New Controller Schemes - Thoughts and suggestions from a (very) long time player

[lobomau71]

After spending more time trying to use the new controller schemes I come to the conclusion that I can't use them, and I know I'm not the only one struggling with it. I've talked with other long time players like myself (I've been playing on playstation since day 1) and we are coming to the same outcome: we stick to the old layout and don't use the new controller schemes as it makes things harder and not easier.

I've put some thought into this and decided to transmit what I believe were the shortcomings with the controller from before the update, that I would love to see addressed.

1. Quick access to character wheel

2. A targeting system for actions such as teleporting, telepoofing, summon minions, target Abigail, etc.

3. Wider range for teleporting/proofing, etc

Solutions:

#1 is fully solved with this update by allowing us to assign a key to for it, although it implies sacrificing a key, but that's a controller limitations and not your fault, so problem solved. Good work Klei. 

 

#2 this is the hardest to solve. Ideally in playstation it should be very easy to address, just use the trackpad as a mouse, exclusive for targeting, but I suppose that since thats not an option for Xbox nor switch, you don't want to go down that road and although I don't like it, I understand.

As an alternative, how about just implementing a key combo (user choice), for example L1 + R to allow for aiming with right analog stick? As soon as you letgo of L1, the right analog stick goes back to normal.

 

#3 could be fixed if we have a targeting system from #2 that allows us to target (almost) all the way to the edge of the screen like on PC where you can point just about (almost) anywhere 

 

For me personally, having these 3 issues fixed, it would solve all my perceived controller limitations and, although I don't know the technical implications for it, but being a developer myself, it seems to me that at least the workaround for #2 would be easier to implement than the schemes you have just developed that to me seem way more complicated.

 

I would love to ear from more players (that actually play affected characters like Wortox, Wendy, Maxwell) as to their thoughts on the new controller schemes and if it solves their controller shortcomings.

 

[Mike23Ua]

2 & 3 can be solved if Klei would listen and allow holding the “inspect button” (Y on Xbox, Triangle on PlayStation) when held down for longer than 1 second. (The difference between a Tap or Held Button Press) to pull up a virtual on screen Targeting and aiming reticule (similar to how you cast Willows Fire Mage Spells but faster and quicker than that)

This would also give us more direct control over things like Boat Placement, or Boat Leak Repairs, and Uhm oh yeah: Allow us to perform all the KB+Mouse Drag and Drop features (like dropping useless junk into ocean) that we currently do not have.

Edited June 20, 2025 by Mike23Ua

[Mizunoori]

Lobomau71 the #2 I think is solved with the latest update. With one of the new controll-schemes,  Typ 4 as an example i think, you can hold L1 and aim witht he right stick where you want to telepoof or cast a spell with the starcaller staff.

I noticed it after I got an Item wich can be aimed. Without, the new aiming method is not visible. 

The drawback is, selecting items from the inventory requires L1 as well. But there are different combinations with the controlls. 

I need to get used to the new controlls, but I am really happy we can do this now an Playstation. 

[lobomau71]

On 6/21/2025 at 7:17 PM, Mizunoori said:

Lobomau71 the #2 I think is solved with the latest update. With one of the new controll-schemes,  Typ 4 as an example i think, you can hold L1 and aim witht he right stick where you want to telepoof or cast a spell with the starcaller staff.. 

Yes but imho the way it was done created a lot of new problems to solve just 1.

We needed a way to aím, but the solution forces strong changes to menu navigation, item usage, zoom in/out and rotation. So 4 things got much much much more complicated to allow for 1 extra action, not to mention the loss of R3 to social menu that for single player users is totally useless and should always be optional.

They way I suggested or Mike23's way both accomplish the same with way less impact.

[Wuntunzee]

On 6/20/2025 at 5:05 PM, lobomau71 said:

how about just implementing a key combo (user choice), for example L1 + R to allow for aiming with right analog stick? As soon as you letgo of L1, the right analog stick goes back to normal.

