XCOM 2 supports Valve’s Steam Controller but not traditional gamepads

PC-exclusive game works with PC-exclusive controller.

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[Z1ggy]

In any case, I'm sure there are a good number of readers who think this is a moot point and are wondering why anyone would want to play a game like this with anything other than a mouse and keyboard. Oh, look, there's a comment link where those readers can share their thoughts with the readers that actually enjoy gamepad controls. This should be a fun thread.

glad i wasnt drinking anything.

 

[yeppers]

XCOM 1 played really, really well with a gamepad, and it was my preferred method. I played the PC version on my couch. This is how I would like to play XCOM 2, so I'm going to hold off on the game until they patch support.

 

[heartburnkid]

Did Valve pay for exclusivity for their new toy? If so, dirty pool, Valve.

 

[snowman<ca>]

Eh, keyboard or controller, I am still pretty sure that rookie on my squad has a low chance of making it through the mission.

 

[ken27238]

I mean it kind of makes sense due to the Steam Controller just being mapped as a mouse and keyboard.

 

[gijames1225]

Z1ggy[/url]":1hoh98z2]

In any case, I'm sure there are a good number of readers who think this is a moot point and are wondering why anyone would want to play a game like this with anything other than a mouse and keyboard. Oh, look, there's a comment link where those readers can share their thoughts with the readers that actually enjoy gamepad controls. This should be a fun thread.

glad i wasnt drinking anything.

Hell if that isn't one of the best final paragraphs I've ever read.

 

[gijames1225]

heartburnkid[/url]":1dzfsykw]Did Valve pay for exclusivity for their new toy? If so, dirty pool, Valve.

Sounds more like they reached out and helped develop it, something I doubt Sony or Microsoft did.

 

[Stone]

Regardless of what Valve themselves want, most PC games natively support Xbox 360/One controllers, and will even prompt via the colors or buttons. I'm a bad PC gamer and usually use an Xbox One controller, rather than kbd/mouse when there's an option.

I'm sure they'll patch in later, but it just seems like a silly thing to do.

 

[snowman<ca>]

orangpelupa[/url]":kk99fx4l]Wait, steam controller is a pc exclusive? I thought it also works for Mac and Android

My ps4 and Xbox gamepad works on Android without fuzz. I thought nowadays gamepad is all standardized.

Some people still call a Mac a PC, even though that term is also often used as a synonym for computer running windows. At least in this context, the game is not currently avalible on Android so it makes little difference if the controller does.

 

[nehinks]

heartburnkid[/url]":34oavrh3]Did Valve pay for exclusivity for their new toy? If so, dirty pool, Valve.

I suspect no money changed hands, but given Steam's dominant market position for PC, it would not surprise me at all if Valve used their influence for this result. Or maybe a little subtle tweaking of how often XCOM 2 ads are displayed...

 

[SudoShinji]

Steam controller is just a mapping of kb/m so this doesn't surprise me. I'm excited there is steam controller support though because I can't play with any other controller at this point, they feel so rudimentary by comparison.

 

[taraba]

I thought it was weird that Steam was offering me a 40% discount on a steam controller if I had purchased Xcom2. Is this some kind of controller exclusivity like we usually see for consoles?

 

[Janeazy]

Just to clear this up, Kyle mentions "PC Exclusivity" but the game has been ported to work for both Mac and Linux (phew I'm a Mac user), and the controller should work for Linux at least (since the Steam Box is running some kind of Linux?)

Also, does PC nowadays mean a "non-Console" device?

 

[sword_9mm]

Stone[/url]":22k60hy9]Regardless of what Valve themselves want, most PC games natively support Xbox 360/One controllers, and will even prompt via the colors or buttons. I'm a bad PC gamer and usually use an Xbox One controller, rather than kbd/mouse when there's an option.

I'm sure they'll patch in later, but it just seems like a silly thing to do.

yeah me too.

unless it's an fps/diablo type game i just roll xb1 controller now. just easier for a lot of games especially since a lot of games are 3rd person type stuff.

edit:

Just to clear this up, Kyle mentions "PC Exclusivity" but the game has been ported to work for both Mac and Linux (phew I'm a Mac user), and the controller should work for Linux at least (since the Steam Box is running some kind of Linux?)

Also, does PC nowadays mean a "non-Console" device?

i'd assume. a mac/linux/windows machine are exactly the same except for the os.

 

[Xavin]

There are PC games that work better with a controller than kb/mouse, but XCom is not one of them.

 

[Xavin]

Also, does PC nowadays mean a "non-Console" device?

Basically. While not all games are on MacOS and Linux, those that are resemble a Windows game way more than they resemble a console game. Lots of indie and smaller games are multiplatform now, because with current engines it's really not hard..

