General Discussion [ Page 31 ]

Steam Controller Review

http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/353370/ss_d2f5e7325666df6119ff1d42be73bac9594c5b1e.600x338.jpg?t=1445019700

First off a little background on me: I haven't been a hard core PC gamer in years. In my limited gaming time I tend to focus more on consoles. I don't consider my self a controller snob. I don't have a favorite controller, and I don't care if a controller feels "cheap" or not.

The unboxing: The controller felt light out of the box. The controller takes two AA batteries. One battery goes into the left handle, the other into the right. This adds a little bit of balanced weight to the controller. The A/B/X/Y buttons feel really small (think mini m&ms).

The setup: This went easy. I plugged the wireless dongle into a free USB slot and I was ready to go. But wait, how do... Read All First off a little background on me: I haven't been a hard core PC gamer in years. In my limited gaming time I tend to focus more on consoles. I don't consider my self a controller snob. I don't have a favorite controller, and I don't care if a controller feels "cheap" or not.

The unboxing: The controller felt light out of the box. The controller takes two AA batteries. One battery goes into the left handle, the other into the right. This adds a little bit of balanced weight to the controller. The A/B/X/Y buttons feel really small (think mini m&ms).

The setup: This went easy. I plugged the wireless dongle into a free USB slot and I was ready to go. But wait, how do I navigate big picture? There was no indications on how I navigate big picture, so it was a little bit of trial and error. My first thought would be that you navigate with one of the touch pads, nope. It turns out you use the thumb stick to navigate with. I would have thought it would be the touch pad (isn't this one of its selling points?).

The controller: I like it. It feels comfortable to me. I really like the grip buttons. The small A/B/X/Y buttons don't bother me. The touch pads are just like a trackpad on my computer. Haptic feedback seems like a gimmick to me. I don't feel like it adds anything.

The games: I tried three games out. Portal 2, Starship Rubicon & Borderlands 2. Most of my time was spent with Borderlands 2.

Portal 2: I picked this game due to it having native steam controller support. The first mode I tried was gyroscope for mouse look. I knew this would be gimmicky, but I wanted to see if my gyroscope worked. Yup, it worked and I quickly turned off this mode. :) I then switched to right touch pad as mouse look and thumb stick as movement. The mouse look drove me nuts, as it was always fighting me and wanting to go to the upper-right. Later on I revisited the game, and it worked fine, so something must have not been set up right. My second visit to the game worked out ok. Again, it feels like I have a trackpad under my right thumb.

Starship Rubicon: I picked this game because of Cheerful Ghost. First up, Starship Rubicon does not recognize the steam controller as a game controller, so I could not use Starship Rubicon's native game controller support. I ended up using the keyboard and mouse setup for the steam controller. It took me a while to figure out how to bring up the on screen keyboard to enter my pilot's name. Once I did, it was a very interesting experience. Left touch pad is your left hand and right touch pad is your right hand. You pick the letter you want and then push the corresponding trigger button to enter the letter. Game control is on par with a trackpad and controller. I find that since I don't know all the keys this game needs that I need to remap the controller as I go. Example: I needed to map the left-shift button. Overall it is better than playing on my macbook air with its trackpad and keyboard (which did not go so well :) ).

Borderlands 2: I used the game controller with mouse setup, which is what steam recommended. This works out fairly well. I find that I am not used to the touch pad sensitivity out of the gate, but I am getting better at it. The right touch pad is your mouse look, while thumb stick controls your movement. The right touch pad is set to trackball mode. I find myself running out of touch pad on occasion as I hit the edge with my thumb. I think I will get better with it over time, as I am already seeing some improvement after a couple hours of use.

Overall I like the controller. I really like the grip triggers. It is a keeper for me.

Travis Admin wrote on 10/19/2015 at 07:42pm

Based on the initial press, I thought this could go many ways, but I'm really glad to hear that it's mostly positive across the board from everything I've read post-launch.

