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Reader Bruce Harris would like to get double-duty from a gaming device. He writes:

I purchased a PlayStation 4 and an extra DualShock 4 controller for two-player games. I rarely use the second controller and wondered if I could use it to play games on my Mac.

You can, though with some games you’ll need extra help. Before we get to that let’s start with the hardware configuration.

As you know, the DualShock 4 controller has a micro USB port on the back, just below the status light. You use this port to initially pair the controller with the PS4. But it can also operate as a link between the controller and your Mac. Just string a USB cable between the two and the controller is ready to use.

But, in some cases, you don’t need the wire. The DualShock 4 performs its wireless magic via Bluetooth so, in some instances, you can control your Mac games from across the room. To set up the controller for Bluetooth use, detach the USB cable, launch System Preferences, select the Bluetooth preference, make sure Bluetooth is switched on, and then press and hold the PlayStation and Share buttons on the controller until its status light blinks rapidly. The DualShock should then appear in the list of devices as Wireless Controller. Just click Pair and you’re connected. Note, however, that not all games support a wireless connection.

Mar 22, 2008  Universal USB Convertor Gamemon Ive tried almost everything and it just won't work.Ive tried it with a Ps2 Controller, doesn't work, GC controller, doesn't work. If anyone else has this plz tell me how to work it. Apr 02, 2016  The unofficial 3rd party Xbox 360 driver can interfere with those games that have native Xbox 360 drivers (Rage for example). Also, don't think that just connecting a USB play and charge kit to the controller will make a wireless controller work, the USB only carries power, you either need the windows controller dongle with a wireless controller, or a wired Xbox 360 controller.

Speaking of which, a word about compatibility. With some games, the connected controller will work from the get-go. For example, Feral Interactive’s Rayman Origins works perfectly with the controller without you having to do a thing. Other games, however, work a little bit or not at all. For instance, with Valve’s Portal and Portal 2 (available via Steam) you can’t use the controller to move around or look up or down, even though Steam itself recognizes the controller and lets you assign functions to it. And Aspyr’s Doom 3 is entirely unaware of a connected DualShock. So it’s really a matter of the original developer making their game compatible with these kinds of controllers.

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Because you could wait a long time for this to happen (in some cases, forever) you should consider taking matters into your own hands by using a third-party controller utility.

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One such utility is Chibata Creations’ $5 Joystick Mapper. With it you assign functions to the controller’s joystick or buttons. These generally come in the form of mouse movements or keystrokes. For example, you might assign the Mac’s W key to the forward motion of the left joystick and the Fire function to the controller’s O button. According to the developer's notes, wireless control from a DualShock 4 is not yet supported.

Another option is OrderedBytes’ $25 ControllerMate. This is a far more sophisticated utility that allows you to create triggered actions by stringing together building blocks. If you want to go beyond the basics with your controller, it’s worth your while to download the demo and run through the tutorial to see just how powerful it can be.

The upshot is, yes, you can use a controller like this with your Mac. If you’re an enthusiastic console gamer more comfortable using a controller than a keyboard or mouse it’s something I’d urge you to try.

Have a question of your own? Drop a line to mac911@macworld.com.

Hi Steven,

Thank you for the update and I apologize for the delay in response.

It must be difficult when things do not work as expected.

To assist you better, I would like to know whether the issue is specific to some games. Did you play the sames games using the game controller before?

I would also like to inform you that game pads will not be compatible with some games.

I also suggest you to download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website and check if it helps.

If there no updated drivers available on the computer manufacturer’s website, then download the latest drivers and try installing it in Windows 8 compatibility mode. Compatibility mode runs the program using settings from a previous version of Windows.

Follow these steps to install the drivers in compatibility mode and check if that helps.

a. Download the driver from the manufacturer’s website.

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b. Right-click on the driver setup file and click on ‘properties’.

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c. Click on the ‘compatibility’ tab and check the box ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for’ and select

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Windows 8 operating system from the drop down menu and proceed with the installation. Once this is done, restart the computer and check if the issue persists.

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Hope the information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance. We will be happy to help.

Thank you.