Tbf I rarely want to watch videos and would prefer reading someone's notes on it.

For me, I want one with internal rechargeable (and replaceable) batteries, more reliable Bluetooth, and multi-device targeting (ie those 1,2,3 toggles you see on stuff like mouse/keyboards - I use mine on my Steam Deck and also on my desktop - dont want to mess with pairing each time. Plus if I end up with with a Switch 2, the trackpad would be interesting for mouse mode if those could connect (no idea)).

Tired waiting for what?

For Valve to release a controller to the level of Steam Deck engineering.

2 analog sticks, input layout parity with Steam Deck, USB-C I guess.
It also splits in half so you can use it more easily while cat sits in your lap.

You know you can just chuck rechargeable 2.4V AA batteries in there and it works perfectly, right?

You can get them secondhand, that's not the issue. What would be the point of making a Steam controller from Steam controller parts? We already have that.

Now do Half-life 3.

Absolutely. I want to skim the important parts at my own pace. Not dedicate multiple minutes of attention to a video.

Yes but

• it doesn't let me charge and play at the same time
• I could hot swap in and out batteries, but it doesn't report battery percentage
• It also doesn't auto-pause when the battery dies, like other systems do
• It runs through them quickly
• it acts finicky/unpredictable when the battery is very low, rather than reaching a consistent threshold and stopping working
• In combination with a bug/anti-feature I've posted about previously, my Steam Deck sees it as a new controller every time the batteries are replaced, despite the Bluetooth MAC/BDA not changing.

Steamed Controller.

The ROG Ally’s joy-cons are pretty much this except they lack a trackpad on the left controller.

Ideally the creator has their own accompanying written version...

Rechargeables get stuck and are waaaay harder to remove than regular because they're just a bit bigger. I have solved this with a loop of sticky tape around the batteries so I got a bit of a pull tab when using them. so it works....but not perfectly

The Deck's controls. The Steam Controller was a bit too drastic of a change for me. It's great for games not designed for a controller but having no D-pad and only a single analog stick is a deal breaker for most people who get a controller to play games designed for controllers.

Fair enough. I much prefer swapping them every few hours rather than using a wire, and I haven't had those identification problems you describe. Largely comes down to setup and usage profile it seems.

why are people hating on a builder who designed something that a large number of gamers want? This can possibly be the catalyst for valve do give us that sweet pus*-controller we all want. I know I do! I use both my steam deck as controllers and it's awesome. This video is inspiring

The original Steam Controller was great for games that didn't support gamepads... and came out within like a year of "hey, we can actually map CRPGs, grand strategies, and RTSes to gamepads pretty well apparently?"

The Steam Deck is awesome because it is a best of both worlds. Sticks for games that map to those and trackpads for navigating the OS/Steam and for games that don't map well to sticks. And a gamepad form of the Steam Deck would be awesome, if only for letting those of us with fewer brain cells to only learn one scheme for a game rather than two or three.

This... is not that. Mechanically it is there (and it is a good ad for pcbway or whatever) but the ergonomics are just complete trash. The Steam Deck itself has shockingly awesome ergonomics (and is a great isometric exercise because that thing is a brick) because it is like holding a large hardcover book. Shrink that down and you are just straining your wrists . It is why basically every gamepad has flared "wings" these days. It softens the angle of your wrist while you hold it.

Hopefully Valve will decide to release their Ibex soon. I do like that this is a split controller, but the ergonomics don't look great compared to the leaked Ibex image.