Steam beta update adds Xbox/X-Input controller support

Valve is currently working to give all major controller types PC compatibility through Steam, which will allow them to even be used in games that lack native controller support. This started with PS4/DS4 controller support in 2016, but has now been extended to support Xbox One/360 controllers and other X-input devices.  

Below are the release notes of Steam’s latest beta update regarding addition controller support on Steam. This imporves existing DS4 controller support as well as adds functionality for X-input devices. 

 

Steam Controller

• – Added XBox 360, Xbox One, and Generic X-Input controller configurator support. This allows all recognized controller types to use the advanced mapping features of the Steam Controller Configurator. Note that because X-Input currently lacks per-controller means of unique identification, all controllers of that type will share personalization and configuration settings. As they share the same inputs, Xbox 360/One/Generic controllers will all see each-others configurations when browsing. Automatic conversion will be attempted when loading configurations from other controller types. 
• – Unrecognized Generic X-Input gamepad style controllers will be recognised by the Steam Controller Configurator once their buttons have been assigned to match a generic gamepad layout. 
• Recommended configurations specified for a game by the developer will now attempt to assign based on Controller Type. 
• – Added option to disable Guide Button issuing a Steam focus change. This is available through the Big Picture controller options menu. This allows better interoperability with other applications which use the Guide Button, such as PSNow. 
• – Added Single Button simple button mode for trackpads. This allows a trackpad to be treated as a single giant button. 
• Fix for free-floating On Screen Keyboard running very slowly if a game was open but did not have focus or was running windowed. 
• – Added independent horizontal/vertical scaling to joystick move and joystick mouse. 
• Joystick Move mode no longer shows mouse sensitivity option unless mouse output is selected. 
• – Added additional support for third party PS4 controllers, including some HORI, MadCatz, and Armor pads and fight sticks. 
• – Fixed a bug with PS4 triggers where they were being scaled incorrectly, leading to maxing out of the value too soon. 
• – Added ability to change x-input controller order from the Controller Options menu – so in multi-controller setups of x-input games, the mapping of phyiscal controller to x-input index can be swapped around. Note that this currently only applies to controllers that have opted into Steam Controller Configurator support. 
• – Fixed Configurator Switch Controller interface not showing controller icons. 
• – Re-enabled Gamepad outputs for desktop configurations for users of third party programs which hook into applications via the desktop configuration.

  

 

Valve does have plans to support other controllers on PC using the Steam API in the future, though at this time it is unknown where Valve will move next after DS4 and X-input support. 

Gaining Steam API support will allow gamers to create custom controls for every steam game, making use of their controller’s unique features like the PS4 gamepad’s built-in gyroscopes and touchpads. 

 

You can join the discussion on Steam’s newly added Xbox Controller support on the OC3D Forums.