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/20/2015 at 02:00am

Thanks for posting Will. From what i've seen it seems like most people are getting used to it. For the games that natively support it, it's great but for others it's hit or miss. I think Valve wanted to do something different and in that created a bit of a strange device but if more people add support for it in their games I really think it could work out really well.

Wick wrote on 10/20/2015 at 08:36pm

Hm! I wonder why it didn't detect it as a controller for Starship Rubicon. Man, now I want to get my hands on one... :)

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member Post Author wrote on 10/21/2015 at 08:57pm

Fix it Wick! :)

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Early Steam Machine and Controller Reviews Coming In

http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/64345b2c8747687c26760830532921ef/202806495/hedreshoot.jpg

Gaming on Linux has a great wrap up of early Steam Machine and Steam Controller reviews. One of the reviews that stood out to me was the one from Engadget. It's immense and I recommend you pour over it.

"I used to laugh when I saw Linux users scramble to build compatibility layers to play "real" PC games. I chuckled when Valve CEO Gabe Newell lambasted Windows 8 as a "catastrophe for everyone," proffering Linux and SteamOS as a viable alternative. It seemed so far-fetched, so silly. Truth be told, I'm still laughing -- but now it's because I'm enjoying myself. The Alienware Steam Machine has some growing pains, but it's fun. Lots of fun."

Looks like a solid step in the... Read All

Cheerful Ghost 3.0 - Even Better Than The Real Thing

Now that Starship Rubicon has been launched into orbit I want to focus some attention to Cheerful Ghost. As a community we've come really far on this current site and technology platform but I have some ideas on ways to improve things that should help us out quite a bit. Over the last couple months i've sent out some emails to community members where we've discussed ideas i've had but I want to now ask everyone together.

What kinds of things do you want to see Cheerful Ghost do? Is there something you do on the site now you'd like to see improved? Is there something you'd like us to get into? We are a community and as such i'd like to hear your ideas and work on the... Read All

Travis Admin wrote on 10/07/2015 at 02:19am

The ability to write about a game without it being on your list would be great. If I see some news about some game that I want to share, before I do that I have to go through the process of adding it to my list first. I can add them to many different lists, but what if I absolutely hated the Fallout series (I know, heresy) and wanted to share something about Fallout 4? I'd have to pretend that I want it or own it before I write about it.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/07/2015 at 02:50am

That's a great suggestion Travis, added that to the list thanks!

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/07/2015 at 08:14am

I totally agree with Travis! I remember at least one time I wanted to write about a game, but it didn't show up on my list of games to write about and I asked you to add it, but he pointed me in the right direction and reminded me that I had to add the game to the list of games I own.

Being able to edit comments would be cool! That way we wouldn't have to delete a whole comment just to fix one little typo or whatever. Someone else said that and I've realized that's a cool idea.

I sometimes think of things and even if they don't get implemented or if someone shows me how my idea isn't that great, I appreciate you being open.

Thanks for providing a GREAT site!

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 10/07/2015 at 04:24pm

I agree with Greg's agreement with Travis.

Travis Admin wrote on 10/07/2015 at 08:19pm

I agree with Adam's agreement with Greg's agreement of me.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/08/2015 at 12:08am

I agree with Travis's agreement with Adam's agreement with my agreement of Travis's. Do we have enough votes now? LOL

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/08/2015 at 02:35am

Uhm. I think I need one more person other than you three to bend the needle.

Travis Admin wrote on 10/08/2015 at 02:37am

I, totally not Travis, agree with Greg's agreement with Travis's agreement with Adam's agreement with Greg's agreement with Travis.

