It has been nearly two years since the first announcement of Steam Controller. Initially, it had a very different design, replacing standard buttons and analog sticks with two symmetrical haptic trackpads and a touchscreen in the middle. However, with each new revision, the controller became less alien, ditching the touchscreen and gaining classical buttons and stick.
Thus the version available for pre-order at the moment has somewhat familiar controls together with some nice features:
- Dual trackpads
- HD haptics
- Analog stick
- Dual-stage triggers, each with 10° of travel, a magnetic flux sensor, and a tactile switch
- Gyroscope and accelerometer sensors enabling tilt-to-steer racing wheel functionality and other motion-controlled input
- Configurable controls
- Local multiplayer capability, as supported by games
- 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.
- Provides up to 80 hours of standard game play using the included AA batteries during preliminary testing. Battery life will vary based on usage and other factors, such as type of batteries used. Actual results may vary.
Together with Steam Controller, Steam Hardware page also offers the pre-orders for Steam Link and Steam Machines from Alienware and Syber. Unfortunately, the hardware is not available in all counties at the moment. Both Steam Controller and Link cost £40/€55/$50 each and will be released on October 16th this year.
