The charm of Bob is that he's guilty of this on multiple accounts, lol. Though he usually looks into it deeper when people comment on it and is open to changing his opinion.
Reminds me of that time that he got the HORI split pad pro and cut off the protruding plastics at the back (that are there so that the weight of the switch sits on those instead of the weight being on the joy con rails) as he called them "useless". he didn't even know what they were for, and after removing them, immediately puts pressure on the screen which then PERMANENTLY DAMAGES his joy con rails, without having any idea 😭😭 dont get me wrong, love his videos but he is surprisingly misinformed on tech for being a tech/gaming youtuber
He’s got an air of pretentiousness about him. The type to make you feel wrong for mispronouncing something. Also definitely thinks ipas are the best and anything else is piss
Couldn't disagree more. I get that this channel is heavily focused on emulation and your perspective is filtered through that, but what people have to remember is this device is designed first and foremost to replace a gaming computer in a handheld format. Having an input that acts as a mouse is incredibly useful for so many games that just weren't designed with these or any controllers in mind
And the argument that that's what the touchscreen is for falls flat on your face unless you're really good at holding that slab on a couch/bed scenario. Not having to change grip is a huge deal at this form factor/weight.
There's just one thing about your statement I'm not on board with. The Steam Deck wasn't made to replace the gaming PC. It thrives most in accompanying a PC. The ease of taking your games with you and how robust cloud saves are, makes it so the games you're already playing are just easier to pick up and play more often. Streaming games from your PC is really handy too, especially if you have a 4K TV (hopefully *also* with support for HDR soon as well, or maybe it's already there in an update but idk)
@@Hush.ElementzIt definitely does a great job accompanying a PC too, but it is genuinely also a PC replacement for a number of people, myself included. It really depends on what kind of ways you use a PC to begin with, and how high-end your PC is. If you already have a high-end PC, the Steam Deck certainly can't replace it, but it makes a good companion! As for my home PC, the Deck basically matches it under most circumstances, so it may as well be a much more versatile replacement.
The reason I bought the steam deck was for the track pads. It makes playing some of my favorite games possible on the go. Some examples are fantastic Contraption, Polly bridge, And be castled
the pads are also useful as a mouse substitute in games that use the mouse heavily. I usually set my right pad to work like a laptop trackpad and then set spinning gestures on my left one to the scroll wheel
This. The trackpads enable the deck to play loads of mouse-based genres like RTS and point-and-click adventures comfortably, but they have many different uses (dependent on the users creativity). The haptics in the trackpads play the startup sound when you power up the device.
@@pistolao_vrjust for symmetry, lol. Nah, I think it's to cater for both, left/right handed people, it's probably small enough, cheap enough to include 2 anyway.
honestly the tackpads are what make the steam deck the steam deck, without them its just another handheld gaming thingy that can run your steam library
@NiikoTsuVT Try touching the top edge of your phone screen when you're holding at the bottom, without uncomfortably stretching or shifting your hand...
Trackpads are a godsend for lots of pc games when a mouse isnt an option. That said I havent tried the steam deck but I have used the steam controller a lot.
As someone who has used the steam deck a bunch, those trackpads are incredibly useful. Point and click adventure games and many simulation games basically require it. Using desktop mode or using an Internet browser is tedious without them.
in nearly if not literally every single scenario where you would need to use a mouse for a game, the touch screen is a godsend for the games, not the track pad.
I use the touch feature on the trackpad as a button. So helpful when you're playing rpg without having to worry about wearing out your ABXY button or any button you need to press repeatedly.
The track pads on the steam deck are amazing. Not just for the little extras they provide like short cuts. But for games that use mouse and keyboard the track pads are great at emulating mouse movement.
Dude, Moist Critical didn’t understand why people were interested in the Steam Deck when it was announced because “iPad’s exist”. He can be entertaining, but the guy’s a moron.
Hands down the most useful feature of the track pads is the ability to map a custom radial menu to them. With one of those set up, literally any keyboard-heavy game can have all its most useful shortcuts a flick away. I've played through Baldur's Gate 1 with all the party screens (map, character, inventory, etc.) bound to a radial menu and it makes the experience so much more intuitive.
@@solenya4137 The analogy would be stupid in case of being handed broken tools. Since whoever he replied to never mentioned broken tools, it’s irrelevant to mention that. Nothing wrong with the analogy unless u change the context of the analogy.
For me the trackpads on the deck are absolutely invaluable, for any game where the usual controller controls aren't quite cutting it the trackpads swoop in and save the day. I find them especially useful when playing Minecraft with mods, since I can map whatever auxiliary function to them that would normally be a keyboard button, i.e. minimap. And the right trackpad is how I play all FPS games, having that mouse-like input is incredibly important
@@MaoRatto these mispellings are actually bait for comments correcting them, it's on purpose. Comments = engagement and engagement makes the youtube algorithm push the video harder
I use it a scroll wheel for games to switch weapons or navigation. It has the option to register swipes and I find it pretty handy for managing inventory
So far. my favorite use for them is for Final Fantasy XIV. I play the game with the gamepad inputs but using the trackpads as a mouse & mouse buttons (mostly for menus and using the map) is awesome.
