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I've been using a lot of SC Controller [github] to play games with my Steam Controller outside of Steam, but it did have a major issue. I reported the issue and it has now been solved.

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The issue was that any time you used SC Controller, Steam would no longer recognise your Steam Controller, even after turning the SC Controller application off completely. I wasn't sure if it was as problem with my system, but after repeated testing I was convinced it wasn't. I reported the bug and two days later it has been fixed with a new release!

It never used to be a problem, but a recent Steam update adjusted how Steam looks for the Steam Controller.

Here's the release notes for SC Controller v0.3.8.1:
  • Steam not recognizing Steam Controller after SC-Controller is turned off
  • Profile switching broken when there is no controller connected
  • Menu appears at bottom even if set to appear on top
  • Setting automatic profile switching from menu doesn't work


Fantastic work by the developer kozec. It's such a darn useful application! Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Apps
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qptain Nemo Mar 29, 2017
Does it make it possible to use it with games in Wine?
Beamboom Mar 29, 2017
So I finally got me a Steam controller last week! They have to be imported here in Norway (and thus toll and stuff adds a lot to the price) but I found it used.

It's different indeed, with the touch pads. But it's cool to use! I haven't done any serious gaming with it yet but I love how it just works in all games within Steam.
Guppy Mar 29, 2017
Quoting: BeamboomSo I finally got me a Steam controller last week! They have to be imported here in Norway (and thus toll and stuff adds a lot to the price) [...]

That's strange - I am often required to write special addon/plugins to web shops, some of this work is handling non-EU (usually Norwegian specifically) customers where we have to remove Danish VAT ( 25% ).

So wouldn't it be cheaper ? or is it just that webshop doesn't support this scenario and charge you full price ?
torrit Mar 29, 2017
Quoting: Beamboom(...)
It's different indeed, with the touch pads. But it's cool to use! I haven't done any serious gaming with it yet but I love how it just works in all games within Steam.

I've bought one about a month ago. I tried it with several games and while I really like it I must admit it has some caveats.

To my surprise some games still have a problem detecting SC properly - Tropico 5 had some strange mappings and Saints Row IV didn't recognize SC at all - I had to revert to mouse+keyboard or Logitech gamepad.

But the biggest drawback for me is short analog stick - makes racing games really difficult - it may be so because I've been using Logitech gamepads for years but still - I quickly switched to steering with gyroscope.

Despite all of that I really enjoy using Steam Controller. In most games it is as comfortable as regular gamepad and it enables to play games that are not controller-friendly which is it's biggest advantage.

Playing FPS games is still much, much easier with mouse+keyboard than with SC in regular gamepad mode (no surprise there) so next thing I'm planning to do is to try out aiming with touchpad+gyro. Steering with gyroscope in racing games made for really unique experience so I have high hopes for this one!
Arehandoro Mar 29, 2017
Quoting: qptain NemoDoes it make it possible to use it with games in Wine?

Was about to ask exactly the same question xD I truly hope it does though!
stud68 Mar 29, 2017
Quoting: Arehandoro
Quoting: qptain NemoDoes it make it possible to use it with games in Wine?

Was about to ask exactly the same question xD I truly hope it does though!

Already works in wine. Has done since day one.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Gamepad#Wine
Beamboom Mar 29, 2017
Quoting: Guppy
Quoting: BeamboomSo I finally got me a Steam controller last week! They have to be imported here in Norway (and thus toll and stuff adds a lot to the price) [...]

That's strange - I am often required to write special addon/plugins to web shops, some of this work is handling non-EU (usually Norwegian specifically) customers where we have to remove Danish VAT ( 25% ).

So wouldn't it be cheaper ? or is it just that webshop doesn't support this scenario and charge you full price ?

I've never seen that on Amazon at least. But regardless, there is a toll barrier into Norway on goods that cost above around 30€, so in addition to the Norwegian VAT there is a Toll import charge. I'd estimate that it in total adds up to almost as much as the controller itself.
It suxxxorz. But the real question is, why are there no Norwegian distributor?
Nanobang Mar 29, 2017
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Quoting: torritPlaying FPS games is still much, much easier with mouse+keyboard than with SC in regular gamepad mode (no surprise there) so next thing I'm planning to do is to try out aiming with touchpad+gyro.

Shortly after I received my SC I discovered the joy of using the left pad for movement instead of the joystick ... now I can't go back. Putting WASD on the left pad, activated by the lightest touch, grants me a nimbleness which is even better than a keyboard.

It takes some getting used to, but I've found the right pad/gyro experience comparable to --- and more to my liking than --- using a mouse. And since I play from my couch, in my living room, I can now say that "playing FPS games is ... much, much easier" with the SC than mouse+keyboard. I hope you will too!


Last edited by Nanobang on 29 March 2017 at 12:19 pm UTC
natewardawg Mar 29, 2017
Quoting: Arehandoro
Quoting: qptain NemoDoes it make it possible to use it with games in Wine?

Was about to ask exactly the same question xD I truly hope it does though!

Yes, it does :)


Thanks for reporting that Liam. I had noticed it too, but rarely play games outside of Steam, and since it just suddenly started happening, I figured it was just my setup.
Nanobang Mar 29, 2017
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I think that the SC-CONTROLLER is very close to becoming more powerful than Steam's own configuration tool. I'm someone who creates custom configurations for all my games, so I feel fairly comfortable saying that I know my way around Steam's config tool, and more and more I find myself wanting to do something that I can only do on SC-CONTROLLER.

The day is fast coming when the SC-CONTROLLER becomes my primary driver for all my games, whether they're on Steam or not.
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