Steam Box Catch-All

ClockworkHouse wrote:

I kinda feel like the end result of all this testing and iteration will be a Wii U Pro controller with a Steam logo in the middle.

Fixed for accuracy.

IMAGE(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2012/06/wiiupro530pxheaderimg513513.jpg)

It's all about the thumbstick locations.

Really curious what the price point on the Steam controller is going to look like.

demonbox wrote:

Really curious what the price point on the Steam controller is going to look like.

$100.00 the first few months, bundled with AAA games for $80.00 the second half of the year, $60.00 within the second year with 50% discounts during seasonal sales.

Wow, you think it'll be that expensive? I assumed on par with other new controls- $60- but hadn't considered it might be $100 or more. That would be interesting in terms of seeing the sell-through on the controllers.

demonbox wrote:

Wow, you think it'll be that expensive? I assumed on par with other new controls- $60- but hadn't considered it might be $100 or more. That would be interesting in terms of seeing the sell-through on the controllers.

I think I might have rushed to answer; half my brain was still registering a digital touch screen on the controller.

Steam has a very loyal fan base and they know it. I think there's quite a few early adopters that would pay $100.00 just to be the first with a controller.

...then again, there's people willing to buy a used iPhone for $2,500 because it has Flappy Birds installed on it.

I honestly have no idea how much they're going to charge for the controller.

My biggest concern here is that Valve's doing all of this in-house, and making hardware is like nothing else they've ever done. Ideally, they'd be piggybacking onto another company's supply chain for the actual production of the device like Logitech or Mad Catz. Without that, they'd need an absolutely kickass team to get the stuff built, and that's REALLY hard to build from the ground up, no matter what industry you're in.

Malor wrote:

Well, I'm a little bummed about the loss of the screen, but really.... do you want to have to look away from the main screen? Because I don't look at the controller... that's like looking at the keyboard when you type, a mortal sin.

The interesting bit about the controller has always been the control surfaces; I don't think any prototypes with the screen have even been built.

I use Wacom Intuos4 tablets on a daily basis. The buttons are programmable, and the OLEDs next to them will change displays based on what's been programmed. I saw the touch-sensitive OLED screen in the first controller prototype being no different: You program the functions, look down a few times as you get used to the layout, then muscle memory kicks in and you move on. (Hypothetical) You can't tell me that you've never looked down at a controller before, especially during those initial uses.

Also, I guess I'm going to hell, because I never learned to type formally and I tend to stare at the keyboard more than the screen when I type anything. Thank god for spell-check

I think they're going to have trouble charging much past $50 for what they're showing.

I don't mind the fact that we are converging on an 'almost 360 Controller', imo it's the best shape out there. If Microsoft came out with a new 360 controller that had track pads to mimic mouse movements, then I wouldn't be unhappy with that. Obviously, MS aren't going to and have no need to, but if Valve's controller turns out to be a 360 controller with trackpads, that can function just as well as a controller as it does a mouse replacement, then I'm all for it and can't wait to try one.

I think we're seeing the fact that there isn't really anything innovative you can do with a control pad device without detracting from the actual usability and efficiency of the device. Last thing I need is a completely new design that takes time to get used to, and then makes things awkward flipping back and forth between new and 'regular' controllers. I just hope that this style of controller functions just as well as the 360 pad for games that don't require mouse interaction/have in built controller support.

I've been in need of a second controller for my PC for a while now. I haven't found any luck hunting down a wired 360 controller for less than $30 yet. If this thing comes out for $50-60, I'd probably be willing to spend the extra to fool around with the track pads. If it's terrible, either sell it, or just use it as a backup to the one wired 360 controller I have.

I'm glad they decided to go with hard face buttons. If their haptic button thing for the right pad works well, then great, otherwise, the buttons are a good fallback option.

3rd parties can make Steam controllers so if Valve sucks at it there's no big loss. Like everything else Valve would love to outsource this.

SixteenBlue wrote:

3rd parties can make Steam controllers so if Valve sucks at it there's no big loss. Like everything else Valve would love to outsource this.

So they're going to have users 3D print their own and distribute them to people through an exchange in Steam?

ClockworkHouse wrote:
SixteenBlue wrote:

3rd parties can make Steam controllers so if Valve sucks at it there's no big loss. Like everything else Valve would love to outsource this.

