I know people are skeptical about that dual touchpad controller, even if it does have haptic feedback. But Steam went through many iterations before finally going with that one. Check out some of the early prototypes.
According to designer Greg Coomer, it all started with the Nintendo Wii:
We were watching other platforms like the Wii innovate in input, and the PC was stagnant. The mouse and keyboard was basically decades worth of static; lack of innovation there
It all started with a motion controller, which then morphed into a strange Franken-troller with a hi-hat thumbstick and buttons under all your fingers. The goal was to find out what PC gamers wanted in a new input method. Check out these awesome pics of the different prototypes:
I’m just not sure PC gamers are ready to innovate. Can you even still call someone a PC gamer if they’re not using a mouse and keyboard? Or will they become Steam machine fanboys?
Last Updated: November 5, 2013
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 14:32
They really considered the ball thing? Wow. I had a mouse like that, what, 15 years ago.
Her Highness the Hipster
November 5, 2013 at 14:34
me too. i loved that roller ball mouse!
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 14:37
I later had a keyboard with that ball in the center of the directional buttons on my keyboard. Not quite as cool.
TiMsTeR1033
November 5, 2013 at 15:23
Those ball mouses were eeew!
UnholyMunk
November 5, 2013 at 15:43
Me too… I was sad the day my old one broke and I found out they basically didn’t make them anymore! I was able to get much better control and accuracy out of it than the traditional mouse…. My fingers are a lot more nimble than my wrists!
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 14:33
I just want a release date for this thing.
Hammersteyn
November 5, 2013 at 14:34
Nice ball
HvR
November 5, 2013 at 14:35
“The mouse and keyboard was basically decades worth of static; lack of innovation there”
Bit like saying legs have been around for thousands years, static and lack of innovation, lets cut them off replace it with marshmallows.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 5, 2013 at 14:36
lol
Admiral Chief Ninja
November 5, 2013 at 14:39
Hahah, upvote for you
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
November 5, 2013 at 15:30
Or gold plated cyborg legs… Now where have I hear this before?
Skyblue
November 5, 2013 at 20:20
LOL dude!!!
Skyblue
November 5, 2013 at 20:23
This one time… at a LAN… a dude rocked up and told us he was good at games and warned us to “get ready”… we were all nervous as fuck coz we weren’t bad players but then when he unpacked he pulled out a trackball mouse… carnage ensued, paramedics were called and both his avatar and self respect were mauled for an evening…
ElimiNathan
November 5, 2013 at 14:40
Lol if Steam Machine players can be considered PC gamers then so can console players bcos the hardware is so mainstream PC like now
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 14:41
Ah, but not all the steam machines are identical, unlike the PS and Xbone. Then again, the chance of me switching from pc, even to the great Steam Machine, is very unlikely.
ElimiNathan
November 5, 2013 at 14:42
Meh, still I think if you cant buy every single piece of hardware separately and put it together yourself then it aint a PC
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 14:43
That I agree with completely.
Maxiviper117
November 5, 2013 at 19:56
You already have a steam machine, its called a PC cuz that’s exactly what the steam machine will be, just a custom having PC with steam OS installed
ElimiNathan
November 6, 2013 at 08:16
Meh, its more like one of those HP computers you go and buy from Incredible Connection, cos it will be bundled packages
Maxiviper117
November 6, 2013 at 10:02
Ya but these steam machines are upgradable like a normal gaming PC,it isn’t locked down like a console. Any where from GTX 760 to a titan will probably be available in the variants of the steam machine, but because of the import tax and our shit rand. You better off building your own PC and save some money
ElimiNathan
November 6, 2013 at 10:05
Partially upgradable, what if you want a new motherboard ? New series CPU ?
