Renewing the case for KB/M and controller hot swap: the new Steam controller
I firmly believe that the Steam Deck have the most comprehensive and superior combination of inputs in any system or controller thanks in part to Steam Input (the gold standard of input software, imo).
Whether it’s the back buttons (now standard), or the trackpads (previously often jokes about, but not anymore), to the depth of possible customizations (e.g., custom virtual wheels or bars, double press/long press actions, etc.). The combination of physical inputs and Steam Input creates scenarios I used to dream about.
However, it was always locked behind an aging hardware, so I never felt I could apply the experience to demanding games, unless I subscribed to streaming services like GFN that require stable connections (mine is a hit or miss).
But with the new Steam Controller, they finally freed the inputs from the aging hardware. All of a sudden I’m excited for how I’m going to engage demanding games. And the only game I’m DYING to use this new found freedom with is POE2.
I want to use the trackpad to help me organize my inventory without reaching for a physical mouse, I want use the second trackpad to create a virtual hotbar for all kinds of keyboard shortcuts, I want to mouse over a gazzilion things for easy access to context, and most importantly, I dream of using the convenience of a controller with the infinitely more accurate mouse aiming for all kinds of skills.
So, while I understand how priorioritization works, I hope we don’t have to wait for 1.XX until we get it. They’ve been saying for a while that “it’s almost there, we just have to prioritize.” So I can be patient until 1.0 for the feature, but I wouldn’t turn down a surprise drop in any of the mini-leagues they’re planning between now and 1.0, especially if it’s truly “almost there.”
What do you all think? Is the progress and evolution of controller’s hardware input (e.g., mouse functionality) or built in mapping software enough to add more fuel to the fire?