Steam Controller

Dyr · 30-12-2015 10:39PM

hmm.. been playing with one of these today, for me the first problems you have to get past are: do I actually want to play my PC games on the couch and do I want to use something as hit and miss as steam streaming to do so, and the answer to both is pretty much "Nope".

I'm not a controller user at all, I've probably only played two games with gamepads for any period (red dead redemption and GTA IV) so I shouldn't have to overcome previous familiarity with another controller but still this just does not feel like it is going to adequately port a keyboard and mouse experience to the couch. So in its primary purpose its a failure.

The half arsed steam streaming does'nt help, maybe The Link would improve that but I don't want yet another device taking up another ethernet port, powersocket and hdmi connection when I've already a PC hooked up to the TV

The haptic mouse pad doo hickey is interesting and the option to use community configs is neat, even though it highlights why the whole enterprise of trying to replace keyboard and mouse with a controller is fairly self defeating, controllers really need to have standardized mappings

I'll play around a bit more but it seems to be another miss by valve basically

BunkMoreland · 31-12-2015 12:15PM

Bambi wrote: »

The half arsed steam streaming does'nt help, maybe The Link would improve that but I don't want yet another device taking up another ethernet port, powersocket and hdmi connection when I've already a PC hooked up to the TV

Why the need for steam link at all if you already have the PC connected to the TV?

I like the controller, community configs are great. Installed an older FPS, the default WASD controller layout didn't map too great so I just picked the top voted community layout for that game and it works perfectly.

Tipsy McSwagger · 31-12-2015 12:28PM

BunkMoreland wrote: »

Why the need for steam link at all if you already have the PC connected to the TV?

I like the controller, community configs are great. Installed an older FPS, the default WASD controller layout didn't map too great so I just picked the top voted community layout for that game and it works perfectly.

Do you have the Link?

BunkMoreland · 31-12-2015 01:38PM

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

Do you have the Link?

No I have the PC connected to TV via very long HDMI cable.

Tipsy McSwagger · 31-12-2015 05:47PM

BunkMoreland wrote: »

No I have the PC connected to TV via very long HDMI cable.

Best way to be fair, i was thinking of getting a Link but not fully sold on it.

Dyr · 31-12-2015 06:48PM

BunkMoreland wrote: »

Why the need for steam link at all if you already have the PC connected to the TV?

I said "a PC" not "the PC", big difference

gaming machine isn't hooked up to the telly

Kiith · 06-01-2016 11:03PM

Treated myself to one earlier. Will be interesting to see whats it's like.

Initial impressions...it feels fantastic. Similar build quality to the XOne pad i'd say, though a bit heavier which i like. The trackpads feel excellent as well, though the button placement for the normal 4 buttons (A, X, Y,

feel a little weird after using different pads for a few years. Won't take long to get used to it though. Looking forward to giving it a proper run over the next few days. Didn't even realise there was gyro in it, so can't wait to try some racing games.

Noxin · 14-01-2016 10:12AM

So for those using the controller a while now - What's the verdict?

I'm tempted to get one myself as I've started back into the Steam versions of the Final Fantasy series and keyboard just doesn't feel right for it.

Also is the controller compatible with non-steam games?

Kiith · 14-01-2016 10:36AM

I really like it. The Dualshock 4 was my favourite of the current pads, but i think this will take over once i get fully used to it. The button placement is a little odd compared to other pads, so i still find my muscle memory moving my fingers to the wrong places, but that'll fix itself soon enough (thought i'm still not 100% convinced about the D pad haptic placement). The customisation is amazing, and you have so many different ways of changing the controller. I've made some changes to the recommended config in games, though i tend to just pick the community recommended config.

It's not really something you need if you already have a 360/XOne pad though, as they would cover most games. I'd consider it a decent option for playing mouse based games on the couch, or a nice gadget to have if you like messing around with things.

ondafly · 14-01-2016 10:55AM

I really like mine but generally use it for Rocket League only. I have played Witcher 3 also and its fine. I wouldn't recommend it for FPS games though, but then I bet with some practice it would be fine.

I like now how it has jingles for powering on/off like an old nokia phone

Noxin · 14-01-2016 12:00PM

Tempted alright. Might have a look in gamestop.

I'm decent at rocket league with keyboard and mouse. Used to it now but I might give it a go with the controller if / when I get one.

I'm curious if it would work for BF4 and Battlefront while flying.

Kiith · 14-01-2016 12:21PM

The haptics are very accurate, so with practise i'm sure it'd be great for flying or driving. It's not going to be as accurate as a m/kb for most games, but it's surprisingly accurate once you get used to it.

I'm going to give the gyro a go over the weekend with some racing games, see if it's any good.

