I might buy one of these day one. I am quite curious to see how it works. Always try something new.

Yes, and yes. "Technically" it is hitting two directions at once, but because it's all one button (instead of 4 completely separate ones in this example) it's effectively 8 directions.

hmm I don't like the d-pad as separate buttons myself.

I find it amazing the further this gets along, the more it starts to look like a PS/4 or XBOX 360 controller. As I've stated many times on these forums (only to be yelled at) those console companies spent millions and millions in R&D to find out what is easiest and most effective to use, and that's what they got.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if this ends up with those 4 different directional buttons being consolidated into one to make it easy to get 8 directions and then move even closer to looking like a current controller.

While we speak different languages and have different cultures, we're all still pretty much the same in how we use our hands and fingers and how we intuitively pick up things.

Still, a perfect clone of a 360 controller with more precision in the axis to rival a mouse would be a good thing.

Of course we do, that is also a universal.

But such research can lead to discover what most, and sometimes by most, it's a vast majority, feel most comfortable with and can learn and use the easiest. And that's how any smart company that wants to maximize profits make decisions. You have smaller companies then that can create niches to meet the differences you speak of.

One day the keyboard and mouse will be gone. That's just reality. We can hold on all we want, but it doesn't change the fact that if you set 100 people down in front of a video game that have never played one and test them on keyboards/mice combos and controllers, a vast, vast majority will pick up the controller much quicker and easier. And the same will be true with a computer using regular old applications some day.

People have (including me) learned to use the numeric keypad on the right of most keyboards without looking almost as effectively as I type. It won't be long before a controller comes along that has maybe two sets of keys like that ends up being a keyboard (requiring a whole new way to learn to type of course, but the only reason we have the keyboard we do now is because it's a direct descendant of a typewriter.)

But when I always bring up the FACT that a controller is easier to learn and use I always catch shit, especially at sites like this one. I understand some prefer it, and some probably always will, but the market is going to go in the direction that consumers lead it to, and that is eventually going to be away from a keyboard and mouse.

And as far as I'm concerned, good riddance. I wish I could figure out how to configure current controllers to use on every single game I play, but I rest easy knowing someday I won't have to, it's going to be the norm.

mostly people don't like it either, but I'm sure this specific d-pad won't suck at all!

Incidentally I replaced the D-pad on my 360 controller with an Evil D-pad which is very similar to this Steam controller design. I'd still prefer a real D-pad but this setup was definitely an improvement on the Xbox controller's disc-styled system, at least for me.

It's not that hard to get used to and this is coming from someone who used it for fighting games.

Necroing this thread to point out that the Steam Controller is now on the Steam Storefront as 'coming soon'
http://store.steampowered.com/app/353370/
But, frankly I'm more weirded out that Steam suddenly has a physical product in the catalog - that's a first isn't it? Will they ship internationally, do you think? How will this work?

That is a first as far as I know. I'm looking fun to using it. It looks different.

It looks ridiculously uncomfortable. I definitely wouldn't buy one without having tried one out first.

A lot of people said the same about all the xbox controllers, couldn't of asked for a better fit lol.

I absolutely detest the XBox controller ;-p

I don't quite get the praise for the XBox controller either. I can't say I detest it, but I felt it could have been improved a lot.

Anyways, for the Steam controller, I'll give the benefit of doubt because it is the first gamepad that at least tries to mimic the mouse. It might well be I'd much prefer using it for some FPS games, instead of a conventional gamepad.

Naturally I am not expecting it to be as good as keyboard + mouse for that purpose, but at least better than current gamepads.

Yeah, some people seem to forget that to perfect technology that we need to take steps like these. I think the idea for it is a great one. But it will very likely need a generation or two to adapt and perfect the process. I have confidence in it though, I like change.