So it functions better than a typical controller, but not quite as good as a mouse for precision movement. Sounds like it's a good alternative when sitting on the couch.
That's the impression I got too. Better than a standard analog stick (at least for many games) but still nto as good as a mouse and keyboard. I would definitely love the opportunity to try one out.
From every hands-on impression I've read so far, it's good...but worse than (for example) an XBox 360 controller for games it's possible to play with a controller. Where it shines is in games that you can't play with a traditional controller - so long as they don't require high-speed accuracy.
So it's worse than the appropriate controller for every situation, but has the advantage of being ok everywhere.
Probably just lack of experience with the controller or mistakenly using joystick mode because that's what they are used to. There's no way a 1:1 track pad under the thumb won't in time surpasse a joystick for precise inputs.
"Civilization V uses a similar setup, with the left track pad scrolling the map, the right pad is for the mouse cursor, and the triggers have been mapped to zoom in/out." The guy actually says he bound the bottom buttons to zoom in/out, not the triggers. He seems to be using a trigger on the right for mouse clicks.
I think he says "bottom buttons", which I assumed meant the triggers. If you watch his hands, I didn't see anything happening with the top buttons, and I can't see exactly what he's doing to zoom.
Edited: Yes, underneath the controller. Traditionally on 360 controller the triggers are referred to as left and right trigger (LT & RT), and L1&2 and R1&2 for PS controller, not bottom buttons.
Controller looked terrible for Civ 5. All he did was scroll around, zoom in/out, and click on some stuff. I could play the game better with just a keyboard with NO mouse.
I can't comment on the FPS games since I don't play FPS, but for a game like Civ 5 that makes very good use of keybindings (a lot of PC games basically), doesn't seem like the Valve controller is useful. The Valve controller is much closer to a console controller than to keyboard/mouse combo, which is what I expected.
It's obviously going to be far worse than a mouse and keyboard combination in terms of control for every type of game, but a keyboard and mouse isn't very comfortable to use on the couch - which is the point of the whole thing :).
What you need is to replace your couch with a decent hospital bed and accompanying adjustable tray that will let you use your keyboard and mouse. A suitable mattress will prevent bed sores from forming - excellent for those ultra gamers who are trying to unlock their "Mom, Bathroom!" achievement... ;)
Right. Basically, "better than a traditional game controller" is what they're shooting for.
Personally, hotseat Civ V in the living room using this controller sounds like fun to me. I'd probably avoid the really large maps with a ton of units, though (those tend to be less fun in multiplayer anyway due to turn length).
I really want to like this, but it doesnt seem any better than the Xbox 360 controller, if anything it looks like its more awkward to use. It certainly isnt anywhere close to good enough to replace KB/Mouse in games where that control method works best.
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tviceman - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - link
So it functions better than a typical controller, but not quite as good as a mouse for precision movement. Sounds like it's a good alternative when sitting on the couch.inighthawki - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - link
That's the impression I got too. Better than a standard analog stick (at least for many games) but still nto as good as a mouse and keyboard. I would definitely love the opportunity to try one out.althaz - Sunday, October 13, 2013 - link
From every hands-on impression I've read so far, it's good...but worse than (for example) an XBox 360 controller for games it's possible to play with a controller. Where it shines is in games that you can't play with a traditional controller - so long as they don't require high-speed accuracy.So it's worse than the appropriate controller for every situation, but has the advantage of being ok everywhere.
willis936 - Sunday, October 13, 2013 - link
Jack of all trades, master of none,Certainly better than a master of one
Tetracycloide - Monday, October 14, 2013 - link
Probably just lack of experience with the controller or mistakenly using joystick mode because that's what they are used to. There's no way a 1:1 track pad under the thumb won't in time surpasse a joystick for precise inputs.cmanderson - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - link
I couldn't watch the video for more than a minute. Motion sickness to the extreme.jebo - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - link
I pushed through the video, but I'm sorry I did. Something about focusing on the static controller frame while the game was moving in the background.Kepe - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - link
"Civilization V uses a similar setup, with the left track pad scrolling the map, the right pad is for the mouse cursor, and the triggers have been mapped to zoom in/out."The guy actually says he bound the bottom buttons to zoom in/out, not the triggers. He seems to be using a trigger on the right for mouse clicks.
JarredWalton - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - link
I think he says "bottom buttons", which I assumed meant the triggers. If you watch his hands, I didn't see anything happening with the top buttons, and I can't see exactly what he's doing to zoom.SleepyFE - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - link
I think there is a touch surface where your fingertips rest, so you kind of have eight buttons on the bottom.SleepyFE - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - link
Found these two pics that. Take a look:http://www.google.si/imgres?client=firefox-a&h...
http://www.google.si/imgres?client=firefox-a&h...
Sorry about not shortening the addres. Didn't want to scare you away with a "click here to get a virus" link.
JarredWalton - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - link
Still not sure which ones are being used in Civ5 for zooming -- either the front switches, or the underneath switches near the ring-finger/pinky area?Friendly0Fire - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - link
I'm pretty sure he meant the buttons underneath the controller, which I believe can be pressed with the index finger.Th-z - Sunday, October 13, 2013 - link
Yes, @2:06 he said the bottom buttons are bound to zoom.Th-z - Sunday, October 13, 2013 - link
Edited: Yes, underneath the controller. Traditionally on 360 controller the triggers are referred to as left and right trigger (LT & RT), and L1&2 and R1&2 for PS controller, not bottom buttons.FeelLicks - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - link
Controller looked terrible for Civ 5. All he did was scroll around, zoom in/out, and click on some stuff. I could play the game better with just a keyboard with NO mouse.I can't comment on the FPS games since I don't play FPS, but for a game like Civ 5 that makes very good use of keybindings (a lot of PC games basically), doesn't seem like the Valve controller is useful. The Valve controller is much closer to a console controller than to keyboard/mouse combo, which is what I expected.
althaz - Sunday, October 13, 2013 - link
It's obviously going to be far worse than a mouse and keyboard combination in terms of control for every type of game, but a keyboard and mouse isn't very comfortable to use on the couch - which is the point of the whole thing :).lyeoh - Monday, October 14, 2013 - link
What you need is to replace your couch with a decent hospital bed and accompanying adjustable tray that will let you use your keyboard and mouse. A suitable mattress will prevent bed sores from forming - excellent for those ultra gamers who are trying to unlock their "Mom, Bathroom!" achievement... ;)nafhan - Monday, October 14, 2013 - link
Right. Basically, "better than a traditional game controller" is what they're shooting for.Personally, hotseat Civ V in the living room using this controller sounds like fun to me. I'd probably avoid the really large maps with a ton of units, though (those tend to be less fun in multiplayer anyway due to turn length).
thewhat - Sunday, October 13, 2013 - link
It's unusable for competitive FPS, but that was expected.cmdrdredd - Sunday, October 13, 2013 - link
Which makes it pretty worthless to me on a PC because I already can use my PS3 or 360 controller.Tig3RStylus - Monday, October 14, 2013 - link
I really want to like this, but it doesnt seem any better than the Xbox 360 controller, if anything it looks like its more awkward to use. It certainly isnt anywhere close to good enough to replace KB/Mouse in games where that control method works best.