Play Steam Games Using DualShock PS4 Controller With Expanded Native Support Update

Xpadder, InputMapper and DS4 Windows are the most commonly used to play Steam games with DualShock PS4 controller. But there will be a new option. Valve developer Jeff Bellinghausen announced an update that allows players to pair their PlayStation4 controllers directly to their PC and use all the configurability options available to the Steam Controller.

This means more options for players to customize the functions of the PS4's touchpad and gyro features, which were not available when using the DualShock 4 with Steam, Bellinghausen said at Steam Devs Day on Oct. 12, a transcript of which was provided by Gamasutra.

For example, your DualShock 4 can do movements on Sub-Zero in "Mortal Combat X" just like playing with your Steam Controller. Gone were the days when a player needs to run DS4 Windows (or worse, go with a tutorial first).

The player defines what the actions are, how these behave and when they are active. He can also provide a specific input configuration such as pressing A button means jump or holding the right touch pad pans the camera, among other things, Bellinghausen said.

"Believe it or not, when you use the PS4 controller through the Steam API, it's exactly the same as a Steam Controller," said Lars Doucet of Level Up Labs, which developed the Defender's Quest game. "You make the exact same API calls, you only get actions, not inputs, and the Steam API takes care of everything."

According to a Slant.com review, Steam Controllers (priced around $50) are chosen by players of PC because it is designed specifically for PC games: better mouse emulation than most joysticks and button layout are customizable.

DualShock 4, on the other hand, gained a huge following because of its increasing game compatibility. "Some recent games will work with the PS4 controller without the need of an app/driver to emulate the XBox controller, and you will see PS4 button prompts on the screen," the article said.

Doucet said Valve was supporting DualShock 4 first because of its overlapping functionality with the Steam Controller, thanks to the gyro and touchpad.

He, however, did not reveal if support for other gamepads, such as the Xbox controller, was planned in the future.