In a recent hardware announcement, Valve unveiled its latest iteration of the Steam Controller, which, at first glance, may not seem particularly groundbreaking. The design closely resembles that of its predecessor, which failed to make a significant impact in the gaming community. As a gamepad, it enters a crowded market filled with numerous alternatives, many of which boast superior features such as 1000 Hz polling rates, TMR sticks, and customizable paddle buttons. Some even come equipped with screens and RGB lighting, leading many to question the necessity of yet another gamepad.
However, the true value of the Steam Controller lies beyond its conventional appearance. After a year of using the Steam Deck, with its innovative trackpads, it becomes clear why Valve opted for these large circular trackpads in their original design. They transform a wide array of PC games, typically unplayable with a standard gamepad, into accessible experiences when a mouse and keyboard setup is impractical or undesirable. Imagine comfortably lounging on a couch, perhaps with a nostalgic title like Bad Mojo from 1996, and navigating the game with the Steam Controller. For those who have embraced this experience before, you might find yourself akin to the music aficionado who witnessed Hendrix perform at the Isle of Wight.
The essence of the trackpads is their ability to make various game genres, previously deemed unfriendly to gamepad users, much more approachable. For avid PC gamers who prefer not to be tethered to a desktop, this feature is nothing short of transformative.
There’s a reason the Steam Controller of 2025 looks a whole lot like the Steam Controller of 2015: It’s a good idea, but it didn’t have an obvious use case to justify it.
While PlayStation’s DualSense and DualShock 4 controllers also feature trackpads, their placement feels somewhat awkward and underutilized. These implementations serve more as novelty features rather than integral components of gameplay. This situation is reminiscent of the early days of the analog stick on the Nintendo 64 controller, where the potential was recognized, but the execution was still in its infancy. PlayStation learned from this and evolved its design, ultimately revolutionizing game control in the 21st century.
Despite the pioneering efforts of PlayStation and Nintendo in shaping modern gamepad design, their current use of technologies like trackpads and touchscreens appears somewhat rudimentary. Typically, the trackpad on PlayStation controllers is relegated to menu navigation or simple mini-games, while Nintendo’s touchscreen innovations have not pushed the envelope significantly. The way we interact with games is fundamental to the gaming experience, and without evolving input methods, the industry risks stagnation.
While the trackpad may not reach the revolutionary status of the analog stick, it certainly paves the way for new gaming experiences across diverse contexts. Although it may not be suitable for playing text adventures or complex strategy games, the nuanced control it offers could inspire the development of new game types or enhance existing ones. This could merge the precision of a mouse with the tactile enjoyment of analog sticks and microswitches, expanding the possibilities for gameplay.
Reflecting on the initial reception of the Steam Controller in 2015, Valve’s vision for a unique trackpad controller was met with skepticism. Fast forward to 2025, and Valve has not only refined the concept but also demonstrated its potential. The resemblance between the two versions of the Steam Controller is no coincidence; the idea remains sound, and the Steam Deck has provided the necessary context for its application. Valve is well-positioned to showcase this innovation, with titles like Half-Life 3 or Deadlock potentially leading the charge. True to its nature, Valve is likely to let users and developers shape the narrative around this new controller.
