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Cool idea, but I have terrible memories of trackpads on my laptop... I'm cautious about this...

I love the idea of the trackpad, at least over the joysticks. I just hope it's not going to be like playing games on a touchscreen, more tactile feedback

 Gentleman_Jellyfish wrote:
I love the idea of the trackpad, at least over the joysticks. I just hope it's not going to be like playing games on a touchscreen, more tactile feedback

I read it this morning, and from the link, in case it helps:

"Haptics

Trackpads, by their nature, are less physical than thumbsticks. By themselves, they are “light touch” devices and don’t offer the kind of visceral feedback that players get from pushing joysticks around. As we investigated trackpad-based input devices, it became clear through testing that we had to find ways to add more physicality to the experience. It also became clear that “rumble”, as it has been traditionally implemented (a lopsided weight spun around a single axis), was not going to be enough. Not even close.

The Steam Controller is built around a new generation of super-precise haptic feedback, employing dual linear resonant actuators. These small, strong, weighted electro-magnets are attached to each of the dual trackpads. They are capable of delivering a wide range of force and vibration, allowing precise control over frequency, amplitude, and direction of movement.

This haptic capability provides a vital channel of information to the player - delivering in-game information about speed, boundaries, thresholds, textures, action confirmations, or any other events about which game designers want players to be aware. It is a higher-bandwidth haptic information channel than exists in any other consumer product that we know of. As a parlour trick they can even play audio waveforms and function as speakers."

The thing is ugly as all hell (which is a bad sign for the Steam Machines) but it might be pretty darn cool. My only issue is that, like the next gen consoles' pads, this is going to be an expensive item. In fact i reckon this will be an $100 product, at least. EDIT: I also like the shoulder buttons located in each of the grip's 'inner', i think that is actually a pretty natural place for an input.

It looks kind of weird, do not want.

I think i'd be willing to give it a go.
Though touchpads may be weird to get used to though...

Will stick to mouse and keyboard, with my mouse I have 5 buttons in one hand plus a mouse wheel. I can adjust the sensitivity on the go so sniping is more actuate.

That thing looks like its going to be a nightmare for RTS games as well, nothing worse than selecting the wrong unit when doing multi selections.

And of course Valve has the clout to force developers to use that thing, so that means we're going to be getting some more PC games that require it.

It looks like an obese playstation controller to me.

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
And of course Valve has the clout to force developers to use that thing, so that means we're going to be getting some more PC games that require it.

Who is this Valve you are talking about?

 illuknisaa wrote:

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
And of course Valve has the clout to force developers to use that thing, so that means we're going to be getting some more PC games that require it.

Who is this Valve you are talking about?

..The makers and owner of steam? Half-life company? Now producers of SteamOS and SteamBox?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:

 illuknisaa wrote:

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
And of course Valve has the clout to force developers to use that thing, so that means we're going to be getting some more PC games that require it.

Who is this Valve you are talking about?

..The makers and owner of steam? Half-life company? Now producers of SteamOS and SteamBox?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation

I think you got some things confused. The Valve you posted link to and the Valve I know is nothing like the company you told about in your first post.

Valve force the use of steam controller? You must have universes mixed up. They said it's optional so it's going to be optional. They just think analog sticks suck and decided to make a better controller.

This is one of the coolest speakers I've seen so far.

A strip from Alt+Ctrl+Del:

Ohhh, I think that looks interesting.

And Macok, that's too funny.

 illuknisaa wrote:
They just think analog sticks suck and decided to make a better controller.

Definately. Valve make FPS games (and DOTA obviously), they have just announced what amounts to a Steam console and analogue controls are useless. A controller which even close to being precise and which provides the wide range of fast movement that the keyboard and mouse has would be an extremely strong selling point. There is no way that I will play FPS or grand strategy games on a control pad, I may on this and its asthetics are completely irrelevent.