Topic: Valve announces SteamOS

[Ceric]

I would not be surprised that in Conjunction to SteamOS that Valve has been working to wrap all the Windows API calls, probably starting with WINE and going from their, so that a Windows game will just sort of Run on Steam OS.

It's honestly easier to just rewrite games than trying to replicate all quirks of WinAPI. And WinAPI isn't even the biggest hurdle there actually. The biggest problem are drivers.

Yeah but, the driver hurdle is a Universal one that's not really Window Games specific.

[shingi_70]

Steam Controller announced


http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamController/

[broodwars]

That controller has to be one of the funniest things I've seen in ages. Seriously, THAT is supposed to appeal to people wanting the console experience? It looks like it will transform into Soundwave at any moment!

[BlackNMild2k1]

WTF is that serious!?

tell me you are joking!?

I knew there had to be something to put in the negative column for this device outside of price.

[Ceric]

THIS is why the Patent laws need changed.  Its such ... so weird.  How do you play traditional games with that?


Just for Reference.  Here is Ninteno's worst controller , bar the SP , .

Even though it wasn't really that bad once you had your head wrapped around it.

[shingi_70]

THIS is why the Patent laws need changed.  Its such ... so weird.  How do you play traditional games with that?


Just for Reference.  Here is Ninteno's worst controller , bar the SP , .

Even though it wasn't really that bad once you had your head wrapped around it.

I don't think Patent Laws had anything to do with it. Remember the Patent Valve had for a controller a while back.


But here's all the next gen controllers folks.

Steam Machine


Wii U


PlayStation 4


Xbox One


The Design makes more sense reading the website page.

The Steam Controller is designed to work with all the games on Steam: past, present, and future. Even the older titles in the catalog and the ones which were not built with controller support. (We’ve fooled those older games into thinking they’re being played with a keyboard and mouse, but we’ve designed a gamepad that’s nothing like either one of those devices.) We think you’ll agree that we’re onto something with the Steam Controller, and now we want your help with the design process.

[Ceric]

You forgot the Ouya

Seriously enough it makes the Gamepad look traditional.

The standard for PC Gamepad has been the 360 controller for a while now.  For lots of reason, namely a good API for it.  My big concern with this controller are:

Tactile button pressing.  The haptic feedback can be great but their is a reason I play Euphonium over Trombone.
Those 4 buttons in no where land being of any use.
That swoop out in the front where it looks your finger go in.
Clear onscreen indicators.

I can't really imagine playing something complicated like Wonderful 101 on it.

[ThePerm]

ouya is like a bad xbox 360 controller. The color layout of the buttons for ouya is even the same. That being said the ouya controller has some pretty good pluses. 1+ I've had it for months and use the controller all the time...the battery has never ran out.  +1 the weight is balanced   +1 it has a nice finish.

the drawbacks are its not the most comfortable shape compared to the 360. It could use a seperate start button from menu button. The dpad is meh.  Thats about it.

[shingi_70]

How does the Oyua controller feel, because it looks cheap.

[ShyGuy]

Can't wait to try it. Valve and Nintendo can be controller revolution buddies! I welcome radical controllers! Gamers are turning into old fuddy-duddies who refuse to learn anything new. They are like the grandpa who still wants to use AOL Dialup.

BREAK US FREE FROM THE DUAL ANALOG PRISON

[MegaByte]

How does the Oyua controller feel, because it looks cheap.

Cheap.

Just for Reference.  Here is Ninteno's worst controller , bar the SP , .

Even though it wasn't really that bad once you had your head wrapped around it.

How was it bad at all? It was a great controller.

[pokepal148]

I hope the PS4 controller gets quick support on PC. The touchpad would work well for a htpc gaming setup.

[BranDonk Kong]

Ouya controller isn't that bad. Definitely not as good as XBox 360, but it's god enough. Steam controller looks ridiculous.

[Adrock]

Steam controller looks... yikes.

I just really like the Wii U Pro Controller. It's like everything I wanted in a video game controller minus a headphone jack and even then, once there's a wireless headset, that won't even matter. I can't imagine I'd ever get used to the Steam controller. It's weird enough that I'm interested in holding it though.

[broodwars]

Can't wait to try it. Valve and Nintendo can be controller revolution buddies! I welcome radical controllers! Gamers are turning into old fuddy-duddies who refuse to learn anything new. They are like the grandpa who still wants to use AOL Dialup.

BREAK US FREE FROM THE DUAL ANALOG PRISON

Being "new" doesn't make it "better". I'm sure Nintendo had plenty of research telling them that the Virtual Boy and its controller were the wave of the future, too. That sure worked out nicely for them. Even the Wiimote, for all its sales achievements, has more or less been abandoned now because it didn't pass the test of time.

I have serious doubts about both the functionality of this Steam controller and its viability in the marketplace. PC elitists already refuse to leave the keyboard & mouse, and the number 1 controller for the console gamer experience right now on the PC is the Xbox 360 controller. I don't see either of those audiences really going for this controller.

[Ceric]

How does the Oyua controller feel, because it looks cheap.

Cheap.

Just for Reference.  Here is Ninteno's worst controller , bar the SP , .

Even though it wasn't really that bad once you had your head wrapped around it.

How was it bad at all? It was a great controller.

Having used it extensively myself.  I don't think its a bad controller but Nintendo's Worse.  The biggest problem to it is the flexibility prompted for some interesting usage within games.  Which combined with not being able to see it made some control scheme interesting if you were swapping between games.

[MegaByte]

I'd argue N64 was the worst since they hadn't figured out comfortable sticks or logical layouts yet.

[Ceric]

I'd argue N64 was the worst since they hadn't figured out comfortable sticks or logical layouts yet.

That's arguable and you could probably persuade me on that one but, their where third party alternatives.  (I liked the Boomerang one.)

[Adrock]

And this one

[ThePerm]

How does the Oyua controller feel, because it looks cheap.

Its like a 3rd party xbox controller, but at least its one of the good third party xbox controllers. You can use an xbox 360, or ps3 controller with the system though. I generally prefer the 360 controller over hte ps3 controller, but on ouya ps3 works a little better. There are a bunch of 2d games so they ps3 controller is good for that, and also there are a couple of games that don't run screwed up using the ps3 controller, but run screwed up with the xbox controller.

[Morari]

I just received e-mail confirmation... I've been selected to received one of the 300 prototype SteamBoxes and controller! A bunch of Big Picture Mode centric games were added to my account as well. Box should be here within the next week or two, apparently!

[ShyGuy]

Nice! be sure to give us impressions.

[Morari]

Of course.
I'm now NWR's PC corespondent, afterall.
>.>

[azeke]

I signed in too, but i guess am not eligible.

Ah well.

[Ceric]

You'll have to show your hands holding the controller or better yet a video using it.  I just don't see it.