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[-] Oth@lemmy.zip 40 points 6 days ago

I've said it before, just.. give me a Steam Deck without the screen, and I'll buy it. I need that layout, it's the perfect combination of features for me.

If I could be greedy, an extra set of back paddles and some extra "spare" buttons would be nice for flight/space sim games.

[-] lordnikon@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago

Hell or go one further and don't even attach them together. It would be a great HOTAS like experience for space games.

[-] gofsckyourself@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

So you'd plug in a monitor or TV to play?

[-] Oth@lemmy.zip 5 points 5 days ago

Either connect them to a docked Steam Deck by the TV, or my gaming PC, yeah. The Steam Deck is nice, but for an extended session it's quite a hefty device. Being able to have the same controls while laid back on the couch or reclined in a chair would be more comfortable I think.

[-] gofsckyourself@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago

What would be the point of having the processor in the controller, then?

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

You don't, it's just a controller, shaped like a Steam Deck but without the screen. With the touch pads and everything. It can be normal controller sized since you don't need the screens and giant battery, and most of the processing. Maybe save a little flash memory in it to save control schemes right to the controller would be nice.

[-] MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 days ago

Where did you get that from?

[-] gofsckyourself@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago

Well, they said they wanted the steam deck without the screen. So, that leaves the whole rest of the device, just without the ability to see anything.

[-] MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works 4 points 5 days ago

Don't be pedantic, if you're not an idiot you'd have known exactly what they meant.

[-] gofsckyourself@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago

As far as I can tell, that's what they said they wanted. I thought maybe they have an interesting use or reason to remove only the screen. I could be a useful idea.

[-] Xttweaponttx@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago

I just found this!

https://github.com/steam-deck-controller/steam-deck-controller

Looks like a project to basically cram the steam Deck components into a 3dprinted shell - but it isn't finished yet!

There's a proof of concept video in there where it's shown connected to a PC with a standard USB ribbon pinned to a 2.0 A head... Might have to give it a go someday!

[-] Xttweaponttx@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago

Dude, seriously!! I really do hope this becomes a thing. I would LOVE to have a controller that mimicks the steam deck's controls, but without a screen... That SteamVR leak looks like that's basically exactly what it is!! 😭 PLEASE, valve!

[-] ArsonButCute@lemmy.dbzer0.com 17 points 5 days ago

I know it got a lot of hate at the time, and much of it well deserved, but for many games I think the steam controller was one of the best.

I quite enjoyed mine for Rocket League back in the day, the remappable controls were quite nice.

Currently I use a SCUF DS4 for my Linux gaming and while I love the Controller in theory, the inability to remap the paddles to a custom button chord instead of just a button that's already on the controller is frustrating.

Steam Controller 2 is on my must buy list.

[-] ECB@feddit.org 2 points 4 days ago

It was the only controller I could ever play first person games with!

Track-ball mode on the right TouchPad is just... chefs-kiss

I love my steam deck but I'm extremely disappointed by the TouchPads compared to the steam controller

[-] laurelraven 3 points 5 days ago

I never really used mine much, but it was solid and innovative...I should dig it back out and mess around with it again...

[-] HalfSalesman@lemm.ee 6 points 4 days ago

If Valve was planning on releasing hardware soon they're going to postpone given the tariff threat.

[-] TabbsTheBat@pawb.social 19 points 6 days ago

Im actually holding off buying a new controller just in case they actually do something with the SC2 that was leaked, so.. real x3

[-] anzo@programming.dev 2 points 4 days ago

Been there... Done that... until I didn't. Then, I got a GameSir Super Nova. I'm super happy with it :)

[-] TabbsTheBat@pawb.social 1 points 4 days ago

Most controllers I looked at either were lacking features I consider a must, or basically what I have for double the price tbf, which is why I kinda want the steam one :3

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

I still use my steam controller every day. If they release a version 2 I would instantly buy 2.

[-] deegeese@sopuli.xyz 10 points 5 days ago

To play devil’s advocate, why does Valve need to bother to make their own controller when there are a number of wired and wireless controllers available for PCs?

[-] BmeBenji@lemm.ee 9 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Because the Steam Deck is my all-time favorite controller. A controller that’s just like it but without the bulkiness would only make it better

[-] noxypaws@pawb.social 6 points 5 days ago

None have additional buttons on the back that can be mapped as new buttons, they're all just rebinding existing buttons. Steam deck is pretty special in that regard. I would REALLY like to have those four extra buttons available for couch PC gaming.

