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

• dukemirage@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ 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 ⁨23⁩ ⁨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 ⁨21⁩ ⁨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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      • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works ⁨17⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

        I have a Steam Controller and could never get used to it. I don’t like the track pad D-pad on the left, since it’s uncomfortable to use for camera control. The right one is okay, but in a weird spot, since it’s annoying to jump all the way down to the buttons.

        The new one looks a little better, but I’d still prefer the left stick to be higher (maybe seap with the D-pad?). I love the Steam Deck, so maybe in practice this is fine.

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    • dukemirage@lemmy.world ⁨23⁩ ⁨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 ⁨17⁩ ⁨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 ⁨12⁩ ⁨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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