Valve has unveiled the brand new Steam Controller, a new way to play your entire Steam library from the sofa. The Steam Controller is designed to work with all the games on Steam: past, present and future.
The Steam Controller offers a new and vastly superior control scheme, built with high-precision input technologies and focused on low-latency performance. The trackpads allow far higher fidelity input than has previously been possible with traditional handheld controllers. Steam gamers, who are used to the input associated with PCs, will appreciate that the Steam Controller’s resolution approaches that of a desktop mouse.
The Steam Controller is built around a new generation of super-precise haptic feedback, employing dual linear resonant actuators. These small, strong, weighted electromagnets are attached to each of the dual trackpads. They are capable of delivering a wide range of force and vibration, allowing precise control over frequency, amplitude and direction of movement.
In the center of the controller is another touch-enabled surface, this one backed by a high-resolution screen. The screen allows an infinite number of discrete actions to be made available to the player, without requiring an infinite number of physical buttons. The whole screen itself is also clickable, like a large single button. So actions are not invoked by a simple touch, they instead require a click. If you’re interested, head on over to steampowered.com to learn more and sign up for the beta.
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