Can someone explain to me WTF is the Steam Machine controller?

[Mythmaker1]

richardhutnik said:

Th3PANO said:

iamdeath said:
Only valve has the balls to try some innovation like this. Not sure how it will work, but it could be brilliant, or fail. I wouldn't count valve out. Typical people judging too quickly.

Sorry, but why would a console company make a controller like this? Racing games, platformers, fighting games, adventure games and rpg's don't get anything from such a design. It's MAYBE good for FPS and RTS but then, mouse and keyboard are still better.

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'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?