The trackpads i find are extremely useful in a bunch of scenarios, heres some ive found, in order of how often i encounter them 1) mouse: nearly every PC centric game i play on my deck requires a mouse, specially older games without controller support, the trackpad is a great mouse alternative for management and strategy games 2) virtual menus: these work great with older, slower games with a bunch of hotkeys, put em in a virtual menu and they work great most of the time 3) directional swipe: i use this mostly for old shooters with 10 weapons, the directional swipe gives you 5 inputs (4 directions plus click) paired with a mode switch button, you have all 10 weapons available at all times, and its quicker than a virtual menu 4) mouse region: theres very few scenarios where you want to keep the mouse captive in one part of the screen, but this function was absolutely CRUCIAL for Legend of Grimrock 2, would not have beaten the game without it, specially on hard 5) dpad: i prefer swipes but if i only need 4 or 2 extra hotkeys, then i go for dpad, very few cases where i need this, but it does happen
Uses for trackpads include, but not limited to: -Touch menus --Useful for profile switching, specific keyboard commands, inventory management, macros, multi-inputs, etc -Radial menu (see above) -D-Pad -Analog Stick (more sensitive than the actual stick) -Mouse --The touch screen does work, but it isn't always reliable, especially with big fingers. --Especially useful for aiming in shooters, but that is an acquired taste. Best used in conjunction with gyro, or alternatively: right stick w/ gyro. -Mouse that emulates the right-stick (for games that won't let you use gamepad and Mouse together) -Keyboard input (preference) Basically, it tries to cover every possible scenario, just short of hooking up a keyboard and mouse.
He showed in the footage another great use for the trackpad he didn't say out loud, virtual menus. Basically, you can add your own radial menus with it or make it a whole grid of buttons. On retroarch, i use the right trackpad to have my savestate related buttons available, but not on the back grips that i might press accidentally sometimes. (Also, putting jump on the back grips can be a godsend for games where i might want to use both thumbsticks and be able to jump at the same time)
I also use the trackpads for hotkeys in a lot of games. For example the Worms series may have console ports but the PC versions have quick select item buttons for the Function keys on a keyboard, and you can map all of those to your trackpads. They're flexible in a way that adheres perfectly to PC gaming
I use these trackpads for mouse input. Shooters and RPGs just play better when I have a touchpad mouse vs having to deal with slow and clunky analog input alone. The trackpads were actually a selling point for me!
Steam deck trackpads work as a mouse replacement, scroll wheel replacement, can be used to pick commands from an on screen menu. They're essential for a device that is mean to place computer games that are primarily designed for mouse and keyboard.
I came from the Steam Controller so was so stoked to see 2 of these. I use the right one in FPS and they're the best. With flick on you can do real quick movements and adjustments. Add in the gyro (on iron sight button) for headshots and bam. Love it.
Track pad works amazing for chiaki BTW. It fully replaces a ps5 controller, it also has amazing usability in emulation, as someone who doesn't have a dock or anything it also makes the deck fairly usable in desktop mode, it also allows for use of macros in all steam games, all configurable from steam's interface and you can download other people's macros, I love the steam deck's track pads and I wish all handheld pcs had them
I've been playing Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the track pad feels so perfectly used. Basically using it as an analogy stick that controls a mouse, except much more reliable. Not sure how to explain it, but it's like second nature to just quickly thumb over to the item I want to click on, then using the triggers for clicking. I had considered looking for a mod to get the console setup for the controller, but honestly, I find the track pad so comfortable to use, I wouldn't want to restrict myself by loosing the ability to mouse over anything. I've even used it for MMOs. Games you would think would be better off on PC are actually just as good thanks to the extra buttons and the amount of customization given to the track pads.
For emulation of arcade games, you can use the trackpads as a track ball, making the steam deck actually one of the best ways to emulate many arcade games
I've never seen this creator before, but I have to applaud you for taking criticism in stride, asking for suggestions, testing said suggestions, and then altering your viewpoint based on new experience. That, is a healthy balanced way to accept criticism. Love it
Trackpads are great for PC games that feel better with a mouse. Like strategy or simulator games. But I also love to use them for weapon wheels or just ancillary options like flash light, map ect.
been playing bg3 on steam deck and boy oh boy that right touchpad is my best friend playing bg3 with controller controls sucks ass, but remapping everything to mouse and keyboard controls using touchpad as mouse CHANGES EVERYTHING the game is 1000x better on my steam deck now that i changed that
For me, they come in handy when you have no other options. The trackpad keyboard is pretty rad. I’ve been in other situations where I just need a cursor to get out of a bind. For example, most of Diablo is great with just the controller, but a few things need a cursor:
It carries over from the Steam Controller, you were able to make either trackpad into virtual joysticks, setup little menus with keyboard shortcuts for more complex games (like ATS or ETS2) where there’s no way to map’em. It’s great stuff, and I’m honestly happy it carried over to the Steam Deck
Look into Steam Input's virtual menus (e.g. Radial menus) - they're insanely powerful with the trackpads, and the flexibility that the trackpads give you when combined with Steam input configuration make a whole host of games that don't normally work well with controllers for whatever reason work brilliantly.
