How Many Controllers Can Connect To Steam Link

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The Steam Controller is perfect for Bomberman.

The awarding programming interface (API) — which enables the Steam Controller to talk to the computer — supports xvi simultaneous connections. That means one game could have 16 people all playing at the same time on one machine.

Valve is holding its Steam Dev Days briefing in Seattle today and tomorrow, and the visitor is working with developers and publishers to help brand them better aware of some of the company's newest products. That includes the Linux-based SteamOS operating organisation, the console-like Steam Machine PCs, and the new Steam Controller input devices.

Ane attendee reported that the room of developers erupted into applause when they found that they could have 16 controllers working with 1 game. We could see developers do some wild stuff with this functionality, or maybe nosotros'll get a new Bomberman game without having to purchase the add-on that enables you to plug in 8 Super Nintendo controllers at once.

For comparison, Xbox One supports viii controllers (and 16 SmartGlass-continued tablets). PlayStation 4 only supports four controllers.

A 3D-printed prototype of the latest Steam Controller design.

Above: A 3D-printed epitome of the latest Steam Controller blueprint.

Image Credit: Sergey Galyonkin on Instagram

Valve as well revealed a new version of the controller. It no longer has a center touchscreen, and the designers moved the buttons into a more familiar configuration. The interface device still has the concave touchpads on each side instead of analog sticks, just at present information technology also has buttons arranged in a cross formation similar to the directional and face up buttons of a DualShock or Xbox joystick.

We've reached out to Valve to ask why information technology is making these changes. We'll update this post with whatever new information.

The Steam Controller's creators are also taking virtual reality — things like Oculus VR's caput-mounted 3D display — into account for the gamepad's layout. They want to make the device work with mouse and keyboard-driven games, but they always desire to make something that is a scrap future-proof. On that front, the stick does not read biometric information from the player. That ways information technology won't pay attending to your heart rate or body temperature, which is something that Valve has talked well-nigh doing in the past. Valve thinks that info is of import for interactive gaming, but it points out that easily are not a not bad identify to become that data.

Finally, the concluding version of the device volition use AA batters. Gamers can buy it from Steam or at major retailers. Valve will also likely make more changes to the Steam Controller equally it continues testing information technology.

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