Fighting games are best played with a joystick in my opinion. No matter how you design a gamepad, I don't think it will ever surpass a joystick for fighting games, so it's probably best to not even try.

This controller looks like it could work very well for some games, and very poorly for others. Any game that typically focuses on mouse and keyboard input should be good for this controller (assuming the track pads work as well as Valve says they do), while an action-heavy game that requires ABXY button combos probably won't. First person shooters will probably be fine with this controller, but I wonder if a mouse and keyboard would still be the better way to go; time will tell I suppose.

Overall, this doesn't really help win me over to the Steam Machines. The games that this controller is best for are games that I haven't really been interested in anyway.

I think that is part of my reaction. I am stumped at what the controller is for.  Is it just FPS or RTS?  Other stuff make little sense to me at all.

The Wii U's controller makes a LOT more sense than the Steam Machine controller to me.

Seeing that, I am thinking it can be the case of market evolutionary development, which is what current controllers have, vs developing something in a lap, and thinking you know better.

And note, I am not busting on the thumb controller side, but other people might.  That may actually work better, eventhough I also have reservations about it.

Well, I think I did see one pic, where the central screen was covere and there were 4 plastic overlays on top, so maybe it lends to a more traditional controller config that way.

I absolutely love it. Cannot stop clapping.

Finally the 2 analog controller method that got inspired on the N64 in the mid 90's is getting a revamp. I absolutely hate thaose controllers for FPS gaming and this seems to be just perfect for it.

You're not interested in FPS games and you are an Xbox fan? Colour me surprised honestly

still not as ballsy as the Wii

Not trying to send that message, I'm fine with FPS games (though the only one I really play is Halo).  My point is that if you're playing an FPS on a Steam Machine, the mouse and keyboard may still be a better option than the Steam Controller.

I seriously don't know which audience they try to get with this design? Of course it's an option but PC gamers won't use it, casuals? I don't see them using this over analog sticks or motion controls. It's too radical and unnatural for them. And console gamers will still prefer their favourite controller from the big 3. 

I'm honestly curious what specifically makes the controller unsuitable for certian types of games. In terms of games I've personally played (which I'll admit may be somewhat limited) I don't forsee any complications.

Could you explain that to me?

Looks a bit weird, but it'll be amazing if it works (well) for games that do not have native joy-pad controller support. Would be awesome for legacy games in my Steam library as well as other modern titles that only use KB+M.