Valve has redesigned Steam Controller to a more traditional layout.
More specifically, the company did away with the clickable touch screen and replaced it with stop/play buttons akin to the traditional select and start buttons. The company also added directional buttons and rearranged the action buttons to a more traditional diamond layout similar to that of the Xbox controller.
"The latest version refines ergonomic aspects of the Controller by adding two diamond-patterned button layouts in the area previously designated for a touch screen display," explained Valve. "These analog buttons are offered in addition to the touch pads featured in the original prototypes."
This new layout should make it easier to play console ports and games that support Xbox 360 gamepad. The directional pad would also make the keyboard emulation mode less cumbersome when playing legacy games with no gamepad support.
A Steam Controller is bundled with each Steam Machine released by Valve's hardware partners and it will also be sold separately. The latest prototype of the controller will be showcased by Valve at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) next week.
