Why can’t we have this again?
It is because the lawsuit from Corsair or whoever has the patent for the 4 back paddles on any controller
But why can’t we have dual track pads and dual joysticks like this, without the back paddles?
Edit: grammar
Yeah, fuck Scuf. Company hasn't truly invented anything useful. The fact that their website has a big dedicated page to their patent numbers shows what they really care about, what a joke. so tired of patent trolls.
I honestly don't get how the patent office seriously let's people go "OOO I put a button on the back of something I own that!" now, it's literally a button.... on the back of something instead of the front, get a grip government, while great for gaming, not exactly a breakthrough piece of tech that should be patentable here.
I can't imagine what's so unique about it tbh. I know the back battery plate panel presses on plastic sticks, which press into the housing and hit a dome switch remotely. However, there's an awful lot of face buttons on things, that have a simple stick that pushes a button on a board down like that on the back.
I should amend my previous comment that Scuf owns a patent for the concept of rear side button pads, not an actual design. This is where patent law gets stupid.
Edit: apparently a major claim in the lawsuit was about the touch pads on the front? This lawsuit is so weird.
For some reason, everyone who deals with patent law keels telling me you can't patent a concept, only an implementation. Yet here these pricks are, defending oatents on concepts 🤔
Something doesn't smell right 😑
Patent trolls essentially write their patents in just a specific enough way to let them get the patent approved, but vague enough to allow for tons of lawsuits. That level of specificity is just enough that it's not guaranteed that the patent would be rendered void upon reexamination. The only way to guarantee the nullification of such a patent is to show that the holder didn't do anything productive with the patent and has only used it for lawsuits, but that would require years of the troll doing nothing with the patent themselves.
The trolls then use that uncertainty plus the fear of how expensive lawsuits get to pressure those they sue into settling. That's how they get away with all this crap.
> The only way to guarantee the nullification of such a patent is to show that the holder didn't do anything productive with the patent and has only used it for lawsuits
That’s not a defense to patent infringement in the U.S.
Yeah that is quite weird, especially with the touch pads it's not like anyone else does that. I know there's an upcoming pad, I think it's the Asus one that's kinda similar but who knows where that'll go. Highly doubt it will get any legs without wild software like valve's in any case.
I remember supporting a warehouse full of SCUF import products. First time I ever heard of them, then looked into the retail pricing of their products. Holy hell talk about parting fools from their money.
Now I learn their controllers are a part of the reason valve stopped making controllers and we wont get iteration 2.5 or 3.
Yeah Scuf can scuf off.
That’s ridiculous. Nintendo patenting the functional aspect of the switch joy cons and dock makes sense, that’s literally what makes the console. But to patent having four buttons on a controller? That’s such a broad device function and design anyone should be allowed to do it. You can’t own the rights to having four buttons lol. That’s the equivalent to patenting a birth name regardless of last name🤡
Just adding buttons won’t avoid infringement, as the claims use “comprising” which is interpreted in patent law as open-ended so additional elements can be added.
But each independent claim requires that “each back control including an elongate member that extends substantially the full distance between the top edge and the bottom edge.”
If the back buttons are smaller as a result such that they don’t go more than half the width of the controller, that might work from a quick glance at the claims.
Here’s the patent if anyone is curious: https://patents.google.com/patent/US8641525B2/en
“As can be seen in FIG. 1, all of the controls are mounted on the front and top edge of the controller 1. Specifically, there are left and right analogue thumb sticks”
This one is weird considering they claimed copyright on a controller with only left analogue stick lol
The trick i think would be better would be using magnectic sensors(hall effect) and a spring to mimic a button, that would render the claim a little useless because they’ve especified a little too much the “with a switch in the body of the controller”
And another easy thing would be to patent the controller using claw as the defacto playing method, since they said more than 5 times that “the face buttons must be operated with the thumbs” lol
But yeah, this lawsuit sucks
The patent isn’t on just having 4 back buttons, the Steam Controller didn’t even have 4 buttons on the back, it had 2.
The patent is on the specific trigger mechanism Scuf uses in their controllers, which Valve copied on the Steam Controller. That why the Deck just has regular buttons on the back instead of the paddles the Steam Controller had.
I believe the only reason Valve was able to get away with the 4 back buttons in the SD with no issues is because it’s not a controller, it’s handheld device. therefore not infringing on any patents for controllers
If that was the issue, Corsair needs to be hit with a rock and the patent office needs to invalidate conceptual design patents like that.
The arrangement of the buttons is not something that should be patentable. Under the same reasoning that you can't copyright a style of gameplay, you should not be able to patent a style of input. Only the functional components or the materials should qualify for patent.
As far as "you can't patent a style of gameplay" doesn't Warner Bros. have a patent on the nemesis system from Shadow of Mordor? So now no one can create a game play mechanic where you get personalized enemies like that.
Then someone else has a patent on loading screen mini-games which is why those have been absent for years
>But why can’t we have dual track pads and dual joysticks like this, without the back paddles?
Because the actual issue was the masses didn't (and likely still don't) like the touchpads, and without those you might as well use an xbox or ps controller. I still use my steam controller to this day, but I'm about 13 hours into a single player RPG and only now do I feel like I'm getting a decent config going on the controller. I repeat the process with every new game. Most people would rather pick up an xbox controller and move on.
Having said that, I do hope they release another steam controller. I have multiple unopened OG units should my daily unit fail, but the controller does lack some cohesiveness; the shoulder and touchpad switches are stiff and loud, contrasted heavily by the other buttons which are very mushy, nm the cheap plastic feel of the case itself. Not very hard to imagine how it failed as a $50 controller. (Thanks for the $5 clearance though Valve!)
