# Don’t Wait for the Official Steam Controller 2!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNb55ZwnCRc
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/eNb55ZwnCRc
Generated: 2026-01-19T18:35:36.125+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The video demonstrates that creating a custom, modular, open-source Steam Controller clone called the OpenSplitDeck using a Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Plus microcontroller is feasible, showcasing the assembly process, including soldering PCBs, integrating custom 3D-printed parts, and achieving functionality that emulates a standard controller, although the creator notes the complexity and potential flaws like the trackpad precision.

**Key Points:**
- The creator, TommyB, built a custom, modular, wireless controller inspired by the Steam Deck and Steam Controller, naming it the OpenSplitDeck (v0.2).
- The project relies on Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Plus microcontrollers for its wireless communication and core logic.
- Key custom components include 3D-printed shells (shown in pink and black prototypes), custom PCBs, and custom-built trackpads using the Azoteq IQS7211E sensor.
- The controller features magnetic pogo-pin charging and attachment, allowing the two halves to communicate wirelessly while connected to the same dongle.
- The creator soldered the necessary components onto the custom purple PCBs, noting that getting the trackpad assembly right was the hardest part.
- The final controller successfully emulates a generic gamepad (and partially a DS4 controller) and supports mouse/keyboard HID modes, although the trackpad precision needs refinement.
- The creator mentions that the official Steam Controller 2 is expected in 2026, but this DIY project offers a unique alternative, albeit one that requires significant effort and may not be as refined as official hardware.

![Screenshot at 03:11: The creator holds the two halves of the controller prototype, demonstrating how the magnetic pogo-pin system connects them, highlighting the modular nature of the design.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eNb55ZwnCRc/00-03-11.jpg)

**Context:** This video follows a DIY electronics project where creator TommyB attempts to build a fully functional, modular, wireless game controller inspired by Valve's Steam hardware, specifically aiming to create a device with detachable halves similar to the original Steam Controller but using modern, open-source components like the Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Plus. The context involves showcasing the entire build process, from soldering custom PCBs to integrating 3D-printed enclosures and testing the final result with games like *Skate* and *War Thunder*.

## Detailed Analysis

The video details the creation of the OpenSplitDeck, a DIY modular wireless controller inspired by the Steam Deck and Steam Controller, built by TommyB. The core component is the Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Plus microcontroller, which allows for wireless communication. The build involved designing and 3D printing custom shells (prototyped in pink and black), fabricating custom purple PCBs, and integrating custom trackpads using Azoteq sensors. The assembly required detailed soldering, particularly for the small components on the PCBs, including the battery connection points. A key feature is the magnetic pogo-pin connection system that allows the two halves to communicate wirelessly once they connect. The creator notes that the trackpad implementation, relying on a 6x6 grid of electrodes, is functional but currently less accurate than desired, requiring fine-tuning of finger placement. Furthermore, the device uses Linear Resonant Actuators (LRAs) for vibration instead of traditional ERM motors, which are more expensive but offer better haptic feedback. The creator tested the controller successfully in games like *Skate* and *War Thunder*, demonstrating its potential as a fully open-source input device, even though it currently lacks a physical power switch, relying on sleep mode, and requires users to manually flash firmware files via USB bootloader mode.

### Controller Concept & Hardware

- OpenSplitDeck is a modular, wireless controller using XIAO nRF52840 Plus MCUs
- Features custom 3D-printed shells, custom PCBs, and integrated batteries
- Utilizes magnetic pogo-pin attachment for wireless connection between halves.

### Assembly & Soldering

- The build involved soldering components onto custom purple PCBs, including the MCU and battery connectors
- The trackpad sensor required careful soldering due to its small size and complex pad layout.

### Key Features & Input

- Custom trackpads feature a 6x6 electrode grid for precise input
- Controller supports various HID modes (Gamepad, Mouse, Keyboard)
- Uses more expensive but higher quality Linear Resonant Actuators (LRAs) for haptics instead of traditional ERMs.

### Software & Firmware

- Firmware flashing requires manually copying UF2 files to the device while it is in bootloader mode
- The creator developed custom firmware to support two independent controllers communicating via a single dongle.

### Testing & Performance

- Successfully tested with *Skate* and *War Thunder*
- Trackpad precision is functional but requires user adaptation (e.g., specific finger placement)
- A design challenge was managing limited GPIO pins, forcing a choice between features or power efficiency (e.g., sacrificing a power switch for battery features).

### Future Plans & Availability

- The project is fully open-source, with plans for a text-based build guide and potentially a video guide
- The creator suggests the device offers a high-quality experience despite being DIY, especially for those who enjoy soldering.

![Screenshot at 00:02: Linus introduces the topic by referencing a previous video about a wild controller built from a Framework laptop, setting the stage for the DIY hardware discussion.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eNb55ZwnCRc/00-00-02.jpg)
![Screenshot at 05:51: A warning overlay reading "DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME!" appears as the creator uses a hot air gun near delicate electronics, emphasizing the complex nature of the soldering involved.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eNb55ZwnCRc/00-05-51.jpg)
![Screenshot at 06:19: A close-up of the Seeed Studio XIAO Sense Plus microcontroller, labeled with its model number and key specifications like the Nordic nRF52840 chip, indicating the brain of the custom controller.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eNb55ZwnCRc/00-06-19.jpg)
![Screenshot at 09:53: A close-up view of the disassembled Steam Deck chassis, showing the internal components and the creator's hands manipulating the battery/internal modules.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eNb55ZwnCRc/00-09-53.jpg)
![Screenshot at 12:08: The two creators are shown working collaboratively on the small components, with one soldering a small part onto the purple PCB while the other handles the battery connector.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eNb55ZwnCRc/00-12-08.jpg)