this post was submitted on 29 Apr 2026
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Steam Hardware

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The issue comes down to how the device interacts with your computer. Just like the original version, the new Steam Controller has no native Windows drivers. This means the hardware relies entirely on the Steam app to function properly. If you do not have the game running via Valve's storefront app, your shiny new gamepad turns into a useless piece of plastic.

Gamers Nexus also reported this and there are a lot of other news outlets also covering this. It is kinda the same as with the steam deck where I noticed that the inputs just don't work until steam is launched. I really don't like that I have to have Steam running for this controller to work. I don't know if it is a dealbreaker for me, yet, but it really put a damper on my enthusiasm about it

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[–] toothbrush@lemmy.blahaj.zone 154 points 2 days ago (3 children)

This should not be a problem on linux. The old controller has a basic linux driver included in the upstream kernel, and there is a userspace driver too called sc-controller which I have used.

[–] ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 34 points 2 days ago

It's supposed to have Linux drivers. Fuck windows. No problem here.

[–] BentiGorlich@gehirneimer.de 29 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Uh interesting 🤔 I will probably just wait and see if that is actually the case and working. Right now I have an xbox one controller with the wireless dongle for which I need to compile a kernel module to work and I'd like to get rid of that 😅

[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 32 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

You should generally always wait and see with basically all tech products. There is never really a reason to buy freshly released products except for FOMO stupidity. Same applies to games.

[–] Arcka@midwest.social 1 points 1 day ago

Somebody has to compile the driver. Who do you think that should be, and have you asked them to?