SC software with an xbox controller

[Vogtard]

The SC touchpads are not fun for me. After many hours of testing, I still have problems with inconsistent finger friction, layout, and feel (disappointed with haptics). If I want accuracy, I use a mouse. If I want arcade controls, xbox controller wins. The SC alone is usable with any type of game but, in my opinion, it doesn't really do anything better than the other two. Jack of all trades, just like it was supposed to be. The SC software though - it's fantastic.

My biggest issue with the xbox controller is the deadzone. I used Durazno, Pinnacle, Padstarr, x360ce, but opposed to the SC software, all of those have compatibility problems because they use hooks/wrappers. Emulating mouse works, but some games just don't support double input. Emulating both mouse and keyboard removes rumble and analog movement.
It would be awesome to be able to use an xbox controller with all the standard settings available for the SC, like the sensitivity curves, anti-deadzones, remaps, modes. Something like the xbox elite controller driver, but much better and not ridiculously overpriced.

Has such an option been discussed? Is it planned? Could it even be possible?
It would actually make sense to sell this as an add-in so the money could still flow. I think the steam platform would benefit from this, as it would make people like me be still interested in this product, and not have to sell my kidneys and go for the xbox elite.

Of course, the best solution for me would be to build an alternative SC with 2 analogs, rumble, semi-xbox layout + gyro and paddles, but that's probably too much to ask. Tweaking software is easier.

[BlackRayPlayer]

Mouse-Like Joystick, and turn Adaptive Centering to on for XBOX 360 Controls. Use gyro for FPS games, some third person and over shoulder games.

[Vogtard]

Good call BlackRay. I did try it and had high hopes regarding this mode, but it just doesn't deliver the same experience as manipulating a physical object. The trackball mode is actually great. It's the plastic mobile phone feel and friction that bothers me.

[BlackRayPlayer]

Did you try high haptic and High Ftiction? If you don't like the high haptic feedback try just leaving at high friction at least.

[MartyWF]

Where do you find Adaptive Centering for Mouse-Like Joystick? I've looked at Mouse-Like Joystick and can't find it....

[Vogtard]

I think he meant Joystick Move. Unfortunately, this mode feels like playing Angry Birds. It fails because although the haptics give some kind of information about the dislocation of the thumb while it's moving, they do not give any feedback when the thumb is static, even if away from the origin. In case of a physical stick, the spring beneath it applies some force to the thumb at all times, which is a function of both tilt and direction. Stick wins.

Even though the trackball mode is probably the best for SC, it works well only with mouse emulation, thus further lowers the compatibility (dual input issues). In Mouse Joystick mode, some precision is lost in the recalculation of the absolute position on the touchpad to the relative analog stick output data due to the deadzones in the latter one. The SC software allows to compensate for this but it still fails 5/7 times, giving either jaggy or unresponsive control. Stick wins.

An analog stick is less accurate but for games designed with a controller in mind, this accuracy is good enough. I just want to control the deadzones and sensitivity curves because from my experience with Durazno, I think this would be a great though simple improvement, especially for games like Resident Evil. SC can still be better for FPS but at a cost of a significantly decreased comfort in games like Dark Souls, Castlevania, etc.

On a side note, emulating a mouse with an xbox one controller, with AAA-shocks, Kontrol Freeks, and lowered deadzones is also pretty good. But again, if I have to emulate a mouse, I would rather use a real mouse.

By friction I didn't mean the trackball friction settings, but the actual friction between the thumb and the touchpad surface. It changes a lot with moisture/dirt, and becomes very irritating for precision aiming. Gyro helps, but doesn't solve it. Washing hands or wearing gloves helps, but this is not an elegant solution. What's next? A cleanroom or Steam Controller Hand Cream™? My idea of fun is playing games while eating pizza and drinking beer Stick wins.

Please don't get me wrong - these are all my personal impressions.
I don't want to go to war and point out all the other issues I have with the SC, like bumpers, touchpad click, rumble, or DPAD emulation. This is absolutely not the point of this topic. If the SC works for you - I'm jealous. I fully support the developement of the SC and appreciate the effort. Perhaps the SC is not for me yet. Hopefully SCv2.
All in all, although it works, the SC is just not fun to play in many games. Accuracy is potentially great, but in the end, games are all about pleasure. And I think steam could greatly improve this pleasure by considering what I wrote in the first post.

[BlackRayPlayer]

Adaptive Centering is in advanced settings, specifically called Adaptive Centering. @ the very top left corner