First of all, this is just a post reviewing the steam controller, not if the steam controller is better than any other input method, I like controllers, if you don't, that's cool, Joysticks are great as well, to each their own. Also, if you're not familiar with using a controller for E D, this post may be confusing.
So I just received my Steam controller, and after a couple of hours fumbling around I have come to the conclusion that it is a piece of...Incredible Hardware! and yes, for Elite: Dangerous as well, it functions AMAZINGLY!
My first impressions, I must say, were awkward and confusing, the default setup for the controller is clunky and uncomfortable, and doesn't make use of the controller as it should. For anyone unfamiliar with the controller, here's a pic.
In the default setup the D-pad is used as, well, a D-pad, and the left joystick as the left joystick,(Notice on the steam controller these are swapped from the standard x-box setup, that's what makes it uncomfortable for me). The right touchpad acts as the right Joystick, but is also swapped from the x-box controller with the usual ABXY button placement, a little strange to get used to, but I like it better already. This setup does work using the advanced controller setting, and maybe isn't even all that bad a of setup if you get use to it, but my real revelation and love for this controller came when I realized that I could use the big D-pad as the left joystick (because it's actually another touchpad!) and the left joystick as the D-pad.
All of the sudden this worked so much better and actually feels really cool, and kind of futuristic. I now steer my ship with two touchpads, left for roll and pitch, right for yaw and vertical, click left touchpad for boost. The left joystick as the power distributor works like a charm, no click necessary, just push in the desired direction.
All the button combos in the advanced controller setup, for example, "B+D-pad down" to activate FSD also work using the left joystick as the D-pad, so that "B+Joystick Down" will activate FSD, "X+Joystick Down" for landing gear etc.
It was incredibly easy to do, and works instantly with the “advanced controller” preset in E D. My binding is called “Badben's Elite: Dangerous Binding” if you want to try it out.
All in all, I think this is my favorite controller ever, and it's all because of the amazing customizability built in. It was so easy to make the controller work the way I wanted it to. If you are a controller fan, I definitely recommend this controller for Elite: Dangerous.
So I just received my Steam controller, and after a couple of hours fumbling around I have come to the conclusion that it is a piece of...Incredible Hardware! and yes, for Elite: Dangerous as well, it functions AMAZINGLY!
My first impressions, I must say, were awkward and confusing, the default setup for the controller is clunky and uncomfortable, and doesn't make use of the controller as it should. For anyone unfamiliar with the controller, here's a pic.
In the default setup the D-pad is used as, well, a D-pad, and the left joystick as the left joystick,(Notice on the steam controller these are swapped from the standard x-box setup, that's what makes it uncomfortable for me). The right touchpad acts as the right Joystick, but is also swapped from the x-box controller with the usual ABXY button placement, a little strange to get used to, but I like it better already. This setup does work using the advanced controller setting, and maybe isn't even all that bad a of setup if you get use to it, but my real revelation and love for this controller came when I realized that I could use the big D-pad as the left joystick (because it's actually another touchpad!) and the left joystick as the D-pad.
All of the sudden this worked so much better and actually feels really cool, and kind of futuristic. I now steer my ship with two touchpads, left for roll and pitch, right for yaw and vertical, click left touchpad for boost. The left joystick as the power distributor works like a charm, no click necessary, just push in the desired direction.
All the button combos in the advanced controller setup, for example, "B+D-pad down" to activate FSD also work using the left joystick as the D-pad, so that "B+Joystick Down" will activate FSD, "X+Joystick Down" for landing gear etc.
It was incredibly easy to do, and works instantly with the “advanced controller” preset in E D. My binding is called “Badben's Elite: Dangerous Binding” if you want to try it out.
All in all, I think this is my favorite controller ever, and it's all because of the amazing customizability built in. It was so easy to make the controller work the way I wanted it to. If you are a controller fan, I definitely recommend this controller for Elite: Dangerous.