 

[cmacd]

yeppers[/url]":1pycy5sf]XCOM 1 played really, really well with a gamepad, and it was my preferred method. I played the PC version on my couch. This is how I would like to play XCOM 2, so I'm going to hold off on the game until they patch support.

Yup, played XCOM EU/EW exclusively on PC, and exclusively with the controller. Whether on the couch or at the desk or on the laptop. Worked great, enjoyed it, much more comfortable.

This would have been a day one purchase for me with Xbox controller support. Now I guess I'll look at buying it when they "patch in" support, provided reviews on that support are good? And by then, it'll probably make sense to wait for a sale? And by then, maybe something else has caught my eye.

In other words, this is probably a lost sale from me. *shrug*

 

[cmacd]

And quit trying to make fetch happen, Valve.

It's never going to happen.

 

[snowman<ca>]

Stone[/url]":5d3o22we]Regardless of what Valve themselves want, most PC games natively support Xbox 360/One controllers, and will even prompt via the colors or buttons. I'm a bad PC gamer and usually use an Xbox One controller, rather than kbd/mouse when there's an option.

I'm sure they'll patch in later, but it just seems like a silly thing to do.

Though just because it is not supported does not mean it will not work, just that it was not a priority and probably was not in QA's testing.

 

[Xenobane]

gijames1225[/url]":10qadl92]

heartburnkid[/url]":10qadl92]Did Valve pay for exclusivity for their new toy? If so, dirty pool, Valve.

Sounds more like they reached out and helped develop it, something I doubt Sony or Microsoft did.

Haha, why are you getting downvoted? This is almost certainly what happened.

It's understandable to be disappointed that XCOM 2 doesn't have controller support, but kb+m UIs are compromised for controllers waaay more often than the other way around.

 

[flunk]

This is pretty laughable considering the number of gamers using the Steam Controller vs those using EVERY OTHER solution. It's like saying your new gasoline only supports the BMW 325i.

 

[cmacd]

I was trying to think of an example of a PC-exclusive game with robust controller support, and drawing a blank. Everything I could think of was either a console port or had a console port.

So, on the one hand, fair that this wouldn't be a priority.

But on the other hand, absent a very good justification, I expect to be able to play a sequel in the same matter as the original. If 1 was designed for controller play, I expect 2 to be as well.

 

[KAL1989]

Alfonse[/url]":wba7czcx]

Xenobane[/url]":wba7czcx]

gijames1225[/url]":wba7czcx]

heartburnkid[/url]":wba7czcx]Did Valve pay for exclusivity for their new toy? If so, dirty pool, Valve.

Sounds more like they reached out and helped develop it, something I doubt Sony or Microsoft did.

Haha, why are you getting downvoted? This is almost certainly what happened.

It's understandable to be disappointed that XCOM 2 doesn't have controller support, but kb+m UIs are compromised for controllers waaay more often than the other way around.

So bad behavior in one direction is justification for bad behavior in another? Last time I heard it, two wrongs don't make a right.

But three rights make a left!

Anyways, the argument that games get compromised for controllers is valid... depending on the game. A turn based strategy game won't have that compromise. What are you going to do different with a keyboard? Macro commands that aren't even time sensitive? Divinity plays great with a gamepad and that is a pretty complex turn based RPG.

 

[TheMerricat]

cmacd[/url]":1kyophzq]I was trying to think of an example of a PC-exclusive game with robust controller support, and drawing a blank. Everything I could think of was either a console port or had a console port.

So, on the one hand, fair that this wouldn't be a priority.

But on the other hand, absent a very good justification, I expect to be able to play a sequel in the same matter as the original. If 1 was designed for controller play, I expect 2 to be as well.

X-COM:EU was not a PC exclusive, it didn't have the choice to not support controllers.

Not having seen the game's UI yet, but from reading the article it seemed as if the justification was the UI wasn't designed for a controller but a mouse and keyboard.

And to me that seems a "very good justification".

I realize we are in the sunset portion of the PC exclusive era, and the noontime of the console port era so it's not unexpected that people have forgotten how restricting designing for a controller can be when compared to keyboard and mouse combo, but nevertheless it is.

 

[SudoShinji]

flunk[/url]":3dbwgt4k]This is pretty laughable considering the number of gamers using the Steam Controller vs those using EVERY OTHER solution. It's like saying your new gasoline only supports the BMW 325i.

It's the number one seller on Amazon and it's the far superior option, especially for kb/m games. No one bats an eye when a game optimized for kb/m only comes out but now people are mad that literally the only controller that can manage a kb/m only game is supported with it?

