The Steam Controller

[DonnCorleone]

Hi All ,

Just wondering i want to purchase a game controller and in the internet maze you have so many discussions about what is the best , so i just want some ( honoust) opinions about your personal experiences about game pads / controllers that you can use on the pc and if they are any good .
For my self i am still in doubt between the xbox controller or the one from steam.

Cheers,

[Prairie Boy]

I like the all around versatility of the steam controller. The trackpads are a huge step up from using an analog stick in fps games especially when combined with the gyro. Aditionally I love the gamecube like triggers that can be configured to have different commands when pressed partially or all the way. It's hard for me to go in depth about what I like in text. You're welcome to friend me and talk in steam voice chat about it.

[BrixxYnx]

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[Vidrak]

I was recently in the same boat as you a month or so ago. I built an HTPC in my living room and wanted to pick up some controllers. I bought a Logitech controller, XBox controller and Steam controller.

The Logitech controller I think works great, as it basically mimics the XBox controller, also the buttons actually worked. On the contrary, I have always disliked the 360 controller. The D-pad is just absolute garbage, making it pointless for any 2D platformer game where you need it to actually work.

Then I tried the Steam controller. It definitely takes some getting used to, and the beta stage of Big Picture/Steam/Controllers makes it a little glitchy at times. But overall, I would say it is one of the best controllers I have used in a long time. My only gripe is the lack of a D-pad, but you can customize it well enough to get it to work very well. And that is the beauty of it, basically full customization.

Overall, I would recommend the Steam controller, especially since it is still in it's infancy and will only get better over time. There are a lot of people that seem to hate on it, but I am not sure how much of a chance they gave it either. Like everything, it takes practice and getting used to before you can use it well, the new Steam controller design is no different. I think it is one of the best controllers I have ever had, a couple months into owning it. It is very ergonomic and fully customizable. I would 100% recommend it over an XBox controller, as the buttons actually work.

Good luck on your search, not everything is for everyone, but if you are fed up with what is currently out there, why not try something new? ;)

[Superstone]

I have both a 360 pad with wireless dongle and the Steam controller.

If you play mostly PC focused games, I think the Steam Controller is great. If you play mostly console (action) games that do not require pinpoint aiming, the 360 pad is the way to go. The way that the steam controller doesn't have another pad and the right trackpad is where your right thumb usually is (to aim and control cameras) makes it not fantastic if you have to use the face buttons. You can customize the shoulders to make them function like the face buttons though so that might edge it up, but I have no experience with that yet.

In my opinion: PC-focused (building, window, more complicated RPGS)=Steam controller; console-focused (action, adventure, driving)=360 pad.

[Koalzers]

I have been using the steam controller the past few days and I have to say its pretty useless.I find myself trying to push myself to use it because I have it but mouse and keyboard and xbox controllers are just way better.

[firsttosecond]

I'm very intrigued by it to the point I'm ready to order one but I read the learning curve is insane but worth it when it clicks. I have a xbox one controller just in case I can't get it

[Washell]

As long as I don't play games that require a precision dpad, the 360 controller works really, really good for me. Racing games, over the shoulder shooters/action games, it's been abused for countless hours and still holds up great. Since I've never been a platformer, the dpad is only a minor, occasional annoyance.

[Prairie Boy]

I used traditional controllers from ages 2-15 until I got a decent "gaming" level mouse, and now aiming with traditional controllers feels like crap. I tried the steam controller and I thought it was so much better than traditional stick controllers. I'm still not fully used to it, but it took maybe a year for me to get fully accustomed to a regular mouse so you need to have the same open mindedness you had when you entered pc gaming. It's not meant to outperform a mouse and keyboard, but I've seen some people that say it does for them personally.

Keep in mind the steam controller was designed to bring genres to the couch that were never before possible like mobas, civilization building games, and more. Having it work better for fps's is a big plus as well. There are very few games where having another physical stick is optimal, since the second stick is most often used either for fps aiming, where the trackpad is MUCH better, or general camera movements like a 3d platformer/adventure game where the trackpad isn't enough of a hinderance to require buying a whole other controller for it. I have recently been using it for gamecube emulation and in Mario Sunshine where like I said it's the camera, I don't miss having a regular stick that much as there's no situation where it would affect my ability to make a certain jump or avoid dying.

The steam controller by design allows you to play any pc game. While you can just use xpadder, remember the xbox controller isn't really meant for the large number of games that play better with a kb/m, and software won't fix using an analog stick to aim in counter strike. You should have a steam controller to have access to every game in your library from the couch, again which is what it was designed for. There won't be a second version because it accomplishes what they set out to do.

