Valve’s new Steam Controller has a major problem for PC games not on Steam
tech.sportskeeda.com
If you have been eagerly waiting to get your hands on the new Steam Controller, you might want to pause and check your game library first.

The issue comes down to how the device interacts with your computer. Just like the original version, the new Steam Controller has no native Windows drivers. This means the hardware relies entirely on the Steam app to function properly. If you do not have the game running via Valve’s storefront app, your shiny new gamepad turns into a useless piece of plastic.

Gamers Nexus also reported this and there are a lot of other news outlets also covering this. It is kinda the same as with the steam deck where I noticed that the inputs just don’t work until steam is launched. I really don’t like that I have to have Steam running for this controller to work. I don’t know if it is a dealbreaker for me, yet, but it really put a damper on my enthusiasm about it

  • Nindelofocho@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    2 hours ago

    Really well written out response, thank you! I havent streamed games from my PC in awhile but IIRC you connect the controller to your phone and it passes the inputs through to your PC as if the phone in the controller. I could be completely wrong on that but if true then Id think it would be quite problematic to get it to work if it required something proprietary, no?

    Also for the project thing I was meaning less software and more electronics/robotics. Vavle didnt intend for the steamdeck to be used as a robotics controller but because of the nature/spirit of the Steamdeck people often use them as controllers. I think even Disney uses them to control some of the robots that move around their parks.

    The full point is a peripheral you own shouldnt be tied to an account to work and a peripheral that does not provide the same functionality as other peripherals at or below its level should be criticized. Theres no reason for the drivers to not be a standalone download or at least for the basic functionality to work like any other xinput controller. I really like Valve but I think this move is still pretty stupid and ultimately harmful to the consumer. It steps away from the sorta open, not-supported-but-will-not-hinder-creativity theme theyve been doing with their recent hardware.

    Remember the Spotify car thing?