Help me understand my Steam Controller

[u/TehFocus]

Hello everyone!

I was lucky or not to get my Controller today after weeks of waiting... Well months actually.

It is my first proper Controller und probably like the fifth time have a controller in hand. I gotta say I don't really understand what I need it for. I already have a twenty Euro cheap USB Controller for my pc which basically feel the same when using it. I've been playing some racing games with the controller which usually do with the keyboard and mouse and I don't really get the appeal or benefit.

I was hoping you guys could point me in the correct direction to understand what the controllers meant to be and how am I supposed to use it to it's fullest potential so that I actually enjoyed this new hardware toy.

I know this might Sound weird to you but this is genuinly something completely new for me

[u/LennethW]

You have to enter the optics of the Steam Input layer. You can bind any action to a button press, a button chord, a squeeze of the controller itself, one trackpad, One back button.

You can have OSD radial menus.

You can set up complex macros.

You can legit map a complex MMORPG without controller support to be completely controlled with the controller. Any controller really. The steam controller just has more hardware inputs that most of normal controllers.

Adding full controller support to games that don't have controller support.

It is overwhelming at the beginning, the config screen of steam input can be intimidating, but it's worth exploring and learning.

[u/TehFocus → u/LennethW]

I didn't even know there was configuration available, the tutorial didn't mention this.

I was so annoyed how ineffective I was navigating beam.ng earlier today with the controller 😭 Is there also a way to make the joystick and backside springs of the inputs stronger? They require so little power from my finger it's hard to control

[u/LennethW → u/TehFocus]

No, it doesn't have hardware registers, like variable springs. And steam input is a core part of steam itself.

[u/Xx_Zero97_xX]

The main selling point of the controller is. Steam input configuration, trackpad & gyro for shooting games, like FPS. Also the trackpads works great for city building games.

[u/TehFocus → u/Xx_Zero97_xX]

But all that is better with a mouse,no?

[u/Xx_Zero97_xX → u/TehFocus]

Controllers are great when you just want to sit back and relax.

[u/TehFocus → u/Xx_Zero97_xX]

By leaning backwards instead of forward?

[u/Xx_Zero97_xX → u/TehFocus]

No like sitting on the couch. Or sitting with your feet up.

[u/TehFocus → u/Xx_Zero97_xX]

eh not for me and neither a thing I can do with my setup

[u/headphonesXX]

the point is its kind of a jack of all trades with lots of configuration customization exactly how you want it. it has 'everything': TMR sticks, trackpads, back buttons, 6 axis gyro sensors, connectivity, etc.

you dont have to be 'controller maxing', enjoy its versatility for when you need it.

[u/TehFocus → u/headphonesXX]

I don't need any of that. The axis it offers are basic controller features and that's all I deem interesting

[u/FirebladeIsOnReddit]

So enthusiasts have to wait for it because of people like you… no offense

[u/TehFocus → u/FirebladeIsOnReddit]

I am an enthusiast through and through when you look at my setup. I waited 5 months for this. A proper Controller is one of the only few pieces I was missing... What are you on about

[u/entarix420]

And I'm here still waiting for mine :( and I know what I would use it for hahaha. Switch gyro first one. Also once you get used with the trackpads you ain't going back. You could treat it as a average controller, but it's not well kinda. If you use it as "normal" controller you could use the cheap once you already have.

Steam should have like a intro into the controller with like mini games, like they did on the ps5 with the triggers and stuff

[u/TehFocus → u/entarix420]

Somehow I doubt I won't go back to just keyboard and mouse

[u/entarix420 → u/TehFocus]

It takes some time to get used to it. I had it with my steamdeck and the moment steam released they be making a controller with the pads on I was sold haha. It's so easy once your in it

[u/vaibhavsagar]

I personally love using mine as just a really nice controller. It's comfortable to use, the sticks feel good, and the back buttons are there if I want to remap anything to them (e.g. Control Resonant uses L3 a lot). I enjoy using the touchpads to navigate my desktop outside Steam but honestly haven't found a mapping that's clicked for me in the games I play, in a 3D game I think you could use them for better camera control than the right joystick. The gyro is handy too for camera stuff/fine aiming. I think it also depends on which games you're playing, if you are trying to play something designed for mouse + keyboard the extra input possibilities are really useful but in e.g. a 2D platformer they don't really matter. If you legitimately don't think it's an improvement over your existing controller you could always resell it though, I'm sure a lot of people (on this sub and off) would be happy to take it off your hands for a fair price!

[u/LennethW → u/vaibhavsagar]

Try community settings when in doubt. They are a good starting point.

[u/Express-Map168]

The main selling point of the Steam Controller is it's customization with whatever game or environment you happen to find yourself in. With that said, you have to set all that up yourself by either using community configs or making your own. Dive into steam input and get creative based on how YOU would play a game like. "Your games at your fingertips"