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General discussionSteam Controller Compatibility?(24 posts)(24 posts)
(24 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted April 08, 2016
I'm strongly considering getting a Steam Controller. I'm not wondering about opinions of whether it's good to use or not, as I've already considered all that. I'm just concerned about its compatibility with what I'm trying to do.

Unfortunately, their website doesn't have much useful information. If anyone could please answer any or all the following questions (and better if you can also provide some sort of link to something that officially states or proves it, because if I buy the thing and can't get it to work I'll be PISSED!):

1: Does it work on an offline computer with no Steam account, running Windows 7 on a regular monitor (not TV)?

2: What's this "big picture" mode, do I need it, and will it be compatible with my setup?

3: Will I be able to change the profile or control mode at all (emulate mouse/keyboard, emulate XBox controller, etc.)?

4: Is it compatible with XInput and the corresponding API?

5: What about DirectInput?

6: Does it also have its own implementation (non XInput/DirectInput) and is that included or where could I get it?

7: Is it possible to use it on XBox 360 even if I use an adapter (it's also offline)?

8: What about PS4?

9: Are the flipper buttons on the back always there or only on special models (I read it was not standard but I don't know if there's a specific model I would need)?

10: Is there anything else I should know before trying to set up this thing?

Thank you.
Post edited April 08, 2016 by HeresMyAccount
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Posted April 08, 2016
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HeresMyAccount: I'm strongly considering getting a Steam Controller. I'm not wondering about opinions of whether it's good to use or not, as I've already considered all that. I'm just concerned about its compatibility with what I'm trying to do.

Unfortunately, their website doesn't have much useful information. If anyone could please answer any or all the following questions (and better if you can also provide some sort of link to something that officially states or proves it, because if I buy the thing and can't get it to work I'll be PISSED!):

1: Does it work on an offline computer with no Steam account, running Windows 7 on a regular monitor (not TV)?

2: What's this "big picture" mode, do I need it, and will it be compatible with my setup?

3: Will I be able to change the profile or control mode at all (emulate mouse/keyboard, emulate XBox controller, etc.)?

4: Is it compatible with XInput and the corresponding API?

5: What about DirectInput?

6: Does it also have its own implementation (non XInput/DirectInput) and is that included or where could I get it?

7: Is it possible to use it on XBox 360 even if I use an adapter (it's also offline)?

8: What about PS4?

9: Are the flipper buttons on the back always there or only on special models (I read it was not standard but I don't know if there's a specific model I would need)?

10: Is there anything else I should know before trying to set up this thing?

Thank you.
Apart from a couple of silly questions (7 and 8) most of these can be answered in the Steam controller forum. It is not built to play on other consoles, why would it? Anyway, everything you need to know is in the link below.

HERE
Posted April 08, 2016
The reason I posted this here is because I already checked the exact same page you posted in the link and found a bunch of long-winded stuff, most of which was not relevant, and what was relevant was vague and ambiguous, so I was hoping someone here could just quickly answer my specific questions instead of redirecting me to the same useless nonsense I already looked through.

About 7 and 8, because if it works with XInput then that would be at least somewhat compatible with XBox already and it could theoretically be made to work entirely, even if it needed to use something like XIM (which can by the way make controllers one one console work on another one).

P.S.: I read that to access "big picture" I need to run Steam, but the point is that I don't have Steam, or even an Internet connection, on the computer I'll be using. It also said something about firmware updates, which implied that they were automatically downloaded. Do I need these, and if so, could I manually download them from a different computer and then install them from a backup?
Post edited April 08, 2016 by HeresMyAccount
Posted April 08, 2016
1. Yes and no. It will work offline, however software and firmware updates are delivered through Steam so you need to be connected for updates.
2. BPM is Steam in full screen mode, nothing more. It's supposed to be like a game console experience.
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. Not sure, haven't tried it with older games, but the profile software should handle anything
6. Not sure what you mean here. Games pretty much only use DirectInput or Xinput
7. No*
8. No*
9. There is only one model now, it has the flippers, but they aren't always active, depends on the game profile used
10. Google is your friend. Read reviews and how-tos before you decide to do anything

*I'm pretty sure some work has been done on getting it to work with the Xbone and somebody is probably doing the same with PS4.
Posted April 08, 2016
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HeresMyAccount: I'm strongly considering getting a Steam Controller. I'm not wondering about opinions of whether it's good to use or not, as I've already considered all that. I'm just concerned about its compatibility with what I'm trying to do.
Do what I did - win a steam wallet code in a contest and buy it with that. Then you don't have to worry about whether it's this or that cause it's free. :D
Posted April 08, 2016
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HeresMyAccount: P.S.: I read that to access "big picture" I need to run Steam, but the point is that I don't have Steam, or even an Internet connection, on the computer I'll be using. It also said something about firmware updates, which implied that they were automatically downloaded. Do I need these, and if so, could I manually download them from a different computer and then install them from a backup?
If you don't have Steam, don't bother with a Steam controller, you can't really do much with it without Steam.
Posted April 08, 2016
Thanks, cogadh. Then I guess my only remain concerns would be:

1: I really absolutely can NOT put the computer online that I will be using, so is there any possible way I can get the software/firmware updates from a different computer and then copy and install them manually? And if not, is it essential that I have the updates at all, or will it make it eventually become somehow incompatible if I don't?