Infinity Engine games - right for mouse, left for scroll wheel in dialogues. Most other games - weapon or item wheel. Bought Rog Ally X and trackpads are what I miss the most.
the trackpads are one of the best features of the steam deck, and are useful for more than just pointing. i use one as a radial menu to select items from hotbars for example.
Track pad is also super useful for arcade emulation that uses the trackball, which can be set up my mapping the track pad to the mouse in the Steam Deck os and then selecting the mouse as the track pack controller in the arcade emulatir
I like how he does own up to it, and acknowledges the feedback he gets even applying the suggested remedies. He might make some outlandish takes sometimes, and I don’t fully agree with a good chunk of what he says, but he is entertaining and does consider feedback. Also minor nitpick, but it should default to trackpad mode or one where it works closer to an analog stick, and have “D Pad mode” where the edges register digital presses, as a setting, as it’s more intuitive as a track pad. The way the touch pads work in desktop mode versus the gaming front end is counter intuitive. I don’t agree that they’re useless, but they are admittedly a bit… hard to understand for some at first glance.
the controller configuration on the steam deck combined with the steam input customization is BY FAR my favorite controller of all time. I play a wide variety of games and develop games. Having access to the touch menus and mouse controls for almost any system action I could want is a godsend. It makes it so I can use the steam deck for MMOs, RTS, fps, rpg, blah blah blah. I can use it for any game with some quick configuration
desktop mode, they're just awesome. you can hold the deck in both hands, no need to juggle it somehow with one hand while trying to tap something on the screen. just one pad for the coursor, the other pad to scroll
I use the track pads for aiming in first person games, I find them INFINITELY more consistent and reliable than joysticks. And yes, the virtual menus/cursor functionality is priceless.
I always use the left trackpad as dpad. I put stripe stickers on them, so that it's easy to find what's up down left right. It's MUCH more precise to play than with the default dpad. I literally want a controller with a trackpad as dpad
I honestly thought he did that just for clickbait because he didn't care about the track pads too much and he knew he could drive engagement if he pissed people off.
You can also use them for shortcuts. Assign wheel/grid shortcut and suddenly you have 2-8+ extra buttons. I mainly use this on Truck Sim, but you can see another way this feature can also be used And ultimately that’s what makes the trackpads great: They are extra options for you to use and customize, and you can quickly and easily do it
The two touchpads are a huge surprise and for me the best thing about the Steamdeck. Before the release I thought myself that I will hardly use the touchpad because I am generally not a friend of touchpads. But Valve managed to implement the touchpad really great. I can play strategy games that normally rely on mouse control without any problems. Without it becoming a cramp. Controlling a mouse with a stick is rather annoying and crampy for me, the Steamdeck touchpad is so far the best thing that is possible as a mouse replacement. Sure, competitive, fast mouse games would still always prefer the real desktop PC but relaxed in bed or on the couch to play games like Rimworld or similar goes without problems. I also use the Steam OS desktop mode without problems without connecting a real mouse or keyboard. The only thing to keep in mind is that you have to configure your controls on the Steam deck, I think some people don't do that.
The track pads are the most I repeat the most useful things when in desktop mode, yes I do not use a pc or key board or mouse pure steam deck and pads love it.
I could not have sunk 80 hours into rimworld, or 40 hours into cities: skylines, without the trackpads. No way no how. They are a near perfect mouse alternative for a handheld. Nothing else comes close. I feel the same for desktop mode, the trackpads are absolutely essential and change the game. The fact that you can also remap it so many different ways is just wild and pure innovation.
As a legion go owner, I cannot imagine a handheld PC without a trackpad. Maybe the steamdeck can do witheout them since steam os is phenomenal optimized for controllers. But I would never buy another handheld if it hadn’t a trackpad! absolute must have feature!
ImOne of my coworkers brought his steam deck to work to let me decide if I was going to jump on the bandwagon. Anyway, I've seen the reviews about the track pads being useless. Not useless at all. They are very intuitive. You can scroll webpages with the left and mouse with the right. I'm left handed mostly but am partially ambidextrous. I mouse right handed, I had no problem at all using both track pads. The haptic feedback on those track pads is phenomenal! Plus if you use the track pads you don't get fingerprints all over your screen.
