Controller Enhancement for Steam AC7

I'm really surprised that no one made a tutorial about this. It's been 7 (edited) years since the game came out and PA didn't do s*#t about it. I'll just give away the solution here.

This tutorial aims to improve the performance of controller users for Ace Combat 7 on Steam specifically. Method for other platforms is unknown.

*Edit (1/25/2023) : Steam updated their interface to match Steam Deck, which simplified the process a lot, which also means the same method works on Steam Deck as well.

No mods are required.

Controllers known that is available for this method:
Xbox, Xbox elite series 1&2, PlayStation, DualShock, DualSense, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
Outcome for unknown controllers are not guaranteed.

When playing AC7 on consoles, all players have the same input platform: the controller,
so there’s not really a problem. But thanks to PA's "optimization" on PC, keyboard and controller have very different experiences.

The game translates keyboard input signals to your plane with the input VALUE instead of input percentage, meaning more travel distance = more maneuverability.
Let's say when keyboard do pitch & roll at the same time, it always has full input on both directions of maneuver. Resulting the actually input value being the half diagonal distance of a square.
However when controller tries to do the same maneuver, the actual input value is reduced because the joystick’s input deadzone shape is a CIRCLE.

If keyboard input shape is seen as a square with value 100 as its sides, the diagonal input value will be 50 x √2 = 70.71.
If controller input shape is seen as a circle with value 100 as its diameter, the diagonal input value will be just its radius: 50.

Issues caused by these different logics are slight in early stage gameplay, but as your skills improve, the issues will become obvious, especially in PSM fights.

This method is meant to extend the upper limit of controller users’ performance. You will still need to learn necessary skills and strategies, and a lot of practice to actually improve.

Another thing before we begin, you can enter the free flight mode in game and configure at the same time; this way you can change certain values while testing it out, so you can get the best setup for yourself.

Alright, let’s get started.

(Credit to Seth845)

or "Controller Configuration" from in-game overlay.

Make sure you max out both sides of the output.

That's how easy it is. You now have 30% more maneuverability in diagonal movements.

Happy hunting everyone.

by. Asuka Hibiki