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Valve has published a report that highlights an increase in users who play their Steam games with a controller.
The stats reveal that, since 2018, the daily average of controller use has tripled from around 5% to 15%. While many users put the mouse and keyboard aside when playing, Valve says they do have a preference in which controller they choose. The Steam team explains that 59% of controller sessions use an Xbox controller, while PlayStation controllers account for 26% and Steam Decks make up 10%.
Valve adds that 46% of controller sessions utilize its controller-friendly service, Steam Input. As users have flocked to use controllers more often, the company has brought in a number of features and options for those players. Some recent updates include its Big Picture update, the new controller configurator, improved gyro aiming, virtual menus, and enhanced support for a variety of PlayStation and Xbox controllers.
Additionally, Valve says it recently added support for the new Steam HORIPAD, which will arrive in Japan later this summer. No specific numbers, or how controller usage compares to those who prefer mouse and keyboard, were revealed in today’s update from the company.
Valve took a deeper dive into traditional controller support for PC gaming with the release of the Steam Deck in 2022. We gave the portable device a 7/10 in our review, but this on-the-go hardware isn’t Valve’s only trek into this area. In 2015, the company also launched its own Steam Controller, though it was discontinued around four years later (we gave it a 5.9/10 in our review). In 2022, the company teased that it was interested in revisiting the idea of its own controller at some point in the future.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.