Valve’s Steam Controller now works better outside of Steam thanks to an SDL update. SDL, short for Simple DirectMedia Layer, is a popular game development library used by many PC games to handle controller input, audio, graphics, and compatibility across operating systems. The update lets developers add direct support for the Steam Controller in their games and apps without fully relying on Steam Input. This improves compatibility with non-Steam games, emulators, and other PC software. It also supports features like the controller’s touchpads, gyro controls, back buttons, triggers, and grip sensors, making it easier to use across platforms and launchers. For games that still lack full support, fan-made apps and community tools are available for button mapping and customization.