I agree with someone else, I think this is already implemented, it just doesn't work for everything you'd expect it to. As Walter, I was hoping to aim the secondary shot of the thulecite slingshot using the 4th or 6th controller layout, but it doesn't work like that, you still have to aim by moving your body. I went back to the Default layout, because I need one finger access to the camera rotation, it's too valuable in keeping tabs on a fast moving boss. I replaced the social interaction button on R3 with the character menu so I can remotely access Woby.

It's a step in the right direction to have these alternate layouts, but there's not enough variation in the options, and 10 year muscle memory is extremely hard to break to get used to them. Presing L1+Right Dpad to eat is... blasphemy.

I don't know for sure what the back end controller issues are that were mentioned, but I suggest L1+R1 could be used as a modifier in the Default layout, without having to lose camera control on those buttons. Simultaneously pressing and holding L1+R1 could let you move the aiming reticule of any number of items, hopefully secondary shots included. It could also help with having to duplicate Circle with Call Woby and Cancel Secondary Shot, or Dismount Woby.

And to reiterate, we're missing a whole controller layout of long presses - long press Triangle could be good for aiming reticule as suggested, long press Circle could be the character wheel... We don't need a context graphic for all of these commands ingame either, a tooltip on the loading screen would be enough to point users to the controller layout screen.

@CharlesB, hopefully this whole thread is helpful, I'm sure we all agree that it's a difficult task to make a keyboard out of a controller, and we appreciate the moves Klei's making, we're just not there yet. 

(P.S. vibration on controller. please reexamine the changes made)

[tonymt09z]

On 7/2/2025 at 6:50 PM, Wuntunzee said:

I agree with someone else, I think this is already implemented, it just doesn't work for everything you'd expect it to. As Walter, I was hoping to aim the secondary shot of the thulecite slingshot using the 4th or 6th controller layout, but it doesn't work like that, you still have to aim by moving your body. I went back to the Default layout, because I need one finger access to the camera rotation, it's too valuable in keeping tabs on a fast moving boss. I replaced the social interaction button on R3 with the character menu so I can remotely access Woby.

It's a step in the right direction to have these alternate layouts, but there's not enough variation in the options, and 10 year muscle memory is extremely hard to break to get used to them. Presing L1+Right Dpad to eat is... blasphemy.

I don't know for sure what the back end controller issues are that were mentioned, but I suggest L1+R1 could be used as a modifier in the Default layout, without having to lose camera control on those buttons. Simultaneously pressing and holding L1+R1 could let you move the aiming reticule of any number of items, hopefully secondary shots included. It could also help with having to duplicate Circle with Call Woby and Cancel Secondary Shot, or Dismount Woby.

And to reiterate, we're missing a whole controller layout of long presses - long press Triangle could be good for aiming reticule as suggested, long press Circle could be the character wheel... We don't need a context graphic for all of these commands ingame either, a tooltip on the loading screen would be enough to point users to the controller layout screen.

@CharlesB, hopefully this whole thread is helpful, I'm sure we all agree that it's a difficult task to make a keyboard out of a controller, and we appreciate the moves Klei's making, we're just not there yet. 

(P.S. vibration on controller. please reexamine the changes made)

I can not even use the aim as Walter, so we lost 2 strongest skill in the skill tree. That’s rediculous

[Pe Dabliu]

I just started playing console, how to I enable the new control layouts? 

Also, this is for klei - for playstation at least, there's so many possibilities in enabling the touch pad to work, well, as a touchpad. So little games make full use of it, and DST is like the perfect game for it!!! In the very least it could have swipes as an option for controls, like zoom in and out for example. Controller is hard to deal with, but with PS at least, there's a lot of possible that aren't being used at all

[BerblyDerbly]

Any time i think about the control schemes i just wish inventory and aiming reticule were both on the stick. and item/use and camera was on d-pad it allows for full access to the aiming reticule without destroying muscle memory since only the camera control is changing and 2 more controls get added (command wheel, and aiming reticule).

[Navras]

Sadly, playing DST on controller is just a misery. I thank Klei for the PS5 release but we needed better usages of the controller; like long press, enabling multiple buttons for custom settings, using trackpad (for PS5), or just give us the option to use keyboard+mouse option and fix these things once and for all Klei??? Instead, we got controller sounds and vibrating effects anytime you pick something... I am grateful ofc, but console players need better options to play this game...