Use Controller with Non-Steam Games

For PC gamers, using a controller can be a more comfortable and immersive experience than using a mouse and keyboard, especially for games that were originally designed for consoles. However, non-Steam games can often be difficult to configure to work with controllers.

There are a few different ways to get around this issue. One option is to use a third-party controller emulator, such as X360ce or DS4Windows. These emulators can translate the input from your controller into the format that the game expects, making it appear as if you are using a supported controller.

Another option is to use a game launcher that supports controller configuration, such as GOG Galaxy or LaunchBox. These launchers can automatically detect and configure your controller for non-Steam games, making it easy to get started.

Use Controller with Non-Steam Games

Here are 8 important points to keep in mind when using a controller with non-Steam games:

• Use a controller emulator.
• Use a game launcher with controller support.
• Check the game's documentation for controller support.
• Update your controller drivers.
• Restart your computer after making changes.
• Use a wired controller if possible.
• Avoid using multiple controllers at the same time.
• Experiment with different controller settings.

By following these tips, you can improve your chances of getting your controller to work with non-Steam games.

Use a controller emulator

• How to use a controller emulator:
  1. Download and install the controller emulator.
  2. Run the emulator and select your controller from the list of available devices.
  3. Configure the emulator to match the buttons on your controller to the buttons in the game.
  4. Save your changes and exit the emulator.
• Benefits of using a controller emulator:
  • Can be used to get controllers to work with non-Steam games.
  • Can be configured to work with a variety of different controllers.
  • Is free to download and use.
• Limitations of using a controller emulator:
  • May not work with all games.
  • May require some technical knowledge to set up.

Use a game launcher with controller support.

Check the game's documentation for controller support.

• How to check the game's documentation:
  1. Find the game's documentation. This may be a physical manual, a PDF file, or a website.
  2. Look for a section on controller support. This section may be called "Controller Support," "Input Devices," or something similar.
  3. Read the section on controller support to see if the game supports controllers.
• Benefits of checking the game's documentation:
  • You can be sure whether or not the game supports controllers.
  • You can learn about the specific controllers that the game supports.
  • You can find out if there are any special requirements for using controllers with the game.
• Limitations of checking the game's documentation:
  • The game's documentation may not be up-to-date.
  • The game's documentation may not be available in your language.

Update your controller drivers.

Restart your computer after making changes.

• Why it is important to restart your computer after making changes:
  • Some changes to controller settings may not take effect until the computer is restarted.
  • Restarting the computer can help to clear any errors or glitches that may be preventing your controller from working properly.
• How to restart your computer:
  1. Click on the Start menu.
  2. Click on the Power button.
  3. Select Restart.
• Benefits of restarting your computer after making changes:
  • Can help to resolve controller issues.
  • Can improve the overall performance of your computer.

Use a wired controller if possible.

Avoid using multiple controllers at the same time.

• Why you should avoid using multiple controllers at the same time:
  • Some games may not be able to handle multiple controllers at the same time.
  • Using multiple controllers at the same time can lead to input lag, disconnections, and button mapping issues.
• How to avoid using multiple controllers at the same time:
  • Only connect one controller to your computer at a time.
  • If you are using a wireless controller, make sure that it is the only wireless controller that is turned on and connected to your computer.
• Benefits of avoiding using multiple controllers at the same time:
  • Can help to resolve controller issues.
  • Can improve the overall performance of your gaming PC.

Experiment with different controller settings.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about using controllers with non-Steam games:

Question 1: Why is my controller not working with a non-Steam game?
Answer 1: There are a few reasons why your controller may not be working with a non-Steam game. The game may not support controllers, your controller drivers may be out of date, or there may be a problem with your controller's configuration.

Question 2: How can I get my controller to work with a non-Steam game?
Answer 2: There are a few things you can try to get your controller to work with a non-Steam game. You can try using a controller emulator, using a game launcher with controller support, checking the game's documentation for controller support, updating your controller drivers, restarting your computer after making changes, using a wired controller if possible, avoiding using multiple controllers at the same time, and experimenting with different controller settings.

Question 3: What is a controller emulator?
Answer 3: A controller emulator is a software program that translates the input from your controller into the format that the game expects. This can be useful for getting controllers to work with non-Steam games, as these games may not have native support for controllers.

Question 4: What are some good game launchers with controller support?
Answer 4: Some good game launchers with controller support include GOG Galaxy and LaunchBox. These launchers can automatically detect and configure your controller for non-Steam games, making it easy to get started.

Question 5: How can I update my controller drivers?
Answer 5: To update your controller drivers, open the Device Manager, expand the "Human Interface Devices" category, right-click on your controller and select "Update Driver," and then select "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will search for and install the latest drivers for your controller.

Question 6: Why is it important to restart my computer after making changes to my controller settings?
Answer 6: Restarting your computer after making changes to your controller settings is important because it allows the changes to take effect and ensures that your controller is working properly.

Question 7: Why should I avoid using multiple controllers at the same time?
Answer 7: Avoiding using multiple controllers at the same time is important because some games may not be able to handle multiple controllers at the same time, which can lead to problems such as input lag, disconnections, and button mapping issues.

Question 8: Why should I experiment with different controller settings?
Answer 8: Experimenting with different controller settings is important because it allows you to customize the controller to your liking and improve your gaming experience. You can adjust the button mapping, the sensitivity of the analog sticks, and other settings to find a configuration that works for you.

If you are still having problems getting your controller to work with a non-Steam game, you can try searching for the specific game title and "controller issues" in a search engine. This may help you find other users who have experienced similar problems and have found solutions.

Tips

Here are a few tips for using controllers with non-Steam games:

Tip 1: Use a controller emulator. A controller emulator is a software program that translates the input from your controller into the format that the game expects. This can be useful for getting controllers to work with non-Steam games, as these games may not have native support for controllers. Some popular controller emulators include: * X360ce * DS4Windows * InputMapper

Tip 2: Use a game launcher with controller support. A game launcher is a software program that allows you to organize and launch your games from a single interface. Many game launchers also include features that can enhance your gaming experience, such as controller support. Some popular game launchers with controller support include: * GOG Galaxy * LaunchBox * Playnite

Tip 3: Check the game's documentation for controller support. Before you try any other methods, it is important to check the game's documentation to see if it supports controllers. Many games will have a section in their documentation that specifically mentions controller support. If the game does not have any documentation, you can usually find information about controller support on the game's website or forums.

Tip 4: Experiment with different controller settings. If you are still having problems getting your controller to work with a non-Steam game, you can try experimenting with different controller settings. Many games allow you to customize the controller settings, such as the button mapping and the sensitivity of the analog sticks. To experiment with different controller settings, open the game's settings menu and navigate to the controller settings section. Here, you can adjust the button mapping, the sensitivity of the analog sticks, and other settings. Once you have made some changes to the controller settings, test the controller to see if the issue has been resolved. If the issue persists, you can try experimenting with different settings until you find a configuration that works for you.

By following these tips, you can improve your chances of getting your controller to work with non-Steam games.