Comment on Our first look at the Steam Machine, Valve’s ambitious new game console

• SomethingBurger@jlai.lu ⁨18⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

  Exactly. Sony insists on having symmetrical sticks, even though Xbox figured out asymmetric was better back in 2001. Every third party controller has asymmetric switches. Even Nintendo Pro controllers do. Why did Valve choose the objectively worse solution?

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  • dukemirage@lemmy.world ⁨18⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

    Now I understand. But how are symmetrical sticks ojectively worse? Valve’s design team built dozens of prototypes for the first controller, they probably did the same for the second one and still opted for symmetrical sticks.

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    • SomethingBurger@jlai.lu ⁨17⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

      The outermost spot is easier to reach with the thumbs. The most used elements of the controller are face buttons and the left stick. Having the left stick in the “secondary” position makes no sense.

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      • krooklochurm@lemmy.ca ⁨15⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

        Have you used a steam controller?

        The most effective way I found to use it was to use the left stick with the track pad, which is, as you mentioned, asymmetric.

        The symmetry is just reversed from the Xbox controller if you use it this way. Which is more than likely the intended way to use it.

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      • dukemirage@lemmy.world ⁨17⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

        I’m sure the team gathered some proof in usability and ergonomy tests before deciding on an option. After all, the controller needs to adapt to many possible layouts, not just for right-handed avatar movement.

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    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works ⁨11⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

      I find asymmetrical sticks more comfortable to use. The natural position of my thumbs is in the top corners of the controller. Since the D-pad is rarely used, the left thumb stays in that sweet spot and the right jumps between the stick and the buttons.

      I use a DS4 on my desktop, an Xbox 360 controller on my retropie box, and a Nintendo Pro controller on my Switch, and the DS4 is way less comfy than the other two. I only use the DS4 because it had better compatibility with Linux and other features (mostly gyro) when I shopped for one when I moved the Xbox controller to another room.

      I’ve considered buying the DS5, but would much rather wait for something better, like a new Xbox controller with a gyro.

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      • dukemirage@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

        I use a Steamdeck and a 360 gamepad and I have no strong opinion on which is more comfy while using a standard layout.

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