On the recent post about Steam controller shortages, I saw several comments about the Steam controller not being usable outside of Steam. I wanted to explain more in depth about how the controller works without Steam, and what your options are for universal support.

First, when steam isn't running the controller works in "lizard mode", where it works as a combination of a keyboard and mouse. This is meant to let users navigate non-controller friendly interfaces like the desktop, boot menus, etc. Once steam starts running, it will replace this with a customizable "desktop" layout, but the base lizard mode will work without steam.

For playing non-steam games, your main options are:

• Add non-steam games to Steam. This is probably the intended way to use it, this will let you easily use Steam input/big picture mode/etc. The main catch for this is that it probably won't work for Gamepass games on windows (see 3rd-party software below).

• Hold the menu/start button for 3 seconds, which will swap the desktop layout to a traditional controller. You can also remap the desktop layout to be a standard controller. Requires steam running in the background.

• SDL support - any games that support SDL will have native support for the Steam controller. Any games or emulators that use this will not only support the steam controller, but will also allow mapping their backbuttons/trackpads/etc. No Steam required.

• 3rd Party Software - SteamlessController allows you to use the steam controller as a standard gamepad on windows without Steam running.

• 3rd Party Software - Steam Controller Remapper Originally a fork of Steamless, but now has it's own remapping software, xbox game bar widget support, and can automatically swap the controller between normal steam mode (for steam games) and specific profiles for non-steam games.

• 3rd Party Software - SISR requires Steam to be running in the background (although Steamless support is planned), but allows you to use SteamInput profiles while still having the Steam Controller appear like a standard controller to games. This can help with any games that don't play nicely with normal steam input, such as gamepass games, some anti-cheat, emulators, etc. This will also let you use the Steam Deck as a controller without having to stream your game to the deck. Works on Windows and Linux.

If anyone has any other recommendations let me know.