti consumer arbitrage clause. And then when a legal company set up the arbitrage for a case, Steam last second changed their arbitrage clause and told the legal company that now their arbitrage is invalid according to their TOS.
I can keep going. It's actually insane that you think Valve is your friend, I'm sorry. You're deep in the Stockholm syndrome.
42LSx@reddit
So only a single criticism is still valid (loot boxes).
And you said yourself, every alternative is much, much worse.
So yeah, why not say that Valve is friendlier to customers than literally every other big publisher? It's just true..
BrushPsychological74@reddit
Obvious mental filter fallacy. Also, I never said they are my friend. I said they're friendly. That's an important distinction. None of that matters because you're doubling down on your fallacy.
Also, the clear and obvious argument is that there is no perfect friend. And only focusing on the negative of your friends is obviously fallacious. So let's stop making the word friend synonymous with perfect because it's not and acting like it's not. It's clearly distorting and taking away from the obvious good that they do.
But let's just cut the fallacy completely and stop with your nonsense garbage about Stockholm syndrome.
max123246@reddit
Yes, you did call them your friend.
BrushPsychological74@reddit
No. That's clearly and obviously a refutation of your fallacy and the words 'they are my friend' are not anywhere in my post.
Things you disagree with are not inherently anti-consumer, and again, only focusing on the negative is an obvious fallacy which you seem to triple down on.
Instead of attempting to gatekeep the friends of others, how about you reflect on your own fallacious nonsense.
You're more than welcome to say that they're not your friend, but you're not welcome to gatekeep mine.
DotRakianSteel@reddit
I do get that we share the same point. They know, they had the choice, and yeah, here we are in the matrix, reading the manual, knowing Mr. Smith wanted it that way.
aj_thenoob2@reddit
Right because it's not like you can operate steam Big picture with any sort of controller or VR headset. It's over
MagicalYuna@reddit
Which Steam Input supports, it hooks into the game process intercepting the XInput library and translates the data from the controllers it supports into XInput regardless of whether the controller natively supports it or not. This does require Steam to be running and the game (or rather application, doesn't have to be a game) being launched through Steam, and isn't only restricted to Steam applications but works with many non-Steam applications too that have been added to & launched properly from Steam save. Unfortunately there are some non-Steam applications that Steam can't hook in to though, for such incompatible applications however tools such as GlosSI/SISR exists that essentially allow Steam Input controllers to act globally on the system to work with them.
So it does support XInput games perfectly well, you just need to run them through Steam which I personally don't think is a real issue as this is designed as a PC controller and honestly what PC gamer doesn't use or even have Steam at all?
itsjust_khris@reddit
This doesn't always work well. A few games in my library will not cooperate easily with Steam's XInput compatibility layer, they need me to plug in a native XInput controller.
MagicalYuna@reddit
I know that's why I mentioned the GlosSI and SISR tools (both open source made by same developer, only SISR is being actively developed though as the successor to GlosSI), they both translate Steam Input into an emulated system level XInput or DualShock 3 virtual USB device that applications will see & treat as a real native device.
SISR also added an experimental no Steam mode back in January and uses SDL3 to read from controllers which already includes native support for the new Steam Controller, in fact this support was added to SDL by Valve themselves back in November. So with SISR you don't even need Steam to use the controller, you will however be limited to the basic gamepad remapping of SDL3 (no keyboard/mouse remapping) as SISR has no plans to offer its own remapping functionality.
PiersPlays@reddit
Yeah but there should be something other than lizard mode outside of Steam. The business that made the Steam Deck should be offering a more open device. Look at this tiny 20 bucks controllers different modes https://youtu.be/T0VRYjumU-M?t=475
Why can't the Steam Controller do the same?
MagicalYuna@reddit
Because it's designed by Valve specifically for their Steam ecosystem to take advantage of. Support outside of Steam and especially on consoles would add more complexity to the controller and potential licensing fees (for consoles) which increases the costs for them and would likely be passed onto consumers, and all for something that is honestly counter intuitive to their business model of having people in their ecosystem since as much as Valve seems like the good guys at times they're still a business in it to make money.
Like it or hate it that's the brutal truth of why they can't, or rather won't, do the same.
And for the record as someone who has long used the original Steam Controller I wouldd love it if they had added a native XInput mode when used without Steam or at the very least gamepad support within the desktop layout, would negate some of the need to add applications to Steam or use GlosSI/SISR unless you want a custom layout for it.
DotRakianSteel@reddit
Yes, backward compatibility is not a feature to take lightly when we are talking about millions of end users and almost four decades of games available to play. I mean, even my 15-bucks GAMORY gamepad from years ago supports it.
Verite_Rendition@reddit
I can't watch the video at the moment, but is there any mention of GameInput support?
XInput and DirectInput are both legacy APIs at this point. GameInput is Microsoft's contemporary controller API, and it does support mouse/keyboard inputs as well as haptics. Which is to say that it should support all of the features of the Steam Controller.
Ebih@reddit
"I think we'd rather just make it as easy as possible to get it added to Steam so you can, you know, benefit from that functionality without needing any sort of kernel driver that would potentially, down the line, cause system instability or things like that," said Valve programmer Pierre-Loup Griffais. "Like, we're really happy with not having a kernel driver, because it comes with the onus of not messing it up, right? And so right now, the current method of supporting the controller is pretty safe."
Valve Steam Controller review: Every input to PC game from the sofa
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
That just sounds like an Apple level excuse imo.
Vb_33@reddit
Xinput is also about to be replaced by Microsoft.
doscomputer@reddit
Its 2026, controllers are made with more compute power in their MCU than a power mac g4 which was restricted for export because it was too powerful.
the idea that only one implementation can be made is long dead, valve deliberately chose to exclude compatibility
Robot1me@reddit
Which is an issue with the OG Steam Controller too, it has a "lizard mode" for basic mouse usage, but doesn't function correctly as a standalone gamepad. That Valve is doing this once again is disappointing, but maybe also not too surprising when looking at how the Steam Deck controls are deeply tied to Steam too. For example when launching into desktop mode and Steam decides to self-update for a while instead of starting, your bindings and mouse settings casually stop working
CallMeCygnus@reddit
Of course, but it would be great to be able to use it as a regular controller for games you don't want to or simply can't launch through Steam. It's not like you can't make good use out of the controller without the trackpads.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
DInput will be the closest for matching the support. The Xinput feature-set is ancient at this point.
MairusuPawa@reddit
Xinput is shit so no wonder
ILikeFlyingMachines@reddit
wtf it needs steam running? Thats stupid.
Poufee1233@reddit
Honestly, much like much of the things about the controller such as the price, I'm not really sure why anyone else expected otherwise?
This device wasn't made to be your plug and play controller, it's meant to be specifically a controller for your PC. It would be nice to use as a regular controller too, but if I'm playing a multiplayer game I wouldn't hand someone a controller like this to play something like Mario Kart.
ZekeSulastin@reddit
One of the biggest advantages of the PC platform over just about everything else is that you’re not tied to a specific storefront or indeed any storefront, and I’m disappointed that the thing requires Steam running to use :(
absolute-degen1337@reddit
How else do you expect it to work? This is a 100% unique device, so there's no standard to build on.
ramanmono@reddit
100% unique? List all the features and oh just a handful of unique features. But wait... it has all the features of a basic ass controller too. Hmm it has Bluetooth? Why not make it work like a basic controller. It even pairs and connects, you just can't map the basic controls properly.
The controller needs a basic mode. It has the protocols to communicate, the steam API does a lot, but also does basic input mapping. That shit should have been a mode on the controller.
absolute-degen1337@reddit
name another controller combining two trackpads as Inputs.
It has. the basic Mode is a mouse.
Why? Do you think anybody buying a STEAM controller does not have STEAM running?
ramanmono@reddit
That doesn't make it 100% unique. It has a d-pad, it has 2 analog sticks, it has 4 buttons on the right. 2 buttons and 2 triggers at the front that is a basic gamepad. On top of that is has some other stuff. That doesn't make it 100% unique.