6: What I meant was that some control devices (for example, Novint Falcon and Razer Hydra) use implementations other than XInput and DirectInput, and since this is a non-traditional controller, I was wondering if it also has its own?

P.S.: You say I can't use it without Steam, but it's supposed to be compatible with games that aren't necessarily downloaded from Steam, isn't it?
Post edited April 08, 2016 by HeresMyAccount
Posted April 08, 2016
SC discussions.

Take a look there, there should be plenty of information to read. Bottom line is if you are against clients, then forget it. If you don't like Haptic Feedback (touch) then forget it (it works without them but you might as well get a tradition controller without requirement to have Steam).

I don't think you need to constantly update Steam, but it's possible that if it stops working or if you upgrade to a new OS or change hardware, you will need the client to make sure everything works. As long as you can access an internet connection at least once to download the client, connect the controller with your account, change to offline mode and then you should be good to go.
Posted April 08, 2016
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HeresMyAccount: Thanks, cogadh. Then I guess my only remain concerns would be:

1: I really absolutely can NOT put the computer online that I will be using, so is there any possible way I can get the software/firmware updates from a different computer and then copy and install them manually? And if not, is it essential that I have the updates at all, or will it make it eventually become somehow incompatible if I don't?

6: What I meant was that some control devices (for example, Novint Falcon and Razer Hydra) use implementations other than XInput and DirectInput, and since this is a non-traditional controller, I was wondering if it also has its own?
Yes, the updates are essential, they provide expanded functionality to the controller. Yes, you can download and install the controller's firmware updates using one computer, then take the controller to another and use it. However, you still will need Steam on that other computer to do things like get controller profiles and use the controller.

I think you are confusing Xinput and DirectInput with something like the profilers and keymappers some devices use. Games use either Xinput or DirectInput to accept input from devices and nothing else (except really old pre-DX games). Devices might use something on their own (drivers or external software) to pass input to Xinput or DirectInput, but it is still going to only use those APIs.
Posted April 08, 2016
Well the computer I'll be using has no physical connection to the Internet, and I want it that way.

So is it possible to connect on a different computer, download what I need, put it on a CD or thumb drive, put it in the other computer and install???

P.S.: Sorry codagh, you seamed to answer one of my questions but I didn't realize it until after I posted.

However, I know for a fact that some devices use entirely different interfaces that do not have anything to do with DI or XI, even indirectly. They can do things beyond the capabilities of DI/XI. Check out Novint Falcon if you don't believe me.
Post edited April 08, 2016 by HeresMyAccount
Posted April 08, 2016
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HeresMyAccount: P.S.: You say I can't use it without Steam, but it's supposed to be compatible with games that aren't necessarily downloaded from Steam, isn't it?
It does, if you have added them to Steam as non-Steam shortcuts. Outside of Steam, the controller is just seen as a generic mouse/keyboard device
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HeresMyAccount: Well the computer I'll be using has no physical connection to the Internet, and I want it that way.

So is it possible to connect on a different computer, download what I need, put it on a CD or thumb drive, put it in the other computer and install???
No, the controller needs to be connected to an internet connected PC with Steam in order to get its firmware and controller profile updates.
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HeresMyAccount: However, I know for a fact that some devices use entirely different interfaces that do not have anything to do with DI or XI, even indirectly. They can do things beyond the capabilities of DI/XI. Check out Novint Falcon if you don't believe me.
I get that, but that is not what the games themselves use. It doesn't matter what driver/software/interface the device uses, the game will always use Xinput or DirectInput. Whatever software the device uses is essentially just "translating" any unique input from the device into Xinput or DirectInput calls. That' is basically what Steam's controller profiles do with the Steam controller.
Post edited April 08, 2016 by cogadh
Posted April 08, 2016
Everyone destroyed me in some other post because of that controller.
So, do I need to install Steam in order to actually use it? Or do I need to install it just for the settings that I may need?
Post edited April 08, 2016 by PookaMustard
Posted April 08, 2016
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PookaMustard: Everyone destroyed me in some other post.
So, do I need to install Steam in order to actually use it? Or do I need to install it just for the settings that I may need?
I would recommend you use Steam for big picture mode, so that you can customize, and have the latest firmware update.
Posted April 08, 2016
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PookaMustard: So, do I need to install Steam in order to actually use it? Or do I need to install it just for the settings that I may need?
To change settings, yes. It has a default desktop option that seems to work without the client.

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sanfueg: I would recommend you use Steam for big picture mode, so that you can customize, and have the latest firmware update.
You can change settings without Big Picture but you have to enter Big Picture to change the "Desktop Configuration".
Posted April 08, 2016
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PookaMustard: Everyone destroyed me in some other post because of that controller.
So, do I need to install Steam in order to actually use it? Or do I need to install it just for the settings that I may need?
If you want it to be useful, you need Steam. Without Steam, the controller is just a generic keyboard/mouse. Also without Steam you cannot get firmware updates which expand the controller's functionality.
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Community
General discussionSteam Controller Compatibility?(24 posts)(24 posts)
(24 posts)