Home Gaming Valve is working on some impressive new Vive controllers already

Valve is working on some impressive new Vive controllers already

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Valve working on new Vive controllers

Valve’s HTC Vive might be the most expensive of the current three VR headsets on the market right now, but it’s also the most accomplished. The room scale solution coupled with some truly outstanding motion controllers makes Valve’s VR environment a high benchmark to aim for, but they’re not resting on their hands. At the opening for Steam Dev Days yesterday, Valve revealed that they’re already iterating on the Vive, which includes some fancy new controllers.

If you’ve ever used the Vive, you’ll know about its biggest caveat. Using the controllers can sometimes be unnatural, with object grabbing mapped to a single trigger on the back of the device. It makes sense, but it’s still not the same as actively opening your palm and grabbing the object like you would in real life. It’s also the part of the Vive’s ecosystem that Valve is taking direct aim at, with their new controllers almost suspended on your hand.

The straps allow you to freely move your hand without actually having to grasp the controller, which in turn allows you to use natural grabbing motions that the controller can then register. It also addresses the size of the Vive controllers, which seem excessive when compared to Oculus’ more refined Touch ones. It’s safe to assume that these new controllers will also contain the beacons needed to be tracked by the Lighthouse sensors the Vive uses, but there also seem to be some new LEDs on the controller itself for some unknown purpose.

There’s no word yet on when these could be out on the market, or if the final product will even resemble them. Valve likes to almost openly develop their hardware, gathering feedback from developers and public alike as they mould their products. It’s clear what their idea is here though, and I like it. If Valve manages to truly make a controller that feels like I’m picking up something, the Vive just became even more enticing.

Last Updated: October 13, 2016

12 Comments

  1. Ottokie

    October 13, 2016 at 09:03

    Vive seems to surpass the oculus in every category at the moment.

    Reply

    • Archdruid Kromas

      October 13, 2016 at 09:47

      Nope. Rift is way more confortable. Still don’t buy the Rift.

      Reply

  2. Original Heretic

    October 13, 2016 at 09:10

    Those look amazing.

    Next they’ll be incorporating the multi-directional treadmill. When that happens, I’m selling my soul and getting the hardware I need to be able to join the VR community.

    Waaaaait…. Do I still have a soul? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/06cc3c5d566b31d6a1805909f1b2919d0b2e2bbf55794d2b6de58b02a8134fa7.jpg

    Reply

    • Ottokie

      October 13, 2016 at 09:17

      We sold our souls for steam sales a very long time ago xD

      Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      October 13, 2016 at 09:24

      Bugger the treadmill. I want nodes on my brain that wil simulate gunshots, stabbings and so on. #LiveTheGame

      Reply

      • Original Heretic

        October 13, 2016 at 09:32

        Dunno about the brain hacking, but I know a few years ago there was a vest that was developed which did simulate gunshots, explosions, etc.
        It was actually developed by a doctor who used to do work in prisons. He couldn’t always get to the prison to diagnose patients, so he made this vest that the prison patient would put on. Then digitally, he could diagnose them, applying pressure in certain areas, asking that all important doctor question. “Does this hurt?”
        Developers then took it one step further and adapted it for gaming.

        This was a good 5 or 6 years ago (at least), so it MUST be available by now.

        Reply

        • Dutch Matrix

          October 13, 2016 at 09:41

          And this did not make it into mainstream gaming??? You have failed me, world!!!

          Reply

          • Original Heretic

            October 13, 2016 at 09:58

            Rather surprised as well. It was one some tech show. The presenter, when he tested it, was quite blown away by it. I thought for sure it would be commercially available by now.

  3. Alien Emperor Trevor

    October 13, 2016 at 09:38

    I’m looking forward to the annualised VR hardware cycle.

    Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      October 13, 2016 at 09:42

      Call of… I’ve got nothing.

      Reply

  4. Pieter Kruger

    October 13, 2016 at 09:49

    Vive definately seems to be the best VR option out there! Will have to save up for that if VR takes off, after I saved for a 4K TV……..and Scorpio………and new PC……

    Reply

  5. PC_Principal

    October 15, 2016 at 08:20

    I think they’re wasting their time with motion controls entirely. I’d focus on making the headset wireless, accessible, easy to develop for and most of all cheaper. These controllers won’t do a damn thing to make VR an actual viable platform.

    Reply

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