SteamOS Announced

[Lazybones]

http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamOS/

Thousands of games, millions of users. Everything you love about Steam.
Available soon as a free operating system designed for the TV and the living room.

[Melbosa]

Yeah saw that on IGN today as well.

[Mr. Analog]

And with almost 300 titles ported to Linux that's a pretty damn good launch

The next step is a dedicated console-like device

[Lazybones]

And with almost 300 titles ported to Linux that's a pretty damn good launch

The next step is a dedicated console-like device

This is apparently only one of three scheduled announcements this week from Valve.

[Mr. Analog]

Early predictions are a console and a network

Secretly hoping for HL3 though

[Darren Dirt]

Steam controller revealed:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57605010-93/goodbye-thumbsticks-valve-unveils-steam-controller-with-pc-like-trackpads/

Spoiler

[close]

[Mr. Analog]

It looks horrible to use.

I hope they make it so that SteamOS is compatible with any USB enabled controller (or keyboard+mouse)

Buttons, literally, for the win

[Tom]

It has 16 buttons. Plus high res track pads that will not only function as dpads and analog sticks, but also as mice like devices.

It seems to me like it'd be like a standard analog setup in some games, but with much finer control.

I don't think its something that can really be understood till its tried.

Personally, it looks like something I'd like to try. If it makes minecraft playable on a controller, then I'm all for it.

[Mr. Analog]

DISCLAIMER: I play a lot of action / fighting games

So the main problem I have with this is you can't actually feel the buttons... or see them, it would be akin to having a flat glass keyboard with no labelled keys, it kind of matters to know where your thumb is in relation to the buttons because a good portion of twitch gaming is simply reflex.

I can do a quarter circle forward + X in my sleep as much like I can type "the quick red fox jumped over the lazy brown dog" without looking

If there is no tactile feedback it's hard to figure out where you are without wasting time to look, it's like not knowing if you're on the home row thanks to the raised bumps on the f and j keys: "gnd ajk , fdc vo` mj ;dc l df gnd .z`h  fls  clb"

[Tom]

I agree, a pure flat control interface would be horrible for that. It doesn't appear to be flat and smooth though, its also high res. Then theres the haptics they claim are more advanced than current iterations and would make up for a lot of the feeling you're missing.

I really think its something that would need to be tried before completely written off.

[Mr. Analog]

The other thing I don't like about removing sticks in lieu of touch pads is I can tell the angle of the stick by touch (tension specifically) it's very important to know where you're at.

I'm sure some will like it but there is a reason why Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo controllers share so many design features (analog sticks, buttons, feedback)

[Tom]

I'm sure some will like it but there is a reason why Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo controllers share so many design features (analog sticks, buttons, feedback)

Lack of creativity? Fear of trying something new?

[Mr. Analog]

I'm sure some will like it but there is a reason why Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo controllers share so many design features (analog sticks, buttons, feedback)

Lack of creativity? Fear of trying something new?

Trust me it's evolutionary