The left track pad can also simulate an arcade stick aswell but for your thumb, while yeah the DPAD for fighting games is pretty useful but I could imagine that if you were used to using the left Dpad the inputs could be faster
The steam deck really does have it all. If it lacked a touch screen it would actually tank my love for it a decent bit. Love touch screen as an option.
I fully agree with you. The trackpads are pretty useless for me. I just use the touchscreen when portable and a mouse when docked. The shortcut menus are nice like you show here, but I don't have so many extra commands that I have to use more than the back pedal buttons.
The trackpads are amazing. In overwatch I have the left trackpad set to a radial menu for voice commands while I have the right trackpad as a mouse. I have the joystick for flick stick and gyro.
To be honest shit. I love the tripads. They work really, really well as like a mouse to the point where like I use them for a lot of the first person games that aren't like shooters just because it's really really precise and you can even dial the level of sensitivity to them per game!
For a handheld pc I use it all the time. Its amazing. I hate using a right stick like its a mouse and touching my screen which requires taking my hand out of default position. Trackpad also makes you be able to use so many buttons for PC games like mmos.
As others have mentioned already, i also use the track pad as a mouse altho i noticed its also useful as a more comfortable d pad when playing soulslikes like another crabs treasure.
If you use your steam Deck as a PC in like your bed Bed, or on a Trip, in Desktop Mode, this Touchpads are the best things ever! The Touchpads are the reason why I would choose a Steam Deck anytime over a stronger competitor. Or an writing with this two touch pads is also much better then any other way in portable mode!
bobs the kinda guy who would outright call something useless if he doesn’t know how to use it lmao
The charm of Bob is that he's guilty of this on multiple accounts, lol. Though he usually looks into it deeper when people comment on it and is open to changing his opinion.
If it wasn't useless he would have found its use by the time he made the video
Reminds me of that time that he got the HORI split pad pro and cut off the protruding plastics at the back (that are there so that the weight of the switch sits on those instead of the weight being on the joy con rails) as he called them "useless". he didn't even know what they were for, and after removing them, immediately puts pressure on the screen which then PERMANENTLY DAMAGES his joy con rails, without having any idea 😭😭
dont get me wrong, love his videos but he is surprisingly misinformed on tech for being a tech/gaming youtuber
He’s got an air of pretentiousness about him. The type to make you feel wrong for mispronouncing something. Also definitely thinks ipas are the best and anything else is piss
@@okayegg4597 android is currently marginally more customizable than ios.
Couldn't disagree more. I get that this channel is heavily focused on emulation and your perspective is filtered through that, but what people have to remember is this device is designed first and foremost to replace a gaming computer in a handheld format. Having an input that acts as a mouse is incredibly useful for so many games that just weren't designed with these or any controllers in mind
And the argument that that's what the touchscreen is for falls flat on your face unless you're really good at holding that slab on a couch/bed scenario. Not having to change grip is a huge deal at this form factor/weight.
There's just one thing about your statement I'm not on board with. The Steam Deck wasn't made to replace the gaming PC. It thrives most in accompanying a PC. The ease of taking your games with you and how robust cloud saves are, makes it so the games you're already playing are just easier to pick up and play more often. Streaming games from your PC is really handy too, especially if you have a 4K TV (hopefully *also* with support for HDR soon as well, or maybe it's already there in an update but idk)
@@Hush.ElementzIt definitely does a great job accompanying a PC too, but it is genuinely also a PC replacement for a number of people, myself included. It really depends on what kind of ways you use a PC to begin with, and how high-end your PC is. If you already have a high-end PC, the Steam Deck certainly can't replace it, but it makes a good companion! As for my home PC, the Deck basically matches it under most circumstances, so it may as well be a much more versatile replacement.
The reason I bought the steam deck was for the track pads. It makes playing some of my favorite games possible on the go. Some examples are fantastic Contraption, Polly bridge, And be castled
You ever eat a plate full of pataytas ah boi?🎉
the pads are also useful as a mouse substitute in games that use the mouse heavily. I usually set my right pad to work like a laptop trackpad and then set spinning gestures on my left one to the scroll wheel
This. The trackpads enable the deck to play loads of mouse-based genres like RTS and point-and-click adventures comfortably, but they have many different uses (dependent on the users creativity). The haptics in the trackpads play the startup sound when you power up the device.
@@Bebop_2962and First Person Shooters
@@Disthron Combined with Gyro. 😎
But why do you need two mouses? He's talking about the left Pad
@@pistolao_vrjust for symmetry, lol. Nah, I think it's to cater for both, left/right handed people, it's probably small enough, cheap enough to include 2 anyway.
honestly the tackpads are what make the steam deck the steam deck, without them its just another handheld gaming thingy that can run your steam library
Definitely something a PC based handheld would need for navigation rather than having to plug in a dongle with a mouse.
