Please support Game Informer. Print magazine subscriptions are less than $2 per issue
The Steam Controller Design Shows Another Tweak In Latest Client Beta
The Steam Controller continues to evolve. Earlier this year, we reported that images in the Steam Client showed that the controller can support an analog stick. Now, it seems to share another feature with other input devices.
As you can see above, the left haptic touch area appears to have a directional pad. After seeing reports of the image, we were able to find it in our own client.
Additionally, there are images that are named to indicate different “modes” of use. When it was first announced, Valve stated that the Steam Controller (and in fact, the Steam Machine itself) are designed to be customized to user preference.
The presence of this image does not indicate that Valve is abandoning its original vision for the controller. Rather, it may indicate that a more traditional D-pad will simply be an option users can install for some games.
We’ve reached out to Valve for comment and we’ll update should we receive a response. For more on the Steam Controller, check out our previous coverage. As for the Steam Machine, we expect to learn more in 2015.
[Source: ValveTime via Eurogamer]
Our Take
It would be wise of Valve to offer a D-pad component as an option to ease the transition to its unique input style. I’m eager to try one of these controllers to see if the haptic feedback accomplishes the goal of replicating the necessary resistance for fine control.
I’d like to ask you to support Game Informer’s continued coverage of games with a subscription. For less than two dollars per issue, we mail you a full year of 10 print magazines, each with cover stories and preview features filled with exclusive details about the most exciting upcoming games. We profile and interview game creators. We look back on the rich history of gaming, and we celebrate what’s next.
Here on the website, we offer much of our content for free, including game reviews, daily news, videos, event coverage, and more – all with minimal ads.
We do so with a small editorial team, alongside contributing paid writers from around the world – over 65 individuals from 9 countries around the world, just in the last couple of years.
It’s not possible without support.
In a time when game makers and games coverage have faced hard struggles and layoffs, the future of this 30+ year magazine and community is at risk. Our new standalone magazine subscription is the number one way you can keep us alive – and we believe you’ll get a pretty fantastic gaming magazine in your mailbox every few weeks for your trouble.
Thank you.