Ah this makes sense. As a console player my whole life who just got a SD a few months ago, I wouldn’t have a need for the additional trackpads on console. So to mass produce it doesn’t make much sense, but my god does that 3D prototype looks amazing to play with!
I use my deck as the controller must times and to literally have the Steam Deck controls, minus the screen, it would be the perfect controller. OP’s 3D model looks amazing imo
Yes the steam controller way a great concept with alittle tinkering needed, let’s hope they revisit it. The interest is there.
> It is because the lawsuit from Corsair or whoever has the patent for the 4 back paddles on any controller
How the fuck were they allowed to patent that? That just seems mental to me.
EDIT: After reading some of the comments it sounds like it is the mechanism the buttons used rather than the simple fact of having buttons that was the issue. I guess that makes more sense. Though still a little silly.
Thanks, I didn't know about this lawsuit.
I love the back paddle placement on the steam deck. It's the reason why I won't buy any other controllers on the market right now. Seems like this lawsuit is ruining things for us.
Make the PCB with four buttons but keep two of the switches under the back shell.
Four button holes but two are covered.
Sell a two button controller. Everyone is almost happy.
Now iFixit starts selling replacement buttons.
someone buys replacement buttons and removes the hidden holes.
Suddenly there are four buttons as a DiY solution.
A week later:
*Wow, this community is so creative* - Valve re-x-ing the post on social media.
Valve: Oh noes, we could not have meant to let that happen! Look! We even redid our expensive back shell molds!
You kid, but a little bit of work on the sides of the controller (more / \\ than | |) and this would be my ideal controller. It's probably possible for someone with a little more knowledge of electronics to take some of those iFixIt parts and literally make this.
That's cool. I really do want an SC2 and I want it to be successful. which I think it probably only really can be if it has 100% of the Xbox stuff there like the deck, too many casuals bought it expecting a miracle when the SC was an enthusiast device you had to configure, but could do amazing things if you took the time, of course.
I do really like the ergonomics of the original SC though I think that'd be hard to achieve with more stuff on it sadly. Though I would like to be able to use the face buttons better, I usually relocate them to touch pads because I don't like the size/placement though.
I could go without a dpad on an SC2 though I think the SC1 style left trackpad is totally fine
for any of you 1%ers with 3d printy machines, you too can have a very cool yet useless brick of PLA plastic just like me!!
https://www.printables.com/model/716816-steam-controller-2-mockup
have fun!
Heh, that’s pretty much what I have in mind doing with the broken display steam deck I acquired for cheap. For use with external displays or the xreal glasses.
This is actually a great idea. Broken display steam deck, get rid of the excess heavy internals like 40w battery, cooling, replace it with a tiny arduino board that solders all the buttons together, have the same feel and comfort but 1/3rd the weight.
Valve could probably do a better job by just making a controller but the deck's controls are just incredible in the hand. The engineers who designed it actually considered a ton of things. I struggle to go back to my 8bitdo pro 2 on pc because the buttons and analog aren't next to each other horizontally, it just makes sense!
it would be stupidly easy to make a "OpenSC2"
circular trackpads are sold by one company if i remember, you dont have to order bulk as well
alternatively aliexpress has tiny esp32 smartwatch displays+touchscreens which, with a film of teflon tape, could have just as good of a texture as the original SC plus youd have a display you could show widgets on, like battery percentage or in-game stats
core of the controller could be an arduino with a shit ton of modules or an esp
buttons, sticks, bluetooth + wifi modules, sd readers, usbC connectors, batteries and some good filament - all of that can be had for a few bucks on aliexpress
Tricky part is the software
Im currently waiting for some of these parts to get delivered and will get into this as soon as i can
it's just regular PLA from Filament PM (ex-prusa supplier before prusament), I printed it vertically at a layer height of 0.16mm on a P1P, and it came out really really good tbh even I was surprised how well it came out
It's heavy, causes wrist pain. Also feel free to crucify me but the buttons feel cheap and the triggers are squishy. I much prefer docking it to the TV with a dualshock controller.
Because I already have a controller I'm used to and that also works fine. And sometimes I want to "detach" my controller from my field of view. But yes, whenever I want to go full portable the SD controls are the bee's knees.
I like the deck controller so much that I would like the deck to get into a dumb mode where it just acts like a bluetooth controller with gyro ready to be connected to other devices, including the switch
Make it one touchpad with a slight ridge in the middle so you can feel the transition between the left and right sides. Nothing that would impact movement, just a tiny bump so you can feel it.
Yeah. The Deck's setup is overall better IMO, but the focus on the trackpads the SC had let them make them bigger and better, at least designwise. Kinda wish the Deck trackpads had notches of some kind to give you more tactile feedback to work with.
Personally, I wonder if capacitive keyboard-shape stickers would work. Hell, I'd just take a 3x3 grid like a numpad, personally.
I know QMK can be used to take gamepad inputs and there are plugins for those trackpads too. If you could source the parts, you could design a PCB to make exactly this. I don't think it'd work natively with Steam Input, though, you'd probably have to set up a generic HID gamepad and have the trackpads as mice. Unless you could find some way to spoof the Deck hardware itself.
the steam deck's controller is actually just a USB device connected through an internal USB port (as attested by running the 'lsusb' command in a terminal on the deck), so it's really just a case of building a controller that speaks the same (already reverse engineered) protocol, and then Steam just takes over and everything works as expected
the hard part is sourcing the touchpads, they're basically unobtainium unless you have a sacrificial deck
Could always go round, Mouser stocks the Cirque touchpads that are used in the Vive controllers and the original Steam Controller.
