Based on the description on their site, the controller includes a built-in battery: "8.39 Wh Li-ion battery, 35+ hours of gameplay… "
That was disappointing for me. Specially condidering the Steam Frame’s controllers make use of AA batteries: “One replaceable AA battery per controller, 40hr battery life”
AA Batteries might not be as convenient to use, but being able to replace them is a great advantage. All my Xbox360 controllers still work fine, but none of my PS3’ Dualshock 3s.
The official docking station could be used to recharge (rechargables) AA batteries so the functionality could remain the same.
You do if you want it to connect to the thing you’re playing on.
Unless you’re ok with a shitty Bluetooth connection. But I’m guessing few people comparatively are using that, at least as their primary use case.
You can’t tell me playing with a Bluetooth controller doesn’t actually hurt you. The constant latency is excruciating.
Then again, I use it for mostly real time- based games.
If you’re playing something like Balatro it probably doesn’t matter. But for almost everything else it sure does.
A couple of things, first no, I don’t feel the latency of a Bluetooth controller. But also the steam controller will be able to pair to multiple devices, in one of the interviews one of the engineers said “The steam Machine has its own antena, but each controller comes with its own puck, we expect the common use case to be to plug that to your PC and use the steam controller in both devices”
I have to say, this situation has improved enough that I’ve had no problem using BT controller connection.
We’re talking about games like Elden Ring, Enter the Gungeon, MGS:Snake Eater Delta… and reaction time definitely matters for those games. One controller even came with a 2.4ghz 1000hz dongle, and it seems the new controller will probably have an option like that if the GabeGear has the hardware built into it: “Steam Controller’s wireless adapter is built right into Steam Machine for direct pairing.”
I realize that. But that’s just for that machine, but I’m speaking for arbitrary devices.
The protocol hasn’t gotten faster in the last few years that I know of.
I’ve used several with different devices, but most of my direct comparison experience is with an Xbox series X controller paired to the Deck via BT and by dongle, and it’s very noticeably more laggy with Bluetooth. I’ve only occasionally tried others, but every Bluetooth-connected controller I’ve ever used definitely has a noticeable delay.
But the controller comes with the high speed wireless puck. That puck works on anything. I don’t see the problem.