Maxiviper117
November 6, 2013 at 10:18
“Importantly, you could theoretically purchase the former, wimpy machine, then periodically upgrade to the latter, beastly one. The prototype unit allows swapping of every part, and it’s inherent to the whole thesis of Steam Machines that doing so be quick, easy, and utterly idiot-proof.”
http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/170145-a-look-inside-valves-first-steam-machine
ElimiNathan
November 6, 2013 at 10:21
I’m still seriously doubting that thing can stay nice and cool. But hey, guess we will have to wait and see
Admiral Chief Ninja
November 5, 2013 at 14:43
I think the allure of the steam machines is having a common platform so that you can jam on your device of choice
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 14:43
I think the nail, it has been hit on the head.
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 14:45
Technically it will be a race of console players that pc gamers will be less inclined to diss.
ElimiNathan
November 5, 2013 at 14:48
All merging man, all merging
FoxOneZA
November 5, 2013 at 14:51
This ain’t cricket chaps.
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 14:53
That first pic, first controller on the left. Was that actually someone’s grand idea? Looks like something you’d make in fallout.
HvR
November 5, 2013 at 15:47
I think that is “brain storming” unit, where they take real life objects shape, tape and glue them together to get “the feel” of the form.
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 16:01
I know. Just looks funny.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
November 5, 2013 at 14:56
They have way too much ductape
Captain GUZ
November 5, 2013 at 14:59
They should come in three models, tea,coffee and hot chocolate
Devourer of Small Bunnies
November 5, 2013 at 15:06
Theres nothing like a graveyard of xbox 360 controllers to bring a tear to ones eye…
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 15:08
Interestingly they never seemed to have considered the PS shape at all.
Devourer of Small Bunnies
November 5, 2013 at 15:15
i dont think enough space, the form factor for the DS is extremely tight. But that comes from it being essentially the same product since ’96. Whether or not that should be a feather in the cap is up for debate.
TiMsTeR1033
November 5, 2013 at 15:16
Those Prototypes were hideous, much like the final product!
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 15:19
Shush mortal
TiMsTeR1033
November 5, 2013 at 15:20
Dude You know those controllers look like horse shit! Compare them to the Xbox 360 controller or the DS4 then yeah see how kak it looks!
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 15:21
The Xbox 360 controller and the Xbone controller look nice, sure. But the Steam Controller looks like a boombox yo. Fo shizzle.
TiMsTeR1033
November 5, 2013 at 15:22
Exactly which = SHIT!
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 15:25
If by SHIT you mean Supremely Honourable Intellectually Terrific controller, then yes, I agree.
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 15:25
Okay fine. No one knows what it really plays like, but I bet it’s not bad.
TiMsTeR1033
November 5, 2013 at 15:26
You hope!
Unalighned John (JJ)
November 5, 2013 at 15:27
You hope not. Because we pc gamers will be even more powerful!!! Mwahahaha!
Kromas
November 5, 2013 at 15:26
Console gamers = Look at the pretty thing.
PC gamers = Will it work well and give me a performance boost.
That’s why it looks like shit. Cause it works like a wonder.
TiMsTeR1033
November 5, 2013 at 15:26
Really have YOU tested it?
Kromas
November 5, 2013 at 15:35
No but I am taking historical evidence into consideration. We have one major injury on a pc and that is RSI specifically Carpel tunnel syndrome.Here is the console list:
Rock Band Hand
Nintendo Thumb
N64 Blisters (They actually released gloves to alleviate it)
PS thumb (different muscles to nintendo thumb)
The wii (too many loose strap injuries to count)
So no I have not tested it out yet but I am sure a lot of pc gamers are going to and thus the product will be better for it.
HvR
November 5, 2013 at 15:50
Wii face, Wii Hand and Wii eye.
Kromas
November 5, 2013 at 15:58
I have heard of Wii Nuts and even though it is not a physical injury (depending on your age and how expensive it was) the many many tv sets that died was mentally painful.
Radox
November 6, 2013 at 03:53
Because the controllers already work for the consoles? If you’re going to make sarcastic comments, at least try to make them well.
Kromas
November 6, 2013 at 09:12
Actually I made it quite well based on the serious injuries that console controllers cause.
Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)
November 5, 2013 at 15:40
I am actually exited about this… It’s something new to the gaming industry and we all know how valve has been changing it over the years.