Dual sense also has unique features and still works just fine on any device it can connect to as a basic gamepad.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
Like the V1 controller does... It works fine without steam being open
Strazdas1@reddit
V1 controller also requires steam to be open.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
There's a desktop mode that works without Steam being open.
Strazdas1@reddit
It works exactly the same on V2 controller without steam being open. It just simulates a mouse.
LapnLook@reddit
The Steam Controller V1 provides simple mouse output when not connected to SteamInput
By the sounds of it, the same thing happens with the Steam Controller V2
But to me this is fine? If my "flexibly interact with my computer from my couch" controller loses its necessary input wrapper, I'd much rather it default to regular mouse output so I can still you know, use my computer, rather than XInput that only works in games.
absolute-degen1337@reddit
but that does work? it works as a mouse without steam.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
Yes it works just fine
absolute-degen1337@reddit
no, I meant that it works on the New one just the same
RabidHexley@reddit
Numerous controllers have featuresets that go beyond xinput while still supporting it. Face buttons, two sticks, a d-pad, four shoulder buttons, it's a regular controller.
The Steam Controller isn't alien tech, like basically all modern controllers it can be described as essentially an xbox controller with extra stuff.
absolute-degen1337@reddit
lmao
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
What exactly is unique? The Dualsense has all the features of this, from trackpad to gyro. In fact the Dualsense has more features with its adaptive triggers.
absolute-degen1337@reddit
lmao
Poufee1233@reddit
Yeah but this device has a lot of weird things that would require proprietary software to run, Windows doesn't really talk well with multiple trackpads and gyro stuff unfortunately.
Plus I wouldn't be surprised if that was a little overselling on the requirement since the Steam Deck is sort of like that. In desktop mode, everything is like a base config and you can only use the trackpads as trackpads, I would imagine it is similar for this device, but honestly I'd never see me using this w/o Steam config anyways just makes no sense really.
smackjack@reddit
Just another example of Valve getting away with things that other companies would never get away with.
iwasnotsospecial@reddit
To be fair this happens when you have a lot of goodwill with consumers.
doscomputer@reddit
Im pretty sure its all internet advertising because valve started with a bad reputation, and there are a lot of people upset with them
ask anyone who actually bought an index about what they think of the controllers which cost $300 to replace
its a thing online, anyone who talks bad about valve gets downvoted and hidden. they definitely use the same marketing agency as nvidia and apple.
42LSx@reddit
That's just complete conspiracy bullshit lmao, just look at this thread or your post!
rayquan36@reddit
Lol what? Reddit shits on nvidia and apple and glazes steam.
danny12beje@reddit
Aren't the index controllers pretty much the most complex controllers for a VR set still?
doscomputer@reddit
as someone who owned both a rift cv1 and the index, with lots of time on the vive and odyssey+, there is nothing advanced about them.
They have less button tracking than the CV1, which yes they had touch pads but they're never used in anything outside of alyx. And the grips suck, finger tracking is not reliable, it was literally easier to give a pointer finger on oculus.
and really the main problem is the build quality, it just creaks and feels bad in the hand. seriously vive wands, samsungs controllers, let alone metas, are like holding a real controller in the hand. The index controllers when you squeeze them are very noticeably weak and not stable. They break really easily and for a long time had some serious issues with joystick drift, so bad that valve was quietly warrantying older units.
The knuckles should have been really good, but they are not better than other VR controllers and definitely not more advanced. legit just the same technology but with a different form factor (virtual touch buttons instead of real ones with capacitive sense)
cocowaterpinejuice@reddit
they can trade the goodwill for scummy practices.
loozerr@reddit
Calling the requirement scummy is a bit of a stretch, though.
Not to say Valve doesn't have scummy practices, though. CS2 skins are a gambling and money laundering front and also how they milk whales.
smackjack@reddit
I think it's hilarious that gamers didn't decide that loot crates were bad until after EA started putting them in their games.
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
Funniest thing is the whole thing blew up with Battlefront 2 and a lot of it was misinformation too. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they are gone, it's just sad to see that so many other companies get a pass for doing the same shitty practices.
Strazdas1@reddit
Some companies just do no wrong for gamers sadly.
cocowaterpinejuice@reddit
sh why does humanity always find a way to fuck over the cetaceans
f3n2x@reddit
I have yet to hear a solution which doesn't result in either lots of stuff straight up not working or subjugation to Microsoft.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
Like all other third party controllers have... A switch or button shortcut to toggle between xinput and dinput
f3n2x@reddit
Very cool, how do you make any kind of touch+gyro input work with that, and configure profiles?
dustojnikhummer@reddit
You don't have to, just make the mode limitations clear. 8bitdo plainly states that their controllers lack analog triggers in Nintendo Switch mode.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
Depends on the profile you use. Certain profiles support gyro and others don't.
f3n2x@reddit
I'm talking about a proper track+gyro config with touchpad activated gyros and both having different sensitivities so you can combine quick changes in direction with precise gyro controls in every single game with controller support, which the original SC could do 10 years ago... you know the stuff that actually makes the most advanced controller in existance you bought for $100 interesting and desireable over some 3rd party legacy controller for half the price.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
LOL good one
iConiCdays@reddit
You're sadly misinformed on the matter. Yes, technically speaking there could be a hypothetical switch to go between X input and D input.
The problem is those input methods don't support all the features of the Steam Controller and the device can't report to an OS as more than one unique input. So you can't have it across one USB port report as a Keyboard and mouse as well as an Xbox Controller. This is mainly a windows issue but it does appear on MacOs and Linux too.
The solution is a software wrapper that lets the device output as whatever it needs to. Their solution is to use Steam. Other controller manufactuers do a similar thing too, such as 8Bitdo.
If you or anyone else wants a standard Xbox style controller... Why are you even considering wasting your money on this? It's such a weird hill to die in... If you want the features of this controller (Trackpads, Gyro ect...) on PC they currently only really work through Steam. Other than a 3rd Party Gyro app I've heard of, there's no other software to map and control trackpads like these - plus they're not just laptop style trackpads, they simulate motion and inertia, so you can flick them like a track ball.
If you want these features... You'd have to use Steam ANYWAY. If you don't well why even bother looking it?
ThankGodImBipolar@reddit
If I go over to a buddy's place and he asks me to bring a controller, then I can't bring a Steam Controller, because it only works on one type of device. It'd be nice to bring one, because he's got a SteamOS PC docked to his TV, but we could just as well be playing Switch or something else. That sucks.
The actual problem here is that the Steam Controller doesn't work as a regular controller for when you need a regular controller. I don't need the features to be enabled when I pair it with a device without Steam Input; they'd be useless anyway.
iConiCdays@reddit
Well, if you're playing on steam it will just work, if you're not, then yeah you've got some hoops to jump through. This is the pro and con of this controller.
I mean... It was revealed with the Steam Machine, where it syncs without a dongle and can wake up the device from sleep, it's pretty clearly designed as a controller for Steam, but more importantly SteamOS.
You're asking this device to be something it isn't.
There are god knows how many standard xinput devices on the market for people to buy - there is ONE trackpad and gyro based controller now and to get those features to work, they've had to go through software... So yeah that IS the problem.
In fact, Valve held a GDC talk a decade ago about why xinput is a problem for any sort of non conformant controller and because of that, you can't just expose gyro and trackpad data to windows on a controller.
ThankGodImBipolar@reddit
I'm asking it to be a controller, which it is. It would be nice if it supported basic functionality on devices without Steam Input... which you've already stated is only needed for advanced features.
iConiCdays@reddit
Yeah... But to even get those advanced features working at all, you need to go through this method. If another company tried to do this, they'd have to do the same thing with their own software.
This is the trade off for this device, there is no denying it has it's cons but that's the point, it's made for a specific use case of people who want those features. If you don't, then there's plenty of other options for you.
You want one controller that does both? Complain to Microsoft, their xinput stack is the culprit. If it was more flexible, you wouldn't need steam at all.
max123246@reddit
They could have added fallback mode where it works with X-inout. No one expects the unique features to work without Steam, but yes, I expect a controller's thumb sticks to work wherever.
