We have no idea if Valve will ever do a proper second revision of the Steam Controller, we've seen hints before and now we have more info on what it could have been.
This new information has appeared in the form of a patent application, one originally made in 2018 but only as of last month did the application seem to go public. It seems to take some ideas from another Valve patent from 2011 which never made it into a released product.
What it shows isn't a huge departure from what we already have, the design is mostly the same but there's a few key differences. The biggest being that you can swap around the left stick for a proper D-pad with an RFID sensor to detect which is attached. You can see one of the example mock-up pictures below:
Another difference is that it showed the ability to switch between different backplates: one with four buttons in total (two each side) and another like the current Steam Controller with one each side. It would have some sort of receiver on the back, much like the D-pad, to know which is connected. Personally, I found the backplate buttons to be one of the best parts of it, super handy to save your hand some stress for intense gaming sessions to just tap what you're already holding.
On top of that, it also seems to indicate it would have some form of on-device storage. The way it's described, somewhat sounds like it would store some of the configuration information in the controller itself. That certainly would be handy for carrying it around and perhaps for places were you don't have any net to still load them up for your favourites.
Valve, make it so. The Steam Controller was a wonderful piece of hardware, allowing many people to enjoy many more games with comfort. It's a piece of tech that needs a second revision.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Last edited by Zelox on 11 April 2020 at 5:04 pm UTC
no_information_here Apr 11, 2020
Quoting: Mountain ManIn my opinion, the Steam Controller is the best gamepad ever made. It's disappointing that it never caught on, but I suppose that's a consequence of Valve's almost nonexistent marketing.I agree.
A D-pad and 4 back buttons will make it even better!
slaapliedje Apr 11, 2020
Quoting: kuhpunktI just hope it gets sensors for VR.Yes Please.
Also, everyone look at the Thrustmaster eSwap Pro. I hope that Valve does something like this. It is probably the best controller I have ever used, and I am a controller snob.
Anyhow, for all the naysayers about the original Steam Controller. Sure it had its issues, but it really is the best gamepad for FPS games. Also fantastic as far as other types, and makes games that typically only work well with a mouse / trackball playable from a gamepad.
rustybroomhandle Apr 11, 2020
http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20110105231
From the 2011 patent filing:
Last edited by rustybroomhandle on 12 April 2020 at 8:35 am UTC
And I still use mine. It's perfect!
I do have Valves too and it's not bad at all. I love the shape of it, sits perfectly in my hands. But when I really want to kick back and enjoy a "console game" session I grab my F710. Two analoge stick is really the combo one needs.
Last edited by Beamboom on 12 April 2020 at 7:36 am UTC
legluondunet Apr 12, 2020
Quoting: Beamboom... But does it really need a second edition? Logitech has had their F710 model for what must be a decade now (if not older? 15 years?), still on the market with no alterations whatsoever. Even the design is untouched, looks a decade old now.
And I still use mine. It's perfect!
I do have Valves too and it's not bad at all. I love the shape of it, sits perfectly in my hands. But when I really want to kick back and enjoy a "console game" session I grab my F710. Two analoge stick is really the combo one needs.
How does it work on Linux? You plug it and it just works or you have to tweak?
Could you make different profiles on Linux for each game?
Last edited by legluondunet on 12 April 2020 at 11:41 am UTC
Quoting: legluondunetIt usually just works. I've never felt the need to mess with profiles so can't comment on that.Quoting: Beamboom... But does it really need a second edition? Logitech has had their F710 model for what must be a decade now (if not older? 15 years?), still on the market with no alterations whatsoever. Even the design is untouched, looks a decade old now.
And I still use mine. It's perfect!
I do have Valves too and it's not bad at all. I love the shape of it, sits perfectly in my hands. But when I really want to kick back and enjoy a "console game" session I grab my F710. Two analoge stick is really the combo one needs.
How does it work on Linux? You plug it and it just works or you have to tweak?
Could you make different profiles on Linux for each game?
Quoting: legluondunetHow does it work on Linux? You plug it and it just works or you have to tweak?
Could you make different profiles on Linux for each game?
"it" = the F710, right? It works well on Linux. Always have, also before Steam. One of the advantages of being an old model, it's well tested and supported :)
But like Tuubi I've never fiddled with profiles either. The games are usually made to use the controller like I'd want it to.
Kallestofeles Apr 12, 2020
The haptics are a nice touch but rarely make sense... basically I used them only for browsing around the desktop when I streamed the PC into the living room TV via Steam Link.
The true killer feature of the SC was the gyro. In my humble opinion, they should ditch the haptics and the layout - make it the same layout as the XBone controller is as it is so darn comfortable for longer gaming sessions, keep the grip buttons and keep the gyro. Maybe also add a dedicated button to enable gyro on the fly as the best way to use it on the SC was to have the gyro come into play once the thumb touched the right haptic pad - it made the SC usable in shooters and left the competition in the dust (except the kb/mouse of course).
Mohandevir Apr 12, 2020
Quoting: KallestofelesI used to use SC quite a lot in the past, but ever since I received Xbox One controller bundled in with a computer parts purchase, it became obsolete. SC is raw - XBone controller is way more comfortable for longer playing sessions.
The haptics are a nice touch but rarely make sense... basically I used them only for browsing around the desktop when I streamed the PC into the living room TV via Steam Link.
The true killer feature of the SC was the gyro. In my humble opinion, they should ditch the haptics and the layout - make it the same layout as the XBone controller is as it is so darn comfortable for longer gaming sessions, keep the grip buttons and keep the gyro. Maybe also add a dedicated button to enable gyro on the fly as the best way to use it on the SC was to have the gyro come into play once the thumb touched the right haptic pad - it made the SC usable in shooters and left the competition in the dust (except the kb/mouse of course).
And then you get a Switch Pro controller... 😜
Twin stick controllers is a no-go to me. The right trackpad and the gyro are the two main features that sets it appart and make it superior, imo. Else, I'm going back to K+M.
The only one I didn't try is the Switch Pro... Heard the gyro operates like the one in the SC... Who knows, It might make me change my opinion...
Last edited by Mohandevir on 12 April 2020 at 5:12 pm UTC
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