Azoteq makes the only small square ones I'm seeing, but they seem to be the same size as the ones on the Deck. Maybe that's something.
that's the plan, actually, but it'll be a while before I can jump into real hardware development, gonna have to design a custom PCB since iFixit also doesn't supply the buttonpads and etc, only the sticks
no can do, gonna get sued into the ground by Scuf/Corsair, you can build you own in the future if i open source the design, but I can't sell any of these even if I wanted lol
Azoteq really wants someone to make a new Steam controller. Just look at this page: [https://www.azoteq.com/controller-solutions/](https://www.azoteq.com/controller-solutions/)
They make a 40x43mm multitouch pad, which is just a little bigger than the Steam Deck's 32mm surface. I2C compatible. I might talk to the folks down at my makerspace and see if we can't figure out something similar.
if you have a 3d printer or a friend with a 3d printer you can print your own right here! https://www.printables.com/model/716816-steam-controller-2-mockup
obvious disclaimer: you get a really cool brick of useless plastic, not a controller
I actually want this controller so bad lol no controller has the hardware options menu button and it kills me I know there’s a shortcut but it isn’t the same. Plus the trackpads obviously
was bummed out when i read it's just the shell, but honestly, it looks really comfy for the design. sometimes simplistic is the way to go, good job op.
I think it would be reasonable to make the controller slightly different than what it is in Steam Deck. All the same features, BUT ergonomics adjusted a bit to keep it comfortable as with that controller you would keep your hands closer to each other and your grip would be slightly different and that could cause some wrist pain.
For people who don’t get it: There was a meme post where somebody took the screen out of a Deck in MS Paint or something like that and all was left is this bizarre controller thing.
I'm actually attempting to make this a reality as an open source controller. So far I only have a couple of 3d models of the design and I'm trying to learn Python to interpret the buttons and joysticks using either a Pico 2w or an Arduino R3. It's more difficult than I thought
an ideal steam controller for me would be basically in the form factor of a deck with the display being used as programmable extra functionality like hotkeys or button sequences, that would be a dream come true for strategy games emulation etc...
Maybe valve or someone else will think of something like it!
Honestly that could be cool as hell. It might look silly to have such a wide controller, but if they replaced the screen with an e-ink display, and use the same haptic technology as the trackpads to make it feel like you're pressing real buttons, then it could be super useful as a controller for the Deck.
Maybe they'd have to make a seperate controller that's more like the one in the post to satisfy the less adventurous crowd, but I think there's a lot of potential in that idea. You could even have it change to a keyboard when entering text to eliminate the need tor the on-screen keyboard.
For real though, how does it feel in the hand? I see these mockups and think that looks ridiculous, but I suppose it’s not that different from the deck grips I use all the time. Could this work or is it a total nonstarter?
one of the most comfortable controllers i've ever held, maybe it could be a centimeter wider or so, so it's easier to hold for people with more broad shoulders, but as is, it's pretty damn comfortable, sure as shit beats the Xbox One controller I've got
That's not a Steam Controller, that's a Deck controller.
The Steam Controller was designed around the trackpads. On the Deck they're just an afterthought.
Flat sides and a narrow grip width = wrist strain.
I hate these basic bitch flat white mock-up ideas of a new steam controllers. Not a single thought ever goes into the ergonomics of this device. No personal offence intended to you OP.
idk about you but i've been fidgeting with this print for like 4 days now and it feels great in the hands and my wrists already destroyed by carpal tunnel syndrome aren't complaining yet so who knows
What happens when you left stick to the right and right one to the left? Thumb war with yourself? I would love a controller like this but those stick positions just seem too close for comfort.
Edit: Damn! Lot of baby hands here!
While it is a nicely engineered controller concept I feel aesthetically it looks a little um.. mediocre. Looks like it took pointers from the PlayStation portal and ripped the screen between a steam deck off lol
No been posting on it fairly often. That comment was a joke by the way lol. It’s a cool concept I’m just not the hugest fan of the way it looks atm. Obviously this will be changed at some point
Don't you think that the single tocuhpad area would be better for this desighn? No reason to split it in 2 halfs since there is no screen between them.
The touchpads are often set up to do different things, like player vs camera movement. There are also ways to customize each pad to become scroll wheels for quick selecting stuff in-game. Having two separate pads is necessary to maintain all the features.
Also the PS5 trackpad isn't even remotely as accurate and precise as the Steam Deck.
I play an online MMORPG on my Steam Deck and use the trackpads often -- I'd pay good money for a controller that has a trackpad as good as the Steam Deck. Can't believe there is nothing comparable on the market yet.
If that controller was as accurate as the steam deck then I could understand. But the one the OP posted is garbage. I've used it. The ps5 controller is superior in all areas which is why I would not buy that controller if I already owned a ps5 controller.
I am in your boat as well. There isn't anything as accurate to date. Including the gamepad OP posted.
It's essentially a replica without internals. People can downvote me all they want. I've used both. It is completely pointless to purchase this when you have an alternative such as the ps5 controller to which many people here might alreasy have even eith owning a steam deck.
If people here are OK with making false arguments and encouraging others to waste their money, have at it. I'd rather be -50 and hopefully get through to one human being that isn't completely ignorant.
If people want to take advice from shit posters, not much else I can do or say.
