Skip to main content

Meet the new Steam Controller, as showcased by the creator of Team Fortress

PAX Prime 2015: Steam Controller
Robin Walker has been with Valve a long time, having helped it create some of its biggest successes in the form of Team Fortress Classic and eventually Team Fortress 2 and DotA 2. But just because he’s helped pump up its game library doesn’t mean he can’t talk a good game for its hardware too.

With the impending release of Valve’s new Steam Controller, Walker was on hand at PAX Prime 2015 to talk it through with various people, like YouTuber OMGchad, who had the pleasure of a personal walk through of the gamepad with the man himself.

Recommended Videos

The Steam Controller, Walker said, was designed to solve the problem Valve has faced since massively expanding the Steam library: how do you make a controller that can play all games? It needs face buttons, triggers, traditional joystick controls, but also mouse-like functionality and the ability to type messages quickly. With that in mind, over many generations of prototypes, the Steam Controller was born.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Related: Steam Big Picture update encourages you to try, before you buy more

Much like Walker’s work on Team Fortress 2 and its data-driven updates, Walker said Valve focused a lot on user feedback in the development of the current design, seeing specifically that players with regular gamepads often moved their thumb from the right analogue stick to reload or perform other important functions. To avoid that with the Steam controller, there are new rear-grip buttons which can take on those important tasks.

Going beyond the hardware though, a big part of the Steam Controller is remapping and rejigging certain functions on the device. That way, the game developers themselves can offer pre-built control schemes, and the community can offer their own takes on the idea too. If someone figures out it’s better to have a command mapped to another part of the controller, people can download that configuration and try it out, or create their own.

The Steam Controller will be available to everyone on November 10, priced at $50 and the pre-orders are available now on Steam.

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is a freelance evergreen writer and occasional section coordinator, covering how to guides, best-of lists, and…
Valve is testing a new Big Picture Mode for Steam. Here’s how to try it
A picture of the Steam Deck

Valve has announced that it is running a beta test for an updated version of Big Picture Mode for the desktop version of Steam. According to a blog post published on Thursday, the proprietary UI is being updated to make the desktop interface look like the Steam Deck.

The updated version of Big Picture Mode comes with a host of new features, including a new home screen that lets you continue playing recent games and check for updates of any games in your library with a new universal search that nets results from your library, your friends list, and the store. It also brings updates to quick access, controller configuration, and system menus.

Read more
Steam Deck will now warn you if it gets too hot or cold
A picture of the Steam Deck

Valve has updated the Steam Deck to warn owners when the system gets too hot or cold to run.

The temperature warnings feature is part of the Version 3.3 update for the Steam Deck OS. This comes after Valve recently issued a warning to players not to use the handheld PC during the heatwave in parts of the world, as high temperatures could negatively impact the system's performance. Basically, if excessive heat or cold is affecting the unit, it runs the risk of running very slowly or shutting down.

Read more
A new Portal spinoff game is coming to Steam Deck
Aperture Desk Job robot giving thumbs up.

Valve's new portable gaming console, known as the Steam Deck, is finally getting in the hands of players around the world. To coincide with this console release, Valve is releasing a new game set in the world of Portal titled Aperture Desk Job.

Aperture Desk Job Trailer

Read more