Travis Admin wrote on 10/08/2015 at 02:38am

Oh snap, I should have signed in with my alt.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/08/2015 at 06:01am

Hi, my name is Jill, I am Greg's cat and I most definitely agree with these humans. Meow! =)

JaBo wrote on 10/08/2015 at 03:41pm

I have also tried to write about a game and been stopped. Therefore, agree, I do.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/09/2015 at 12:13pm

I just thought of something that I think might be cool. Right now, I see the page in pretty much three columns. The middle contains the main stuff and the right now has the activity feed. What if we had something on the left to kind of center it all? I think our profile picture and info used to be there. However, I think it would be cool if it contained a list of titles (along with links to the post), perhaps along with the name of the game talked about, there on the left. It could be like the 10 most recent posts on main. So, it would be a linked list of the most recent posts. I tried to show what that would look like in this comment, but apparently my HTML didn't work, which makes my second idea that more relevant. Perhaps, along with the ability to edit comments, we could have a preview button. That way we can make sure our HTML codes work and everything looks right before posting. Perhaps enticing people to proofread before posting, too. =)

Travis Admin wrote on 10/09/2015 at 02:10pm

I like your second idea, but for the first we already have that info on the main page, it just requires scrolling. Adding it to a new left bar would add redundancy that isn't really useful.

Plus I like simplicity. As sites have more and more columns I start losing track of where my eyes are supposed to go.

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Chet Faliszek Talks About The Year Ahead for HTC Vive And Steam VR

Chet Faliszek is a writer at Valve that worked on Portal, Left 4 Dead and Half-life. He is currently working on VR at Valve and gave a great talk at this years EGX. If you are interested in learning more about VR and how Valve and HTC are making the Vive you need to check this out. Plus, you know, it's more from Valve.... Don't we all love everything they do?

The Humble Bundle Gets Netflix Like Subscription In "Humble Monthly Bundle"

"A highly curated bundle of our favorite games at one fixed price. Includes everything from recent hits to hidden gems to timeless classics - every month. Receive a bundle every month. Simply sign up, and let the games roll in. Discover games that haven't been featured in other bundles. Help worthwhile causes — 5% of each month's proceeds support charity."

If one of the problems in your life is not having enough games to play, The Humble folks are on the scene with The Humble Monthly Bundle. You pay a monthly subscription of $12 a month and you get a bundle delivered to you each month. New subscribers get Legend of Grimrock 2 and you can cancel anytime. What I like... Read All

Why We Dropped Traditional Web Advertising From Cheerful Ghost

http://cdn.na16.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/scrooge-mcduck.jpg

When I launched Cheerful Ghost more than three years ago I wanted to build an amazing video game community that was funded by its users. Initially I had three ideas for ways to make enough money to keep things going and one was using traditional web banner advertising. I didn't plan on this making us much money, but felt it was a good compromise to make a few bucks to offset some of our traffic costs. In a perfect world, I don't actually mind this model as it mirrors much of how traditional forms of radio and television use to fund the programs we love. With that, there have been some very interesting conversations recently about web advertising, privacy and respect... Read All

Does The New Apple TV Compete With Consoles Or Is It Something Entirely Different?

During Apple's latest showcase they unveiled an updated Apple TV. As we have been postulating for the last few years the new Apple TV will supports apps, a brand new Wii like controller(when plugged into an iPhone) and support for 3rd party game controllers. The new Apple TV starts at $149 and while inexpensive will be locked to 1080p and come in 32G and 64G storage options. During the keynote they demoed a multi-player version of Crossy Road. While Crossy Road looks fun I wonder how powerful the new Apple TV will be? Will we see publishers like 2K drop games like Borderlands & X-Com on Apple TV? Will Apple TV support Steam styled game streaming from Macs? Time... Read All

Valve Developer and Designer Robin Walker Shows Off The New Steam Controller

YouTuber OMGchat interviewed Valve's Robin Walker about the new Steam Controller and it's intense customization. Valve is really doing something different in allowing gamers the ability to remap the controller anyway they want. If you want to pick one up starting at $49.99 it won't break your wallet.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/353370

Valve's new Steam Controller drops November 10th.

PAX Prime 2015

PAX Prime is going on this weekend in the almost-rainy city of Seattle, WA. Bethesda is here in force, so I thought I'd share some photos of the event, which you can find (updated) here: https://imgur.com/a/GpQYc#0

My favorite thing so far, however, has to be the hands-on time I got with ABZU, the new project from Matt Nava's team at Giant Squid. Matt Nava was the art director on Flower and Journey, and his style flows just as smoothly in ABZU.

