PlayStation 4 controller 'basic functions' to work in Windows

Getting a PlayStation 3 controller working in Windows requires downloading third-party drivers and tools, but thankfully it'll be far easier with the PS4's DualShock 4. The new controller's "basic functions" should be just peachy on PC, though don't get your hopes up about fancy things like its touchpad or light bar.

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Getting a PlayStation 3 controller working in Windows requires downloading third-party drivers and tools, but thankfully it'll be far easier with the PS4's DualShock 4. The new controller's "basic functions" should be just peachy on PC, though don't get your hopes up about fancy things like its touchpad or light bar.

"The analog sticks and buttons will work just fine," Sony Computer Entertainment's Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida said on Twitter in response to a question (via Joystiq).

He clarified that it'll be Windows-compatible "for basic functions" by default. As for whether it'll be specifically recognised as a DualShock 4, he said to responded "wait for field report after the launch." Enigmatic!

Compatibility hassles gave the Xbox 360 controller free rein to become the de facto gamepad of PC gaming, and while this may not change that, it is at least good news for people who prefer the feel of Sony's buttonblocks.

From The Chatty
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    October 7, 2013 8:00 AM

    Alice O'Connor posted a new article, PlayStation 4 controller 'basic functions' to work in Windows.

    Getting a PlayStation 3 controller working in Windows requires downloading third-party drivers and tools, but thankfully it'll be far easier with the PS4's DualShock 4. The new controller's "basic functions" should be just peachy on PC, though don't get your hopes up about fancy things like its touchpad or light bar.

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      October 7, 2013 8:30 AM

      thank all that is holy.

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      October 7, 2013 8:33 AM

      Curious if they're doing dinput or xinput. But good news, regardless.

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      October 7, 2013 8:34 AM

      That's fantastic news.

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      October 7, 2013 8:34 AM

      that's great news, but i think i'm leaning towards the xbone pad simply because i prefer the stick layout. really anxious to test both out, though!

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      October 7, 2013 8:39 AM

      [deleted]

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        October 7, 2013 8:43 AM

        The Special Edition (Chrome series, Tomb Raider, MW3) controllers' D-Pad is better than the Dualshock IMO. I believe they're using a modified version of this on the XB1.

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          October 7, 2013 9:39 AM

          Thoroughly disagree. It's better than the original 360, but that's not saying much.

          Even with the rotating version it still feels like shit.

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      October 7, 2013 9:10 AM

      WHO CARES STEAM CONTROLLER #1 LETS GO

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      October 7, 2013 9:25 AM

      I always read her name, at first glance, as Alice in Chains.

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      October 7, 2013 9:26 AM

      That is great! Although everything on the PC seems fairly tuned to the 360 controller right now. Hopefully this works just as well.

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      October 7, 2013 9:52 AM

      a good thing. will be cool to see what kind of cool things we can hack together for the light and touchpads

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      October 7, 2013 3:03 PM

      There should be touchpad support to act as a mouse cursor

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      October 7, 2013 6:18 PM

      Hopefully touchpad support gets figured out, it would make the PS4 controller so good in the living room

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