I am a sucker for a DIY challenge, so this home made Steam Deck controller is true up my alley. Utilizing some spare components, a 3D printer, and loads of affected person trial and error, a {hardware} modder has put collectively his personal tackle a Steam Controller 2, full with trackpads and a chassis that splits into two components, taking inspiration straight from Nintendo within the course of.
It has been some time since recent Steam Controller 2 rumors gave any trace of an official new recreation controller from Valve, leaving modders like this one to take issues into their very own fingers. This controller shares quite a few options you’d see within the Steam Deck, with the joysticks, d-pads, and trackpads all positioned in a really related format to what you’d discover in the perfect handheld on the market proper now.
In line with designer TommyB in his construct video, the inspiration for the DIY Steam Controller 2 got here from a scarcity of comparable controllers for PC players for individuals who do not personal a Deck themselves. Nonetheless, that is clearly a labor of affection, as a result of regardless of using “off the shelf components,” it is a challenge {that a} informal builder would possibly wrestle to place collectively themselves.
The construct course of started with the trackpads, utilizing a specialist capacitive contact controller to assist emulate the trackpads discovered on the Steam Deck. Nonetheless, a customized PCB was wanted to get it to work as supposed, together with firmware to get the job achieved, all of which TommyB has fortunately shared in his challenge’s GitHub repository for others to check out themselves.
The remainder of the components are extra easy to place collectively, slicing down a third-party Steam Deck shell (with some assist from Valve’s personal 3D mannequin as a information) to create the left and proper sides. The 2 sections are introduced collectively utilizing a 3D printed center part, though either side may be separated, appearing lots like Joycons on a Nintendo Change.
Different elements, just like the joysticks and d-pads, are extra simply fitted collectively, with TommyB utilizing iFixIt teardown movies for the Steam Deck in reverse to assist as a information, with some minor modifications to suit the customized case sections collectively.
The tip result’s a usable recreation controller that appears lots like a mini Steam Deck controller, due to sharing lots of its core elements. Whereas TommyB nonetheless has some enhancements he’d prefer to implement, together with haptic controls, that is already a really cool challenge for a very devoted PC gamer to check out.
In case you’re adept with a soldering iron and fancy throwing collectively your DIY Steam controller when you look ahead to Valve to launch its personal, this might be a challenge to duplicate. Most players, nevertheless, are in all probability going to need to maintain out for the actual deal – if Valve ever proclaims it, that’s.
All is quiet on that entrance for now, however within the meantime, you’ll be able to all the time try our greatest PC controller information should you’re seeking to ditch the keyboard and mouse throughout your gameplay classes. It’s also possible to try our Steam Deck OLED assessment to see why so many players have opted for handheld gaming lately, utilizing a built-in controller setup that’s similar to TommyB’s efforts right here.
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