Steam Controller FAQ

[8BitCerberus]

UPDATE: 2016/06/26 This FAQ is in sore need of an near total re-write as there are a TON of new features that have been added to the controller since it launched. I have been ridiculously busy and unable to get anything written but know that I'm working on it and will try to have something soon-ish.

Steam Support Knowledge Base: Steam Controller

More good resources to check out:

The /r/SteamController sub-Reddit FAQ/Wiki is regularly updated and would be another great source of information that I have missed/neglected to add here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamController/wiki/index

And this NeoGAF thread on everything Steam Controller: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1125470


Before I begin this FAQ I would like to direct your attention to these articles:

We Hate Valve's Steam Controller Because It's Different (No, seriously, read it)

A Steam Controller Review: Why I Think a Lot of People Got It Wrong[forum.strats.co]

Everything You Need To Know About Valve's Steam Controller[devinandrewwhite.com] (This one is from back in early July, so there is some outdated information, but it's still a very good overview of the capabilities of the controller, even back then.)


A lot of your questions are answered on the store page, yet people keep asking them over and over and over again. Stop it. If I have not answered your question, before responding or starting a new thread, go to the store page and see if it’s answered there first. IF at that point your specific question still has not been answered, then feel free to comment below, or if you must, start a new thread.

Here is the store page for your reference:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/353370

Now, on to the FAQ:

UPDATE: 2015/10/25 - Anyone having issues getting Portal 2 working properly with your Steam Controller

Check your DLC section on your library page (in desktop, NOT Big Picture) and see if you have a DLC installed called "Portal 2 Sixsense Motion Pack" if you do, and it's checked/installed, uncheck it and once Portal 2 finishes it's update, try it again with the Steam Controller and any profile you want to apply.

This has been driving me nuts for nearly 2 weeks and a chance stumble upon a Reddit thread earlier this afternoon lead me to this solution. Worked like an absolute charm, and hopefully it does for you, too!

The Reddit thread that lead to this find: https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/3q58m7/portal_2_sixense_dlc_breaks_game/

UPDATE: 2015/10/15 Email From Valve:

The first Steam Link and Steam Controller pre-order units are scheduled to arrive over the next few days.

We're eager to hear your feedback as we continue to make changes and improvements leading up to the full retail launch on November 10th. For the next few weeks, we recommend that you opt in to the Steam client beta (through the System settings panel in the Big Picture UI) so that you'll be running the most current fixes and functionality.

We'll be keeping an eye on forums everywhere, but we've also set up a contact email address for everyone on the team: [e-mail]. Whether you're having a great time or running into issues, we want to know.

Thank you

UPDATE 2015/09/11: Here's a pretty good overview from PAX Prime 2015 (Thank you Vepar)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1&v=t8lulsNbZ_E

UPDATE 2015/09/17: Here's a thread on NeoGAF with some good hands-on information (Thank you Rhaegar)

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1109900

And a quick demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m-ydOiJ9CY

Here's a direct size comparison: http://imgur.com/a/M9UAz

UPDATE 2015/08/27: Concerning the pre-order bonus free games, Rocket League and Portal 2, here is the official response:

Originally posted by Me:

I would like to know if this offer is applied retroactively for people like myself that previously pre-ordered, or are we left out because it wasn't within this 48 hour window?

Originally posted by Valve:

You'll get a gift copy or a subscription to both games, depending on whether you already own them or not. Thanks!

And now we have an official sticky about the pre-order bonuses:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/353370/discussions/0/527273452876819917/

Will the Steam Controller work on PC?

Seriously? Is this a joke, are you trolling?

UPDATE: 2015/09/26: Will the Steam Controller play [insert game name here]?

Short answer? Yes*. As long as it’s a game you can add to Steam and play on your computer, yes*.

Less short answer, from the store page:

Experience a new level of precise control for your favorite games. The Steam Controller lets you play your entire collection of Steam games on your TV—even the ones designed without controller support in mind.

What this doesn’t tell you is that you can also add other games, from Origin, from Uplay, from GOG, or even just games installed from CD, DVD, or download with no other client software or storefront associated, add them as non-Steam games to your library, and be able to play them with the Steam Controller.

*The exception to this, currently, seems to be Windows 8/10 apps/games purchased from the Windows App Store. I only have one to test, Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Beta, so I don't know if this is for all Windows 8/10 apps/games or just happens to be just this one. My suspicion is due to the way Windows 8/10 apps/games are launched they are basically bypassing Steam all together, even when launched through Steam, and therefor the controller bindings revert back to the default mouse/keyboard system bindings as if Steam was not running at all. You can still use the controller as a mouse and keyboard, but you will have to rely on the in-game keyboard rebinding to make it work.

