Steam Controller 2. Oh no, Valve ‘need to make it occur’
I had hoped at the present time would by no means come. I hoped I would by no means have to write down this story. However Valve desires to make a Steam Controller 2 occur. Now, I do know that for a few of you, for some cause, that may make for fantastic studying, that you’re going to be ecstatic on the information that Gabe’s gang is trying to create a brand new model of its hole, awkward, jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none controller.
However you are clearly flawed to be excited. The unique Steam Controller was garbage, and deserved to be discontinued manner sooner than its 2019 kill date.
I imply, I did not all the time really feel like that. Gabe unveiled the primary Steam Machines throughout CES circa 2014 at a surprisingly intimate off-Strip soirée, and that is the place I acquired my palms on some manufacturing prototypes of the Steam Controller. And it felt good. Stable, really kinda responsive, however admittedly with a steep studying curve.
The steep studying curve remained once we acquired the ultimate models despatched via, however they not felt good. They felt low-cost and hole, and I nonetheless retch simply considering of these rear-placed buttons.
And so once I learn the Verge interview (opens in new tab) asking Steam Deck (opens in new tab) designer, Lawrence Yang, concerning the prospect of constructing a brand new model of the outdated pad, my blood ran chilly.
“Yeah, we need to make it occur,” says Yang. “It is only a query of how and when.”
“I believe it is probably that we’ll discover that as a result of it is one thing we needed as properly,” he continues. “Proper now, we’re specializing in the Deck.”
The truth that I have been so impressed with the Steam Deck by way of its construct high quality and effectiveness does mitigate a few of my issues, and the Index VR HMD (opens in new tab) is among the finest round, so Valve’s most up-to-date {hardware} ventures have yielded nice outcomes.
Although there is not any assure {that a} Steam Controller 2 would really be made by Valve itself. “It is positively one thing the place we’d be excited to work with a third-party or discover ourselves,” says Yang.
Who would you belief to make an honest second-gen Steam Controller? Razer, Logitech, Scuf?
Essentially, nonetheless, I nonetheless really feel for a desktop PC, that may have both a devoted controller or keyboard and mouse plugged into it, I do not assume Valve’s responsive touchpads provide an answer that betters both of them. They’re nice on the Steam Deck due to what the machine is—you’ll be able to’t use any of these different peripherals with it and keep its handheld orientation.
I am conscious of the love others have for the OG Steam pad, and of the anticipated cries of not giving it sufficient probability, that if I had solely persevered I would discover that it is nearly pretty much as good as a mouse and keyboard. However hey, I’ve acquired a mouse and keyboard, thanks.