ThankGodImBipolar@reddit
I'm literally not complaining about that
ramanmono@reddit
So what if there is a switch to make it a basic controller that doesn't support all features. It should be there. It's stupid to pay 100 dollars for a controller, but then you have to pay more for another controller to use where steam isn't available / possible.
The messed up part is that it does connect, but the basic controls just can't be mapped.
There needs to be a basic controller switch this thing is also a Bluetooth controller afterall.
"If you or anyone else wants a standard Xbox style controller... Why are you even considering wasting your money on this?" Do you even have a brain?
You can't bring a Bluetooth controller to anyone else. Or god forbid you play games on more than just PC/steam.
With this brainless argument anyone who not uses all the steam controller features 100% of the time is also wasting money. You need to use the features to justify the price, not using it is wasting.
A great game that doesn't use the steam controller features: doesn't matter. It's a waste to play it, and don't go playing it on another controller either because even if it's cheaper it still a on top of the 100 dollars spent on those great steam features and thus using another controller is even more wasteful. 100% use all the features is the only way.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
I haven't even said anywhere near enough for you to make a determination on my experience nor background on the topic. A very strange comment to make right away.
Yet the Steam controller 1 works completely fine without Steam being open. That doesn't appear to be the case with the V2.
I'm not sure what the rest of your ramblings are about as they seem off topic. Not sure if you are even replying to the right person anymore. Regardless 8BitDo and similar companies make it very clear about the feature-set of each input mode. There's pros and cons to each mode. There's no reason the Steam controller couldn't do the same.
iConiCdays@reddit
The Steam Controller 1 acts as a keyboard and mouse without steam open, what are you talking about? It's the exact same thing here, this is a conscious choice so it can navigate Bios menu's if need be and desktops.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
The face buttons also work
iConiCdays@reddit
Yeah... As keyboard inputs. Go and try it right now.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
As A, B, X, and Y. This isn't my first rodeo lol
iConiCdays@reddit
If you want to spread misinformation online go for it, but the steam controller does not act as an xinput device without the steam wrapper. Go into device manager and see for yourself, it reports as a keyboard HID.
It does not input A,BX,Y xinput calls without running through steam. In fact, you can verify this, open a game pass game and check it works there... You'll find it doesn't... Because the OS see's it as a keyboard and mouse.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
It works that way for me. Sorry you don't believe me. I've had the Steam controller for years. While some of the controls are for mouse control, the face buttons do in fact work as regular controller face buttons. Sorry you don't believe in the truth.
f3n2x@reddit
No idea what you did or if you're hallucinating but the other guy is absolutely right. The default mapping for the buttons without steam running is ESC, space, backspace or something like that and left and right mouse buttons for the back buttons.
BallMeBlazer22@reddit
I mean fair, but of all the big panies I have to interact with during PC gaming, Valve is the one I trust to not fuck me as a consumer the most and this has been built up over decades!
So like sure it sucks it requires proprietary software to work properly, and maybe valve changes drastically in the future but I, for now, somewhat Valve and am willing to download and use steam to use this controller.
Like there is a benefit to not fucking over consumers at every turn because you are big enough that they have no other choice and this is one of them.
Vitosi4ek@reddit
Also, how large is a segment of users that would want a $100 Steam Controller yet do not use Steam?
Dependent-Zebra-4357@reddit
I think it’s less about not using Steam and more that even predominantly Steam users also sometimes play non-Steam games, and proper support for that would be nice on a $100 controller.
danny12beje@reddit
For anything that's not through the xbox app, you add a non-steam shortcut to steam and there you go
Dependent-Zebra-4357@reddit
What about platforms that don’t have Steam? Other controllers work perfectly well on iOS and Android too. If I’m paying so much for a controller, it would be nice to be able to use it everywhere.
What I think would make sense is for the controller to work in Steam Input mode when Steam is running, and fallback to one of the other compatibility modes when Steam isn’t running. Best of both worlds.
danny12beje@reddit
You're not buying a steam controller to use on an android, my guy.
The main selling point is trackpads. You don't need that on a damn smartphone.
Nobody's forcing you to buy it, you don't need to be upset over something that's not for you.
Dependent-Zebra-4357@reddit
Not exclusively, no. But like I said, it would be nice if it could work like every other existing controller. Not sure why that’s to hard to understand.
danny12beje@reddit
It's not hard to understand.
It's hard to make you understand a steam controller is built for steam.
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
Yet the Xbox controller works on Xbox, PC (all storefronts and launchers) and Android and iPhone.
Yet the Playstation controller works on Playstation, PC (all storefronts and launchers) and Android and iPhone.
Yet the Switch/Switch 2 controller works on Nintendo, PC (all storefronts and launchers) and Android and iPhone.
Vitosi4ek@reddit
And I think even the Xbox app games will work as long as they were made after MS abandoned the "UWP for everything" push. Basically as long as a game/app has an exposed .exe you can point to, it can be added to Steam.
Plank_With_A_Nail_In@reddit
No one is being forced to buy this controller, they aren't getting away with anything, don't like it don't buy it.
smackjack@reddit
No one forced anyone to buy Battlefront 2 either, but that didn't stop gamers from crucifying the devs.
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
Funnily enough not characters could ever be bought in any version of the game. People literally made that up and then got angry about it.
JJ3qnkpK@reddit
As a small counterpoint, Valve continues to support the first Steam Controller, which by their reaction was largely a failed product. If they were frequently abandoning their products, I think peoples' reactions would be different.
admalledd@reddit
Steam Controller v1, Steam Deck and likely Steam Controller v2, are all very open on the hardware protocol/HID layer that multiple open source non-steam drivers/tools have been created. While valve of course prefers you use theirs and that is their official support, alternates are clearly allowed and even get occasional spec help from valve. You can't really say that about PS5 or other controllers that need more than what dinput/xinput specs from 2005 can do. In the end, every other high configurable controller/input device expects you to use their app/tools, Valve just happens to be more OK than the norm on letting third party tools also exist, though the open/free-ness/quality of SteamInput tends to moot most desire for those developers with the know-how.
rpgarry@reddit
The software in your link only works on linux & the only other software I am aware of that works with Steam input is reWASD which isn't free.
MagicalYuna@reddit
GlosSI and SISR both free open source tools for Windows (SISR also supports Linux) by the same developer (Alia5, SISR is the successor GlosSI) to redirect Steam Input to a system level virtual XInput or DS4 controller. The SDL3 library has native support for both versions of the Steam Controllers without the need for Steam, in fact it was Valve themselves who added this support to it months ago back in November (the creator of SDL works at Valve) and they heavily use SDL within Steam (not sure if they do within Steam Input but it wouldn't surprise me). SISR also uses SDL3 for its controller backend and added a no Steam mode back in January allowing the controller to be used as a system level device without Steam, you will just be highly limited in SDL's basic gamepad remapping functionality with no keyboard or mouse input and SISR does not intend to implement its own remapper.
ThatOnePerson@reddit
If by Steam input, you mean the Steam Controller support, there's usermode drivers built into SDL, which is free and open source. Lots of emulators use SDL for input, so I can just hook up my Steam Controller without Steam to Dolphin and get gyro inputs and all.
But yeah if you mean it as a Steam controller remapper, not aware of any that work in Windows.
rpgarry@reddit
Yea I was referring to Steam controller support, I see Cemu uses SDL, do you know if there's a way to use my Steam controller with it without opening Steam?
ThatOnePerson@reddit
Found a way to get it working: it's not officially into Cemu yet, but this patch updates it to SDL3: https://github.com/cemu-project/Cemu/actions/runs/24311845047
Make sure you're logged into github to download it from here, but yeah tried it just now and it works.
admalledd@reddit
If the game uses SDL, you can set the controller mapping env-vars, though that doesn't get you the dynamic config and layering. Steam input started as just the SDL mapping btw.
ThatOnePerson@reddit
Yeah but I mean stuff like gyro that you won't get from a controller mapping.
MagicalYuna@reddit
Valve themselves even added support for the new Steam Controller to SDL3 back in November.
