Like you said, these are Steam Deck prototypes, not the controller. They made a cheap controller with the same potential profile of the Deck without the screen because it’s cheaper. It was to iterate on the Deck quickly and cheaply. They’d never release a controller like that. They do the same thing for all their products.
Regardless of why it came into existence, it would be a better Steam Controller successor in every way except that it is ugly; Never say never dude… 😜
I seriously doubt they would maintain the current Steam Controller profile, but I wouldn’t say it’s impossible.
I’d be perfectly happy if they did just refresh the original Steam Controller, but I doubt they will. I think it sold poorly enough to the point where the second iteration has to be a slam dunk – and what better way to ensure that than to base it on the ever popular Steam Deck.
I would bet on the same hand grip bits and a similar set of back buttons. The touch pads will be revamped and it’ll probably force the shape to change a lot.
I think the controllers sold relatively well though. Just not Steam Deck well. I know a good number of people who own at least one.
Like you said, these are Steam Deck prototypes, not the controller. They made a cheap controller with the same potential profile of the Deck without the screen because it’s cheaper. It was to iterate on the Deck quickly and cheaply. They’d never release a controller like that. They do the same thing for all their products.
They already tried a ton of designs for the Steam Controller to figure out the ergonomics of that. They’ll likely iterate some more with Version 2, but it’s likely to follow the controller design, not the deck design. It has very different considerations since it doesn’t need to contain a screen.
Regardless of why it came into existence, it would be a better Steam Controller successor in every way except that it is ugly; Never say never dude… 😜
I seriously doubt they would maintain the current Steam Controller profile, but I wouldn’t say it’s impossible.
I’d be perfectly happy if they did just refresh the original Steam Controller, but I doubt they will. I think it sold poorly enough to the point where the second iteration has to be a slam dunk – and what better way to ensure that than to base it on the ever popular Steam Deck.
I would bet on the same hand grip bits and a similar set of back buttons. The touch pads will be revamped and it’ll probably force the shape to change a lot.
I think the controllers sold relatively well though. Just not Steam Deck well. I know a good number of people who own at least one.