Also, it should go without saying, but I know someone will be far too highly specific, so while it says “on your TV” you aren’t required to play games on your TV. It works perfectly fine on your computer and monitor.

Do I need a Steam Machine or Steam Link to play with the Steam Controller

No. Again, from the store page:

Requirements
A Steam Machine or other computer capable of running Steam Big Picture Mode, in order to view, edit, save, and share Steam Controller mappings.

Any computer or device capable of running Steam will work with the Steam Controller.

Batteries?! WTF are we in the stone ages?!

Yes batteries. Perhaps you haven’t heard that they make rechargeable batteries now, and when your batteries die and can’t be recharged any more (years and years from now, hopefully) you can just get a new set, rather than having to get a whole new controller.

Plus, this doesn’t rule out the possibility that a battery pack could be offered at a later date. There are photos from review sites showing two metal contacts under the battery cover that could be there for a planned battery pack option.

And if you’re playing close enough, either to your PC or your TV, you can always plug it in through USB and not have to worry about batteries at all.

It says pre-order but the store page doesn’t have a pre-order button

Unfortunately it seems you live in a region that, either by law or by some other reason, cannot pre-order. You will have to wait until November 10th to order directly. However, all is not lost because there are no real benefits to pre-ordering, other than maybe getting the controller on November 10th instead of a day or two later. Most likely controllers won’t actually be shipped out until November 10th anyway, maybe a day or two before at best, so your delay in receiving a controller ordered on November 10th versus being able to pre-order right now will be minimal.

That said, if you have a GameStop in your region, you can always go by one on November 10th to get a controller. And it’s highly likely that more retailers, both online and brick and mortar, will carry the Steam Controller very soon after the launch date.

UPDATE 2015/09/12: Unfortunately this isn't completely accurate anymore as there is currently a promotion going on for pre-orders to receive Rocket League and Portal 2. We don't know when or if the promotion will end and it is unfortunate that regions affected by not being able to pre-order will likely be unable to participate in the promotion.

How does the controller connect to my computer?

UPDATE 2015/10/10: Every Steam Controller comes with a wireless USB dongle that is a low latency Bluetooth stack. If your computer has built-in Bluetooth, it can also connect to that, but there will be a slight increase in latency.

If you don’t want to connect wirelessly, you can plug in a micro USB cable and use it as a wired controller. UPDATE: 2015/12/19 - It does not include a USB cable, however, so if you want this option you will need to provide your own USB cable.

UPDATE 2015/09/17: Confirmation the USB dongle will handle 4 controllers: https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/3kvb2v/a_friend_of_mine_asked_for_a_couple_size/cv1hcag?context=3

It’s going to flop/fail/suck, it looks ugly/weird/awkward, it’s gimmicky, I know I will hate it even though I haven’t actually tried it yet

Ok.

Are there going to be other colors/styles?

Not initially, but I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of it ever happening.

What does HD Haptics really mean?

It’s an immediate way to tell potential customers that this isn’t the haptic feedback you’re used to from smartphones that just give simple vibrations and buzzes when you tap a button. Or even the generic vibrations you get from an Xbox or Playstation controller.

This haptic feedback is fully programmable and controllable by the games, and the system itself. When you flick the virtual trackball, you feel the trackball spinning. When you run your cursor over an item in the game, you can “feel” that item. This is all dependant on the game utilizing the Steam Controller API to get this level of detail. But even games that don’t use the API, the controller still has a default feedback set for different modes, so it won’t ever be completely without feedback.

I believe now that the design and API have been finalized, developers will start to incorporate the API into their games. Whether they will go into their back-catalog to update older games, or only focus on games they currently have in-development or will soon have in-development is anyone’s guess at this point. Some will likely update some of their back-catalog, others will only focus on games going forward.

UPDATE 2015/09/13: Some more info from halifax:

This is a case where it is actually not a marketing gimmick or unwarranted buzz-word.

HD haptics means linear resonant actuators vs. an off-kilter weight rumbling around the inside of a standard gamepad:

http://www.precisionmicrodrives.com/application-notes-technical-guides/application-bulletins/ab-020-understanding-linear-resonant-actuator-characteristics

In a nutshell, LRA's work similar to how speakers do in a stereo system. Since speakers can vibrate with enough precision you can listen to music just from the air displacement they make, and LRA's work similarly, calling them "high def" is a warranted claim.

How good is this controller with [insert game genre here] games?

That depends. There are reasons that specialized controllers like fight sticks, driving wheels, and flight sticks exist. This controller, like any other controller, is not going to magically play those types of games better than the specialized controllers. What I can say is that it will be at least as good as a standard controller, with the potential to be much better due to the customizable nature of it.

