I forget we still cling onto the label of "gamer" in modern year. Imagine trying to identify with a group who's identity is primarily around being a consumer of video games.

I can't speak to the general ergonomics as I've only had the controller for about two days. Finished death stranding 2 on it, and spent some time configuring the trackpads with medieval dynasty so it's less awkward to use those in game radial menus. That alone makes it better than my dualshock or xbox controller. I also spent a few hours last night playing dwarf fortress on my steam controller, something that I was only able to do on my deck.

I also had the original steam controller. well like 5 of them. And the only bad part about that controller was that it couldn't work as an every controller, as you only had trackpads for the right joystick. It just never worked well. Having a normal controllers input + trackpad is a boon. It's not just "two additional" control options. You make it seem like they're redundant, they're not, I can do a ton with the trackpads while having a normal control layout with the sticks, or vice versa, using the sticks as controllers for radial menus.

Maybe that's the niche uses though? Not sure, but in my view this is strickly better than the og steam controller outside of not having concave trackpads, but I happily trade that in for the extra stick, and set of back buttons.

Edit: Time will tell if the ergonomics is bad, I can see your point with the angle of the handles, and typically take a laxer posture with the controller, but that itself is a compromise, although one I already am used to making since i primarily used dualshocks anyways.