By: Nick Gambino
While you can hook up pretty much any controller to your PC and play games through Steam, they’re pretty limited when it comes to functionality.
Valve’s initial solution to this problem was producing their very own Steam controller. Because of its similarity to the PS4’s DualShock controller, Valve has now added support for the PlayStation controller.
You can now map and customize the DualShock according to your needs. With numerous buttons as well as a gyro and touchpad you can run the gamut of customized functions.
While hardcore PC gamers seem to be content to stick with the keyboard and mouse set-up, this added support for the DualShock offers a bridged gap for console gamers to step into the world of PC gaming.
In their announcement Valve offers some insight into what you can expect to do with the controller, “When enabled PS4 controllers will have access to the same sort of customization/configuration support as Steam Controllers, including native API support. PS4 Controllers using this system can map the trackpad, gyro, buttons, etc. to keyboard, mouse or x-input outputs and make use of action sets, touch menus, radial menus, and so forth.”
Now I will offer a piece of advice or a warning, if you will. If you are thinking of using either the DualShock or Steam controller to play an FPS like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), don’t. The controller removes that slight edge from a game that requires lightning-fast reaction time.
Take this from someone who’s been tea-bagged enough times in-game that I chucked my controller out the window and invested in an actual gaming mouse (Razer DeathAdder Chroma). I know when enough’s enough.
But for anyone playing a game that’s a bit more laid back and doesn’t require cat-like reflexes, maybe GTA or Dark Souls (think RPG), a controller is definitely more comfortable and probably more appropriate.
What are your thoughts on Valve’s added support for the DualShock on Steam? Let us know in the comments below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nick Gambino is a regular script writer and tech beat reporter for NewsWatch. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and daughter.
