Steam Controller

[fullinfusion]

Im really digging the looks of the new Steam controller.. Problem is I want to use it on the PC for now and my question is can I? Im currently using a wired xbox controller but meh I want a new controller.

Is this controller just for a steam box for the living room or...

Any input would be great before I pull the trigger on buying it.

 

[Maban]

It can be used with Windows, Mac, and Linux. I assume it just requires Steam to be installed. After a while I'm sure someone will come up with a driver that doesn't require Steam at all.

 

[Liquid Cool]

Like Maban said...should work just fine. I've got my SteamBox built out of old parts, and I'm just waiting on the controller....using a keyboard/mouse in the meantime.

Best,

LC

 

[fullinfusion]

It can be used with Windows, Mac, and Linux. I assume it just requires Steam to be installed. After a while I'm sure someone will come up with a driver that doesn't require Steam at all.

So does these controllers need BT or something to work?

 

[FordGT90Concept]

http://store.steampowered.com/app/353370/

Wired or wireless (dual mode)
USB 2.0 via Micro USB port (cable not included)
Estimated 5 meters of wireless communications range. Actual results may vary.

Steam Controller
2 AA batteries
USB wireless pairing dongle

5 meters is about the range of Bluetooth so I suspect it is Bluetooth. Don't know if it is something you can pair to a normal computer Bluetooth radio or not though. It comes with what it needs anyway.


I don't know what I think of it until I use it but I don't particularly want to blow $50 on that experiment.

 

[DannibusX]

So I'm 2 days late to the party, but I got my Controller and Steam Link last Friday.

As of right now Steam is required to use the controller as a mouse/kb replacement, I haven't tried any games without Steam on.

The controller itself is comfortable in my hands and it pretty straightforward in games that support gamepads to begin with. The real challenge is setting up profiles for games that don't have controller support out of the box.

I've played a few games with it (over my Stream Link)

South Park - Stick of Truth: Works great, takes some getting used to.
Deadpool - Works pretty alright, can't tell if the controller isn't up to snuff or the game doesn't control all that well to begin with.
Team Fortress 2 - I didn't set up the controller, my experience was dreadful, I will experiment more.
Witcher 2 - Yeah, the tutorial has a tab button, I have no clue what button was bound to tab. Will experiment more.
Binding of Isaac Rebirth: Works pretty decently, although using the trackpad was awkward, I'm still getting used to the controller.
Civilization V - I was able to found my first settlement, pick out my first productions, research and take my first turn. Op success.

I may have messed around with another game or two, I don't remember. My opinion is that it's a good start for something new and different. Obviously there is a learning curve. If you don't have $50 to waste don't buy the controller. You may not like it.

Now the Steam Link, which I thought would be something neat turned out to be my favorite part of the order. Steam Link is a STB, but it's barely bigger than the average smartphone. It comes with an HDMI cable, short ethernet cable and power cord. Interestingly, the power cord also comes with three different power adapters for use in different countries.

Set up was easy and once I linked my Steam Link to my Steam account I was able to stream right then and there. The interface is Big Picture Mode obviously, streaming was good I noticed lag only on one game, I can't remember exactly which one it was though. You can install and remove games from your PC through the link, using the controller you can also turn off the link, the PC or reboot the PC. It's pretty rad. I'm looking forward to playing with it some more when I get home from work.

If anyone has any other questions, I'll check back when I remember and try to answer them.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

As of right now Steam is required to use the controller as a mouse/kb replacement, I haven't tried any games without Steam on.

Then how do you really know it needs to be on?

Anyway, epic fail as far as I'm concerned if having Steam on is mandatory.

 

[DannibusX]

Then how do you really know it needs to be on?

Anyway, epic fail as far as I'm concerned if having Steam on is mandatory.

The only reason I say that is the KB/M emulation stopped on the desktop when I closed Steam with the controller. It actually registers as an X-Input device so it likely works with Steam closed. I'll fire up BF4 tonight and give it a run.