[-] Teepo@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 days ago

Steam already lets you remap those back buttons on other controllers to anything you want through their interface. Isn't that how you'd do it with a Steam controller?

[-] noxypaws@pawb.social 6 points 5 days ago

What other controllers? No other controllers expose back buttons as individually assignable buttons that I'm aware of except Steam Deck and Steam Controller since those use Steam's own interface instead of xinput or dinput

[-] Teepo@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 days ago

I use a Dual Sense Edge controller with steam and it lets me remap the two back buttons, the two front function buttons, and even the microphone button, to anything I want.

[-] noxypaws@pawb.social 1 points 4 days ago

Oh that's good to know! If I didn't have to worry about stick drift I might consider the Dualsense Edge

[-] Teepo@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Well, while this controller doesn't have Hall-effect sensors (which would be ideal), it does have the sticks as separate, inexpensive, easy to replace modules. They can be popped out and replaced without tools.

[-] noxypaws@pawb.social 1 points 4 days ago

That's neat, but if they're still prone to stick drift and if they aren't free replacements (looks like $20 apiece, that's a bit insane) then that doesn't really improve the situation

[-] Teepo@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

If they're not Hall-effect, they most likely are susceptible. That said, I use my controller a lot (I have wrist issues that make using a mouse painful, so I only play games with a controller) for about a year now and I haven't yet noticed any drift. At any rate, I do hope a nice Team Controller 2 comes out with Hall-effect sticks that works for everyone.

[-] Toribor@corndog.social 2 points 5 days ago

I've been trying to figure out if there is a way to do it with the new 8BitDo Ultimate controller but I don't know that it's possible. I've seen maybe you can switch it to direct input mode somehow to map the paddles but I hadn't had any success.

[-] MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

The only ones i know of are the top end Xbox and PlayStation controllers which are exorbitantly expensive, especially when all you want is extra buttons.

I also have had issues with my standard dualsenses Bluetooth not acting great when using my Bluetooth headphones at the same time (which are also made by Sony)

[-] MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Because they're all shit, each current controller has some kind of downside when wanting to configure it for games.

Either Steam input doesn't recognise extra buttons, or the ones that do have issues with being Bluetooth only.

I've tried the vader 3 which was great, but unrecognised so needed extra software to remap for each game which was never as simple as steam input and required me to use a mouse and keyboard which isn't great with a htpc setup.

And then recently I've tried the horipad for steam, this is almost perfect except for only two back paddles, the face buttons being weirdly shaped so the some of them stick when pressing them and the Bluetooth is shitty.

If steam input allowed the full use of generic controllers instead of ones that have been explicitly set up, I'd have no issues, I'd be able to find the one for me. But because they don't do that, I'm waiting for the steam controller 2 because a full layout just like the steam deck would be the dream.

[-] WereCat@lemmy.world 5 points 5 days ago

We're waiting for you... In the test chamberrrr

[-] LiveLM@lemmy.zip 6 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Tell me about it!!!!
I thought we were super close to an announcement since that 3d model was found in the SteamVR files and then.... Nothing....

[-] MetalMachine@feddit.nl 2 points 5 days ago

8bitdo ultimate 2c controllers are fantastic and have a good price.

[-] Blaiz0r@lemmy.ml 3 points 5 days ago
[-] MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works 4 points 5 days ago
[-] lukecooperatus@lemmy.ml 3 points 5 days ago

Just in case y'all aren't being snarky with your questions..

No, the 8bitdo controller is just a fairly standard looking normal controller with a few extra shoulder buttons. It's only $30 USD and has nice color options, but it is not remotely comparable to a Steam controller.

[-] Earflap@reddthat.com 4 points 5 days ago

No thanks. I got used to gyro aiming and I'll never play a shooter without it again.

[-] AceFuzzLord@lemm.ee 1 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Just looked up the leak for a steam controller 2 and I think I'd rather stick with my wired PowerA switch controller. I am not a big fan of the original steam controller design and personally don't like the design of the leak.

I get some people would absolutely love it, but I'm definitely in the "Do Not Buy" crowd. Not even to say I own one.

[-] lukecooperatus@lemmy.ml 1 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Fair enough to chime in with your disinterest in a new controller, but...

Why would anyone buy something just to say they own it? What the hell kind of "keeping up with the Joneses" shit is that?

[-] AceFuzzLord@lemm.ee 1 points 4 days ago

It would technically fall under video game accessories, so I guarantee there are people who might want one because they collect that type of stuff.

I think one of the closest comparisons I could make are people who buy retro games/consoles just to display them and never actually use them.

this post was submitted on 21 Apr 2025
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