[Touchscreen has left the chat]
@NiikoTsuVT Try touching the top edge of your phone screen when you're holding at the bottom, without uncomfortably stretching or shifting your hand...
Only if you really play games that don't have proper gamepad support. I don't.
Yep lowkey kinda hate touchscreens outside of my phone, even then i wish i had a real keyboard on it at times.
@@hockeypaytHave you actually used touchscreen on a handheld PC? I would rather use a joystick than the touchscreen!
Trackpads are a godsend for lots of pc games when a mouse isnt an option. That said I havent tried the steam deck but I have used the steam controller a lot.
As someone who has used the steam deck a bunch, those trackpads are incredibly useful. Point and click adventure games and many simulation games basically require it. Using desktop mode or using an Internet browser is tedious without them.
Yeah but there's an entire touch screen
@@fillerbunnyninjashark271 A touch screen does not feel very satisfying at all for replicating a mouse
@@fillerbunnyninjashark271 I'm sure that works but then your hand is in the way of whatever you're playing
in nearly if not literally every single scenario where you would need to use a mouse for a game, the touch screen is a godsend for the games, not the track pad.
I love my steam deck, I use the trackpad as the mouse all the time
Can I play games like civilization with these trackpads
Yes
I use the touch feature on the trackpad as a button. So helpful when you're playing rpg without having to worry about wearing out your ABXY button or any button you need to press repeatedly.
@@jessica49arrowyes, in fact, that’s the only way to play really. The joystick isn’t accurate enough for Civ
@@Philosophical_Ralph Is lord of the rings online possible for SD?
The track pads on the steam deck are amazing. Not just for the little extras they provide like short cuts. But for games that use mouse and keyboard the track pads are great at emulating mouse movement.
"Hey mom can I get Moist critical"
"We have moist critical at home."
Moist critical at home:
The Moist Critical who uses “Tackpads”
The Moist Critical who's tolerable
Drycr1tical
Dude, Moist Critical didn’t understand why people were interested in the Steam Deck when it was announced because “iPad’s exist”.
He can be entertaining, but the guy’s a moron.
bro looks like if you take the average of critikal and asmongold
Coming to steam deck from mobile gaming, the track pads are amazing to aim on warzone. It's made converting to PC gaming so much easier for me.
Hands down the most useful feature of the track pads is the ability to map a custom radial menu to them. With one of those set up, literally any keyboard-heavy game can have all its most useful shortcuts a flick away. I've played through Baldur's Gate 1 with all the party screens (map, character, inventory, etc.) bound to a radial menu and it makes the experience so much more intuitive.
i agree with the title, it is indeed august 8, 2023
damn that's crazy
@@happygames9757Crazy? I was crazy once.
Now it's TACKPADS
@@mskelton07they put me in a room
@@TaxEvasionIsFunny A RUBBER ROOM
The only useless tool is a person who doesn’t know how to use one.
“A bad workman blames his tools”
@skycloud4802 hmm yes I'm a bad worker because I was given a broken hammer. This logic has faults, you know
@@Robin_hsr12 They both didn’t say anything about broken tools tho
@@4hoofdhe is saying the analogy is stupid he wasn’t relating it to the video, just knit-picking
@@solenya4137 The analogy would be stupid in case of being handed broken tools. Since whoever he replied to never mentioned broken tools, it’s irrelevant to mention that. Nothing wrong with the analogy unless u change the context of the analogy.
The track pad is clutch, would not get another handheld without it.
For me the trackpads on the deck are absolutely invaluable, for any game where the usual controller controls aren't quite cutting it the trackpads swoop in and save the day. I find them especially useful when playing Minecraft with mods, since I can map whatever auxiliary function to them that would normally be a keyboard button, i.e. minimap. And the right trackpad is how I play all FPS games, having that mouse-like input is incredibly important
You can also use them as trackballs for the few arcade games that use them, such as Marble Madness or SegaSonic The Hedgehog
I love how the title misspells "trackpads" as "tackpads".
I miss the grammar nazis / spell checkers in comment sections as it is beyond bad now days.
@@MaoRatto these mispellings are actually bait for comments correcting them, it's on purpose. Comments = engagement and engagement makes the youtube algorithm push the video harder
the track pads are so good for Minecraft on the steam deck, it makes me want steam to release a steam controller 2
There’s Minecraft on the steam deck?! Is it Java edition or bedrock edition?
@@AgentXero2 you can play either on the steam deck
@@headspacetheace Oh that’s cool!
@@AgentXero2 ikr! I honestly use my steam deck way more than my PC for Minecraft because of how well it controls and you've got both versions
Its also very useful as a trackball for arcade games, like segasonic
OMG I was thinking the other day of how SegaSonic would work on this thing.. and finally someone mentions it. So does it work well?
