For those of you who are unfamiliar with the
Steam platform, it is simply a method of digital distribution for computer games. In other words, instead of going to a store and buying a physical copy, you buy the game using Steam, Steam delivers it to your PC, and you even play it through Steam. It incorporates many console ideas such as friends lists, trophies, and multiplayer through the service.
It's not a small time operation. Developed by Valve who also created the seminal
Half-Life series, along with other critically acclaimed titles such as
Team Fortress 2,
Portal, and
Left 4 Dead, it has made Valve's founder, Gabe Newell, A billionaire, and Steam is the de facto model for any type of digital distribution.
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| That's right, a *billionaire* |
Now, Valve has announced a
Steambox stand-alone console (as opposed to software you install on any machine), but most intriguingly, they have introduced a whole new type of
gaming controller that looks like the ones you'd find for a console now, but without sticks or the standard buttons. It is also said to offer new levels of
haptic feedback, pinpoint precision, and complete configuration.
The reason I'm writing all this? I'm not convinced from the images alone. I've heard great things but I just can't get past the renders. Time will tell about the success of this new model that's being introduced, but...look at that thing! Not like I have the time to use one anyhow.
With any new gaming system that is introduce to the masses we have to learn how to use it. That includes the control we use for it. So with the SteamBox those that but and decide to use it will have to learn how to use the new game control. For myself the control looks like to speakers pointing at you. I'm trying to under stand how one whould control the character or what ever your doing in the game. I can't see any buttons that you might push to make a attack. Also how senitive is the control for you to move your character. But like I said with any new gaming system out there your going to have to learn to use it.
ReplyDeleteThat controller only looks like it may have problems. But who knows, maybe someone did the research and figured it would be better without sticks for movement. In the end, the user is the one who will make the decision to buy. I HOPE this is big. More competition is good. Wait and see. I am not a gamer but who knows..maybe they will get a foothold on the market.
ReplyDeleteThat controller only looks like it may have problems. But who knows, maybe someone did the research and figured it would be better without sticks for movement. In the end, the user is the one who will make the decision to buy. I HOPE this is big. More competition is good. Wait and see. I am not a gamer but who knows..maybe they will get a foothold on the market.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people are backlashing on the controller design as it does not conform with the direction that all the other console developers are going. I think I will eventually give it a try if I can find the spare time, as it could be the most innovative controller to date, or not. I'm more interested to see if Valve finally releases Half-Life 3, which they just filed for a trademark for, to appease the millions of fans who are begging for the game to be released, and what it will do to bring the Steam controller in to the more main-stream media.
ReplyDeleteThis controller is similar to the differences we discussed about the two keyboards, QWERTY and Dvorak. The two keyboards were different, and after trying the Dvorak keyboard, it didn't seem like it would be that hard getting used to after some practice and learning. This controller is much different than the original controller, and if would definitely feel weird at first without the normal buttons or sticks. I think this controller could be a big deal after people adjusted to it. The controller appearance looks very nice and advanced.
ReplyDelete