Valve’s Steam Controller presents itself as one of the best options for playing games on PC, specifically (but not limited to) games on Steam and through Steam Input. With tight integration into the platform, tons of customization options, and the ability to easily play controller and traditional keyboard- and- mouse titles alike, there’s little to suggest that this isn’t the one controller that does it all. Except that, currently, some firmware quirks are severely holding it back.
One of the most prevalent involves the controller’s rumble, which exhibits some unpredictable and, in many cases, completely broken behavior, depending on the game you’re playing. I’ve had a mostly great time with the Steam Controller, but recently some newer (and older) games have exposed the issue. With 007 First Light, the Steam Controller consistently (and powerfully) pulses, almost as if it’s mimicking an in-game heartbeat, irrespective of what I’m doing. It’s the same in Forza Horizon 6, albeit with far less force, but with the same rhythmic vibration that doesn’t stop. Swapping to an Xbox controller in both cases resolves the issue entirely, laying blame squarely on Valve’s controller.
But with Hollow Knight: Silksong, however, everything works as expected. That’s the same for an older game like Metro Exodus, making the matter more confusing. This isn’t isolated either. The Steam Controller subreddit is starting to become filled with similar posts regarding strange rumble behavior recently, perhaps due to a new firmware version potentially breaking something for those who have downloaded it.
Some users have mentioned sending in the controller for a replacement, only for that to exhibit the same issue. Other users report not experiencing the issue at all. Steam Support, as reported by others, lays the blame squarely on developer support, and the absence of an official Steam Controller profile. That might be the case, but, as some users have noted, that shouldn’t make the controller completely unusable. We’ve contacted Valve directly, and will update this story with any reply we receive in the future.
It’s a disappointing reality for a controller that is already very expensive, despite all of its distinct features that are meant to set it apart from the plethora of third-party controllers. But if game support is going to be this spotty, and especially so in instances where the Steam Controller is the only one at fault, it does make that asking price seem a little steeper.