MoonStache@reddit
I wonder if that's only using the puck vs Bluetooth mode? It would be insane if it doesn't work as a generic gamepad over Bluetooth.
bdingus@reddit
The original Steam Controller requires Steam running to do anything useful outside of emulating a mouse so you can open Steam with it, so I would be surprised if this one was any different.
oioioi9537@reddit
other reviews has also said it doesnt work without steam, though whether thats in puck or bt mode isnt clear
kwirky88@reddit
Linux community: “hold my craft beer”
Lelldorianx@reddit
Both modes.
jenesuispasbavard@reddit
RIP.
OkDimension8720@reddit
This is a genuine issue, I was certain about getting one but now I'm not sure
ramanmono@reddit
Yeah, really sad. There really needed to be a basic controller mode.
Robot1me@reddit
tbh with that detail in mind I would hold off and wait for a 15 - 20% sale at least. The lack of a standalone controller mode has been biting me a few times with the OG Steam Controller. For example when I wanted to use it for other games like Fortnite, but then the Steam Overlay hooking (required for Steam Input) stopped working. Using a controller emulator like reWASD works, but can get you flagged and banned by the game's anti-cheat for "exploiting." Not an issue with other controllers that work as "proper" game controllers out of the box
oioioi9537@reddit
thanks for added info steve
imKaku@reddit
That´s awful. I weren´t gonna buy it because i assume it will be sold in my country for like 150 euros, but jesus that´s rough.
feckdespez@reddit
I was able to use it just fine on my Nvidia Shield for non Steam things...
That didn't require Steam.
chapstickbomber@reddit
Steam is now the Microsoft of Gaming. They ARE the platform.
RabidHexley@reddit
Pretty much nothing good for consumers ever happens from a corporation being definitively on top. I can like Steam and Valve's products, but it's plainly clear that being the platform for PC-gaming enables them to make choices they wouldn't as easily get away with otherwise.
ConfidencePast6763@reddit
Valve has a huge crowd of die-hard fans who seem unwilling to acknowledge any criticism of the company, yet they’re quick to mock Nintendo or PlayStation fans for behaving the same way...talk about projection.
havoc1428@reddit
Mocking Nintendo or PS for that behavior is not projection. Do you know what projection even means?
The word you are looking for is "hypocritical". In that its hypocritical for Valve fans to call out other but turn a blind eye to Valve.
IORelay@reddit
They are unironically worse than Sony and Nintendo fans.
DIYEconomy@reddit
That's how it works, bb, if you do good by the public then they give you a lot of leeway to pull bullshit like this off.
Ok_Pound_2164@reddit
Always these weird comments trying anything to discredit GN doing literally anything. Now he's a hypocrite for not strongly complaining that the Steam Controller needs Steam.
-Gh0st96-@reddit
That's exactly how GN or Steve accused other of doing in this tech scene, indirectly of course.
atatassault47@reddit
The XInput API only has so much functionality, and the steam controller has functionality beyond that. So Valve has to run it through their own API. Blame MS for stagnating.
sh1boleth@reddit
Hear this, a controller can operate in "multiple modes".
Wanna use the Dpad as a mouse? Sure.
Wanna use it as Direct/XInput? By all means
Wanna use it as SteamInput? go right ahead.
This is a concious decision by Valve to tie the controller to Steam platform rather than the PC platform, Valve made this controller for Steam users not PC users.
If EA/Ubisoft/Epic came out with a Controller that only worked for games on their platforms they would get crucified and hounded for it.
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
Exactly, no one complains that the advanced features require Steam, the issue is that for it work as a controller at all it needs Steam.
It literally flies in the face of PC not being a walled garden. This is literally something I'd see Apple do and most of the people defending it now with Valve would be up in arms.
atatassault47@reddit
Xinput will be able to read the steam controller just fine, at Xinput's limit of functionality.
ramanmono@reddit
The video literally says the opposite and you NEED to run non steam games through steam to use it. Not to use steam controller specific controls, just to use it as a basic controller at all.
sh1boleth@reddit
Source? The review says the controller only works with SteamInput, it doesn’t support XInput directly.
It relies on SteamInput to translate to XInput
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
MS literally released the GameInput API last year that supports all these features.
Floppie7th@reddit
Also, if it's anything like the original Steam Controller, the required software doesn't need to be Steam. I did a ton of work on a 3rd party daemon that served that purpose on Linux. No Steam required, but it would read Steam's config file format for controller maps. (And JSON for a less-unhinged option.)
Leather_Animal_1142@reddit
Doesn't the original Steam controller also work in "lizard mode" without steam running, where it just mimics a keyboard/mouse with a single configuration?
iConiCdays@reddit
Yes it does, and this new one does too - but using the above commentators software or other similar works, you could get Steam Input devices working without steam and still output as an Xbox controller or anything else rather than a Keyboard and Mouse.
atatassault47@reddit
The XInput API only has so much functionality, and the steam controller has functionality beyond that. So Valve has to run it through their own API. Blame MS for stagnating.
JapariParkRanger@reddit
Goomba fallacy
BurnerUserAccount@reddit
Steve complained when Linus didnt complain enough about the Honey app.
Ok_Pound_2164@reddit
Absolutely insane comparison that makes so little sense, it only serves as more proof of the entirely weird comments against GN.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
God forbid someone doesn't agree with something he says !
jnf005@reddit
It's also funny that one of the biggest complaints of him from this sub that he's too negative lol
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
Yeah, I think this is one of the cases that proves a Steam monopoly is just as bad for the market than any other. I know people like to circlejerk over how great Steam is, but I have games all over the PC storefronts and also play a lot on Game Pass. I would have gotten this controller in a heartbeat despite the price but now it's not even a consideration anymore.
NeonsShadow@reddit
wdym? The PS5 Controller needs either Steam or the PS App to work. If your controller isn't 1-to-1 with an Xbox controller for the feature set there is zero point to using Xinput
ShiftPrimeNet@reddit
the xinput angle is what makes it concrete — without steam running most games and non-steam launchers see an unrecognized HID device, not a standard gamepad. the original steam controller had the same quirk, and valve shipping v2 with the same dependency baked in is a deliberate choice, not an oversight
BrushPsychological74@reddit
Action sets may be an entirely software side thing. So the "need" is if you want action sets. Let's not misrepresent the video or the device please. The controller works out of the box on any OS as a controller, just not that one specific feature which is probably not handled on the hardware directly.
If you want to justify why this is grim, I'm all ears, because maybe this is a tradeoff of cost to do it in software, or some other limitation that isn't revealed. You'll have to tell me how they can do it better, and you need to be specific, because it may not be possible for what you're buying and the conditions it will be exposed to.
F9-0021@reddit
That combined with the price makes it firmly DOA for me. Oh well.
ramanmono@reddit
Not DOA, just not something you'd consider. Me too. I really considered getting one
Lol. maybe when it ever gets a 50% discount.
OverlyOptimisticNerd@reddit
On the other hand, the fact that I can plug the puck in to my KVM and have it work on both my Mac and Steam Deck without re-pairing, AND not need a Windows machine for firmware updates, is a big deal to me.
One person’s pro is another person’s con. But this is what I’ve wanted.
ramanmono@reddit
This is not the same. You are describing a completely different feature and that feature isn't a disadvantage to anyone. You either use it or don't.
What if there is a nice game on your iPad pro and you want to connect and play with your 100 dollar controller. This 100 dollar controller (with blutooth) should have a basic controller mode.
OverlyOptimisticNerd@reddit
Fair point.
I am buying it to use with Steam, so I'm fine with this functionality and do benefit from it.
But it is still disappointing that it cannot operate outside of Steam as an X-Input and DirectInput controller, as well as for mobile devices as you noted.
MyUserNameIsSkave@reddit
But on an other hand this make sens with the features and Steam is well known and respected piece of software.
ScoopusJackson@reddit
But the mouse and keyboard functionality work without it? What a bizarre choice, if it doesn’t work over BT as a gamepad by itself that’s a huge misstep even if most people are going to be running this on something with steam.
