TL;DR
Add Steam Controller integration to the game, add an IGA file, create a Recommended Configuration, add support for context based switching, maybe haptic feedback support? (Car driving is a mess with the controller now
)The Steam Controller is NOT a regular controller.
What ?
I'd like to see a tighter integration with the Steam Controller as this game is perfect to just sit on the couch and play via Steam Link and Steam Controller.There are a few things that can be done.
1. add labeled actions via an IGA file, this allows us to select the action instead of manually having to bind the right keys from the keyboard keymap.Native Mode
In Native mode, the game receives input data directly from the Configurator in the form of "actions." The idea here is that the game itself has no knowledge of what actual inputs are driving said actions, simply that the actions are happening. All configuration and control settings are relegated to the Steam Controller Configurator. That said, the game can request information via a special API call about which physical controls are bound to which actions purely for the purpose of displaying appropriate on-screen glyphs.
(Link to IGA manual: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/feat ... r/iga_file )
This would make customizing the configuration also way easier.
2. Create a Recommended Configuration, the community can also fine tune this, then you guys can upload it, so that when people play Factorio, the Recommended Configuration is automatically used for the controller.
3. Context Based Switching: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/api/ ... eActionSet
This can be used to change button binds depending on what is happening in the game, allowing for more buttons to be bound on contextual actions, such as building, targeting enemies, using menus, driving, etc.
4. Haptic Feedback / Rumble support: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/api/ ... apticPulse
This can be used to add a feeling to the game when using the steam controller, e.g as the cursor moves over toolbelt slots, when building in a location is impossible, when cutting down trees or mining, when shooting guns, etc.
You can even make people feel each bullet being shot by the Character, each hit on a material the Character makes, each bite or hit from a biter.
Rumbling for alerts, e.g. turrets shooting give a light rumble, stuff being destroyed gives a more pronounced buzz
5. Change the way cars handle.
WASD for driving is nearly impossible with the controller unless it's rebound to accelerating/breaking with the left pad by moving up or down, and steering with the right pad, normally it's undetectable, but when contextual switching is added, this becomes a possibility.
Otherwise, joystick support would need to be added, but this is trivial with the Steam Controller API.
Why ?
This doesn't only add support for the Steam Controller, it also adds support for DS4 and XBone controller!Also, it increases the playability both on the couch and for people having trouble using a mouse and keyboard.
This game is awesome to play on the couch, and luckily already possible due to the UI Scale option, but a more tight integration with the Steam Controller would be a godsend.
Especially driving cars would become much easier, and tactile feedback really helps with the immersion
This post has been shared in the subreddit also!
Link to post in r/factorio