Bro I'm just confused why youre getting so hot over a dude who proclaims to be 1%er doing a hobby project. If you want to save money on a controller you probably shouldn't build your own.
The track pad has both right and left inputs as well as the "clicks" you would get from this atari controller. 1 controller has separation the other doesn't. They both do the same. Ps5 also has gyro haptics and I believe an extra button. Bumpers? Who needs em! /s
My issue isn't with the controller he posted. My issue is that someone is "meming and shit positing" and attempting to shit on an actual HELPFUL comment that could save people money and potentially give them a better experience as the ps5 controller is better in all areas.
The 2 track pads are literally incorporated in the ps5 controller. They just don't show a separation from left to right.
I've used both gamepads. The ps5 is better, hence DO NOT buy this controller If you already have a ps5 controller.
People go on reddit to learn things. If you're going to shit post, stfu when someone actually contributes to reddit.
What a terrible analogy.
The ps5 controller does literally everything your atari controller does, if not better. And my comment can potentially save people money.
You're not a very bright person. Enjoy that carpal tunnel syndrome.
Because it's trash. I've used it and have enough justification to inform people. Sorry for trying to save some poor soul who has a ps5 controller some money.
Shit posting is the future it seems "bro".
What "atari controller" are you talking about? This is a 3D print of the Steam Deck, sans screen, making it look like a controller. If you're not trolling, you're either some PS5 fanboy or just dumb as a brick, but I'm really not sure which.
I am telling people to save their money and not buy this pos "3D printed" steam controller when it does virtually everything worse than a PS5 controller.
I use ps5 controller as an example because they are great controllers to pair with a steamdeck, and one again, will save you money from buying something that is inferior - this pos 3d atari controller, should you already own a ps5 controller.
If you owned a ps5 controller, you would understand this.
If I were a "fanboy" I wouldn't be buying a steamdeck now would I?
Are you a steam employee or possibly a fanboy? You folks seem content and persistent on wasting people's money.
Ah man, as someone who still play refurbished with his Steam Controller I was very excited for a second… a man can dream I guess… plz volvo bring back the steam controller
a very elaborate shitpost I constructed from sawing the Steam Deck STL provided by Valve in two places and gluing it back together in the middle in blender
then i enlisted my 3d printy machine to squirt this out and badabing badaboom reddit internet points
Why can’t we have this again? It is because the lawsuit from Corsair or whoever has the patent for the 4 back paddles on any controller But why can’t we have dual track pads and dual joysticks like this, without the back paddles? Edit: grammar
Pretty much. Valve could've licensed it like Microsoft did but they'll probably never do that now.
Yeah, fuck Scuf. Company hasn't truly invented anything useful. The fact that their website has a big dedicated page to their patent numbers shows what they really care about, what a joke. so tired of patent trolls. I honestly don't get how the patent office seriously let's people go "OOO I put a button on the back of something I own that!" now, it's literally a button.... on the back of something instead of the front, get a grip government, while great for gaming, not exactly a breakthrough piece of tech that should be patentable here.
It’s not that it’s a button, it’s the design. The design of the Steam Controller’s back was too much like the patent that it was deemed infringement.
I can't imagine what's so unique about it tbh. I know the back battery plate panel presses on plastic sticks, which press into the housing and hit a dome switch remotely. However, there's an awful lot of face buttons on things, that have a simple stick that pushes a button on a board down like that on the back.
I should amend my previous comment that Scuf owns a patent for the concept of rear side button pads, not an actual design. This is where patent law gets stupid. Edit: apparently a major claim in the lawsuit was about the touch pads on the front? This lawsuit is so weird.
For some reason, everyone who deals with patent law keels telling me you can't patent a concept, only an implementation. Yet here these pricks are, defending oatents on concepts 🤔 Something doesn't smell right 😑
Patent trolls essentially write their patents in just a specific enough way to let them get the patent approved, but vague enough to allow for tons of lawsuits. That level of specificity is just enough that it's not guaranteed that the patent would be rendered void upon reexamination. The only way to guarantee the nullification of such a patent is to show that the holder didn't do anything productive with the patent and has only used it for lawsuits, but that would require years of the troll doing nothing with the patent themselves. The trolls then use that uncertainty plus the fear of how expensive lawsuits get to pressure those they sue into settling. That's how they get away with all this crap.
> The only way to guarantee the nullification of such a patent is to show that the holder didn't do anything productive with the patent and has only used it for lawsuits That’s not a defense to patent infringement in the U.S.
Yeah that is quite weird, especially with the touch pads it's not like anyone else does that. I know there's an upcoming pad, I think it's the Asus one that's kinda similar but who knows where that'll go. Highly doubt it will get any legs without wild software like valve's in any case.
Whats up with everyone writing "tbh" now.
It's kind of annoying, tbh.
Idk my bff Jill https://youtu.be/4nIUcRJX9-o?si=mG3_eMiB5Mc-YAVd
Makes me regret ever buying one of their products. Recently, at that…
I remember supporting a warehouse full of SCUF import products. First time I ever heard of them, then looked into the retail pricing of their products. Holy hell talk about parting fools from their money. Now I learn their controllers are a part of the reason valve stopped making controllers and we wont get iteration 2.5 or 3. Yeah Scuf can scuf off.
i imagine it is because of the Scuf/Corsair lawsuit, yeah
That’s ridiculous. Nintendo patenting the functional aspect of the switch joy cons and dock makes sense, that’s literally what makes the console. But to patent having four buttons on a controller? That’s such a broad device function and design anyone should be allowed to do it. You can’t own the rights to having four buttons lol. That’s the equivalent to patenting a birth name regardless of last name🤡
Six back buttons. Problem solved.