Here before “Tackpads” isn’t fixed yet
Tackpads? I was here when it was named “August 8, 2023”
Still here
@@Nightcaat :(
R.I.P. bozo
It will forever be "Tackpads" now
I use the trackpad for playing CRPGs with a mouse. Baldur’s Gate 1 EE on Steam Deck is fantastic with the trackpads
How is text? Or do you use the zoom?
I use it a scroll wheel for games to switch weapons or navigation. It has the option to register swipes and I find it pretty handy for managing inventory
Making the right track into a d-pad allows you to change weapons or whatever while still being able to move with the left joystick!
Also super great for when I need to switch to the Linux side of things to move some files around! Way better than dealing with the thumb sticks.
to add also, for games with no native controller support they make awesome sub menus! and you can label the button inputs.
So far. my favorite use for them is for Final Fantasy XIV. I play the game with the gamepad inputs but using the trackpads as a mouse & mouse buttons (mostly for menus and using the map) is awesome.
The trackpads i find are extremely useful in a bunch of scenarios, heres some ive found, in order of how often i encounter them
1) mouse: nearly every PC centric game i play on my deck requires a mouse, specially older games without controller support, the trackpad is a great mouse alternative for management and strategy games
2) virtual menus: these work great with older, slower games with a bunch of hotkeys, put em in a virtual menu and they work great most of the time
3) directional swipe: i use this mostly for old shooters with 10 weapons, the directional swipe gives you 5 inputs (4 directions plus click) paired with a mode switch button, you have all 10 weapons available at all times, and its quicker than a virtual menu
4) mouse region: theres very few scenarios where you want to keep the mouse captive in one part of the screen, but this function was absolutely CRUCIAL for Legend of Grimrock 2, would not have beaten the game without it, specially on hard
5) dpad: i prefer swipes but if i only need 4 or 2 extra hotkeys, then i go for dpad, very few cases where i need this, but it does happen
Left track pad as a scroll wheel is one of the best uses I’ve had
The best part about it is the haptic part. It feels absolutely amazing lmao.
Uses for trackpads include, but not limited to:
-Touch menus
--Useful for profile switching, specific keyboard commands, inventory management, macros, multi-inputs, etc
-Radial menu (see above)
-D-Pad
-Analog Stick (more sensitive than the actual stick)
-Mouse
--The touch screen does work, but it isn't always reliable, especially with big fingers.
--Especially useful for aiming in shooters, but that is an acquired taste. Best used in conjunction with gyro, or alternatively: right stick w/ gyro.
-Mouse that emulates the right-stick (for games that won't let you use gamepad and Mouse together)
-Keyboard input (preference)
Basically, it tries to cover every possible scenario, just short of hooking up a keyboard and mouse.
He showed in the footage another great use for the trackpad he didn't say out loud, virtual menus. Basically, you can add your own radial menus with it or make it a whole grid of buttons.
On retroarch, i use the right trackpad to have my savestate related buttons available, but not on the back grips that i might press accidentally sometimes. (Also, putting jump on the back grips can be a godsend for games where i might want to use both thumbsticks and be able to jump at the same time)
I also use the trackpads for hotkeys in a lot of games. For example the Worms series may have console ports but the PC versions have quick select item buttons for the Function keys on a keyboard, and you can map all of those to your trackpads. They're flexible in a way that adheres perfectly to PC gaming
trackpad uses for aim in multiplayer FPS games
Can you make it so it doesn’t work like a track ball? I never tried changing the trackpad settings as I only use them on desktop.
thanks for letting me know what day it is bob. i legit had no idea
I use these trackpads for mouse input. Shooters and RPGs just play better when I have a touchpad mouse vs having to deal with slow and clunky analog input alone. The trackpads were actually a selling point for me!
Steam deck trackpads work as a mouse replacement, scroll wheel replacement, can be used to pick commands from an on screen menu. They're essential for a device that is mean to place computer games that are primarily designed for mouse and keyboard.
I came from the Steam Controller so was so stoked to see 2 of these. I use the right one in FPS and they're the best. With flick on you can do real quick movements and adjustments. Add in the gyro (on iron sight button) for headshots and bam. Love it.
Track pad works amazing for chiaki BTW. It fully replaces a ps5 controller, it also has amazing usability in emulation, as someone who doesn't have a dock or anything it also makes the deck fairly usable in desktop mode, it also allows for use of macros in all steam games, all configurable from steam's interface and you can download other people's macros, I love the steam deck's track pads and I wish all handheld pcs had them
I've been playing Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the track pad feels so perfectly used. Basically using it as an analogy stick that controls a mouse, except much more reliable. Not sure how to explain it, but it's like second nature to just quickly thumb over to the item I want to click on, then using the triggers for clicking. I had considered looking for a mod to get the console setup for the controller, but honestly, I find the track pad so comfortable to use, I wouldn't want to restrict myself by loosing the ability to mouse over anything. I've even used it for MMOs. Games you would think would be better off on PC are actually just as good thanks to the extra buttons and the amount of customization given to the track pads.