Wossack · 14-01-2016 02:43PM

d-pad has been a bit of a pain in the ass with dying light, very clunky imo

maybe theres a better profile I need to try

drunkmonkey · 14-01-2016 06:27PM

Anyone know how to get Netflix on the link, have kodi installed as a 3rd party app and the beast firmware on it which is the business, still want Netflix though.

Links234 · 14-01-2016 06:43PM

ondafly wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend it for FPS games though, but then I bet with some practice it would be fine.

Using the gyro for aiming, it's perfect and really accurate.

iggyigauna89 · 14-01-2016 07:40PM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Anyone know how to get Netflix on the link, have kodi installed as a 3rd party app and the beast firmware on it which is the business, still want Netflix though.

I've just been minimizing the big picture mode in the link menu and just using my desktop. Not ideal but it works grand for me

drunkmonkey · 14-01-2016 08:28PM

iggyigauna89 wrote: »

I've just been minimizing the big picture mode in the link menu and just using my desktop. Not ideal but it works grand for me

Was looking at doing it through an app someway, there's one in kodi but it doesn't work. Do you know of any apps that support Netflix with in it?

drunkmonkey · 23-02-2016 11:04PM

Anyone got Origin working with the link, i'm really struggling, can't seem to find a solution and I've a few games sitting in Origin.

-If I add an origin game to steam it's won't run through the link, it just starts as normal on pc but can't see it on the telly.

-If I launch Origin through steam it just flashed up for a second then quits.

Anybody had any luck with the same?

drunkmonkey · 24-02-2016 09:06AM

Got it working OSI but as you said there's a performance issue, battlefront and need for speed are unplayable just to glitchy, no problem with any other steam games.

drunkmonkey · 24-02-2016 09:14AM

I'll try that tonight, somethings definitely putting a drag on it..

Turtwig · 24-02-2016 02:11PM

Anyone know if it's possible to control the pc mouse cursor with the steam controller? I thought it would have been evidently straight forward, especially because when I used the link the 360 controller's analog sticks could control the mouse. But for some reason neither the steam controller's control stick or thumbpads control the mouse for me.

TheKells · 24-02-2016 04:57PM

cant you change it when configuring the controller? like set the touchpad to act as a mouse? I dont really like this controller, finding it difficult to aim. slightly better with gyro on but still inferior to normal 360 controller.

Xyo · 29-02-2016 05:16PM

Has anyone used the steam controller for dark souls or dark souls 2. I know it works but I found it unbelievably hard to use the haptic wheel to move. Is everyone the same or do I just need more time with the controller?

drunkmonkey · 29-02-2016 06:00PM

I've given up on it, use the Xbox one where possible.

Tar.Aldarion · 01-03-2016 02:36PM

I often think that people jsut don't know how to use it if they find it hard to use. For instance people complained it was hard to turn to me, I changed the settings and it worked like a dream, they didn't even know you could hold the pad and move the controller to turn etc. As with the developer showing of MGS shooting you can get to be like that in any game. People have used normal controllers their whole lives, it took a while to get good with the steam controller.

Kiith · 01-03-2016 03:03PM

It's replaced the Xbox pad for everything bar Fifa for me. I'm still not sure about the left haptic as the D pad, as it feels like it's just slightly off (muscle memory and all that), but that's about the only complaint i have. The Gyro for aiming is brilliant, and allows you to have the best of both controller schemes (pad movement, mouse like aiming). Plus, with the different configs available from the community, you can easily change things you don't like. Just don't use the default config for most games...they usually aren't great.

It'll never replace the kb/m, but it's a far superior pad imo.

Kiith · 20-03-2016 12:28PM

I've had to stop using the controller recently, as the latest patch pretty much broke it for me. Configs on all my games have changed, and i can't get them back to what they were before. May be the beta patch, but even rolling it back hasn't helped. Really annoying.

super_furry · 29-03-2016 07:12PM

Was very close to buying one today in Gamestop, glad I held off. I've been using the Nvidia Shield controller via USB, which is surprisingly good if a bit hefty.

kevovek · 11-04-2016 11:09AM

Saw one of these in Cex for €40 the other day might be tempted to buy it this week I really want to give it a try my 360 pad is held by sellotape at the moment but it still gets me through Fifa, Pes and rocket league. Speaking of rocket league anyone here use the steam controller for it? Also is dark souls playable with it?

TheKells · 11-04-2016 11:21AM

kevovek wrote: »

Saw one of these in Cex for €40 the other day might be tempted to buy it this week I really want to give it a try my 360 pad is held by sellotape at the moment but it still gets me through Fifa, Pes and rocket league. Speaking of rocket league anyone here use the steam controller for it? Also is dark souls playable with it?

I use it on rocket league, once you get used to the slightly different button placement then it's perfectly fine for rocket league. Works on the default profile with no need to fiddle about on the settings.

Steam Controller

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