The Steam store page carries specific controller flags for Strikers Club, and they have not changed since launch: partial Xbox controller support, plus full listings for DualShock 4 and DualSense including Bluetooth. No input is marked as preferred, and the launch press release says plainly that you can play with keyboard or controller. Three days into Early Access we see both all over lobbies.
The support matrix
| Input | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard & mouse | Supported | Standard input. The store page does not mark a gamepad as preferred. |
| Xbox controllers | Partial support | Steam lists partial (not full) Xbox controller support. |
| PS5 DualSense | Supported | Listed as supported, including over Bluetooth. |
| PS4 DualShock | Supported | Listed as supported, including over Bluetooth. |
Partial support is Steam’s label for games where some interactions, usually menus or text chat, may still want a mouse or keyboard. It is not a statement about match viability. The full PlayStation pad listings, including Bluetooth, are notable because plenty of PC games skip them entirely.
Confirmed pad binds
Only one default pad bind is documented in official material so far: jockey mode on the left bumper, stated in the v0.78.0 patch notes alongside the Ctrl default for keyboard. Combining jockey with jump performs the jockey dash (v0.82.0), so the combo exists on pads too. Face button defaults for pass, shoot, jump, and tackles are not yet documented publicly; we verify them in game and update rather than print a guessed diagram. The keyboard page explains this policy.
Controller-relevant settings
- Invert Look Y axis. Added for controllers in v0.78.0, so inverted-camera players are covered.
- Focus on ball during jockey. A camera toggle that pairs naturally with the left bumper stance. Details on the jockey mode page.
- Sensitivity in 0.01 steps. The fine-grained slider from v0.75.0 applies to look sensitivity tuning, which matters double on sticks.
Setup checklist for pad players
- Pair or plug the pad before launching; that is the reliable order for any Steam title.
- If buttons misbehave, test the pad in Steam’s controller settings first to isolate the fault.
- On DualSense over Bluetooth, expect slightly higher input latency than wired; a physics game will make you feel it.
- Set Invert Look Y before your first match if you need it, then leave sensitivity alone until you have played a few games.
- Learn jockey mode on the left bumper early; controlled defending is the cheapest improvement available.