434
submitted 5 days ago by simple@piefed.social to c/games@lemmy.world
top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top new old
[-] Deconceptualist@leminal.space 132 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Scoring only 3.5 for software is pretty ridiculous, since Steam runs in every major desktop OS and SteamInput is crazy customizable. Most dedicated software for devices is either Windows-only or hot garbage (or both).

[-] tomalley8342@lemmy.world 172 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

"I don't want a steam account" should be perfectly justifiable reason in itself. There is no technical reason why they can't split up steam input from the steam client for base functionality.

[-] MurrayL@lemmy.world 124 points 5 days ago

Exactly. If Epic released a $99 controller that required EGS running to work people would be up in arms.

[-] Nibodhika@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

Yeah, if Sony sold you a controller that requires playstation everyone would be up in arms... Ah, no, bad example, their controllers do require playstation and it is an open source driver that makes them work... I know! If Microsoft sold you a controller that requires Windows everyone would be up in arms... Ah, no, bad example, they already do and it's an open source driver that allows it to work outside of it... I guess this is just more of the same? Except (I still don't have mine so can't fully confirm but would be surprised if it didn't) the steam controller probably works just like a regular controller outside of Steam, you just lose SteamInput which is very important for this controller.

[-] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 2 points 3 days ago

Supposedly the new Steam Controller will work similar to the Steam Deck. By default it acts as mouse + keyboard. On Linux the Steam Deck Controller can act as a gamepad when holding down the start button. Hopefully the new Controller uses the same driver.

But so far there is no Windows driver so they are stuck in keyboard+mouse mode.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (8 replies)
[-] Deconceptualist@leminal.space 18 points 5 days ago

Hasn't someone written a wrapper to use the original Steam Controller without the Steam client software? I thought that was a thing years ago.

[-] Nibodhika@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago

They did, a couple of weeks after launch. It wasn't hard, it was just a USB device with lots of inputs so the software made a fake controller and allowed you to map inputs, it's very likely the exact same software would work for the new controller for the inputs that both had. This thread is filled with fearmongering by people who have never held the OG steam controller in their hands and don't understand this device.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (24 replies)
[-] RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world 33 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

It would still be better if the controller did not require Steam in order to function.

Even cheap Chinesium USB controllers work out of the box with default drivers pre-installed with Windows and Android (don't know about other platforms).

load more comments (5 replies)
[-] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 12 points 4 days ago

I feel like people, even here in this thread, have no idea what SteamInput is.

I dunno if maybe the original Steam controller had compatibility issues or what, but SteamInput has likely done away with all of that.

[-] sanpo@sopuli.xyz 13 points 4 days ago

If anything, more reviews should lower the score for shitty software.

I love the OG Steam Controller, and I'm getting the new one for sure, but requirement to use Steam for full functionality is a massive downside.

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] BuboScandiacus@mander.xyz 11 points 3 days ago

The trackpads are pretty useless on their own but when combined with the virtual menu system in steam they become S+ tier

[-] vga@sopuli.xyz 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Hmm, so worthless for GOG?

load more comments (2 replies)
[-] SchwertImStein@lemmy.dbzer0.com 32 points 4 days ago

It costs $99/€99/£85/$149 AUD

This is funny, because amer*can currency is nowhere near strong enough to be comparable to EUR now

[-] Nibodhika@lemmy.world 9 points 3 days ago

Yeah, but because the price in the US is pre-tax the real price is around $108 which is still less than €99 but not by that much. Also, yeah USD is weakened but that also means people there are making less money so they have less purchasing power, it's common for companies to price the same thing lower on low-income countries and higher on high-income ones to compensate.

load more comments (4 replies)
[-] daniskarma@lemmy.dbzer0.com 21 points 4 days ago

For reference, $99 are like 85€ nowadays.

[-] BlackLaZoR@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago

Except EU price has VAT included

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
[-] Benaaasaaas@group.lt 12 points 4 days ago

99€ is with tax and 99$ is pre-tax? No?

load more comments (4 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
[-] muhyb@programming.dev 44 points 5 days ago

While I kinda understand the steep price, not being able to use with other than Steam is a deal breaker for me. Yes, you can create shortcuts inside Steam and use the controller like that probably but still. On the other hand, I can use the old Steam controller even on a browser alongside with the rest of my OS.

[-] chronicledmonocle@lemmy.world 27 points 4 days ago

I think it's only Windows and Mac that are like that. Linux you can install just the steam-devices package for Valve hardware drivers.

[-] forestbeasts@pawb.social 23 points 4 days ago

The steam-devices package is just udev rules and the drivers are already built into the kernel, right? So there's a good chance you'll just already have the drivers!

(...in theory. Debian critters may want to run testing+unstable rather than stable for the next while, if the new steam controller needs specially written drivers that won't be in current stable.)

-- Frost

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (4 replies)

Does anyone know if it functions as a normal xinput controller on windows without using steam?

