Sony's Shuhei Yoshida: DualShock 4 will be compatible with Windows for 'basic functions'

You won't be using a DualShock 4 on an Xbox come November 15th, but that doesn't mean it won't work on any of Microsoft's platforms. Sony's Shuhei Yoshida recently confirmed via Twitter that the PS4's gamepad will be compatible with Windows for "basic functions." In response to inquiries about said functionality, he specifically pointed out that "the buttons and joysticks will work just fine." There's no word on whether the drivers will allow PC games to automatically see it as a DS4 on their own, though; Yoshida replied in the thread further, stating that folks will have to "wait for [a] field report after the launch." As Joystiq points out, third-party controllers show up as Xbox controllers on Windows thanks to the XInput API -- something that's non-existent in the PS3's DualShock 3. And with that, we're left to wait and see what PS4 insights Yoshida will reveal next.

Via: Joystiq
Source: Twitter (@yosp)

Valve announces Steam Controller, a gamepad for its game console

Valve revealed Steam Controller today, a controller for its living room PC-based game console initiative. It's the third announcement this week from Valve, following reveals of SteamOS and Steam Machines on Monday and Wednesday (respectively). The controller is shaped like a standard game console controller, but in place of thumbsticks there are two clickable trackpads. Valve's saying that the dual trackpads provide resolution that "approaches that of a desktop mouse," making previously PC-only games playable on a couch.