Steam, Valve’s renowned digital distribution service, is about to undergo some interesting changes that specifically cater to PlayStation’s DualSense and DualShock controllers.
The ongoing evolution of the Steam platform, committed to continually enhancing user experience, has taken a massive leap towards ensuring its vast user base feels represented and catered for.
According to a recent developer-focused blog post, out of the 87 million Steam users who’ve played using controllers in the past at least once, roughly 27% use either the PS4’s DualShock or the PS5’s DualSense. This figure has seen a huge increase from 11% in 2018. Such data provides a clear testament to the rising popularity of PlayStation controllers within the Steam community.
This increasing trend didn’t go unnoticed by Valve, prompting their decision to escalate PlayStation controller support on their platform. Starting from October, store and library pages will explicitly indicate the compatibility of games with these controllers. Players can expect icons and messages that lucidly convey the degree of support for DualShock and DualSense controllers provided by a game. Furthermore, players will find it considerably more straightforward to find games with PlayStation controller support, assess support in their current game library, and identify games that necessitate a controller to play.
Until now, a noticeable gap existed. Though Steam has been renowned for its broad controller support, it wasn’t clear which specific brand of controller was supported by a game. The ubiquitous support for Xbox controllers led many to default to them for a seamless experience. The impending updates, however, promise a more inclusive environment for PlayStation controller enthusiasts. Players will be empowered to filter titles based on controller compatibility, providing a substantially more user-friendly experience.
Developers play a pivotal role in this transition. Valve is prompting game developers to complete a controller-support questionnaire, which will auto-rate a game’s DualShock/DualSense compatibility based on the provided feedback. This initiative ensures that the PlayStation controller support information presented to users is precise and reliable.
Another aspect worth noting is Valve’s controller configurator. Integrated into Steam, it facilitates easy integration of both the DualShock and DualSense controllers for games. However, this doesn’t guarantee native support, which could potentially lead to the absence of PlayStation button icons in-game, potentially confusing players. Native PlayStation controller support becomes even more desirable considering the distinctive features Sony’s controllers offer, like the DualSense’s haptic triggers, which aren’t present in Microsoft’s controllers.
Many speculate about the implications of this enhanced PlayStation controller support. Does this suggest an emerging alliance with Sony? Historically, Valve has shown a proclivity for platform inclusiveness, as evidenced by porting Portal to the Switch. While some optimists dream of a world where Half-Life: Alyx graces the PSVR2, it’s imperative to maintain a realistic perspective. Valve’s intensified Steam support for DualShock 4 and DualSense seems more rooted in the rise of PS4 and PS5 games converted to PC titles on Steam rather than an indication of Valve’s flagship games making their way to Sony platforms.
TLDR; it’s a response to Sony’s increased investment in porting first-party titles on Steam.
Ultimately, Valve’s forthcoming enhancements to Steam are a commendable step towards inclusiveness and user-friendliness.
By recognizing and responding to the escalating use of PlayStation controllers, Valve not only displays its commitment to evolving based on user preferences but also fortifies its position as a leading digital distribution platform that keeps the gamer’s experience at its core.
Whether this is a response to Epic Games’ latest attempt to take Steam’s spot as the go-to platform for most developers remain to be seen.