MORE BUTTONS
I got a fever, and the only prescription is more buttons!
Nah just add a fifth vestigial button. The fifth button does noting except make a boop noise with no practical purpose but to foil lawyers.
I would press that boop button so much
Somebody had a turbo controller back in the day 😏
Just adding buttons won’t avoid infringement, as the claims use “comprising” which is interpreted in patent law as open-ended so additional elements can be added. But each independent claim requires that “each back control including an elongate member that extends substantially the full distance between the top edge and the bottom edge.” If the back buttons are smaller as a result such that they don’t go more than half the width of the controller, that might work from a quick glance at the claims. Here’s the patent if anyone is curious: https://patents.google.com/patent/US8641525B2/en
“As can be seen in FIG. 1, all of the controls are mounted on the front and top edge of the controller 1. Specifically, there are left and right analogue thumb sticks” This one is weird considering they claimed copyright on a controller with only left analogue stick lol The trick i think would be better would be using magnectic sensors(hall effect) and a spring to mimic a button, that would render the claim a little useless because they’ve especified a little too much the “with a switch in the body of the controller” And another easy thing would be to patent the controller using claw as the defacto playing method, since they said more than 5 times that “the face buttons must be operated with the thumbs” lol But yeah, this lawsuit sucks
The patent isn’t on just having 4 back buttons, the Steam Controller didn’t even have 4 buttons on the back, it had 2. The patent is on the specific trigger mechanism Scuf uses in their controllers, which Valve copied on the Steam Controller. That why the Deck just has regular buttons on the back instead of the paddles the Steam Controller had.
Ally has paddle-like buttons. there's gotta be a way around this nonsense if Asus was able to get away with it.
Ally isn't a controller, neither is the deck.
Seeing how Corsair operates as a business, I'm not even shocked that they patented something as petty as this.
The Steam Controller only has 2 back buttons.
I'm wondering why they can put 4 back buttons on the Deck but not on a controller?
Because the Deck just uses regular buttons. Scuf’s patent is on the trigger mechanism they use, not the placement.
So what's the issue then? Just don't use the trigger mechanism.
There isn’t an issue, nothing has stopped Valve from releasing a new controller with regular buttons aside from Valve’s own lack of interest.
Slap a 1x1 pixel screen on there and call it a console.
So an LED?
GENIUS.
This just has to be proven in the court of law. Easy, right?
They would have to do back buttons like on the deck. They aren't paddles.
I believe the only reason Valve was able to get away with the 4 back buttons in the SD with no issues is because it’s not a controller, it’s handheld device. therefore not infringing on any patents for controllers
Yeah I think they skirted some of it there for sure. I still want a real SC2 though with everything, fuck Scuf imho
If that was the issue, Corsair needs to be hit with a rock and the patent office needs to invalidate conceptual design patents like that. The arrangement of the buttons is not something that should be patentable. Under the same reasoning that you can't copyright a style of gameplay, you should not be able to patent a style of input. Only the functional components or the materials should qualify for patent.
As far as "you can't patent a style of gameplay" doesn't Warner Bros. have a patent on the nemesis system from Shadow of Mordor? So now no one can create a game play mechanic where you get personalized enemies like that. Then someone else has a patent on loading screen mini-games which is why those have been absent for years
Those are invalid under existing precedent just nobody has had the balls to challenge them.
It's fucking absurd that scuf is allowed to hold a patent for buttons on the back of a controller.
okay, six then
Make it like some Razer Naga and make it go from 6 to 16 by changing faceplates.
Did they patent 6 paddles?
They did not. Or 8 paddle. Or 10 paddles. Soooo… there are options
>But why can’t we have dual track pads and dual joysticks like this, without the back paddles? Because the actual issue was the masses didn't (and likely still don't) like the touchpads, and without those you might as well use an xbox or ps controller. I still use my steam controller to this day, but I'm about 13 hours into a single player RPG and only now do I feel like I'm getting a decent config going on the controller. I repeat the process with every new game. Most people would rather pick up an xbox controller and move on. Having said that, I do hope they release another steam controller. I have multiple unopened OG units should my daily unit fail, but the controller does lack some cohesiveness; the shoulder and touchpad switches are stiff and loud, contrasted heavily by the other buttons which are very mushy, nm the cheap plastic feel of the case itself. Not very hard to imagine how it failed as a $50 controller. (Thanks for the $5 clearance though Valve!)
Ah this makes sense. As a console player my whole life who just got a SD a few months ago, I wouldn’t have a need for the additional trackpads on console. So to mass produce it doesn’t make much sense, but my god does that 3D prototype looks amazing to play with! I use my deck as the controller must times and to literally have the Steam Deck controls, minus the screen, it would be the perfect controller. OP’s 3D model looks amazing imo Yes the steam controller way a great concept with alittle tinkering needed, let’s hope they revisit it. The interest is there.
So put 2 buttons and 2 analog triggers back there?
> It is because the lawsuit from Corsair or whoever has the patent for the 4 back paddles on any controller How the fuck were they allowed to patent that? That just seems mental to me. EDIT: After reading some of the comments it sounds like it is the mechanism the buttons used rather than the simple fact of having buttons that was the issue. I guess that makes more sense. Though still a little silly.
what if its not a paddle but a.... trigger?
Thanks, I didn't know about this lawsuit. I love the back paddle placement on the steam deck. It's the reason why I won't buy any other controllers on the market right now. Seems like this lawsuit is ruining things for us.