Which brings me to RTS and MOBA. No, you probably don’t want to sign up for the International and expect to compete with pro players using your Steam Controller. But you CAN play those games, and you can play them competently with practice and some customization of your controls. The Steam Controller has the potential for about 130 individual inputs, with clever use of mode shifting and modifiers. You could conceivably map every possible keyboard shortcut in your game of choice, and play your game at or very near the same level you would with a keyboard and mouse. It’s going to take some work on your part, however, and you may feel like it’s not worth the trouble and just keep playing with keyboard and mouse. That’s OK, too!

Valve is not declaring war on the keyboard and mouse, they’ve built something that can perform most of the same duties within the context of playing video games, but in a potentially more convenient form factor depending on your comfort zone. They strove to build something that could make any game, whether it had controller support or not, to be playable from your couch on your TV, without needing to deal with a keyboard sitting in your lap and a mouse balancing on the arm of your couch (but of course you aren’t required to use it only on the couch playing on a TV, you can absolutely use it sitting at your desk a foot away from your monitor, playing on your PC). That was their goal, and they succeeded.

If you’re skeptical, wait it out and read the reviews once reviewers start getting it in their hands, and maybe take a trip to your local shop that carries them (if you have that option) to play with one yourself.

How good is the right pad, really, compared to an actual mouse/trackball/analog stick?

It’s good. Really good. Sure it will take a little getting used to, but you can absolutely have the same, or very nearly the same level of precision you would expect from a mouse or trackball. And in analog mode, it acts exactly as you would expect an analog stick to act.

Yeah but trackpads suck for playing games! Nobody plays with their laptop trackpads ROFLCOPTER!

While they have similar technology and form factor, these aren’t your typical laptop trackpads. Don’t knock it until you try it.

They should move the ABXY where the right pad is, and move the analog stick where the left pad is. And get rid of the left pad and make it a real dpad.

So… they should just make another Xbox controller? No thanks.

Where the ABXY is located, is simply a matter of a slight adjustment. After 5-10 minutes you won’t even notice they’re not in the same place as they are on your Xbox controller.

As for a real dpad… again, no thanks. Why would you want to trade a programmable pad that can have 11 unique inputs, and put something that only has 4 inputs in it’s place? The pad, both pads actually, functions perfectly fine as a dpad, and still has the potential for so much more. Again, you may need to play with it for a little bit to get used to it, but once you do it will feel and function as natural as any “real” dpad you’re used to.

Will this controller work with an Xbox/Playstation?

…

Not directly, no. But if you want to use something like a XIM, then yeah I’m sure you can rig something up to make it work.

Ok but seriously, will I be able to play [insert game name here]?

Yes!

You mentioned around 130 inputs, how is that possible, I only see a few on the pictures?

Here’s how it works:

Using one of the default “controller” or “hybrid” settings you’ve got your standard buttons:
ABXY = 4 inputs
Dpad = 4 inputs
Right pad = 2 inputs (mouse/trackball/analog + click)
Bumpers = 2 inputs
Triggers = 2 inputs
Analog stick = 2 inputs (analog + click)
“Start” and “Select” = 2 inputs
The home button = 1 input (and the only one that is not programmable, I believe)
You’ve also got the two back paddles that are not standard = 2 inputs

Taken at face value, you have 21 inputs. This is comparable to a typical Xbox or Playstation controller:

ABXY (or Triangle, Square, Cross, Circle) = 4
Dpad = 4
Bumpers = 2
Triggers = 2
Analog sticks = 4 (two analogs, two clicks)
“Start” and “Select” = 2
And home = 1
(Playstation 4 also has the trackpad for 1 more input)

That’s 19 inputs (20 for PS4)

UPDATED 2015/10/10: However here’s where things get interesting with the Steam Controller… the pads can each be set as either 4 way, as mouse/trackball/analog, they also have a click input, a double-tap input, and an edge modifier input, and there is a scroll wheel that allows up to 10 unique inputs, plus a click binding. Bringing their total possible inputs up to 11 (10 + click), so let’s look at total potential inputs now:

Left pad = 11
Right pad = 11
ABXY = 4
Analog = 2
Bumpers = 2
Triggers = 4 (two separate configurable inputs)
“Start” and “Select” = 2
Home = 1
Rear paddles = 2

Again just looking at face value we now have 39 inputs available. But let’s step back a bit and look at the rear paddles, sure we can simply set them as two additional buttons in the game, giving us anywhere from 21 to 39 possible inputs depending on how we configure the layout.