With respect, you look like King Alfred from the Last Kingdom. Love your channel BTW
For emulation of arcade games, you can use the trackpads as a track ball, making the steam deck actually one of the best ways to emulate many arcade games
Changing the trackpads to be a mouse or a radial menu is like the most useful thing you can possibly do.
Trackpads are literally the competitive advantage of the device. It adds a ton of custom buttons and even a mouse. Wouldn't want a device without them
I've never seen this creator before, but I have to applaud you for taking criticism in stride, asking for suggestions, testing said suggestions, and then altering your viewpoint based on new experience. That, is a healthy balanced way to accept criticism. Love it
Trackpads are great for PC games that feel better with a mouse. Like strategy or simulator games.
But I also love to use them for weapon wheels or just ancillary options like flash light, map ect.
been playing bg3 on steam deck and boy oh boy that right touchpad is my best friend
playing bg3 with controller controls sucks ass, but remapping everything to mouse and keyboard controls using touchpad as mouse CHANGES EVERYTHING
the game is 1000x better on my steam deck now that i changed that
For me, they come in handy when you have no other options. The trackpad keyboard is pretty rad. I’ve been in other situations where I just need a cursor to get out of a bind. For example, most of Diablo is great with just the controller, but a few things need a cursor:
It carries over from the Steam Controller, you were able to make either trackpad into virtual joysticks, setup little menus with keyboard shortcuts for more complex games (like ATS or ETS2) where there’s no way to map’em. It’s great stuff, and I’m honestly happy it carried over to the Steam Deck
the steam decks haptic track pads are so awesome i absolutely love them! Please Valve bring them back for the steam deck 2 please!
Look into Steam Input's virtual menus (e.g. Radial menus) - they're insanely powerful with the trackpads, and the flexibility that the trackpads give you when combined with Steam input configuration make a whole host of games that don't normally work well with controllers for whatever reason work brilliantly.
I’ve had the best experience on tomodachi life on the steam deck ever. Having the touchpad feels like an added feature officially from Nintendo.
It's amazing having an accurate cursor on a handheld. It makes meticulous things not so bad.
Noice TACKPADS*, huh?
"Hello, I would like to play all my RTS games with controller sticks and a D pad".
The trackpads are one of the main selling points of the steam deck for me personally
Infinity Engine games - right for mouse, left for scroll wheel in dialogues. Most other games - weapon or item wheel. Bought Rog Ally X and trackpads are what I miss the most.
the trackpads are one of the best features of the steam deck, and are useful for more than just pointing. i use one as a radial menu to select items from hotbars for example.
Track pad is also super useful for arcade emulation that uses the trackball, which can be set up my mapping the track pad to the mouse in the Steam Deck os and then selecting the mouse as the track pack controller in the arcade emulatir
I like how he does own up to it, and acknowledges the feedback he gets even applying the suggested remedies. He might make some outlandish takes sometimes, and I don’t fully agree with a good chunk of what he says, but he is entertaining and does consider feedback.
Also minor nitpick, but it should default to trackpad mode or one where it works closer to an analog stick, and have “D Pad mode” where the edges register digital presses, as a setting, as it’s more intuitive as a track pad. The way the touch pads work in desktop mode versus the gaming front end is counter intuitive. I don’t agree that they’re useless, but they are admittedly a bit… hard to understand for some at first glance.
Extremely useful as a mouse on desktop mode when im away from home
trackpad literally the only reason I got the steamdeck .
Not too smart are ya
@@thomaszinecker1785Try playing games that require a mouse without those trackpads. Tell me how they feel with a joystick
This is the sweet spot between a controller and mouse; a miracle of efficiency and comfort.
Good for you Bob. You're finally learning how to use everything it has to offer.
the controller configuration on the steam deck combined with the steam input customization is BY FAR my favorite controller of all time.
I play a wide variety of games and develop games. Having access to the touch menus and mouse controls for almost any system action I could want is a godsend. It makes it so I can use the steam deck for MMOs, RTS, fps, rpg, blah blah blah. I can use it for any game with some quick configuration
desktop mode, they're just awesome. you can hold the deck in both hands, no need to juggle it somehow with one hand while trying to tap something on the screen. just one pad for the coursor, the other pad to scroll
I actually prefer to use right trackpad instead of right joystick whenever possible, because of precision it offers
I like how it's been several months and the title still says "tackpad"
Touch menus are game changing!!
I use the track pads for aiming in first person games, I find them INFINITELY more consistent and reliable than joysticks. And yes, the virtual menus/cursor functionality is priceless.
I always use the left trackpad as dpad. I put stripe stickers on them, so that it's easy to find what's up down left right. It's MUCH more precise to play than with the default dpad. I literally want a controller with a trackpad as dpad
I honestly thought he did that just for clickbait because he didn't care about the track pads too much and he knew he could drive engagement if he pissed people off.
