Steam, Android Box TV, and controllers.
Steam, Android Box TV, and controllers.
Steam, I browsed bestbuy.ca from my desktop to purchase some budget games on disc and had them shipped. I realized they were all downloads and saw Steam listed. I’ve heard of it before, but I didn’t really care since people still bought game discs. I checked YouTube for a brief overview and downloaded the guide. I spent a few dollars on five games priced between $0.50 and $10, played them, and I liked them. I dug deeper and plan to upgrade my setup by partitioning my HD for a dual-boot with Linux-based SteamOS. Regarding controllers, I read that the standard model has a clunky design, cheap buttons, and an imprecise trackpad mouse, costing around $50. Compatible options include the Xbox One, Xbox 360 wired or wireless, and the Logitech Gamepad F170. I’m curious which controller most gamers prefer for Steam. How do people typically enjoy Steam? Other services I found during a quick search were Direct2Drive, GamersGate, Amazon, GameStop Impulse, itch.io (GOG.com), Green Man Gaming, Desura, Humble, and Indie Game Stand. I’m wondering if any of these match Steam’s offerings. I’m leaning toward cheaper indie titles and occasional expensive games. Now I need to figure out how to connect my basement office to the basement TV room for streaming Steam. Next up is the NVIDIA Android Box. It seems I might actually need to buy a controller, but I’m wondering if there are compatible or modified ones available.
Steam is the top spot for purchasing and managing PC games. It can be slow at times, but usually it works well. I prefer the Steam controller, though I found one on sale for $30 and believe that’s its value—don’t buy it at full price. Many users opt for Xbox 360 or One controllers, but it really depends on your preferences and what you already own, like a PS4.
That's what you heard about the Steam Controller? ... That really does bug me. Here's a bit of a rant: Spoiler The Steam Controller is a fantastic device, the issue is that most people confuse preference for objective assessment. It's very different when compared to M/KB as well as any major gamepad, so nobody can be used to it the first time they pick it up. They expect to be used to it anyway, though, so it feels awkward and clunky, and they say that's just how the controller is. Sure, there are obviously people who dislike it for perfectly legitimate reasons, but the vast majority of people just don't like it because it's different. As for build quality, it's not cheaply made at all. It only feels cheap when you compare it to the ultra-premium $150 Xbone Elite controller, which people often do for some reason. The Steam Controller has high and low points, but honestly, there are only a handful of reviews out there that spend enough time with it to tell you what those are. Rant aside, here's my recommendation: Spoiler The Steam Controller is easily the most versatile and configurable gamepad available, and the trackpads come very close to the precision of a mouse, but you'll have to get used to it, you'll need to do a bit more fiddling with it than you would with an Xbox controller, and it doesn't support rechargeable batteries. (You can use rechargeable batteries, but you have to take them out to charge them.) Control interfaces are ultimately an opinion-based matter, so there's no way to guarantee you'll like it, but if that sounds good to you then you should try it out. Both of those are spoilered because I've talked about the Steam Controller a lot on this forum and I'm aware I'm starting to sound like a broken record. Anyway... Steam is pretty much the standard of PC game clients, everyone usually agrees it's the best and it's certainly the most well-established. Some people prefer GOG because of Steam's DRM, and some companies made their own game clients because they either want more money or don't like Valve (Origin and Uplay, for instance), but nothing is really as ubiquitous as Steam. There's a reason Gabe Newell is so legendary. You said you usually play cheap Indie games, which is good, because Steam is famous for hosting Indie games. They're also famous for their summer sales, which... Yeah. Might I ask, why are you thinking about installing SteamOS?
How do I transfer everything to my new computer arriving tomorrow? I’ve re-downloaded Steam and kept my purchased games on the server, but now I need to re-download them locally. What is Uplay? It’s an alternative way to access games on my desktop.