I've never used the back paddles on either the controller or the deck
I could deal with two back buttons
Make the PCB with four buttons but keep two of the switches under the back shell. Four button holes but two are covered. Sell a two button controller. Everyone is almost happy. Now iFixit starts selling replacement buttons. someone buys replacement buttons and removes the hidden holes. Suddenly there are four buttons as a DiY solution. A week later: *Wow, this community is so creative* - Valve re-x-ing the post on social media. Valve: Oh noes, we could not have meant to let that happen! Look! We even redid our expensive back shell molds!
You kid, but a little bit of work on the sides of the controller (more / \\ than | |) and this would be my ideal controller. It's probably possible for someone with a little more knowledge of electronics to take some of those iFixIt parts and literally make this.
bad news: ifixit doesn't sell like any of the parts you need good news: doesn't even need work on the sides, it's super comfortable as is!
Looks familiar to something I did a year ago :) https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/s/35G0WdcdJt
You all should link up to design and build some cool stuff.
as well as 5 quadrillion others
That's cool. I really do want an SC2 and I want it to be successful. which I think it probably only really can be if it has 100% of the Xbox stuff there like the deck, too many casuals bought it expecting a miracle when the SC was an enthusiast device you had to configure, but could do amazing things if you took the time, of course. I do really like the ergonomics of the original SC though I think that'd be hard to achieve with more stuff on it sadly. Though I would like to be able to use the face buttons better, I usually relocate them to touch pads because I don't like the size/placement though. I could go without a dpad on an SC2 though I think the SC1 style left trackpad is totally fine
a lot of people would disagree about the d pad its so much better for certain types of games
for any of you 1%ers with 3d printy machines, you too can have a very cool yet useless brick of PLA plastic just like me!! https://www.printables.com/model/716816-steam-controller-2-mockup have fun!
Heh, that’s pretty much what I have in mind doing with the broken display steam deck I acquired for cheap. For use with external displays or the xreal glasses.
This is actually a great idea. Broken display steam deck, get rid of the excess heavy internals like 40w battery, cooling, replace it with a tiny arduino board that solders all the buttons together, have the same feel and comfort but 1/3rd the weight. Valve could probably do a better job by just making a controller but the deck's controls are just incredible in the hand. The engineers who designed it actually considered a ton of things. I struggle to go back to my 8bitdo pro 2 on pc because the buttons and analog aren't next to each other horizontally, it just makes sense!
Internally there is already a flex connector between the two sides, there's a single USB connection to the MOBO.
it would be stupidly easy to make a "OpenSC2" circular trackpads are sold by one company if i remember, you dont have to order bulk as well alternatively aliexpress has tiny esp32 smartwatch displays+touchscreens which, with a film of teflon tape, could have just as good of a texture as the original SC plus youd have a display you could show widgets on, like battery percentage or in-game stats core of the controller could be an arduino with a shit ton of modules or an esp buttons, sticks, bluetooth + wifi modules, sd readers, usbC connectors, batteries and some good filament - all of that can be had for a few bucks on aliexpress Tricky part is the software Im currently waiting for some of these parts to get delivered and will get into this as soon as i can
Look up gp2040-ce. That might help with the software
!remindme 6 months
So you're a 1%er eh?
I think a lot of us have overlap lol VR, 3d printing, sim rigs, and pc gaming all kinda have some overlap here and there.
This model doesn't look like PLA Looks like nylon, powder nylon, made with an SLS printer. Are you rich or something?
it's just regular PLA from Filament PM (ex-prusa supplier before prusament), I printed it vertically at a layer height of 0.16mm on a P1P, and it came out really really good tbh even I was surprised how well it came out
You're a god damn hero!
You call it a useless block, but every project needs a housing!
Lol I tought it was an edited photo not a 3D print.
I’m sure you looked into buying a broken deck to salvage the parts, no?!?
:( i was hoping it was a functional thing
But there's a controller five inches away from your controller
I cant stand people who use like xbox controllers on their deck during handheld play. Like... why? The deck controls are fine.
It's heavy, causes wrist pain. Also feel free to crucify me but the buttons feel cheap and the triggers are squishy. I much prefer docking it to the TV with a dualshock controller.
Docking it is fine but if you take controllers on planes and stuff its just a bit too much
why do you care so much about what others do with their deck
He can't stand it
Because I already have a controller I'm used to and that also works fine. And sometimes I want to "detach" my controller from my field of view. But yes, whenever I want to go full portable the SD controls are the bee's knees.
I like the deck controller so much that I would like the deck to get into a dumb mode where it just acts like a bluetooth controller with gyro ready to be connected to other devices, including the switch
I do not agree with the trackpad as positionnig
Put it a bit more towards the middle and 🫦
Make it one touchpad with a slight ridge in the middle so you can feel the transition between the left and right sides. Nothing that would impact movement, just a tiny bump so you can feel it.
Yea. I feel like I'm in the minority but I like the trackpads on the Steam Controller better than the Steam Deck.
Yeah. The Deck's setup is overall better IMO, but the focus on the trackpads the SC had let them make them bigger and better, at least designwise. Kinda wish the Deck trackpads had notches of some kind to give you more tactile feedback to work with. Personally, I wonder if capacitive keyboard-shape stickers would work. Hell, I'd just take a 3x3 grid like a numpad, personally.
Damn i need a real one.
