Interest in Hytale controller support continues to grow as players search for a more relaxed, console-style experience while exploring Orbis. Whether you're planning to play from your couch or simply prefer a gamepad in your hands, this Hytale guide breaks down everything you need to know about using a controller in Hytale and what options are currently available.

Does Hytale support controllers?

At the moment, Hytale does not have native controller support.

The game is currently designed around keyboard and mouse controls. If you plug in an Xbox controller, PlayStation controller, or another gamepad, Hytale will not automatically recognize it. There are no built-in controller button prompts, no default controller layouts, and no in-game gamepad settings.

However, controller support has been planned by the developers. It is expected to arrive in a future update, but there is no confirmed release date. Until then, players need to rely on workarounds.

Can you play Hytale with a controller?

Technically, yes — but not natively.

Even though official Hytale controller support is not available yet, you can still play the game using a controller through third-party tools that map controller inputs to keyboard and mouse commands.

The experience can be good with proper setup, but there are limitations:

• Menus and inventory screens are designed for mouse navigation.
• You will still see keyboard keys displayed in-game.
• There are no controller-specific camera or aim adjustments.
• Everything must be mapped through external software or Steam Input.
• There are no controller-specific camera or aim adjustments.

How to play Hytale with a controller

Below are the most reliable methods to use a controller in Hytale right now.

Method 1: Use Steam Input (Recommended)

This is the easiest and most stable way to simulate Hytale controller support on PC.

• Install Hytale normally.
• Open Steam.
• Go to Library.
• Click “Add a Game” (bottom-left corner).
• Select “Add a Non-Steam Game.”
• Find and select the Hytale launcher executable.
• Add it to your Steam Library.

• Connect your controller (Xbox, PlayStation, or other supported controller).
• Right-click Hytale in Steam.
• Select Properties → Controller.

• Enable Steam Input.

• Launch Hytale through Steam (not directly from the desktop).

Once Steam Input is active, it converts controller inputs into keyboard and mouse commands.

You can also:

• Use community-made controller layouts
• Customize button mapping
• Adjust joystick sensitivity
• Map camera control to the right stick

Steam Input supports:

• Xbox Series X|S controllers
• Xbox One controllers
• PlayStation DualSense
• PlayStation DualShock 4
• Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
• Many third-party controllers

This method also works well on devices like the Steam Deck.

Method 2: Steam via Community Layouts (Fastest)

If you don’t want to manually assign every button, Steam offers downloadable layouts created by other players.

Follow these steps:

• Go to your Games Library in Steam and find the Hytale Launcher.
• On the Hytale Launcher screen, click the controller icon on the right side of the screen.
• Click the “Gamepad” box in the middle of the screen.
• Select the “Community Layouts” tab at the top.

• Browse different controller layouts and choose one you like.
• Click to download the layout.
• Select “Apply Layout” in the bottom-right corner after clicking on the layout’s box.

The selected controller layout will now be the default when you launch Hytale through Steam.

This is the fastest way to enable Hytale controller support without manual configuration. Many community layouts are optimized for smooth camera movement and combat controls.

Method 3: Use third-party key mapping software

If you prefer not to use Steam, you can use other third-party key mapping software to use your controller for playing Hytale. These tools allow you to map controller inputs to keyboard and mouse controls manually.