LapnLook@reddit
It makes sense to prioritise mouse input over gamepad input if you think about the use case of this. If you want to control your living room PC with this thing, and you don't have the wrapper (SteamInput in this case, but there were non-Steam alternatives for the first controller, so I assume the same will happen here) running, you can either have:
gamepad output by default, which allows you to play games that support that, but you won't really be able to interact with your OS, unless you also have an actual mouse somewhere in the living room that you connect to the PC
mouse output by default, which means you can fully use your OS without any extra devices, but the tradeoff is you can't play controller based games until you launch the wrapper
If you want the user to have a decently seamless living room experience, I think the second option is better. Having to get up, grab a mouse, plug it in, etc. just sucks, especially if your living room isn't set up in a way where the USB ports are very easy to access.
porcinechoirmaster@reddit
If I had to guess, I'd say that absent whatever driver is present with steam, it's probably only loading the HID for a trackpad. The keyboard isn't a real keyboard, because if it was you'd be able to use it on the lock screen of Windows and GN states that isn't possible.
TexasEngineseer@reddit
Yep
Valve does good stuff but they absolutely get insane passes for behavior sat Sony or Microsoft would be excoriate for
PJBuzz@reddit
Agreed.
That really is a poor decision but in reality it's just not going to be an issue for 99% of people given the use case.
Figarella@reddit
Hum, I mean if it works in the bios I'm pretty sure it can work without steam
LAUAR@reddit
If you compare with other first party controllers, only Microsoft is better, but they literally own Windows and made the XInput API is made for the XBox controller layout. Sony and Nintendo both need to be supported directly by the game or third-party programs to use it system-wide.
sh1boleth@reddit
The Xbox Controller layout, or the DirectInput/XInput layout has been in use for ~30 years now since the PS2 and Xbox came out, its a decent API to set a "Bare Minimum" of what a controller should have, anything on top of it can/should use their proprietary translation layer but XInput delivers a baseline that every controller should aim to achieve.
Plank_With_A_Nail_In@reddit
Its valve's product not ours and its releasing in a pretty crowded market, crying it doesn't work in a way no one uses today is entitlement, don't like it buy one of the other great products on sale.
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
Yeah. I wanted to use this with Playnite fullscreen in my living room but Steam input can cause dual inputs in some other game launchers like Xbox and Epic. This might be a dealbreaker for me but I'll try it and see. Maybe Playnite will update to support the controller and I can keep Steam closed. If not Valve does have easy returns.
nmkd@reddit
What makes you think you are forced to run any software for it to work?
oioioi9537@reddit
other reviews has also said it doesnt work without steam, though whether thats in puck or bt mode isnt clear
VampiroMedicado@reddit
I was expecting it to come with it's own drivers like good ol' days :(
gustavo82@reddit
Seriously. Can't take this channel seriously anymore.
IAmPvtron@reddit
My question is will it use xinput because what if I’m trying to run a game not from steam and don’t want to add it to steam?
Green-Peaness@reddit
No xinput unfortunately. It's a bit of a deal breaker for me in a way. At minimum, they could have had an xinput mode where the gyro and trackpads are disabled and it just functions as a basic controller.
Snappish_Orc@reddit
Yeah, hopefully they add a way to make it functional without steam down-the-line. I'll likely use it with steam 90% of the time but having options never hurt anybody.
Down200@reddit
if not valve it's highly likely other devs will create a shim program to achieve this functionality, at least
IAmPvtron@reddit
I feel the exact same way
DryanaGhuba@reddit
From what I saw online, no. This is the biggest issue as controller designed to work with steam. Obviously there would be community work on that, but it takes time
PualFromBoston@reddit
Not a big issue when steam input exists.
ThatOnePerson@reddit
It's the same with the first Steam Controller and Steam Deck. So it's not exactly new, but the only one for those (on Windows) is reWASD, which is paid.
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
I've heard people also got banned for using reWASD in some games.
PualFromBoston@reddit
There will almost certainly be a community made xinput wrapper at some point, like DS4Windows.
I hear it works flawlessly on Linux; I can vouch for Bazzite as the easiest switch from Windows ever. There's hardly any real need to use the command line terminal, and when you do need to use it, there's a 99% chance someone else has done the thing you're trying to do and has posted about it somewhere.
JackhorseBowman@reddit
Even when reviewing something he likes the thumbnail still has him looking like he's like "do you believe this crap?"
Floppie7th@reddit
Pretty hyped that this generation got a real D pad. I loved the original Steam controller, but the trackpad D pad was unusable for certain games.
ironcladtrash@reddit
I really like the idea behind it but the game support was bad.
Floppie7th@reddit
The trackpads were great. I didn't need better game support from them. It just doesn't physically work as a D pad for certain use cases.
Reizath@reddit
You can use them as mouse or map them via Steam Input to whatever you want, for example you can have radial menu with keyboard keys assigned to it. Game thinks it's a keyboard, no need for explicit trackpad support.
Human-Board-7621@reddit
Unfortunately I've seen reviewers saying it not a good d pad (false diagonals etc). Why does every modern controller get this wrong!
VegetableFan6622@reddit
If it’s the same as Steam Deck trackpads are very good. The ABXY are OK, neither great, neither bad. The D pad is meh and the sticks very good. The matte texture is good.
Trackpads alone are not enough to navigate on Windows from the sofa for me, I really need the keyboard so I will keep my little BT Logitech all in one keyboard-trackpad-mouse and I have too much pads right now.
Being locked by Steam is also a quasi deal breaker as I have multiple launchers
But I hope third party will implement trackpads. I love them but I feel like that most gamers do not care about features like that. Even the mouse mode on Switch 2 which is impressive is not spoken that much about. Fellow gadget lovers are not the majority I fear.
Rencrack@reddit
Obligatory fuck valve
Sgt-Colbert@reddit
Out of curiosity, why the hate? And follow up question, which company would you praise for what they are doing for the gaming space?
melgibson666@reddit
Why the fuck would anyone have to praise a company?
HandofWinter@reddit
Valve pushes a lot of anti-consumer initiatives, and uses their near monopoly on game distribution to encroach on other areas that should be storefront independent. Mod distribution is a prime example.
I'm not the person you asked, but if I had to pick a company, it would probably be GoG for their archival efforts.
Wander715@reddit
Still kinda mixed on this thing. If it was multi-platform with Switch and mobile compatibility I would be more interested. The trackpads imo are kind of a niche feature that a lot of people will end up using less in practice than they initially think.
DoorStuckSickDuck@reddit
Trackpads are the entire reason why anyone would buy a steam controller, what are you talking about? If you want a normal controller, there's countless. Half of the reason why the Steam Deck is so good is that it has near flawless mouse emulation on their track pads. Why squander that advantage?
slrrp@reddit
Am I the only person that never uses them? lol
dustojnikhummer@reddit
I don't think I have ever used the right one on my Steam Deck on purpose.
Gullible_Goose@reddit
I guess it depends on the games you play and how you play them. I can’t stand using the trackpads for aiming/stick stuff, but I’ve put hundreds of hours into RimWorld and Civ VI on my Deck using the trackpads as a mouse. I want a Steam Controller so I can play Civ on my couch!
Hitchie_Rawtin@reddit
Most people seem to ignore them, but that's also the majority who'll decide to give a pointless surface level review about a very in-depth and customisable feature they don't use. The LTT/Short Circuit reviews of Steam Controllers (including the OG one) are pretty indicative of that kind of surface level overview & those guys are the "nerds" reviewing it. They know all the menu-diving Steam Input functionality exists but balk at the notion of customising it so there's nothing of substance they can say about it other than "it exists".
dustojnikhummer@reddit
And why would any of that block a separate xinput mode? Surely the storage on the microcontroller can store more than one firmware.
plissk3n@reddit
I love my steamdeck but I rarely use those trackpads. you are close with argument that its because I only play full controller supported titles. buts its the other way around. I dont find those trackpads comfortable to use, therefore I am searching for games who can be played without them.
BioshockEnthusiast@reddit
It's also huge for anyone playing on an HTPC or streaming games to another machine in your house where you don't have / want a full fat keyboard just laying around and being in the way 99% of the time.