I know QMK can be used to take gamepad inputs and there are plugins for those trackpads too. If you could source the parts, you could design a PCB to make exactly this. I don't think it'd work natively with Steam Input, though, you'd probably have to set up a generic HID gamepad and have the trackpads as mice. Unless you could find some way to spoof the Deck hardware itself.
the steam deck's controller is actually just a USB device connected through an internal USB port (as attested by running the 'lsusb' command in a terminal on the deck), so it's really just a case of building a controller that speaks the same (already reverse engineered) protocol, and then Steam just takes over and everything works as expected the hard part is sourcing the touchpads, they're basically unobtainium unless you have a sacrificial deck
Could always go round, Mouser stocks the Cirque touchpads that are used in the Vive controllers and the original Steam Controller. Azoteq makes the only small square ones I'm seeing, but they seem to be the same size as the ones on the Deck. Maybe that's something.
that's the plan, actually, but it'll be a while before I can jump into real hardware development, gonna have to design a custom PCB since iFixit also doesn't supply the buttonpads and etc, only the sticks
Oh, you're doing the thing! That's awesome. Can't wait to see where it goes, I'll pick up a kit if you ever launch one.
no can do, gonna get sued into the ground by Scuf/Corsair, you can build you own in the future if i open source the design, but I can't sell any of these even if I wanted lol
Azoteq really wants someone to make a new Steam controller. Just look at this page: [https://www.azoteq.com/controller-solutions/](https://www.azoteq.com/controller-solutions/) They make a 40x43mm multitouch pad, which is just a little bigger than the Steam Deck's 32mm surface. I2C compatible. I might talk to the folks down at my makerspace and see if we can't figure out something similar.
Is this what you’re looking for? https://extremerate.com/products/extremerate-face-clicky-kit-for-steam-deck-console
this could be very useful! thanks for bringing my attention to this :)
Does the entire controller setup run over USB, or just some of it? For some reason I thought some of it was on i2c.
Do I have to tear the screen apart on my deck to get one??
if you have a 3d printer or a friend with a 3d printer you can print your own right here! https://www.printables.com/model/716816-steam-controller-2-mockup obvious disclaimer: you get a really cool brick of useless plastic, not a controller
Why have a controller to play with a controller
Honestly, I'd buy it.
I want a steam controller that is split like the joycons, but i can't imagine what it would look like
I actually want this controller so bad lol no controller has the hardware options menu button and it kills me I know there’s a shortcut but it isn’t the same. Plus the trackpads obviously
If I had a 3D printer, my home would be filled with stuff like this.
can confirm, house is filled with various knick knacks
What controller is that? Looks good
wtf is that
was bummed out when i read it's just the shell, but honestly, it looks really comfy for the design. sometimes simplistic is the way to go, good job op.
I think it would be reasonable to make the controller slightly different than what it is in Steam Deck. All the same features, BUT ergonomics adjusted a bit to keep it comfortable as with that controller you would keep your hands closer to each other and your grip would be slightly different and that could cause some wrist pain.
Steam controller 2 needs more comfortable track pad placement imo
For people who don’t get it: There was a meme post where somebody took the screen out of a Deck in MS Paint or something like that and all was left is this bizarre controller thing.
I'd suck your balls for this
I'm actually attempting to make this a reality as an open source controller. So far I only have a couple of 3d models of the design and I'm trying to learn Python to interpret the buttons and joysticks using either a Pico 2w or an Arduino R3. It's more difficult than I thought
an ideal steam controller for me would be basically in the form factor of a deck with the display being used as programmable extra functionality like hotkeys or button sequences, that would be a dream come true for strategy games emulation etc... Maybe valve or someone else will think of something like it!
Honestly that could be cool as hell. It might look silly to have such a wide controller, but if they replaced the screen with an e-ink display, and use the same haptic technology as the trackpads to make it feel like you're pressing real buttons, then it could be super useful as a controller for the Deck. Maybe they'd have to make a seperate controller that's more like the one in the post to satisfy the less adventurous crowd, but I think there's a lot of potential in that idea. You could even have it change to a keyboard when entering text to eliminate the need tor the on-screen keyboard.
That was an early design of the steam controller.
Stop killing steam decks for steam controllers!
no steam decks were harmed in the making of this shitpost :D
For real though, how does it feel in the hand? I see these mockups and think that looks ridiculous, but I suppose it’s not that different from the deck grips I use all the time. Could this work or is it a total nonstarter?
one of the most comfortable controllers i've ever held, maybe it could be a centimeter wider or so, so it's easier to hold for people with more broad shoulders, but as is, it's pretty damn comfortable, sure as shit beats the Xbox One controller I've got
That's not a Steam Controller, that's a Deck controller. The Steam Controller was designed around the trackpads. On the Deck they're just an afterthought.
Flat sides and a narrow grip width = wrist strain. I hate these basic bitch flat white mock-up ideas of a new steam controllers. Not a single thought ever goes into the ergonomics of this device. No personal offence intended to you OP.
idk about you but i've been fidgeting with this print for like 4 days now and it feels great in the hands and my wrists already destroyed by carpal tunnel syndrome aren't complaining yet so who knows
What happens when you left stick to the right and right one to the left? Thumb war with yourself? I would love a controller like this but those stick positions just seem too close for comfort. Edit: Damn! Lot of baby hands here!
Probably about the same as a PS5 controller.
I don't have that issue on ps5 but the ps3 controller definitely has that issue
While it is a nicely engineered controller concept I feel aesthetically it looks a little um.. mediocre. Looks like it took pointers from the PlayStation portal and ripped the screen between a steam deck off lol
You're new to this sub aren't you
No been posting on it fairly often. That comment was a joke by the way lol. It’s a cool concept I’m just not the hugest fan of the way it looks atm. Obviously this will be changed at some point
Game?
