Valve Releases Steam Controller CAD Files Under Creative Commons License (digitalfoundry.net) 11
Valve has released CAD files for the new Steam Controller and its Puck under a Creative Commons license. "The idea is to let enterprising modders create their own Steam Controller add-ons, like skins, charging stands, grip extenders or smartphone mounts," reports Digital Foundry. From the report: The Valve release includes files for the external shell ("surface topology") of the Controller and Puck, with a .STP, .STL and engineering diagram of each device, with the latter showing areas that must remain uncovered to let the device maintain its signal strength and otherwise function as designed. Valve has previously released CAD files for its Steam Deck handheld, Valve Index VR suite and even the original Steam Controller a decade ago, so this release is welcomed but not unexpected.
The release is under a fairly restrictive Creative Commons license which allows for non-commercial use and requires attribution and sharing of designs back to the community. However, the license also suggests that commercial entities interested in making accessories for the Steam Controller or its Puck can contact Valve directly to discuss terms. You can find the files here.
The release is under a fairly restrictive Creative Commons license which allows for non-commercial use and requires attribution and sharing of designs back to the community. However, the license also suggests that commercial entities interested in making accessories for the Steam Controller or its Puck can contact Valve directly to discuss terms. You can find the files here.
I wouldn't worry about commercial use... (Score:2)
...for making accessories to be used with their controller that is. On the other hand, using these files as the basis for your commercial controller re-shell project is probably a bad move.
Re: I wouldn't worry about commercial use... (Score:2)
Yeah, I'm guessing it's a pretty draconian license just to be sure no one finds any corner cases. They will probably approve any reasonable commercial use.
Re: (Score:2)
It may be difficult to prove the CAD devices were used for a commercial re-shell project. Copying the shape of something is almost universally done across the gaming hardware industry. The result of a 3D scan vs using the original CADs would be close to indistinguishable.
Re: (Score:2)
It might be relatively easy if you modified some angles in ways which are subtly different, but in a way unlikely to be caused by manufacturing or scanning artifacts. But more realistically and importantly, you might also subpoena the relevant files if you had reasonable suspicion that they were using your files as the basis. Files in hand, it would be easy to prove unless intentionally obfuscated, albeit somewhat trivially.
Oh Valve (Score:4, Insightful)
On one hand, I hate the idea of rent-seeking, gatekeeping storefronts taking 30% of every developer's revenue.
On the other hand, Valve seems to use that power to do things that benefit the consumer, sometimes. Look at all they've done to promote Linux as a gaming platform.
Or maybe that's just incidental, and they only look good compared to the actual Satan worshippers running the rest of these companies.
Re: (Score:2)
It does seem to be a big trade-off. There is on old video of Gabe saying he doesn't care about privacy. From his point of view, people pirate things because there is no real "support" for the game after purchase. He cited the case that Russia was the largest country for game piracy but that their pirate community was effectively offering the service of translating the game to Russian and other support.
Rent-seeking is a bit annoying. Overall, the "gatekeeping" seems quite mild but maybe you can enlighten me.
Re: (Score:1)
I think you meant piracy? Of course, I like a certain level of privacy when I commit piracy.
Re: (Score:2)
It does seem to be a big trade-off. There is on old video of Gabe saying he doesn't care about privacy. From his point of view, people pirate things because there is no real "support" for the game after purchase. He cited the case that Russia was the largest country for game piracy but that their pirate community was effectively offering the service of translating the game to Russian and other support.
Gaben isn't the only publisher who's said this, Brad Wardell of Stardock has also said something similar, pirates dont matter or pirates are just unserved customers.
Ultimately they're right, if someone is going to pirate then you ultimately cant stop them. All you can do is make a product that people want to pay for, something good enough that people think "I'll separate myself from my hard earned Dollars/Euros/Pounds/Zloty/insert currency of choice here".
In the end, by trying to stop pirates all you
Re: (Score:2)
"rent-seeking, gatekeeping storefronts taking 30% of every developer's revenue."
Right, so Steam should just build a massive distribution network for free then?
Literally nobody HAS to use their service to publish or buy computer games. It's flamingly successful because both developers and consumers get what they particularly want from such a service.
If it's so easy, build your own, charge 20% and drive steam out of business.
Re: (Score:2)
On one hand, I hate the idea of rent-seeking, gatekeeping storefronts taking 30% of every developer's revenue.
On the other hand, Valve seems to use that power to do things that benefit the consumer, sometimes. Look at all they've done to promote Linux as a gaming platform.
Or maybe that's just incidental, and they only look good compared to the actual Satan worshippers running the rest of these companies.
How are Valve gatekeeping?
They don't control PC gaming, you can self publish your game if you like and there's absolutely nothing Valve can do to stop you (unlike on say, Apple, Xbox or Playstation). Valve is the 600 KG gorilla in PC gaming because they do good work and deliver promises, for their 30% they handle a lot of things for you, payment processing, currency exchange, customer service (OK, here is where they aren't particularly stellar), content distribution, security, so on and so forth.
If an