But what if we instead use the rear paddles as “modifiers”? You now can potentially have the 37 inputs (minus the two paddles) multiplied by 4, for 148 potential inputs.

But how am I figuring that? Well, you have the initial 37 (no paddles), that’s 1. Then you have the left paddle + 37, that’s 2. Then the right paddle + 37, that’s 3. Then the left and right paddle + 37, that’s 4. Even if it turns out you can’t use both paddles for a 4th modifier set, that’s still 111 potential inputs. So I averaged 148 and 111 and that’s about 130, 129.5 to be exact.

There's also mode shifting which allows you to change the layout of the controller face on the fly. You can have the right pad be a mouse most of the time, then hit a button and it changes dynamically into a d-pad for more buttons or a scroll wheel for more inputs, etc. This controller is crazy configurable.

[edit]Some good additional questions (thank you Leonard):

What if a game needs 2 Analog Sticks to play,I only see one on the Controller

Simply set the right pad as an analog stick, and it will function as an analog stick. The haptic feedback will help you “feel” an analog stick under your thumb.

Will there be a version with a D-Pad like it was in the Beta?

If you’re referring to the 2nd prototype that moved the 4 central square buttons from the 1st prototype into a dpad shape where the left analog is in the final design… probably not. The analog stick was added to be, more or less, a dedicated “movement” input, which could then free up the left pad to be anything we need it to be, from a standard dpad up to 11 different inputs. With the 1st and 2nd prototypes, the left pad was almost never “let loose” and was relegated to only being used for movement.

You may think that we then lost the 4 inputs from those buttons, but really we haven’t. The analog stick can easily be set to those 4 inputs, rather than analog movement. And we even gain an input with the stick being clickable. Sure, it’s different than what you’re used to from other controllers, but different can be good.

[edit]More good questions, answered by Vepar:

I pre-ordered the controller, but I will be moving before it ships. How do I change my shipping address?

Open your account details (upper right where your steam name is), then view purchase history, and click on the "view shipment details" on the controller. You can change it there.

What games are shown in the Steam controller video?

Cities: Skylines
Assault Android Cactus
The Witcher 3
Wolfenstein: The New Order

Still have questions that I didn’t cover here, and the answers aren’t found on the store page?

Feel free to comment below, or start a new thread if you must. If you’re going to start a new thread, at least do a search of the forum first and make sure your question hasn’t already been asked (and likely thoroughly answered many times) already.

[Leonard]

You forgot one "[/h1]"

[Leonard]

Also,you forgot to add
"Will this work on Steam or only on the Atari Jaguar"

[8BitCerberus]

Hah... yeah I tried to edit in time, just not fast enough on the draw I guess :)

Originally posted by Leonard:

Also,you forgot to add
"Will this work on Steam or only on the Atari Jaguar"

Drat! I knew I was forgetting something!

[Leonard]

You also forgot questions like
"What if a game needs 2 Analog Sticks to play,I only see one on the Controller"


and a serious question you could add is
"Will there be a version with a D-Pad like it was in the Beta?"

[8BitCerberus]

Awesome, added these to the FAQ, thanks!

And if there's a mod that can sticky this, it would be much appreciated.

[Pila]

Great job Cerberus !

[PlayerNameT]

A competent FAQ thread. Quite the surprise. Good job!

[Vepar]

Great job! Hopefully this comprehensive FAQ will answer some of the more common (and borderline stupid) questions that are posted here every day.

Someone should sticky this!

[Leonard]

Or we bumb this until the end of time...

[Vepar]

Originally posted by Leonard:

Or we bumb this until the end of time...

That's an option too. I'll also copy the link and post it in every new thread that pops up. :D

[PlayerNameT]

The problem here is a very conceptual one. Those people who are unwilling to gather simple information from the shop page won't bother to search for a FAQ or even read stickies and thus the really stupid threads won't ever disappear.

Some of the more educated questions however may end here.

[Leonard]

Originally posted by MrSmith:

The problem here is a very conceptual one. Those people who are unwilling to gather simple information from the shop page won't bother to search for a FAQ or even read stickies and thus the really stupid threads won't ever disappear.

Some of the more educated questions however may end here.

Some people don't even watch the trailer before asking questions

[80TCS]

If it's not compatible with my 3DO than that's just a dealbreaker!

[Mina Miko]

im happy to see you finally made a FAQ yourself cerberus, i dont think anyone else is more well-placed than you. now we just have to either get it stickied or make sure it dosent leave the first page.

Cause seeing the unending stream of questions that never changes, i think people will be too dumb to search

anyways, great faq !!

[80TCS]

Make no mistake, Sticky or not, PEOPLE WON'T READ THE FAQ.