After being severely disappointed with Xbox controller support for X: BTF (no mapping for left/right roll etc.), I spent several frustrating hours trying to configure a Steam controller. I finally succeeded in getting things just how I wanted them, so I thought I'd save others the bother and share the short method here.

Steam Overlay doesn't seem to be working in X: BTF, and neither do the templates nor control configurations for the Steam Controller. In fact, it is recognised, but it is using the Steam controller desktop configuration within the game—so basically useless as is.

At this point, I may seem like a first-class dumbass because I didn't even know there was a Steam desktop configuration for the controller, nevermind a way to edit it. Well, apparantly there is, and that's how we get it working for X: BTF.

Bear in mind, the overlay and ability to use Steam controller isn't working for me, but that might be my problem. If overlay is working for you, all you'll need to do is import my controller config straight to the game and just complete Part 1. If it's not, you'll need to use the same config in your Steam controller desktop config and also complete Part 2.

All the folks who know what they're doing are probably not reading this anyway, so I'm going to keep it simple for everyone like myself.

Here goes:

1. Open Steam Big Picture mode.
2. Navigate to X: Beyond the Frontier.
3. Manage Game ---> Controller Configuration
4. Press X to browse configs.
5. Navigate to Community and choose config by solar1ze.
6. Press X to apply configuration.
7. Press Y to export config.
8. Navigate to Personal.
9. Choose Save new personal binding.
10. Press Save.

1. Navigate to Steam Settings.
2. Controller ---> Base Configurations
3. Desktop Configuration
4. Press X to browse configs.
5. Navigate to Personal.
6. Choose X: Beyond the Frontier.
7. Press X to apply configuration.
8. Press B and you're all done and ready to go!

Now navigate back to the game and give it a try.

Remember if you want to adjust or remap the controls, you'll have to do that in your desktop configuration, not in the game controller configuration.

If and when you want to, you can easily revert back to the recommended default desktop config in the Steam settings.

Joystick

Acts as mouse to navigate ship direction.
Joystick button press - Stop ship (backspace)

Button Pad

A - Decrease Speed (z)
B - Roll Right (w)
X - Roll Left (q)
Y - Increase Speed (a)

Button Pad + Left Grip

A - Communicate (c)
B - Pilot Info (p)
X - Ship Info (s)
Y - Status of Object

Right Track Pad (Button Pad Touch)

A - Target Next Enemy (e)
B - Target Previous Object (page down)
X - Target Next Object (page up)
Y - Target Object (t)

Right Track Pad + Left Grip (Button Pad Press)

A - Help/Tips (shift+h)
B - Camera View (f3)
X - Cockpit View (f1)
Y - Ship View (f2)

Right Trigger - Fire Laser (left mouse)
Right Bumper - Select Missile (m)
Right Grip - Fire Missile (l)

Left Trigger - Thrust (right mouse)
Left Bumper - Activate S.E.T.A. (j)
Left Button (Long Press) - Activate S.E.T.A. with Thrust (shift + j)

Left Track Pad

Acts as cursor keys: up, down, left, right (for menus etc.)
Pad Center Press - Enter (return)

Left Track Pad + Left Grip (Button Press)

B - Pause (shift + p)
X - Quit (shift + q)

Start - Open/Close Freight Bay (o)
Start (Hold) - Load Freight Bay (f)

Select - Escape (escape)
Select (Hold) - Navigation Map (n)

I hope this can help. I'll be happy to help with any problems.

Let me know how you get on.

Also, if you make any interesting changes to the config, then be sure to share what feels good with you.