It should, or it would be a failure of a controller. Who would want a DRM'd controller.

I think the problem was it wanted me to configure it; instead, I just booted up skyrim with default configs for the controller, and haven't had an issue since. KEY NOTE: Trying to configure the controller resulted in the right trackpad not functioning correctly - I've seen this is an issue for some older games. I believe the incorrect config was "Controller with Camera" - though I'm half asleep and not 100% positive.

Yes but it seems you have to add it as a non-Steam game to Steam so you need Steam as a client but technically you don't need to own a single game.

In reference to these 2 quotes; is it possible to use the controller, with the full functionality, without running a proprietary client. In other words, can one use the controller without having to phone home Steam for permission?...

Well the only/main advantage of this controller compared to an Xbox or a PS4 one is it's "mouse emulation" thingy... but for games that require/play better with a mouse I rather use a real mouse than this trackpad thingy.

And for games that don't require mouse I already have an x-box one controller that works without any issue, so not interested at all. (The fact that it's somehow tied to Steam doesn't help at all either)

I considered getting one-- I like the trackpad concept and it looks like it would be less D-Pad thumb-pressing stress. I also think the grip buttons on the underside are quite sexy. However, I wasn't happy about the fact that it was only for the Steam client and also that it was wireless.

Instead, I ended up recently getting a Razer Sabertooth which also has a few extra customizable triggers including two on the underside near the grips. I haven't had much time to play around with it--and I still prefer keyboard and mouse over anything else, but hopefully I'll find a use for my new controller.

I only skimmed this thread initially, so I apologize if any of this has been posted.
Point 3 is the only thing I don't think anyone hasn't mentioned.

1) I do like the Steam Controller, and encourage trying them before writing them off.
For the record, I will take a keyboard and mouse almost any chance I can get - even if it requires extra work to setup. I can tolerate the XBOX 360 controller, but I hate aiming with them (spray and pray). And I dislike the PS2/3/4 controller style the most (never feels right in my hands).

2) I have had to run steam to apply updates to the controllers. I can see how that rubs some people the wrong way. I can only hope that as the firmware matures, the need for those updates will go away almost completely. Time will tell, and there are likely ways to get the updates from Steam without committing to Steam.

3) I can and have run the controller WITHOUT the steam software using the standalone drivers located here:
https://github.com/ynsta/steamcontroller
This targets Linux only for now (but welcomes help to other OSes).
ynsta is still working on it, and there isn't a GUI or anything yet. But it is functional. With no prior knowledge, I was able to edit the a copy of the desktop script and play games with remapped keys. Pretty easy.

I haven't tested this one, but supposedly works on Mac OS and should work on Linux/Windows (according to the Readme)
https://github.com/virgilvox/node-steam-controller


4) I am impressed with the pointer precision in default desktop mode. A keyboard and mouse is still ideal, but with an on screen keyboard the default controller setting is pretty nice. A huge step up from other setups I've used.

5) The controller fits REALLY well in my hands. I can NOT say that for any other controller I've ever used. Just wow. I think the next contender was the "large" XBOX 1 controller. So if you have long fingers or large hands - this might really work well for you.

6) I have no real opinion on how it looks. It's a controller... largely covered by my hands... while I look at a screen... likely in the dark for full immersion.

Just for the record, it works with a USB cord. They provide one, but I don't consider it long enough.
Luckily, getting USB cords with long lengths is cheap and easy.

Either way, I hope the Sabertooth controller works well for you.

Thanks! That's good to know, and like you, I prefer the precision of the keyboard & mouse

I've had mine now for about a week and I regret not getting this controller sooner but OTOH it might have had release issues so perhpas not. So for any game that is not bothered by Steam adding it as a Non-Steam game can be run with it as long as you are fine emulating mouse and keyboard (the setup is easy and it becomes easier as more profiles you set up, it's also pretty fun haha).

The interesting thing is that I keep making sure to take advantage of the Haptic Feedback areas. Who could have known pressing physical buttons were so annoying? No way I'm going back to a traditional controller. If Steam releases a secondary controller with more HF and less physical buttons, I'm going to pre-order it. Playing slow moving strategy games such as Anno 1404 or cRPGs with good pause-options like Pillars of Eternity is a piece of cake. I even like it better than mouse and keyboard.

I also agree with Phaedrus567's 4#, 5#, 6# points.

I very rarely use a controller, hell I even play beat em ups with my keyboard most of the time, but even if I´d play more often with a controller my cheap korean gamepad is doing its job rather well. :)

PS pads have wacky drivers too and lack the haptic trackpads and I'll leave it at that because the issue of controls in gaming is completely retarded and is holding back better games.

I've been keeping an eye on ynstas repo, but I got the idea that important functionality is still missing. Can you already configure the controller in all the ways you can through the steam client?

Any particular functions you were curious about? If I can make time, I can see if it works with the repos software/drivers.
Unless I misunderstood, the only things left on the Todo list were helpful tools for users like pulling in mapping from vdf and a haptic manager... oh, and some comment I recall reading about a GUI.

Before my heavy gaming season ended (aka. Winter), I had only tried basic mapping of keyboard keys to controller and it worked fine (think arrow keys, keys to buttons, etc.) but that worked without a problem.

Please, if you have time, try the Haptic Feedback. Not all games are particularly welcome with the Steam client (and overlay) so I wouldn't mind having a software where I can pre-define controls that isn't to be run during gaming. For example, I can't access SC's control setup in Anno 1503.