The third and final "livingroom" announcement from Valve is official and it is a controller. Steam Controller features two trackpads (with haptics), a touchscreen, and your traditional four face buttons (albeit, split into pairs just inside of the trackpads, and triggers.
The prototype Steam Controller will accompany the 300 beta Steam Machines that are to be sent out later this year to select beta testers, and the actual Steam Controller will arrive next year. Valve are looking for input on everything from design to engineering, so don't stare yourself blind at those two googly eyed trackpads as the actual Steam Controller may look different when it arrives in shops.
While it is hard to imagine playing some games with the face buttons split up on either side like that, it is clear that the Steam Controller has benefits. The haptics will allow for new ideas, and as the Controller will simulate mouse and keyboard input all games on Steam will be playable from the comfort of your couch.
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