Valve has released its Steam Controller at a $100 price point, and the Engadget podcast dug into whether that number makes sense.
The discussion centers on what actually distinguishes this controller from a conventional PC gamepad. The Steam Controller features dual trackpads where you'd typically find analog sticks, haptic feedback, and a gyroscope for motion controls. It also supports extensive customization through Steam's configuration software, allowing users to remap virtually every button and create complex control schemes for different games.
Here's the thing: for $100, you're not just buying hardware — you're buying into a specific input philosophy that works best for certain game genres. Strategy games, flight simulators, and emulated console titles all benefit from the precision of trackpads. But if you just want something that feels like an Xbox controller, this isn't it.
That might be the point. Valve isn't positioning this as a replacement for a standard gamepad; it's an alternative input device for PC gamers who want more control flexibility. Whether that's worth the premium over a $60 controller depends entirely on what you're playing.