The Steam Controller is no longer restricted to playing just Steam games thanks to SDL library integration

The Steam Controller initially debuted as a Steam-exclusive device that only worked within the confines of Valve's ecosystem. But now, according to Phoronix, the Steam Controller has received SDL support, making the device functional on other storefronts on PC outside of Steam and making the controller functional on iOS and Android (outside of Steam Link).

Testers have confirmed the Steam Controller is almost fully functional with SDL. Control mapping, touchpads, haptic feedback, gyros, and joysticks all work. The only issues that remain are some minor functionality issues with the touchpads and a couple of Steam-specific issues that also exist on the Steam Deck. Adding and playing a non-Steam game with the Steam client will ignore SDL on the controller, and running Steam in the background can result in double inputs occurring due to SDL and Valve's native controller stack running simultaneously.

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For the uninitiated, SDL stands for Simple DirectMedia Layer and is a cross-platform development library designed to provide low-level access to a variety of hardware and devices, including graphics cards, audio devices, mice, joysticks, and controllers. SDL is the reason for the wide variety of game controller support that works effortlessly across multiple operating systems, featuring Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, and Android. If you've ever plugged a controller into your PC and it "just works," there's a good chance SDL is responsible for making that possible.

The Steam Controller debuted last month for $99 as Valve's first dedicated gaming controller designed to play Steam games on PC. The controller separates itself from mainstream controllers by packing a pair of touchpads for each thumb below each joystick, allowing players to choose if they want to play games with thumbsticks or with mouse control. Valve has also packed the Steam controller with next-generation magnetic thumbsticks boasting TMR technology, and an 8.39 Wh battery capable of providing "35+ hours" of gameplay on a single charge. As if that wasn't enough, Valve also added a little easter egg where the controller will scream when dropped.