Comment on Valve Uploads Steam Controller Unboxing Video, Launch Imminent
AnimalsDream@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
There are things I like, and dislike, about the Steam Deck controls. The things I dislike are bad enough to kind of ruin the experience for me, and I’ll usually switch to an external controller to play on it.
It looks like Valve may have fixed those issues, but I still feel skeptical, about the dpad in particular.
mlg@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
You mean physically or the software input stuff?
Haven’t tried the steam deck, but I grew up on the DS Dpad so anything that can’t handle 8 direction input with minimal movement is a complete turn off for me.
AnimalsDream@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
Physically. To start, the Deck is heavy and cumbersome to play on. Resting it on a surface is pretty much a must. The grips also have too narrow of a geometry and result in wrist strain fairly quickly. These two factors also interact with the positioning of the dpad, making it feel awkward to use, like I can’t be as nimble with the inputs as I would on a controller. The dpad itself is the worst part. There is a lot of travel in the presses, which wouldn’t necessarily be a problem, except that it has an overall very mushy feel. Worst of all it does that thing that a lot of modern dpads do, where if you press in on the center the whole dpad presses in as if it’s one big button, really poor pivot.
Most of this should be solved in the controller, but I’m waiting for reviews to come out. If the dpad still has that last problem or is otherwise not good, I don’t think I’m going to get one (unless they do another $5 clearance sale).