Steam Gets Native Support For PS4 Controllers

When it comes to playing PC games with a controller, the most common options gamers have is either a Xbox 360 or Xbox One controller. Valve's own Steam Controller is the most recent addition to the mix, but it comes with a steep learning curve and can sometimes require lots of customization to be used comfortably. Fortunately there will soon be another choice in the form of the other leading console controller: the PS4's DualShock 4.

The Steam Dev Days event is currently being held this week, and in addition to revealing refreshed controllers for the HTC Vive, Valve announced that a forthcoming update for Steam will introduce native support for the PS4 controller and other devices. Even better is that the DualShock 4 will be used with the Steam API, allowing the same configurability options as the Steam Controller.

"Believe it or not, when you use the PS4 Controller through the Steam API, it's exactly the same as a Steam Controller. You make the exact same API calls, you only get actions, not inputs, and the Steam API takes care of everything," Valve's Jeff Bellinghausen explained.

It was said that the Steam update will introduce support for configurability options on controllers other than Valve's Steam Controller, however other than the DualShock 4 specific devices weren't mentioned.

The reason for starting with the PS4 controller is because it's not only a high quality device with standard controls, but it also has overlapping functionality with the Steam Controller, such as a touchpad and gyro sensors.

SOURCE Gamasutra