Pillars of Eternity and Deadfire Gain Full PC Controller Support

Full controller support arrives for Pillars of Eternity and Deadfire

Obsidian Entertainment has opened a public test that brings complete gamepad compatibility to both Pillars of Eternity and its sequel Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire on PC. The update means players can now navigate the entire experience, from the opening tutorial to the final boss, without ever touching a keyboard or mouse.

What the update adds

Native support for Xbox, PlayStation and most popular PC controllers.
Full menu navigation, character creation, and inventory management via controller.
Seamless switching between controller and keyboard input at any time.
Improved vibration feedback that reflects combat intensity.
Minor performance tweaks to keep frame rates stable during controller use.

Turn based mode refinements

Earlier this year Obsidian celebrated the tenth anniversary of Pillars of Eternity by introducing a turn based combat mode. The latest test build not only extends controller support to this mode, but also refines the timing windows and adds visual cues that make it easier to select actions with a thumbstick. Players who prefer a slower, more tactical pace can now enjoy the same level of control as those who stick with real time combat.

How to enable controller support on PC

Activating the new controller features is straightforward. Follow these steps after installing the test update:

Launch the game and open the Settings menu.
Navigate to the Controls tab.
Select "Input Device" and choose "Gamepad" from the list.
Adjust the dead zone and vibration intensity to suit your preference.
Save the changes and restart the game to apply the new configuration.

If you encounter any issues, the in‑game troubleshooting guide offers tips for calibrating the controller or reverting to keyboard input.

Community reaction and early impressions

The gaming community has responded positively to the announcement. On the official Obsidian Entertainment forums, several players reported that the controller feels natural after a short adjustment period. One user wrote, "I never thought I would play an isometric RPG with a gamepad, but the layout is intuitive and the vibration adds a nice layer of immersion."

Streaming platforms have also seen a spike in live playthroughs using controllers, suggesting that the new feature may attract viewers who prefer a more console‑like experience. A recent article on Polygon highlighted the update as a "significant quality of life improvement" for long‑time fans.

Potential impact on future updates

Full controller support could open the door to additional quality of life enhancements. With a solid input framework in place, Obsidian may explore features such as custom button mapping, support for accessibility devices, or even cross‑platform save compatibility with console versions. The public test will also provide valuable data on how players interact with the UI, informing future redesigns.

Moreover, the update aligns Pillars of Eternity with industry trends that favor flexible input options. As more PC titles adopt controller‑first designs, the series may find new audiences among gamers who primarily use gamepads.

Overall, the addition of controller support marks a meaningful step toward making Obsidian’s deep, story‑driven RPGs more approachable without sacrificing the strategic depth that fans love.

Players interested in trying the feature can download the test build from the Steam page for Pillars of Eternity and the corresponding entry for Deadfire. As the test progresses, Obsidian has promised regular updates based on community feedback.

With the ability to play the entire saga using a single controller, both newcomers and veterans can now experience the rich world of Eora in a more relaxed, couch‑friendly manner. The update demonstrates Obsidian’s commitment to evolving its classic titles while preserving the core gameplay that defined them.