Like you said, there are so many valid options in the controller space that Valve isn't really trying to directly compete 1-1 on features. They are differentiating their product. It doesn't have to be for everyone.
I'm 100% ordering day one because the OG steam controller is the only controller my wife likes to use. Hopefully she likes the new one as well, because despite having 4 OG controllers that all still work great they're not going to last forever.
VanceIX@reddit
I use the trackpads on the Steam Deck with nearly every title. Don’t discount them until you’ve tried them.
FdPros@reddit
to be the devils advocate, I have the steam deck and rarely use the trackpads unless the game has some mouse input and doesn't have controller menu navigation.
they do feel nice to use and the haptics on them are good but unless you mainly play mouse based games like civ or something, I honestly don't see the point in using them over the joystick.
D13_Phantom@reddit
I'm the opposite, I almost always find a way to use them. In slay the spire for example they are a much faster way of hovering for info on a relic/potion/debuff/etc and in a game like crimson desert it's a great place to throw keyboard bindings. I'm very excited to see how it handles the hacking in pragmata when I get the chance.
Seanspeed@reddit
Lots of people play a good mix of kb+m heavy games and games also perfectly playable on controller. It doesn't have to be 'mainly' to get good use from it. And of course you never know what you'll be playing in a couple years' time and all. I sometimes go through phases where I'll be really into like Anno and strategy games and whatnot, but then may not play another game like that for like six months. The point is the versatility for people who can make use of the versatility.
Magyman@reddit
I never really switch them out over an analog stick but what I do is use them as hotkeys or quick menus. Just something simple like having a radial menu for a bunch of spells in Skyrim is a huge upgrade when playing with a controller. I've been using touchpads for stuff like that since the dual shock 4 and steam input, and it's always disappointed me that sony didn't bother utilizing the feature they added better.
ob_knoxious@reddit
I have used them like twice and I got a steam deck in wave 2. Cannot understand they hype around them.
rakgitarmen@reddit
Even if you use them as mouse, the trackpad is so tiny that it's hard to be accurate with it. You either have to crank up the sensitivity or keep lifting your thumb.
nmkd@reddit
Haven't watched the whole thing, is it confirmed that you can't use it with Android etc? That'd kinda suck
TheChosenMuck@reddit
why would need trackpads on mobile ?
nmkd@reddit
Who said I'd only use the trackpads?
It's a controller, not a touchpad
psynautic@reddit
im curious wht the usecase is for this controller and android?
furiat@reddit
Maybe emulation, otherwise I don't know.
psynautic@reddit
right but you should use a regular controller for emulation, not a control specifically made for couch PC gaming with mouse emulation. its a weird argument that people keep harping on.
11BlahBlah11@reddit
I was looking for a replacement for my DS4. I use it for my pc as well as for many android games (including emulated games).
So it looks like the steam controller is not a valid replacement as of now.
furiat@reddit
It makes sense to have one controller instead of multiple, especially that steam machine will be powerful to emulate.
ThatOnePerson@reddit
Streaming from my PC.
dryingsocks@reddit
it probably works in steam link
Seanspeed@reddit
I imagine just people who want a single controller that can be used for anything.
XtremeCSGO@reddit
It would definitely be nice to be multi platform even if it was a very watered down version where it's basically just a regular controller for those platforms
ThankGodImBipolar@reddit
I think that it's mostly for docked Steam Decks, Steam Machines, HTPC's, etc.. If I'm sitting at my desk and using a controller (for whatever reason), the Steam Controller doesn't offer much over any other generic controller, because I'm just going to reach for my mouse if I need one. If I'm sitting somewhere where a mouse isn't easily accessible, or is annoying to use, than the trackpads (IMO) are irreplaceable.
Seanspeed@reddit
It's wild how many people dont understand this.
That said, the track pads can be used in some pretty clever and fun ways if you're the type who doesn't mind diving into things or experimenting with other people's presets. I still think having them as a makeshift, custom radial menu is one of the absolutely best use cases for it while otherwise using the controller as a controller, for example.
But yea, obviously if the trackpads dont interest you or you're always going to have access to a keyboard and mouse in front of you, then Steam Controller just probably isn't for you. And that's ok! Valve never positioned this controller as a controller for everybody.
lordmycal@reddit
My wife streams Steam games to our Apple TV so she can play her stuff in the living room. If it doesn't have Apple TV capability, that kills an important use case.
IsometricRain@reddit
I disagree. This has to be the most out of touch thing said about this thing.
WHY spend $100 instead of $50-60 on a perfectly good trackpad-less controller if you're not pretty sure you'd be using it a whole lot?
QuadratClown@reddit
As someone with a steamdeck, the track pads killed every other controller with sticks only for me. I use it all the time, for a lot of things. Its genuinely so much better than any other controller I've used (and I've used a lot) that it even killed every other non-steamdeck handheld for me.
It works actually well as mouse replacement. I couldn't play shooters or strategy games without it. Its no mouse obviously but it is very close. I've tried playing older RPGs like dungeon siege with sticks, it's awful and no fun at all. No problem with the track pads at all.
And even while using the sticks in favor of the pads, you can bind it to different buttons/keystrokes or gestures, which allows playing keyboard focused games without having have multiple button layers.
VampiroMedicado@reddit
You should user Gyro for that specific case.
VaiFate@reddit
They said they couldn't pay shooters WITHOUT it
rkoy1234@reddit
i always found gyro to be too limiting in terms of my playing position.
90% of my deck usage is either in long plane rides or when I want to cocoon in bed rather than playing upright on my pc.
in both situations gyro is kinda hard to use (unless I want to start a war with my seat-neighbors mid flight).
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
As someone with a Steam deck I rarely use the trackpads. It's mostly for typing and that's it. Even tho the keyboard is super fucking buggy...
FabianN@reddit
I have the steam deck and I use them HEAVILY. There are lots of games I play where the normal gamepad support is poor, or it just doesn't work for the grant format.
It will all depend on what games you play.
michaelsoft__binbows@reddit
My brother in Christ, trackpads are the reason to get this device in the first place.
freeloz@reddit
As someone who uses track pads non stop on my steam deck, I'll be using them nonstop on my bazzite machine hooked up to my tv
BeerGogglesFTW@reddit
Shame they gave the controllers a "square design."
That's something that bothers me about 8bitdo controllers. I usually give them a bit of a pass because they're so affordable. I could give this steam controller a similar pass because of the features the controller has, but it would still be something that would nag at me.
3G6A5W338E@reddit
8bitdo has many shapes of controllers. Ultimate 2 (I have the HSR collab one) might be xbox-style, but e.g. the pro 3 is ps3-like.
BeerGogglesFTW@reddit
Almost all 8bitdo controllers have a "square design." Not perfectly square but more so than first party controllers. I own a few 8bitdo Ultimate, 2, and 2Cs. They have a "square design." The arms don't go out as much as an Xbox controller.
Like I said, I can give them a pass, but the shape is not as great as they could be. I don't mean to hate on 8bitdo, they make a solid product for the money.
8bitdo Ultimate 3E will have more of an Xbox style.... but currently that's going to be like a $150 controller. That's not why I buy 8bitdo.
https://www.8bitdo.com/images/2025/ultimate-3e/grip.svg
I just hope this is the general direction they're going for their controllers.
3G6A5W338E@reddit
How about the Pro 3?
https://www.8bitdo.com/pro3/
dustojnikhummer@reddit
I have the SN30Pro Plus (the older version) and it's more of a SNES controller with thumbsticks (yes I get that the first Dualshock was that)
BeerGogglesFTW@reddit
I bought one for my nephew who was used to PS4, but making the move to Switch 2. It felt like a high end controller controller to me, but not the layout I prefer.
LiquidJaedong@reddit
Gamesir g7 pro or cyclone 2 are basically xbox controller clones.
LiquidJaedong@reddit
The gamesir g7 pro or cyclone 2 are basically xbox clones and aren't square.
BeerGogglesFTW@reddit
Yup. G7 Pro is my primary controller. Cyclone 2 is my secondary controller.
