New Steam Controller image suggests Valve adding an analog stick

The latest Steam client beta carries with an interesting surprise: An update image of the Steam Controller buried deep within its files.

The revised diagram was first spotted by Steam Database and posted on its Twitter profile. The diagram in the latest client beta update, dated July 23 2014, shows a mock-up that abandons the left-side buttons in favor of an analog thumbstick. The thumbstick sits to the bottom right of the controller's signature trackpad on the left side. If the image represents a planned iteration of the controller, it could be a move to make the Steam Controller more versatile.

Earlier this year, PC Gamer Editor-in-chief Evan Lahti criticized the last Steam Controller revision on display at GDC 2014 , saying he was surprised at how "unwieldy the trackpads were in every situation." He further noted that he "didn't once feel comfortable, in control, or that Valve's hardware configuration was in any way an upgrade over a controller with analog sticks"

The image is located in the Steam enfoot\resource\images\library folder, if you want to check it out for yourself. You'll also have to be taking part in the Steam client beta program.

We've reached out to Valve for confirmation and will update when we hear back.

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Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.