So they're going to have users 3D print their own and distribute them to people through an exchange in Steam? ;)

If they could manage that I bet they would.

SixteenBlue wrote:

3rd parties can make Steam controllers so if Valve sucks at it there's no big loss. Like everything else Valve would love to outsource this.

I thought in Gabe's last interview which included the controller he said they're outsourcing the Box but will keep the controller in house.

mrwynd wrote:
SixteenBlue wrote:

3rd parties can make Steam controllers so if Valve sucks at it there's no big loss. Like everything else Valve would love to outsource this.

I thought in Gabe's last interview which included the controller he said they're outsourcing the Box but will keep the controller in house.

At Steam Dev Days they said they would like to see 3rd party controllers. *shrug*

ClockworkHouse wrote:
SixteenBlue wrote:

3rd parties can make Steam controllers so if Valve sucks at it there's no big loss. Like everything else Valve would love to outsource this.

So they're going to have users 3D print their own and distribute them to people through an exchange in Steam? ;)

And then allow people to mod on Hats to the models

I'm bummed about the screen as well.

Chaz wrote:

I've been in need of a second controller for my PC for a while now. I haven't found any luck hunting down a wired 360 controller for less than $30 yet.

Do you have a PS3 controller? You might try MotionInJoy, it's what I use.

Steam Controller delayed until 2015. Not sure about the vendor consoles, but considering an AlienWare exec recently said they expect Steam Machines to have the lowest margins of their product line, I can't imagine most of Valve's partners launching without the controller this year.

Valve delays product. Film at 11. To be followed by footage of fish swimming, dogs barking, and Nintendo losing a third-party partner.

Gosh, Clocky, you're so blasé.

Valve has huge market impact on PCs, but I can't help but wonder if they may not miss their window on this thing.

I guess it is better to push it back and have a good product then, instead of having something mediocre now.
The article talks more about the Steam machines than the controller. So I hope the controller might be out
earlier. Shouldn't be that hard?

Don't worry! I bet they're just delaying it so they can include HL3 as a launch title.

Malor wrote:

Valve has huge market impact on PCs, but I can't help but wonder if they may not miss their window on this thing.

The silver lining is that a delay in theory means their partners might be able to sell the boxes for cheaper, or provide a more powerful machine for the original prices.

Well, true, it should let Steam boxes be substantially more powerful than the consoles, even down in the relatively cheap versions. And with the PC, you don't have the same kind of generational issues, so there's a huge library of games you can just start playing, without having to wait for new ones (and pay top dollar because there aren't many people with the new consoles, yet.)

But I do still wonder if it may not just disappear without a trace, because it took too long to ship.

gore wrote:

Don't worry! I bet they're just delaying it so they can include HL3 as a launch title.

Well, that would sell a lot of consoles.

I was waiting on the steam controller... dang it... I need a new one for my PC and haven't ever really gotten into the dual stick thing. I thought it would be easier for me to use the steam controller than most due to lack of lots of training on dual sticks.

Now I may have to go get a dual stick in the meantime.

I tested the in home streaming from one of my gaming PC's to an Intel Nuc and it worked nicely.. on par with Nvidia's streaming technology... So I'm still trying to understand where the SteamOS and these boxes fit into this... unless it's significantly cheaper than a PC with better hardware why would anyone buy this over a HTPC from the same partners?

TheGameguru wrote:

I tested the in home streaming from one of my gaming PC's to an Intel Nuc and it worked nicely.. on par with Nvidia's streaming technology... So I'm still trying to understand where the SteamOS and these boxes fit into this... unless it's significantly cheaper than a PC with better hardware why would anyone buy this over a HTPC from the same partners?

I was thinking along the same lines. It must be more about the controllers, yet they don't mention it so much. The machines are what they are and can be bought already as it is. Just not with the nice Steam logo...but who cares.
Maybe they want to offer more a solid experience. Machine comes out of the box and it works. Streaming just works etc. Integration of multiple wireless controllers might take a bit more tweaking. And who knows they might release a HL3 Special Edition Steam Box with custom paintwork.

In short, the whole thing has to come together in a solid way. Until that happens, they will not release it.

Eleima wrote:

Gosh, Clocky, you're so blasé. ;)

I'm working hard to perfect my blasé chic look.

But really, Valve delays everything. I'm not sure there's a product or initiative they've announced a release date or window for that hasn't been delayed two or three (or more) times or else just quietly not mentioned again.