Valve have released some interesting statistics about controller use

Steam controller is a good pre alpha for the actual thing.

I would have replaced the right button grid with a thumbstick, moved those buttons to the underside of the controller (where your fingers are 90% of the time).

It’s actually impressive, it’s a controller where I’ve managed to do as well as with a keyboard and mouse, as long as I don’t need to swap out weapons.

Another issue I have is that it doesn’t work as well on Linux as it does on Windows: it re-triggers when charging from the PC, it doesn’t work with games if you forgot to use big picture mode, and it can only be used with non-steam games if you install a program from a developer that won’t be producing any more drivers.

I like, but it’s exceptionally tough to recommend.

Quoting: GuestWell, the thing is, I think there's a huge amount of controllers that are in use that are read as X360 controllers but are in fact not X360 controllers, like my Logitech Rumblepad, it's shaped like a ps2 controller, but instead of PS2 labels it has xbox labels on the buttons, and on the underside of it it has a "logitech controller" mode and "x360 controller" mode, the latter of which gives it a lot better compatibility since logitechs controller drivers are shit and not as widely supported as XINPUT.

Are you sure? My old Logitech F310 has the D/X switch, but the system correctly recognizes it as a Logitech regardless of the mode. Or it did before the controller got permanently stuck in xinput. lsusb shows "046d:c21d Logitech, Inc. F310 Gamepad [XInput Mode]". There are probably some cheap clones that do present false data, but it's hard so say how much that skews the totals.

Quoting: appetrosyanSteam controller is a good pre alpha for the actual thing.

I would have replaced the right button grid with a thumbstick, moved those buttons to the underside of the controller (where your fingers are 90% of the time).

It’s actually impressive, it’s a controller where I’ve managed to do as well as with a keyboard and mouse, as long as I don’t need to swap out weapons.

Another issue I have is that it doesn’t work as well on Linux as it does on Windows: it re-triggers when charging from the PC, it doesn’t work with games if you forgot to use big picture mode, and it can only be used with non-steam games if you install a program from a developer that won’t be producing any more drivers.

I like, but it’s exceptionally tough to recommend.

Actually what I would change personnaly is putting three grip buttons on each side . But the face buttons no I would keep them.
On the other hand I would make the triggers have a longer travel it's a bit too short. But I would keep the end press (exceptionnaly great to have an end point press like on the gamecube controller )

But yeah somebody needs to make an openhardware and opendriver version of it .

Quoting: tonRWell, it have significant flaw here. Some cheap non-brand (sometimes faked) controller are emulating/using/tricking as Xbox 360 drivers to work on Windows instead "others". [...]

So what? How's that changing anything? Neither developers nor Steam should care if the controller is fake or not, if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck and you need to code for the duck. The more controllers behave in a same way the better. I would personally prefer it was 27 millions of Steam Controllers, obviously, because we'd get better in-game support... but in general the less widely adopted standards the better and 4 ain't bad. Could be better but ain't bad.

Quoting: appetrosyanI would have replaced the right button grid with a thumbstick, moved those buttons to the underside of the controller (where your fingers are 90% of the time).

Hmm. Not sure about that. The grips are a nice innovation, but I don't actually enjoy using them except as a “modifier” (like crouch or sprint in third-person games).

QuoteAnother issue I have is that it doesn’t work as well on Linux as it does on Windows: it re-triggers when charging from the PC, it doesn’t work with games if you forgot to use big picture mode, and it can only be used with non-steam games if you install a program from a developer that won’t be producing any more drivers.

It works fine for me outside Big Picture Mode. And does it charge from the PC? I've never tried that. In fact, one complaint I'd have is that it doesn't play nice with my rechargeable batteries. It used to be okay, but since the Bluetooth update it won't recognise fully-charged ones as such and just shuts off. I have to use alkaline batteries now. Mind you, the life seems to be excellent - still on my first set - but... grr.

Quoting: DuncI have to use alkaline batteries now. Mind you, the life seems to be excellent - still on my first set - but... grr.

Two years of daily use (and fairly intensive daily use ) I changed batteries every trimester or so.