Still unsure that the Steam Controller is all it’s set out to be? Valve has revealed a new TV worthy commercial that’s a solid pitch to folks in households.
The big pitch, again, is that the Steam Controller can bring together the functionality of a traditional dual stick controller, and a mouse and keyboard setup.
For previously PC only games, the controller uses one to one positioning to virtualize controls for a mouse, trackball, and scroll wheel. The ad demonstrates using the right touch pad to add a road to a map in Cities: Skylines.
They then demonstrate typing, which involves clicking a contextual button on screen, and then typing with a cursor. Of course, thanks to use of a touchpad, reaching individual keys is as easy as on a smartphone.
The controller is also fully customizable for whatever configuration your prefer. You can also find preset configurations shared by fans for individual games.
Finally, the dual stage triggers allow you to choose between analog or digital controls for shooters. They also tout haptic feedback and the back grip.
Some elements of the controller aren’t touted here. For example, the motion controls that would allow you to tile the controller to steer aren’t shown off here. Perhaps Valve chose to stick to the big pitch of a hybrid PC/console controller first.
Are you preordering the Steam Controller? Are you hoping it can work outside Steam? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
The Steam controller will be commercially available come October 16.
