The Next Steam Update Will Let You Use a Xbox Controller in Every Game

[ffronw]

The Next Steam Update Will Let You Use a Xbox Controller in Every Game

If you've always wanted to play all your Steam games with a controller, you'll soon be able to make that wish come true.

Steam has been adding more and more support for controllers of late. Not only the Steam Controller, but also Xbox controllers and the DualShock 4 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/168604-Steam-PS4-Controller-Support]. The next Steam Update, which is currently in beta testing, is going to take support for controllers to the next level by allowing you to use a Xbox controller in every game.

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Similar to the DualShock 4 support that was added earlier this year (shown above), the next update will let you map keyboard and mouse controls to any Xbox 360, Xbox One, or other X-input controller. That means even games without controller support can be played with a controller. That doesn't mean the games will play well with a controller, but at least you have the option if you want it. The patch also adds support for some third party PS4 controllers, including some HORI, MadCatz, and Armor pads and fight sticks.

There's no release date for the update as yet, but if you want to check it out, all you need to do is opt into the client beta in your Steam settings menu. You can find all the info on this update, including full patch notes, over in the Steam Client Beta Community Group [http://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta#announcements/detail/586991182161672256].

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[Naldan]

Oh my god. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3ALwKeSEYs This is probably the best thing aside from refunds Valve has added since forever. Holy shit.


Dead. Space. Without. Issues.

 

[Saelune]

Suck it X-padder, I knew if I held out long enough, Id win!

 

[Vendor-Lazarus]

Sigh....I am sadness.

 

[Aerosteam]

Awesome. I'm developing a game right now and I little annoying thing is having to implement code for every command in the game twice, one for keyboard and again for joypad. With this thing coming to Steam it looks like I only need to write the code for keyboard.

I'm a lazy fuck.

 

[Creator002]

With this thing coming to Steam it looks like I only need to write the code for keyboard.

Not 100% true. Unless the keyboard uses the same key for many functions, it won't translate well when using mapping for a controller.
Example: Interaction keys are usually E for PC and X on Xbox. Reload is R on PC, X on Xbox. Jump is often space on PC and, you guessed it, X on Xbox. But often it's A.
Mapping all three of those to a controller will likely confuse it and give you (a) random action(s), if anything at all.

 

[Aerosteam]

With this thing coming to Steam it looks like I only need to write the code for keyboard.

Not 100% true. Unless the keyboard uses the same key for many functions, it won't translate well when using mapping for a controller.
Example: Interaction keys are usually E for PC and X on Xbox. Reload is R on PC, X on Xbox. Jump is often space on PC and, you guessed it, X on Xbox. But often it's A.
Mapping all three of those to a controller will likely confuse it and give you (a) random action(s), if anything at all.

Yeah, I think this requires more thought from myself. This new feature is first launching as a beta so it might not even be ready by the time I need it to be. I guess I'll just do it the normal way until I know for sure how much the Steam update can help me.

 

[totlmstr]

Just a suggestion to ffronw: since it is already mentioned in the article and a picture is featured, it would be best to include Dualshock 4 in the headline as well.

On that note, is there anything about Dualshock 3?

 

[Gordon_4_v1legacy]

While this is cool as balls, is it going to be clever enough to let us assign multiple items to one button? I ask because in most games the A/X button tends to be heavily contextual.

 

[Cowabungaa]

So now I can play point & clicks from my bed? Oh fuck yes.

 

[InflatableHippo]

While this is cool as balls, is it going to be clever enough to let us assign multiple items to one button? I ask because in most games the A/X button tends to be heavily contextual.

pretty much this as I wanted to play Undertale with having the "back" button and the "up" button bound to the same key for a certain endgame fight

 

[Paragon Fury]

I have a Steam Controller from Christmas, so I'm good. Also, it's really annoying having to resync my Xbox controller back to my Xbox every time I'm done using it on the PC so I stopped using it there.

 

[DarklordKyo]

Cool, when I finally get around to Legacy of Kain: Defiance, I can play it with a pad like all Spectacle Fighter-styled hack & slashes should be played.

 

[DoPo]

Awesome. I'm developing a game right now and I little annoying thing is having to implement code for every command in the game twice, one for keyboard and again for joypad.

Seems like a design smell. If you are doing this from scratch, consider using a design pattern that will invert the responsibilities there. Off the top of my head, you have Command that should be what you want but it might be mixed with Chain or Responsibility and/or State. If you're using an engine or something as basis, it might even have a way to plug more control options without having to duplicate functionality.