 

[kn00tcn]

Then how do you really know it needs to be on?

Anyway, epic fail as far as I'm concerned if having Steam on is mandatory.

as a mouse/kb replacement... it has to intercept windows doesnt it? as a controller it wouldnt need steam

i mean they should deal with it in the driver of course

 

[FordGT90Concept]

So is Link restricted to Steam Big Picture? By that, I mean, you can't get at the remote computer's desktop or anything?

 

[Kursah]

Here's a pretty good comprehensive review of recently released Steam goodies: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/10/steams-living-room-hardware-blitz-gets-off-to-a-muddy-start/

In there they mention being able to access the desktop and non-Steam apps with Link, but there are some issues linked with it, and there are still bugs with its performance. The biggest issue I noted was the random disconnects between 1/3-4 seconds, and this happened to them whether they were connected wirelessly or wired.

 

[DannibusX]

So is Link restricted to Steam Big Picture? By that, I mean, you can't get at the remote computer's desktop or anything?

You can get a remote desktop, hold down the Steam Button on the controller and select the option.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Doing that, how is the Steam Controller at running, say, an internet browser or watching a video via MPC-HC?

 

[fullinfusion]

Interesting info guys, and thanks for all the input. I'll be looking forward to getting this controller in my hands.

 

[DannibusX]

The Steam Link just streams your computer onto the TV set, has a few USB ports. Your PC does the brunt of the heavy lifting and the Link displays it on the TV. The Steam Controller will act as a KB/M replacement to a certain extent, and it does work on the desktop. Exiting BPM on the Steam Link also exits it on the PC, and you can navigate the PC using the controller. I'm not sure about media, but I'm willing to bet you can use the controller and your input device on a HTPC or something similar. I'm not quite sure if that's what you're asking Ford.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I have two decent gaming rigs in my house and virtually nothing by the TV. I'm trying to figure out if Steam Link + Controller would be able to functionally replace buying an HTPC or converting one of the machines into an HTPC.


Speaking of USB ports, there's probably limitations on what can plug into it...or is there? Is it emulating ports are the remote machine or is there a driver inside of Steam Link that is powering them so it only handles certain stuff (like generic keyboard, mouse, and Steam Controller)?

 

[DannibusX]

What are you thinking about plugging into it?

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Predominently wireless radios for keyboard, mouse, Xbox 360 controller, and things of the sort.

 

[DannibusX]

Predominently wireless radios for keyboard, mouse, Xbox 360 controller, and things of the sort.

KM/M will definitely work, I don't see any reason why the 360 controller wouldn't.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

So really the only problem you noticed with it is that the controller stops working outside of Steam? The same happens to Xbox controller because there's nothing catching/handling the controller inputs across Windows.

 

[fullinfusion]

So really the only problem you noticed with it is that the controller stops working outside of Steam? The same happens to Xbox controller because there's nothing catching/handling the controller inputs across Windows.

Theres a few button and trigger presses that change screens and do erratic movements on MY wired 360 controller

 

[FordGT90Concept]

XD Yeah, leave the games and controller support gets spotty. It's pretty stupid if you think about it.

 

[fullinfusion]

XD Yeah, leave the games and controller support gets spotty. It's pretty stupid if you think about it.

Yup isn't that the truth,, It's like a huge lagg after you close out from the game... try Big Picture Mode and see what ya get

 

[DannibusX]

So really the only problem you noticed with it is that the controller stops working outside of Steam? The same happens to Xbox controller because there's nothing catching/handling the controller inputs across Windows.

As long as Steam is active, it doesn't need to be BPM and can be minimized, hell it can be asking you to log in and the controller will work as a mouse input. Close out of it and it stops.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

Still waiting for a response on whether SM works for games without Steam, and if there's any tradeoffs if it does.

I've used control emulators before, which have a very small footprint. That's all that's needed really.