You can also use them for shortcuts. Assign wheel/grid shortcut and suddenly you have 2-8+ extra buttons.
I mainly use this on Truck Sim, but you can see another way this feature can also be used
And ultimately that’s what makes the trackpads great: They are extra options for you to use and customize, and you can quickly and easily do it
The two touchpads are a huge surprise and for me the best thing about the Steamdeck. Before the release I thought myself that I will hardly use the touchpad because I am generally not a friend of touchpads.
But Valve managed to implement the touchpad really great. I can play strategy games that normally rely on mouse control without any problems. Without it becoming a cramp. Controlling a mouse with a stick is rather annoying and crampy for me, the Steamdeck touchpad is so far the best thing that is possible as a mouse replacement.
Sure, competitive, fast mouse games would still always prefer the real desktop PC but relaxed in bed or on the couch to play games like Rimworld or similar goes without problems. I also use the Steam OS desktop mode without problems without connecting a real mouse or keyboard.
The only thing to keep in mind is that you have to configure your controls on the Steam deck, I think some people don't do that.
I thought the trackpads were silly initially, but now I can’t live without them. I will not ever get a future handheld PC that doesn’t have them.
The track pads are the most I repeat the most useful things when in desktop mode, yes I do not use a pc or key board or mouse pure steam deck and pads love it.
The touchpads are so versatile. Also I can be competitive with mouse and keyboard folks using the trackpad
Those track pads are amazing on fighting games
I could not have sunk 80 hours into rimworld, or 40 hours into cities: skylines, without the trackpads. No way no how. They are a near perfect mouse alternative for a handheld. Nothing else comes close. I feel the same for desktop mode, the trackpads are absolutely essential and change the game. The fact that you can also remap it so many different ways is just wild and pure innovation.
As a legion go owner, I cannot imagine a handheld PC without a trackpad. Maybe the steamdeck can do witheout them since steam os is phenomenal optimized for controllers. But I would never buy another handheld if it hadn’t a trackpad! absolute must have feature!
ImOne of my coworkers brought his steam deck to work to let me decide if I was going to jump on the bandwagon. Anyway, I've seen the reviews about the track pads being useless. Not useless at all. They are very intuitive. You can scroll webpages with the left and mouse with the right. I'm left handed mostly but am partially ambidextrous. I mouse right handed, I had no problem at all using both track pads. The haptic feedback on those track pads is phenomenal! Plus if you use the track pads you don't get fingerprints all over your screen.
You can also set up touch menus, they're one of my favorite use cases
i like the vibration on them as a wait an hour for my game to load
The left track pad can also simulate an arcade stick aswell but for your thumb, while yeah the DPAD for fighting games is pretty useful but I could imagine that if you were used to using the left Dpad the inputs could be faster
They're invaluable for menu/inventory/map navigation in RPGs
Honestly though, the track pads feel so good to use.
The steam deck really does have it all. If it lacked a touch screen it would actually tank my love for it a decent bit. Love touch screen as an option.
battery life…
@@joogled1839and portability
I fully agree with you. The trackpads are pretty useless for me. I just use the touchscreen when portable and a mouse when docked. The shortcut menus are nice like you show here, but I don't have so many extra commands that I have to use more than the back pedal buttons.
I use a steam controller. I use the left as a scroll wheel and the right as a mouse. Works great
For me, playing FPS games with trackpads is a game changer
The trackpads are amazing. In overwatch I have the left trackpad set to a radial menu for voice commands while I have the right trackpad as a mouse. I have the joystick for flick stick and gyro.
Its like how people thought that the mouse was useless when they had a perfectly usable keyboard to navigate their console,
To be honest shit. I love the tripads. They work really, really well as like a mouse to the point where like I use them for a lot of the first person games that aren't like shooters just because it's really really precise and you can even dial the level of sensitivity to them per game!
The trackspads were the only reason I was able to play manhunt 2 and they made it an even better experience
I agree with your thoughts I do need to now try Wii with mine.
It was the track pads that made me buy the steam deck over ROG ally X. I could play my favourite Total war games on it❤
For a handheld pc I use it all the time. Its amazing. I hate using a right stick like its a mouse and touching my screen which requires taking my hand out of default position. Trackpad also makes you be able to use so many buttons for PC games like mmos.
Playing an RTS with the trackpad on a handheld is so cool
thank you, hand-held gaming jesus
As others have mentioned already, i also use the track pad as a mouse altho i noticed its also useful as a more comfortable d pad when playing soulslikes like another crabs treasure.
If you use your steam Deck as a PC in like your bed Bed, or on a Trip, in Desktop Mode, this Touchpads are the best things ever! The Touchpads are the reason why I would choose a Steam Deck anytime over a stronger competitor. Or an writing with this two touch pads is also much better then any other way in portable mode!