Valve has recently highlighted the increasing popularity of using controllers to play games on Steam, revealing some intriguing statistics and developments in a new blog post.
According to Valve’s data:
- The daily average use of controllers on Steam has tripled since 2018, rising from 5% to up to 15%.
- 42% of these controller sessions utilize Steam Input, a feature that enhances controller compatibility and customization.
In terms of specific controllers:
- Xbox controllers dominate the usage, constituting 59% of all controller sessions on Steam.
- PlayStation controllers, likely the DualSense or DualShock 4, make up 26% of sessions.
- The Steam Deck, Valve’s own handheld gaming device, accounts for 10% of controller usage.
Valve attributes this growth in controller usage to ongoing improvements and features added to Steam Input and controller support. Recent enhancements include:
- Updates to Big Picture mode, which offers a redesigned controller-first experience and brings the Steam Deck user interface to larger screens.
- Introduction of new controller configurations, Gyro aiming support, virtual menus for the desktop client, and expanded support for PlayStation and Xbox controllers.
- Addition of support for the Wireless Horipad from Hori, a new controller option set to launch in Japan, featuring various color variants and targeted at enhancing the gaming experience on Steam.
These developments underscore Valve’s commitment to improving the controller experience on Steam, catering to a growing segment of users who prefer to play games with controllers rather than traditional keyboard and mouse setups. As controller adoption continues to rise, Valve aims to further innovate and refine its controller support to meet the diverse needs of its global gaming community.