Some criticise that it uses regular AA batteries, but from experience, controllers like the dualshock 4's built in battery wear out like crazy. I used one I borrowed from a friend, and it could no longer hold a full charge for even a day. With the steam controller, I got it back in november when it officially released, and only a few days ago did the AA batteries fully drain. I didn't use it everyday, but still, way longer than the ps4 controller.

If you need a controller to have "Alongside" it when you want to have a physical d-pad or 2nd stick, or for local co-op friends used to traditional controllers, then get a ps4 or logitech f310/f710 controller. All have a better layout for 2d platformer games. The ps4 controller can connect using any bluetooth adaptor, and the trackpad, while not good for games, is nice for general desktop navigation. The logitech f310 controller is cheaper at only around $20 but still has great reviews. It's wired only and has no rumble, so the f710 is the wireless option with rumble. It's $50 so choose it over the ps4 controller if you would prefer to use regular AA batteries instead of the ps4's built in battery, and/or if you don't have a bluetooth adapter snce the f710 uses it's own included wireless reciever.

[Trubargh]

Well, I use the Steamcontroller (SC) also and am very satisfied. I play mainly Rust but also other games and untill now no problems. The only thing is that you have to configure the SC for each game separate. (only once) But when done, you can play almost any game. The only game where it does not (yet) work perfect for me is the steering from Spintires.
You have to get used to it. TAKE YOUR TIME FOR THIS. That took me about 10 hours for each game after changing the settings many times to my personal need. But it has many nice features like the gyro-control. (works a bit like the kinect on a Xbox.) Your character, view or crosshair moves if you move the SC. So its very fast (depends on how sensitive you configured it) Move it left and the view will be also left etc. And there is aiming and shooting with the same trigger. Pull the trigger half-way to aim and full to shoot. Or shoot and reload with the same trigger. For precise aiming I let my legs support the SC in order to prevent shaking because the build in gyro wil notice every movement from your hands. (if configurated that way) I prefere the pads from the SC above the sticks from a regular controller. Perfect to configurate also the sensitivity. The configuration can be set in different ways. For example act like mouse or joystick. Or both combined with the gyro-control. Meanwhile there are different configurations available for the most common games in the community. You can download them very easy. (or up-load your own) No more wristpain during long gameplay for me. Perfect. Batterychange after 5 weeks of frequent playing. Delivery to Holland within 7/8 days. Perfect. (sorry for my bad English by the way)

[☣ JKay6969]

I just recently got a Steam Controller and I'm actually growing to love it. I normally use a wireless Xbox 360 controller and really like it but I game on the couch so need something different because a few of my favorites don't support joypads.

After the first day of mild confusion regarding the profiles not working properly, mostly due to a program called Desktop Companion seemingly messing with the bindings. After uninstalling it everything was much better.

I have now customized about a dozen games worth of Steam Controller Profiles and am mostly blown away by how accurate and versatile this controller is.

There are some frustrations like not quite nailing a configuration for all my FPS and 3rd person games but I'm sure that will come in good time as I've already came up with some creative configurations that put my Xbox controller to shame.

Overall the Steam Controller is amazing, it just needs patience and some good old trial and error with the multitude of settings, modes and mode switches.

[☣ JKay6969]

Top tip: Find a good User Uploaded profile and think about what could make it better, 2 way Left trigger for aiming down the scope then holding your breath in Far Cry 4, how about For Batman Arkham Knight you have a 2 stage accelerator which triggers nitro when you pull all the way, or even steering using the gyro in Project Cars with a 2 stage trigger for accelerate and to activate Kers. There are literally hundreds of combos waiting to be tried.

Oh and it emulates an Xbox 360 controller pretty well too, I just need to get the right track pad settings refined a bit more.

Remember that Valve have and will presumably continue to fix bugs and add new features through firmware updates which can be installed wirelessly.

[лотиха]

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[ReBoot]

I recommend the XBox 360 or XBox One gamepad. Those things are pretty much the go-to-pads for gaming nowadays.
The Steam Controller is a neat idea, but the execution lacks. Native KBM games require more mouse precision than the Steam Controller offers, native gamepad games require the XBox 360 or XBox One gamepad which the Steam Controller can't properly emulate.
The choice depends on your enjoyment of tinkering though. If you love configuring your input method and aren't put back by HAVING to tinker, the Steam Controller is a viable option. For people like me, who just want to pick up the gamepad and play, XBox One is the device to go.