WowiiZowii@reddit
Why do you need a secondary controller?
BeerGogglesFTW@reddit
Multiple gaming PCs. Desktop and living room.
Norgyort@reddit
Yup. I swapped to the g7 pro from an 8bitdo and it’s significantly more comfortable due to the angle of the handles. It also has clicky shoulder buttons which is a huge upgrade over the extremely mushy ones on the 8bitdo. The abxy buttons are also clicky which I like, and the joysticks have anti-friction rings which is a nice improvement as well. My only major gripe is that the start/select buttons (or whatever they’re called now) are in awkward places and take a while to get used to.
The 8bitdo is a solid controller, but after swapping back to one with handles that are angled more similar to what the stock Xbox controller has I don’t think I could go back.
fnv_fan@reddit
No mention of the face buttons, how the D-pad feels and the bumpers? The triggers being Hall Effect was mentioned once which isn't even listed on Valve's own website. No 2.4GHz testing either?
SuperAwesomeNiceGuy@reddit
A useful detailed video, appreciated.
Feel like it's the first non-drama GN video posted here in a really long time.
bhop_monsterjam@reddit
The 4870 X2 video was ok, it ultimately a whole lot of nothing as it didn't work
shadowmage666@reddit
Too expensive at $99. Should be like $65 if they want it to sell
Sgt-Colbert@reddit
I don't know. The Elite and Edge controllers from MS and Sony cost twice that and they don't even have hall effect sticks, let alone TMR ones. And they have less buttons as well.
I feel like 99$ is fine.
Party-Exercise-2166@reddit
I bought the G7 Pro for 60€ which has TMR sticks and a gyro and even haptic triggers (not adaptive). The only thing the Steam controller offers more are the trackpads.
Sgt-Colbert@reddit
And when was this? Because right now it's 94€ on Amazon.
CellunlockerPromo@reddit
Not too sure If I'll get one, since my current Gulikit controller fulfills all my gaming needs so far. But the trackpad seems very interesting.
Duguesclin10@reddit
Can I ask which Gulikit controller you're using? I'm interested in them because their wireless latency seems to be pretty good. The no compatibility outside Steam is kind of a dealbreaker for me in terms of the Steam controller.
ThatOnePerson@reddit
https://gamepadla.com/ is a site that tests a lot of controllers for latency.
Duguesclin10@reddit
Yeah that is what brought Gulikit as a brand on my radar. Still I appreciate the help.
ThatOnePerson@reddit
If you're interested in Steam Input working with the controller, so working gyro and extra buttons, the GameSir G7 Pro 8K (8k is the PC controller) might have it.
moxyte@reddit
No AA batteries? Beginning to feel like I have to start stockpiling on Xbox controllers if I want that convinience in the future.
varateshh@reddit
Nah fuck AAA batteries. If you want to put in replaceable batteries then use a bigger format like 18650.
Neosantana@reddit
I'm sorry, are you saying you WANT a controller that runs on AAs? Like that's a better option than a rechargeable battery? What is this, 2005?
JapariParkRanger@reddit
Rechargeable AAs have been around for decades and is superior for most gamepads. Not for this one though, IMO.
Neosantana@reddit
It is in no way superior. You just grew up on an XBOX 360 and it was normalized for you.
JapariParkRanger@reddit
I grew up on a SNES, N64, and PS2 before pivoting to PC for the Xbox era and forgetting how to use dual analog control.
I appreciate the AAs in my Quest controllers and loathe the recharge cycle on my Index controllers and trackers today, as well as the noticeable degradation of battery life and the difficulty of replacing them.
moxyte@reddit
Rechargable AA's are clearly the superior solution. You're the second commenter who doesn't know those exist which is pretty wild lol
Arch-by-the-way@reddit
Just replace the rechargeable battery once every 10 years
iiwong@reddit
Batteries can be changed in seconds and don't require you to continue your gaming session with a wire attached
WafflesAreLove@reddit
It takes seconds to plug your controller in after a gaming session
Crimtos@reddit
Yep, and there are also controller docks which this comes with where just setting it down will make it charge. As long as the battery life is at least 24 hours so that it doesn't have any risk of dying during full day gaming sessions rechargeable batteries are substantially more convenient.
WafflesAreLove@reddit
Exactly. Rechargeable battery packs are both convenient and cost effective. I don't understand why people prefer disposable batteries. That stuff gets expensive after a while. I do not miss the says I had look for batteries.
LonelyNixon@reddit
To be fair I do miss batteries having a standard and we did have rechargeables of them.
The rechargable revolution freed us overall from having to keep changing out batteries but in hindsight it does stink how non standardized these things are.
moxyte@reddit
You've never heard of rechargable AA batteries?
iiwong@reddit
When did I mention that I use disposable batteries? Having a kid taught me to have charged batteries of all kinds ready at all times. Also my current living room setup where I would use the controller most of the time isn't optimized for wired charging but that's a minor "me" issue.
moxyte@reddit
"just charge it every time after gaming LOL" is a poor take suitable for dream world where nobody ever forgets to do it, then in reality especially on shared systems you start with 10%
arhra@reddit
It's a reasonable take if it ships with a charging stand/dock. I've never had to manually charge my Xbox elite controller, as I just put it back into the charging case (which lives on the shelf next to my sofa with my other controllers) whenever I'm done gaming.
Creepy_Accountant946@reddit
You must hate trees
iiwong@reddit
Despite my allergies, nope , not really. My oldest eneloop's are over an decade old and almost all of them still are in use.
moxyte@reddit
Look at the other comments, apparently a lot of people don't know rechargable AA's and AAA's are a thing. That's a third one.
CyraxxFavoriteStylus@reddit
It has a 30+ hour battery life and comes with a charging station, just plop it on the charging puck when you are done gaming and you never have to worry about battery life, unless you are playing for more than 30 hours straight.
Arch-by-the-way@reddit
Let me guess, rechargeable AA batteries that you don’t forget to charge but would forget to charge your controller?
moxyte@reddit
I'd rather be able to swap batteries mid session and then replace those standard batteries that were also used elsewhere after 10 years. "just plug the cable in bro LOL" what's the point of wireless at that point? why not just extend cord like it's 1999 then
Arch-by-the-way@reddit
So you just want to be mad on Reddit lol
porcinechoirmaster@reddit
I'd rather have a rechargeable battery, frankly. Especially if charging it means just slapping a magnetic connector on the base after gaming instead of fiddling with a USB-C cable.
JanErikJakstein@reddit
"convince" lol
arahman81@reddit
have a feeling this would eat AA batteries.
imaginary_num6er@reddit
I guess this means Valve effectively exiting the hardware space until Steam Deck 3 is released. Low demand for Steam Controller, low demand for Steam Machine, and low demand for Steam Frame by the time it is released.
michaelsoft__binbows@reddit
Speak for yourself. I wouldve instabought this steam controller for $150.
Feniks_Gaming@reddit
Anyone who has deck will be prime target for it me including
arahman81@reddit
Steam machine got clubbed from the back by the RAM spike.
Flimsy_Swordfish_415@reddit
you can't possibly know that
F9-0021@reddit
If the price of this controller is anything to go off of, the Frame will be the only one worth buying, and that's only because there's literally no competition in the market it's for. The Steam Machine is DOA at any price they're going to be remotely likely to sell it at. This controller is too expensive for the limitations it has. They're niche products again, not transformative like the Steam Deck was.
F9-0021@reddit
User servicability is the only thing saving it at that price point.
JapariParkRanger@reddit
Find another controller with capsense.
steve09089@reddit
Horipad if you’re into being railed because of poor QC
arahman81@reddit
Its only pricier than the basic Dualsense/XBox controllers without the advanced features. The XBox elite is slightly pricier, while the Dualsense Edge is 120CAD extra.
Standard-Potential-6@reddit
and all of those others will eventually drift.
Sony will let you pay $20 to replace them if you pay up for the Edge.
