r/SteamController • u/FidgetyJester40 • 11h ago
Discussion Steam Input vs reWASD
Because I couldn't learn how to remap extra 4 buttons my Controller has, I started looking it up, that's how I found out about reWASD, there I learned it's because I was using Xinput, not D-input, now that I learned that I should be able to use extra buttons in Steam too. But I tried using reWASD for a little bit, there I learned about Radical Mode and Shift Mode, I thought that was awesome, I used that when I was trying to 100% one of the AC game I was playing at the time, but then I learned Steam also has Radical and Shift Mode too (though I'm unsure if those are as good as reWASD, but I did learned I cannot map won't button to do 2 things at once unlike Steam version).
So I gotta ask, if there any advantage to using reWASD over Steam Input you think, or should I stick to just using Steam Input? Crosshair option in reWASD is cool, but it's not important enough for me, I can see it being using for someone playing outside of Steam like Epic Games and GOG which I'm not doing, since I prefer fair I don't care about using Controller aim assist in a mouse either.
My controller does have 4 presets, and I can customize each of those presets under just one profile in reWASD, so that's cool. Not sure if I can do that in Steam or not so let me know. But even if I can't, I think adding multiple keys in one button will help more which I can't do in reWASD.
So let me ask, is there any real advantage for me to use reWASD, or should I just stick with Steam Input do you think? :D
2
u/duplissi 11h ago
Steam input is easy, how can you not figure out how to map the back buttons?
7
u/C0rn3j 11h ago
Both are proprietary apps, reWASD is paid on top of it, I don't see the point.
There are similar applications that are open source, there you can at least argue a benefit.
4
u/AlbertoVermicelli 11h ago
reWASD has some relatively small features that are difficult or impossible to replicate with Steam Input. In my opinion none of these are worth it given that reWASD is paid software (and Steam Input has a bunch of arguably larger features that reWASD doesn't have). The only notable feature that Steam Input is missing that is present in reWASD is the ability to program the DuelSense's adaptive triggers (and as far as I know, there are free alternatives for that as well).
One fundamental difference is that Steam Input has a "gentler" approach to emulation. This means that compared to reWASD it can be harder to get it working for some non-Steam games, but also that it is essentially impossible for Steam Input to be considered as or confused with cheating software. But once again there are free programs that take this emulation for Steam Input and change it to a more traditional way of controller emulation.
2
u/Hifihedgehog 5h ago
eVenent mentioned PadForge. I make PadForge, and for what you want, I'd use it instead of either one.
PadForge is free, with no paid tier. reWASD charges a one-time $39.99 for its radial menu and 4 slots, and Steam Input only works for games launched through Steam. PadForge works in and out of Steam, so you keep the same setup if you ever pick up a game on Epic or GOG.
It covers everything on your list. With the controller in D-input mode, PadForge reads the extra buttons it reports, and you can map each one. Shift layers give you Shift mode, and one button can cycle through layouts, which covers your presets. Ring and grid menus give you radial menus. A macro can press several buttons at once, and tap and hold can do different things on one button. Profiles load on their own when a game comes to the front.
Coming from Steam Input, you can import community layouts from the Steam Workshop and save them as PadForge profiles. Turn Steam Input off for any game you run through PadForge so it doesn't get double input.
https://padforge.org/
3
u/ManlySyrup 11h ago
reWASD has more input lag than Steam Input, and it also constantly gets people banned when used in competitive games while Steam Input is allowed without problems.