alt Hacker News> Can I play non steam games with the Steam Controller? > The controller can work with any game compatible with the Steam Overlay.
Ughhhhhh. Looks like they're doing the same nonsense as the last controller, and it won't work without Steam running. Such a disappointment; have to hope someone makes an open-source driver.
Replies
PrivateButts • today at 6:43 AM
It'll probably work like the steam deck in desktop mode when steam isn't running- a basic default profile takes over. To change anything on that profile or to have any advanced features would require steam input.
> and it won't work without Steam running. Such a disappointment
I assume it will be like Steam Controller 1: Given no Steam and no special driver, the Controller is a Mouse + Keyboard, also referred to as "lizard mode".
I am also anti-DRM, but I don't think this can be solved easily. Consider the Dual Shock 2: Either it's explicitly supported or requires a custom diver to emulate into XInput or DirectInput. Even using XInput directly is cross platform a driver nightmare. Valve has done good work I think with their libSDL based Steam Overlay, becoming a kind of universal Input equalizer, going so far as to patch their games with updated tutorial input prompts based on controller like Dual Shock 2 vs XBox Controllers.
A firmware level solution is not really realistic at this point. Controller Manufacturer 8BitDo went this approach, with many device restart firmware modes per target platform. It's just not a good user experience.