Hotel internet is quirky, so I'll be uploading and adding to the album above as I can. If there is anything you would like to see, or have questions about, drop a line in the comments or PM, and I'll try to accommodate.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 08/28/2015 at 11:04pm

Scrypt, you're alive! I assumed your absence meant that you were travelling again. Thanks for the pictures!

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 08/29/2015 at 01:56am

Still alive, but tired :). I'll post more pics when I can, and update the post at day's end with more impressions. A lot to see, for sure.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 08/29/2015 at 03:30am

I'm glad you made it safely. Why is a Dalek there?

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 08/29/2015 at 05:18am

Why not? :)

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/29/2015 at 06:07am

Those are great pictures, thanks for sharing. Are they letting people play the new Doom game?

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 08/29/2015 at 03:41pm

I believe they are. I saw a line for Doom, so I assumed it was playable, but it could only be a closed door preview. I'll find out today. It looked like they were doing the same with Fallout 4.

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 08/30/2015 at 08:19am

Apparently I suck at Imgur. I've updated the link, and added more pics.

Doom isn't playable :(. People were standing in line to take pictures with the Revenant statue.

Day 2 was more of the same, but I got to try out Sony's Project Morpheus. Yesterday they were showing tech demoes, but today was an upcoming Morpheus game, called Rigs. It was a 3v3 FPS arena shooter, where the targeting was linked to your head movement. Getting a bead on opponents was tricky, and it took me a minute to fight the urge to move the right thumbstick to aim. This was my first experience with VR, and I have to say, I was impressed. I couldn't keep from smiling almost the entire time, although I was feeling slightly uneasy by after I took off the headgear. Very familiar to the feeling I had playing Super Mario 64 when it released, or the 3DS. It will certainly take some getting used to.

Played more ABZU. I'm going to try to upload some video of that soon, probably in another post. So beautiful.

Played lots of cool student games. A number of indie games. It's so hard to get good pics of from the Indie Megabooth. That place is packed like sardines. Not to mention all the PAX Enforcers yelling at you to "keep the line moving!" I wish they would move that whole section to its own floor.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 08/30/2015 at 05:13pm

Awesome, thanks for the report! How did Morpheus feel? Was it too heavy? Also, what is ABZU?

jdodson Admin wrote on 08/30/2015 at 09:55pm

No idea what it is but ABZU is my favorite new word

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 09/01/2015 at 12:26am

I just found out that Bethesda is holding a sweepstakes for a Fallout 4 console. One of the ways to enter is to follow Fallout 4 on Twitter and retweet a certain tweet and include #VaultOneEleven. Check out details below.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/win-this-fallout-4-xbox-one-custom-console-from-be/1100-6430191/

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What Were The Limitations Of Old School Video Game Hardware And How Did Developers Overcome Them?

YouTuber The iBook Guy posted a two-part video outlining how developers of retro video games side stepped the hardware limitations. iBook Guy talks about old hardware RAM limitations of 16k, 32k and 64k and how the developers used certain spriting techniques to give us the awesome games we grew up with. In many cases I didn't know they had those limitations to work with so after watching the video I have a new appreciation for how difficult old games were to make.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 08/24/2015 at 01:05am

I'm assuming you found this on Facebook, since I tagged CheerfulGhost in a post I was tagged in. =) This was particularlly interesting to me because my first computer was a Commodore 128D. It's fascinating how engineers were able to make colorful images on screen despite the limitations at the time. An artist made a really awesome picture using that old tech.

Even though ANSI and ASCII weren't discussed, I'm reminded of a funny quote I saw many years ago, "ASCII stupid question, get a stupid ANSI." LOL

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 08/24/2015 at 01:05am

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 08/24/2015 at 03:53am

I think I find this in a retro blog I am subscribed to? It may have been Facebook.

I played quite a few games on DOS that used ANSI graphics. I actually think they are pretty cool looking but I am also very old

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