$100 is reasonable for this many inputs and TMR
porcinechoirmaster@reddit
Eh, there's also the low latency and the large degree of input customization. Power users are going to love that.
michaelsoft__binbows@reddit
I havent seen the price yet! But it cant be more than playstation edge or whatever. I can stomach 100 or 150 for couch practicality. Mouse on a couch mousepad just isnt cutting it for me.
comelickmyarmpits@reddit
It's 100 usd confirmed in the video
porcinechoirmaster@reddit
Price is $100ish, and latency is both low and consistent per GN's testing. If you want the ability to have trackpad-level precision on a controller, it's looking like it's the best game in town.
And possibly the only game in town. I don't know who else is doing a controller like this.
michaelsoft__binbows@reddit
I've definitely looked. you can't just use a stupid thumb stick to use a mouse on a computer at the couch. And not only is valve the only game in town, and the fact that being able to use two thumbs together for trackpad really helps to add speed and precision, for stuff like trackpads you wanna be able to tweak how it works and steam's controller based features delivers that in spades. It is firmly the only game in town for now and likely forever, but I do hope for the best possible outcome which is it will embolden other manufacturers to also attempt this kind of feature set.
PM_ME_YOUR_IZANAGI@reddit
Already confirmed at $100
plantsandramen@reddit
Being able to play on my couch without having to keep my keyboard and mouse close by is my biggest excitement of the Steam Controller, and the ergonomics. I'm sure they'll be great.
I don't use the trackpads specifically for gaming, but mostly to fix oddities with games, or to more easily maneuver around the Steam Store. It's a QoL thing for me.
rkoy1234@reddit
it's got buttons (like the 'elite' models) and two trackpads, and excellent battery life.
More importantly for me is that it has valve's customer support - which I know from experience of buying steamdeck and the index is great, for many years after purchase.
Valve is about the only hardware vendor I trust to take care of me years down the line no matter the issue.
robbiekhan@reddit
I like it, 250Hz isn't an issue as even the DualSense is that anyway in wireless mode and functions just fine for performance.
This will likely replace my G7 Pro unless I find a reason to get the Apex 5 Pro instead which also supports keyboard mapping and 8 extra buttons to configure.
warp37@reddit
I have Steam Deck but I don't use features like trackpad and gyro in games. I play on Xbox Elite Controller 2 on my PC.
I really want to try Steam Controller on my PC but I think it's not necessary. Maybe I will buy used SC in future.
count_dijkstra@reddit
Having to separately plug in the controller and the puck for updates is not great. This was also an issue when updating the dock, where you would have to disconnect the power for it to successfully flash its firmware.
The price is a little high as well, they're relying on their brand a lot here. I'm sure this will sell quickly, regardless.
BioshockEnthusiast@reddit
I'm actually totally fine with this. I've seen too many headsets with base units brick themselves trying to handle it all in one go.
youRFate@reddit
Do we know when it will go on sale now?
nbiscuitz@reddit
by christmas
youRFate@reddit
I just saw, it can be ordered starting the 4th of may.
nbiscuitz@reddit
may the 4th be with you
PolarizingKabal@reddit
I'll probably grab one, just to check out. More or less curious about the experience from a console player on PC.
Arch-by-the-way@reddit
I’ll wait for reviews from reasonable people
DeadNotSleeping86@reddit
Wait, Reddit hates GN now? What happened to tech jesus?
JapariParkRanger@reddit
He's moved on largely to ragebait content littered with the same tired jokes every 30 seconds or so. Some of the rage is justified, but many people aren't find of him becoming yet another negative content outlet.
Neosantana@reddit
This sub has a hateboner for GN, regardless of what they post.
Strict_Strategy@reddit
Lol. So suddenly he is no longer reasonable. Bootlickers of Judas and valve in shambles..
Arch-by-the-way@reddit
Oh he hasn’t been reasonable for a few years now
Strict_Strategy@reddit
Oh yea. Just enjoying the popcorn of value and Judas trying to find a positive spin.
Arch-by-the-way@reddit
Redditor who lives for being mad enjoys watching the YouTuber who makes him the most mad
VanceIX@reddit
I’ll wait for a nice sale lol, I’m buying it just for the trackpads, but not at $99.
Arch-by-the-way@reddit
Refurbished is gonna go hard
Big-Note-508@reddit
I can't bear watching him ! so much drama so much time wasting ! and he has the most punchable face in the world !
INITMalcanis@reddit
What drama? It's just a review.
Good of you to still reply to every thread with one of his videos, getting his engagement rate up, though!
gabeandjanet@reddit
Its astroturfing.
The moment GN started to investigate billion dollar corporations (instead of just small fry hobby building corps that sucked) you see the same talking points appear on all reddit posts about him.
This didnt happen before that
Guilty_Rooster_6708@reddit
Because he fully becomes a drama channel and people don’t like to watch drama constantly.
Neosantana@reddit
Yes, talking about bribing US presidents is just high-school drama, am I right?
Guilty_Rooster_6708@reddit
I don’t know what videos you are referring to. I don’t watch US politics on a tech youtuber channel lol. What a weird point to make. Do you get news channel from this guy?
More like his video moaning about AMD, while its looks like neither HUB or LTT, or Pauls Hardware got their sample. Just a drama queen.
Neosantana@reddit
Nvidia? AMD? Palantir? Ring?
He's been doing videos on their corruption in bribing the US government and complicity in war crimes for months now. Keep up.
Do you get your news from anywhere? All the details he listed in those videos are accurate. Whether you consider his interpretation of the facts proper is another story, but I didn't need Steve to tell me that Palantir is a war crime and fascism factory.
So you seek drama, and act like drama is all there is? Got it.
Guilty_Rooster_6708@reddit
No son, I just read about those news rather than listen to a guy yapped about it non stop for hours. I listened to his stuff on NVIDIA and it was uninformative or at least very surface level.
No details about large scale shipments, most of his Q&A about 4090s are done by interviewing 2 DUDES FOR NEAR hour. No breakdowns of. Routes, shipments, etc, and sooo much speculations. No explanation on what china is using those GPUs for, why they need them, where are they going to.
But sure they are real good. Learn to read actual reports and articles and keep up little boy
Arch-by-the-way@reddit
Buddy I’ve been a hater for years because he will milk the doomer audience at the cost of facts and has been for a long time now
Big-Note-508@reddit
hah what 😃this is my first time ever saying anything about him online 😂
Xc4lib3r@reddit
You can still bear commenting this post. What an achievement.
Big-Note-508@reddit
I will celebrate tonight 😃
bobbie434343@reddit
Hair-pulling even
2FastHaste@reddit
I'm the first one to be critical of what the hell Gamers Nexus as become these last few years. Where everything is a conspiracy and where everything has to conform to his AI = dystopia narrative.
But, I'll happily downvote comments like yours. We're here to discuss hardware, not what you think about someone's face...
Big-Note-508@reddit
enjoy that little arrow button if it makes you feel great 😃
Guilty_Rooster_6708@reddit
Rip. Tech Jesus followers are going to downvote you to oblivion
2FastHaste@reddit
I'm the first one to be critical of what the hell Gamers Nexus as become these last few years. Where everything is a conspiracy and where everything has to conform to his AI = dystopia narrative.
But, I'll happily downvote comments like yours. We're here to discuss hardware, not what you think about someone's face...
Big-Note-508@reddit
haha they started already 😂
lebithecat@reddit
And you still felt the need to comment.
G8M8N8@reddit
so dont
GalvenMin@reddit
I know I'm not the right audience for this controller as I already own a PC with various input peripherals, but the trackpads never sat right with me when it comes to emulating M+K functionality on a controller. It was awkard on the first iteration of the Steam controller and looks to be made in the same vein here. To me, the Switch 2 joycons are the best approach by a mile, the rest is just clunky at best.
Whatcanyado420@reddit
wtf. Actual hardware reviews from this channel?
Not the GamersNexus I know.
arahman81@reddit
Gotta love that "Bluetooth Nightmare" comparison. Yeah, discard wired options for this old-ass protocol that does terribly with device connectivity. Lol.
MadOctopus6@reddit
ooo good they sent Steve a review sample, lest he start another drama lmao