After many months, Valve has finally revealed an image of their prototype for their latest iteration of the Steam Controller. This controller has had multiple changes made to it from it’s previous iteration. The Steam Controller now features a more traditional controller design. It still retains the dual touch pads, but has also added face buttons akin to those on the Xbox controller and a slightly nontraditional D-pad, which was absent from the previous iteration. Valve has removed the touch screen from the Steam Controller entirely, mostly to accommodate these changes, which may disappoint some gamers.
In September 2013, Valve officially announced Steam OS and the Steam Machines, but gamers also got their first look at a rather unusual Steam Controller. The controller was very unique, utilizing dual touch pads instead of joysticks and no conventional face buttons to speak of. However, the mixed reception for this controller’s unconventional design promoted Valve to go back to the drawing board to develop a new Steam Controller. This new Steam Controller will be on display for everyone to see at Valve’s booth at the Game Developers Conference next week in San Francisco. It’s likely more information regarding the Steam Controller and Steam Machines will be unveiled at GDC next week.