Game controllers have become fairly standardized with the usual buttons and sticks. However, the Steam Deck and Xbox Elite Controllers offer additional features that enhance gameplay. In addition to extra paddles on the undersides, the Steam Deck also has a unique input.

The Steam Deck features an “Outer Ring” input for each analog stick. This activates when the stick is pressed all the way in any direction. By selecting the controller icon in a game’s Steam card, users can assign different actions to the outer ring. This can be done by choosing a preferred controller template and editing the layout. This customization option allows for unique actions, such as firing a weapon with the outer ring in a twin-stick shooter.

Moreover, the Steam Deck can greatly expand its inputs with “Action Set Layers.” These layers function similarly to Steam button combo shortcuts, but users have full control over which button activates the layer and how it interacts with other buttons. By setting up the layers in the “Edit Layout” tab, users can perform a wide range of in-game actions without compromising the standard button layout.