 

[borland502]

I do believe this is the first article in which we've been *invited* to troll. Once upon a time I would have said "mouse and keyboard forever!". Today, I kind of like the idea of kicking back with svelte input device and a bigger screen.

Still, this is a friggin tactical game. I can lay back with my wireless keyboard and trackpad without issue.

 

[Sajuuk]

Game designed for keyboard and mouse more easily translated to controller designed explicitly to emulate them compared to more traditional controllers.

 

[borland502]

i'd assume. a mac/linux/windows machine are exactly the same except for the os.

No, no, my dear sir.

Linux infuses system hardware with the power of the ultra-nerd -- the power of shell scripts that do thousands of very, very, specific OCD tasks with more effort than it'd take to do them with less flair.

Macs are infused with the power of heaven itself, making the very hardware resonate with holy energy. If it breaks, you must have sinned against the divine.

Windows infuses the hardware with the power of default compatibility and little stress (unless you are a closet Linux/Mac person).

 

[Callitrax]

Xavin[/url]":3sjt01xi]There are PC games that work better with a controller than kb/mouse, but XCom is not one of them.

Well no.
But honestly? XCom works great with kb/m but only really really well with a controller. The difference in quality of control scheme does not come close to offsetting the difference in quality comfort between desk/chair and couch/TV. I'm rather disappointed in the lack of controller support in XCom2

 

[greatn]

X Com give it to ya
X Com give it to ya
X com give it to ya
X com give it to ya

 

[Falos]

>the readers that actually enjoy gamepad controls

Oh. I'm a reader that actually enjoys gamepad controls. Especially on say, Mario Kart.

But "exclusively" would be a stupid thing to say. Sometimes you should use a shovel, sometimes you should use a pick.

I don't actually know which XCOM2 is, though.

 

[s73v3r]

gijames1225[/url]":31j98gbz]

heartburnkid[/url]":31j98gbz]Did Valve pay for exclusivity for their new toy? If so, dirty pool, Valve.

Sounds more like they reached out and helped develop it, something I doubt Sony or Microsoft did.

Xbox and PS4 controllers are pretty standard, and have been around for a while. If they wanted to include support for them, I doubt they'd need help in getting that working.

 

[OptimusWang]

cmacd[/url]":n370d8og]I was trying to think of an example of a PC-exclusive game with robust controller support, and drawing a blank. Everything I could think of was either a console port or had a console port.

Star Citizen, Elite Dangerous, Mechwarrior Online, Hawken, GTA V (before the console versions existed), and pretty much anything with "sim" or "racing" in the title or tagline. Lots of games do it, it's just rarely listed as a feature.

 

[lewax00]

gijames1225[/url]":20vphk9e]

heartburnkid[/url]":20vphk9e]Did Valve pay for exclusivity for their new toy? If so, dirty pool, Valve.

Sounds more like they reached out and helped develop it, something I doubt Sony or Microsoft did.

Haha, why are you getting downvoted? This is almost certainly what happened.

It's understandable to be disappointed that XCOM 2 doesn't have controller support, but kb+m UIs are compromised for controllers waaay more often than the other way around.

I really like how Divinity: Original Sin handled it (in the Extended Edition at least, haven't played the original version): if you switch control scheme, the UI is completely changed around. Neither version of the UI had to compromise, because they were each designed to handle only one. (Though, I find the controller menus a bit nicer due to their simplicity.)

 

[Golgo1]

This disapoints me greatly, although I am quite optimistic that they will add more general controller support in the future.

(I believe previous Xcom had little or no support at first launch. Or it was just terrible, I remember having lotsa problems, then it got great)

Until they add real support, I am going to try making a profile in my JoyToKey setup. It's worked well (well-enough) in a number of other games.

In case nobody else has mentioned it http://joytokey.net/en/
It takes a while to configure, but pretty handy.

 

[aaronb1138]

Thus, adding a native configuration that maps XCOM 2's controls to the Steam Controller's touchpads was probably easier than hard-coding full support for traditional joysticks and buttons. The ability for the community to tweak the controller configuration

Supporting one joystick and buttons or another is a trivial task, at least in the Windows world. Even prior to DirectInput being a core part of DirectX (what around DX 4 or 5), reading in X/Y-axis inputs and buttons was a simple task. Heck, even converting analog input from MIDI controller based game ports under DOS is easy.

Any kind of hedging or excuse making for why other controllers aren't supported is a load of bullsh*t.

Just say Valve paid them off to make it a Steam controller exclusive (since the rest of the Steam box initiative has turned out to just be a Steaming pile) and be done with the lies and double speak.

(Edit) And this commentary comes from a mouse / keyboard junky who HATES console controllers. Flight sims and full format joysticks are a different matter though...