Valve - haptic game controller

[UFO]

Sorry if this has already been up - not seen a post for it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24304272

[BadMouth]

....so they're taking what sucks about playing games on a cell phone and bringing that to your living room?

The ffb sounds cool.

[Slippyblade]

Um, no.

D-pads are still around for a reason.  With a proper D-pad you KNOW when you are pressing up, or left, or whatever.  With "touchpads", you are never entirely certainif you are getting up or up-left...  that is until you character runs off a cliff.  Give me physical controls, none of this crap "virtual" or "haptic" nonsense.

[Fursphere]

....so they're taking what sucks about playing games on a cell phone and bringing that to your living room?

The ffb sounds cool.

No, this is what sucks about cell phone gaming...

http://img.gawkerassets.com/post/17/2012/10/aaron02.jpg

Your thumbs cover up ~25% of the screen!

[pyract]

This controller is clearly targeted for shooters... not us retro types.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I hear that iOS7 now has full support for third party controllers, that includes Logitech.

"Now that iOS 7 is allowing game controller accessories into the MFi program (the program that's used to create officially-certified accessories for iOS devices), at long last we can hope to see game controllers that will work with a wide variety of games, and not feel disposable."

Read more here:  http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31747_7-57589005-243/game-change-ios-7-welcoming-game-controllers-is-a-big-deal/

DeLuSioNaL29

[kiwasabi]

I want to try it since hearing a little more about how it works. I don't think a touch interface will ever replace a mouse, joystick, or button, but it's good to try and get as close as possible for devices that can't accommodate them. My impression is I think this tech is better used on phones and tablets.

http://kotaku.com/valves-controller-has-been-tested-here-are-some-impre-1415579308

[DHTech]

Agreed, touch pads suck for gaming, this is exactly what I hate about gaming on my iPad.

[keilmillerjr]

Agreed, touch pads suck for gaming, this is exactly what I hate about gaming on my iPad.

I love gaming on my iPad. Lot's of games are the type that I can play for a few minutes, and then not play it... similar to arcade games. Touch controls only work well when implemented well.

Real racing - in seat view, tilt to steer, gas and brake is touch on the screen inside cab (does not hinder view)
Maze or puzzle games work perfectly with touch based controls for obvious reasons
Worms works great

Other than poorly implemented controls, a game that requires too many controls like a 3d shooter are the only games that are awkward. As mentioned before, games that require virtual controls can suffer on the iphone due to screen space. The ipad is wonderful for games though.

[Cynicaster]

Agreed, touch pads suck for gaming, this is exactly what I hate about gaming on my iPad.

I love gaming on my iPad. Lot's of games are the type that I can play for a few minutes, and then not play it... similar to arcade games. Touch controls only work well when implemented well.

Real racing - in seat view, tilt to steer, gas and brake is touch on the screen inside cab (does not hinder view)
Maze or puzzle games work perfectly with touch based controls for obvious reasons
Worms works great

Other than poorly implemented controls, a game that requires too many controls like a 3d shooter are the only games that are awkward. As mentioned before, games that require virtual controls can suffer on the iphone due to screen space. The ipad is wonderful for games though.

I don't know, I've given up on touch-based mobile gadgets as gaming devices.  As a frequent business traveler and lover of pick-up-and-play games, I've tried to like them, but I just can't get into it.  Sure, puzzle games are fine, if you like puzzle games.  And games that are designed from the ground up with touch controls in mind can sometimes be OK (if your hands aren't always blocking the screen).  But even those mostly suck, IMO. 

Even if the control is just a “screen tap anywhere” to mimic a button press, well, the problem is that it’s still not a button press if I can’t feel the button.   

Don’t even get me started on games that were designed for joysticks or d-pads but are ported over to touch devices with “virtual d-pads”.  To treat classic games in this way—and to charge people money for them—is an utter disgrace to their legacy if you ask me.  Pac-Man, for instance, is meant to be played by moving a joystick, not by booger-flick gestures. 

And just look at what it’s doing to game design in general.  The touch interface is so limited and poorly suited for gaming that the games themselves are being dumbed down to compensate.  The “endless runner” garbage is a prime example: tap <wait> tap <wait> tap <wait> tap, tap <wait>.  I mean, being a MAME/arcade guy, obviously I appreciate and prefer “simple” games, but come on… Zoo Keeper and Asteroids are “simple”… Jetpack Joyride and Angry Birds are so basic that they're hardly even games at all, they're just trendy dogshit.