The Controller requires Steam or the Steam Link app. I tested it on GeForce Now via my iPhone and while it did connect over Bluetooth

That doesn't bode well, but thats also on an iphone.

[-] Yerbouti@sh.itjust.works 20 points 5 days ago

I have the old steam controllers and they behave like a mouse on my computers if steam isn't running. Could be the same thing with the new ones.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
[-] RxBrad@infosec.pub 36 points 5 days ago

I find it interesting that there appears to be a line (kids that grew up with a Nintendo DS) where people went from loving membrane buttons to hating membrane buttons.

To me, membrane buttons are an absolute Pro.

load more comments (6 replies)
[-] mintiefresh@piefed.ca 13 points 4 days ago

I was pretty excited for this controlled but $149 CAD is too much for me.

[-] FalschgeldFurkan@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

I'll be buying it when it goes for sale. Until then, my current peripherals work just fine

[-] early_riser@lemmy.world 6 points 4 days ago

Definitely picking this up. I'm always interested in exploring new avenues in ergonomics. I got the original Steam controller when it came out. I thought it was an admirable first attempt but wasn't quite there yet. Particularly I thought the lack of dual analog sticks and a true D-pad was a problem, all of which seem to have been solved here.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] Artaca@lemdro.id 6 points 4 days ago

I want this controller but split down the center so I can walk with them on a treadmill. There are joycons and third party joycons but none that I've found with the little track pads. That'd be HUGE.

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] Romkslrqusz@lemmy.zip 25 points 5 days ago

Polling rate is a hit of a bummer, but then again the Xbox Elite controllers I’ve been using have a lower polling rate and I haven’t really noticed - probably because I’d never use a controller for anything competitive.

Looking forward to clicky switch upgrade kits, love the ones I have for Steam Deck :)

[-] OrgunDonor@lemmy.world 35 points 5 days ago

With regards to the polling rate, I wouldnt worry about it. Gaming Nexus did a deep dive into the latency of the controller, and it is really good. Which is going to be signicicantly more important that the minute difference you would get from increasing polling rate over 250hz.

https://youtu.be/wfr4QN1Hvhs?t=494

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] ugo@feddit.it 25 points 5 days ago

A polling rate of 250Hz means that the average latency added due to polling is 2ms. A polling rate of 1000Hz would mean an average of 0.5ms added latency.

Even on a 240Hz screen, the extra latency caused by the polling rate will most likely not amount to even 1 frame of extra delay compared to what you’d get with a polling rate of 1000Hz.

Bluetooth latency is likely going to be one order of magnitude greater than that. I wouldn’t worry about polling rate honestly.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (4 replies)
[-] mesamunefire@piefed.social 19 points 5 days ago

Looks fantastic!

I cant pay 100$ for a single controller. Even if it seems like its everything I could want. Just cant spend that much.

[-] Sektor@lemmy.world 9 points 4 days ago

Since i play mainly racing games with gyro and racing pedals, I'm seriously considering this one. More so because I'm using OG steam controller as my main controller.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments
view more: next ›
this post was submitted on 27 Apr 2026
434 points (98.2% liked)

Games

48188 readers
527 users here now

Welcome to the largest gaming community on Lemmy! Discussion for all kinds of games. Video games, tabletop games, card games etc.

Rules

1. Submissions have to be related to games

Video games, tabletop, or otherwise. Posts not related to games will be deleted.

This community is focused on games, of all kinds. Any news item or discussion should be related to gaming in some way.

2. No bigotry or harassment, be civil

No bigotry, hardline stance. Try not to get too heated when entering into a discussion or debate.

We are here to talk and discuss about one of our passions, not fight or be exposed to hate. Posts or responses that are hateful will be deleted to keep the atmosphere good. If repeatedly violated, not only will the comment be deleted but a ban will be handed out as well. We judge each case individually.

3. No excessive self-promotion

Try to keep it to 10% self-promotion / 90% other stuff in your post history.

This is to prevent people from posting for the sole purpose of promoting their own website or social media account.

4. Stay on-topic; no memes, funny videos, giveaways, reposts, or low-effort posts

This community is mostly for discussion and news. Remember to search for the thing you're submitting before posting to see if it's already been posted.

We want to keep the quality of posts high. Therefore, memes, funny videos, low-effort posts and reposts are not allowed. We prohibit giveaways because we cannot be sure that the person holding the giveaway will actually do what they promise.

5. Mark Spoilers and NSFW

Make sure to mark your stuff or it may be removed.

No one wants to be spoiled. Therefore, always mark spoilers. Similarly mark NSFW, in case anyone is browsing in a public space or at work.

6. No linking to piracy

Don't share it here, there are other places to find it. Discussion of piracy is fine.

We don't want us moderators or the admins of lemmy.world to get in trouble for linking to piracy. Therefore, any link to piracy will be removed. Discussion of it is of course allowed.

Authorized Regular Threads

Related communities

PM a mod to add your own

Video games

Generic

Help and suggestions

By platform

By type

By games

Language specific

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS