PS4 Controller Scoring Full Native Steam Support

Turn the Valve

by Sammy Barker Thu 13th Oct 2016

DualShock 4 PS4 PlayStation 4 Steam Controller 1

The DualShock 4 has become a popular controller option for PC players, and so Valve is adding native compatibility for the PlayStation 4 peripheral on its Steam platform. "Believe it or not, when you use the PS4 controller through the Steam API, it's exactly the same as a Steam controller," Jeff Bellinghausen said during a panel at the company's Steam Dev Days event. "You make the exact same API calls, you only get actions, not inputs, and the Steam API takes care of everything."

Bellinghausen pointed to the overlap between the DualShock 4 and the Steam Controller, such as the gyro and touchpad features. "Also, existing native support for the PS4 controller on the PC is a bit weak; in this case Steam itself is communicating directly with the device so everything's nice and reliable," he said.

Previously, PC players have had to make do with third-party applications to make the DualShock 4 play nicely, but this should come as positive news for those who spend more time fiddling with drivers than actually playing games.

[source gamasutra.com, via polygon.com]

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
Haruki_NLI
Thu 13th Oct 2016

So do I just connect via bluetooth or does sony need to flog me an adaptor because it has a special bludtooth signal because sony?

I already know the answer (It works) but I wouldnt be shocked if sony put a wall there now its official

2
get2sammyb
Thu 13th Oct 2016

@BLPs Not sure actually. I imagine you need the adaptor for wireless.

3
Haruki_NLI
Thu 13th Oct 2016

@get2sammyb Well I can use DS4Windows and my built in Bluetooth for it to connect. Since this is being done through Steam and its API using Steam Controller as a base...I imagine (or hope) it can use built in if it has it, with adaptors for those without it.

Guess its just wait for confirmation...

4
Expa0
Thu 13th Oct 2016

Already using it through that one program that tricks the PC to think it's a 360 controller or W/E. I guess official support is always nice though, PS4 controller quickly became my favorite controller of all time, it's SO much better compared to the ol PS2/PS3 controllers.

5
GBMatthew
Thu 13th Oct 2016

@get2sammyb Not necessarily as long as your PC has a Bluetooth module you should be ok. I can play a lot of the newer Ubisoft games via UPlay with just a Bluetooth connection to my Dualshock 4. There are also a few games on Steam that currently support wireless PS4.