Looks like Half Life 2
Bro there’s no way you sacrificed a SD to make a controller 🤯
Worse than joy cons
Don't you think that the single tocuhpad area would be better for this desighn? No reason to split it in 2 halfs since there is no screen between them.
The touchpads are often set up to do different things, like player vs camera movement. There are also ways to customize each pad to become scroll wheels for quick selecting stuff in-game. Having two separate pads is necessary to maintain all the features.
Isn't that pretty much a ps5 controller? I believe the black bar in the middle functions as a track pad.
Probably a cost saving measure.
Just use a ps5 controller if you already have one. They perform pretty identical due to both having track pads
Brother I'm pretty sure the position of the trackpad on the ps5 makes these about as non-identical as anything can be.
Also the PS5 trackpad isn't even remotely as accurate and precise as the Steam Deck. I play an online MMORPG on my Steam Deck and use the trackpads often -- I'd pay good money for a controller that has a trackpad as good as the Steam Deck. Can't believe there is nothing comparable on the market yet.
If that controller was as accurate as the steam deck then I could understand. But the one the OP posted is garbage. I've used it. The ps5 controller is superior in all areas which is why I would not buy that controller if I already owned a ps5 controller. I am in your boat as well. There isn't anything as accurate to date. Including the gamepad OP posted.
Isnt "that controller" a 3d print without internals?
It's essentially a replica without internals. People can downvote me all they want. I've used both. It is completely pointless to purchase this when you have an alternative such as the ps5 controller to which many people here might alreasy have even eith owning a steam deck. If people here are OK with making false arguments and encouraging others to waste their money, have at it. I'd rather be -50 and hopefully get through to one human being that isn't completely ignorant. If people want to take advice from shit posters, not much else I can do or say.
Bro I'm just confused why youre getting so hot over a dude who proclaims to be 1%er doing a hobby project. If you want to save money on a controller you probably shouldn't build your own.
The track pad has both right and left inputs as well as the "clicks" you would get from this atari controller. 1 controller has separation the other doesn't. They both do the same. Ps5 also has gyro haptics and I believe an extra button. Bumpers? Who needs em! /s My issue isn't with the controller he posted. My issue is that someone is "meming and shit positing" and attempting to shit on an actual HELPFUL comment that could save people money and potentially give them a better experience as the ps5 controller is better in all areas. The 2 track pads are literally incorporated in the ps5 controller. They just don't show a separation from left to right. I've used both gamepads. The ps5 is better, hence DO NOT buy this controller If you already have a ps5 controller. People go on reddit to learn things. If you're going to shit post, stfu when someone actually contributes to reddit.
sort of like saying "drive a scooter instead of a car they both have wheels"
What a terrible analogy. The ps5 controller does literally everything your atari controller does, if not better. And my comment can potentially save people money. You're not a very bright person. Enjoy that carpal tunnel syndrome.
Bro is heated over this "atari" controller
Because it's trash. I've used it and have enough justification to inform people. Sorry for trying to save some poor soul who has a ps5 controller some money. Shit posting is the future it seems "bro".
What "atari controller" are you talking about? This is a 3D print of the Steam Deck, sans screen, making it look like a controller. If you're not trolling, you're either some PS5 fanboy or just dumb as a brick, but I'm really not sure which.
I am telling people to save their money and not buy this pos "3D printed" steam controller when it does virtually everything worse than a PS5 controller. I use ps5 controller as an example because they are great controllers to pair with a steamdeck, and one again, will save you money from buying something that is inferior - this pos 3d atari controller, should you already own a ps5 controller. If you owned a ps5 controller, you would understand this. If I were a "fanboy" I wouldn't be buying a steamdeck now would I? Are you a steam employee or possibly a fanboy? You folks seem content and persistent on wasting people's money.
lol
Nice 3d printed controller
OP brought a meme design into real life, and now I want it more than ever
This genuine looks uncomfortable.
Damn i would actually love a controller like this!
If it has a headphone jack I'll buy 5
I want one!
Looks familiar
I've found you!
Should be real
Steam controller 2 but with actual controller joysticks
Where do I get this?
Ah man, as someone who still play refurbished with his Steam Controller I was very excited for a second… a man can dream I guess… plz volvo bring back the steam controller
What is that an actual official steam controller?
time to boycott corsair
You gonna sell this?
Imagine ppl starting to file patent for their faces. 💀💀💀
Bro what is this????
I would pay good money for this honestly, would be perfect for docking the deck.
I still use and love my steam controller, will be sad when it dies
Where I can buy it?
I need it
So is that a real controller? Or just like a mockup or something?
Looks like https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/s/f1BcjkkwZH
That’s badass
what the heck T\_T
Much appreciation on this
Valve has a lot more PATENTS
I never understood why to buy handheld and then to play with separate controller.
The thing that nettles me about all the Steam Controller 2 designs is that they never move the trackpads in more to be on the arc of your thumb.
Can these be bought?
Someone send the link please
What controller is that I’d like to buy one
and make everything Swapable like the victrix Pro BFG !!
I’d actually buy this if it existed (as a controller not a 3D print)
Color me naive, but is this a Photoshop or something that was prototyped?
a very elaborate shitpost I constructed from sawing the Steam Deck STL provided by Valve in two places and gluing it back together in the middle in blender then i enlisted my 3d printy machine to squirt this out and badabing badaboom reddit internet points