Pillars of Eternity brings controller support to PC, and Steam Deck players can try the beta now
Obsidian has opened a public test that lets PC players control both Pillars of Eternity games with a gamepad, from character creation through the end of each story. It also includes a substantial rework of turn-based combat in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire.
The test is available through Steam, GOG and Xbox on PC. Steam Deck owners can try it too, but they need to select a suitable controller layout before starting either game. The update is a beta, so it is still being tested and may contain bugs.
The new input scheme is designed for the whole adventure, not just combat. Obsidian says players can navigate conversations, inventory, crafting and the world map with a controller; Deadfire's support extends to sailing and ship battles. Mouse and keyboard remain usable, and the interface changes its prompts when the player switches inputs.
Image: Obsidian Entertainment
How to try the controller test on Steam and Steam Deck
On Steam, open the game's Properties from your library and choose the Betas tab. Select public_beta from the drop-down, then allow the update to download. Obsidian recommends restarting Steam if the download does not appear.
Steam Deck players have another step. On the game's library page, select the controller icon, open the current layout and choose Templates. Obsidian recommends Gamepad with Joystick Trackpad, or Gamepad if the first template is unavailable. Apply the layout, then launch the game and check the inputs.
On GOG, the developer says to open the game's installation configuration and select Public Beta under Beta Channels. Xbox on PC players can join through the Xbox Insider Hub. The official announcement provides the platform-specific instructions and a way to report problems.
Image: Obsidian Entertainment
Deadfire's turn-based mode changes too
The test does more than add controller menus. Obsidian has adapted improvements from the original Pillars game's turn-based mode for Deadfire, changing how frequently characters act based on their speed. Faster characters can act more often, while slower characters may act less frequently.
Swapping weapons and drinking potions become free actions with per-turn limits, and the developer says combat has been made more lethal. Players can also switch turn-based mode on or off during a playthrough while outside combat, including through a new interface button.
For the Deadfire test, Obsidian says the revised turn-based mode increases damage from all sources by 35%. Faster characters can take multiple turns in a round, while enough penalties can leave a heavily encumbered character acting less often.
The controller interface uses radial menus for abilities and party commands, with button prompts throughout the game. Obsidian says Xbox and PlayStation controllers are supported, along with Steam Deck and Steam Big Picture.
There is no date in Obsidian's announcement for the final release. The studio plans to collect reports and update the public test, so players who prefer a settled version can stay on the regular release until the changes are ready.
