Video games

SCP Server: how to play with your PS3 controller on PC

Do you own a PS3 controller and want to use it to play your favorite PC games ? It's possible with a free software called SCP Server .

This software allows you to connect your PS3 controller to your PC using a USB cable or a Bluetooth connection, and to have it recognized as an Xbox 360 controller , compatible with most PC games.

In this article, we will show you how to install and configure SCP Server to play on PC with a PS3 controller .

How do I install SCP Server on my PC?

To install SCP Server on your PC, you must follow these steps:

First of all,

Click here to directly download the SCP Server file

Extract the contents of the file to a folder of your choice.
Run the ScpDriver.exe file as administrator.
Install Bluetooth driver box if you want to use your PS3 controller wirelessly, or uncheck it if you want to use it with a USB cable.
Click on “ Install ”.
Restart your computer.

How do I connect my PS3 controller to my PC?

To connect your PS3 controller to your PC , you must follow these steps:

Connect your PS3 controller to your PC with a USB cable or press the PS button to pair it via Bluetooth.
Run the ScpServer.exe file as administrator.
You should see your controller appear in the software window, with a port number and a status of “BTH” (Bluetooth) or “USB”.
Launch the game you want to play and configure the controls according to your preferences.

How to optimize your gaming experience with SCP Server?

To optimize your gaming experience with SCP Server , you can follow these tips:

Check that your PS3 controller is fully charged before playing . You can do this by looking at the color of the LED on the controller. If it's red, the battery is low. If it's green, it's fully charged.
Adjust the sensitivity of the analog sticks and triggers to your liking. You can do this using the ScpToolkit Settings Manager software , which is located in the ScpServer folder .
Customize the appearance of your controller by changing the LED color. You can do this using the ScpToolkit Profile Manager software , which is also located in the ScpServer folder.
Disable any other Bluetooth devices connected to your PC to avoid interference. You can do this by going to your PC's Bluetooth settings and disconnecting any unnecessary devices.

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FAQ about Scp Server

What is SCP Server and why use it?

SCP Server is software that emulates the Xbox 360 controller on your PC . It recognizes your PS3 controller as if it were an Xbox 360 controller , allowing you to use it with most PC games that are compatible with the latter.

SCP Server is based on an open source project called SCP Toolkit , which has not been updated since 2016. SCP Server is therefore an improved and simplified version of SCP Toolkit, which works with Windows 10 and does not require the installation of additional drivers.

The advantage of SCP Server is that it allows you to use your PS3 controller wirelessly or with a USB cable , depending on your preference. It also offers good responsiveness and low latency, which is essential for fully enjoying your PC games .

However, it does not support PS3 controller-specific features such as the gyroscope, touchpad, or vibration. It may also cause conflicts with other Bluetooth devices connected to your PC.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of SCP Server?

SCP Server has several advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of before using it:

Benefits

It is free and easy to install.
It is compatible with most PC games that support the Xbox 360 controller.
It allows you to use the PS3 controller wirelessly or with a USB cable.
It offers good responsiveness and low latency.

Disadvantages

It does not support PS3 controller-specific features such as the gyroscope, touchpad, or vibration.
It may cause conflicts with other Bluetooth devices connected to your PC.
It may require adjustments in some games that do not properly recognize the controller.

Does SCP Server work with official PS3 controllers or generic PS3 controllers?

SCP Server works with both official PS3 controllers and generic PS3 controllers, provided they are compatible with the HID (Human Interface Device) protocol. You can check your controller's compatibility using the Zadig software, located in the ScpServer folder.

Does SCP Server work with PS5 controllers?

No, SCP Server does not work with PS5 controllers. To use a PS5 controller on PC, you can try other software such as DS4Windows or Steam. If you wish

Good to know : How to connect a PS5 controller to a PS4?

Does SCP Server work with PC games that are natively compatible with the PS3 controller?

Yes, SCP Server works with PC games that are natively compatible with the PS3 controller, but there may be conflicts between the buttons on the PS3 controller and those on the Xbox 360 controller.

For example, the X button on the PS3 controller corresponds to the A button on the Xbox 360 controller, and the O button on the PS3 controller corresponds to the B button on the Xbox 360 controller.

To avoid these conflicts, you can try disabling Xbox 360 controller emulation in the ScpToolkit Settings Manager software, or changing the game controls according to your preferences.

Can SCP Server damage my PS3 controller or my PC?

No, SCP Server cannot damage your PS3 controller or your PC. It is safe and reliable software that does not affect the normal operation of your hardware. There is no risk of damaging your PS3 controller or your PC by using SCP Server.

Can SCP Server be used with multiple PS3 controllers at the same time?

Yes, SCP Server can be used with multiple PS3 controllers simultaneously, up to a maximum of four. You can connect your PS3 controllers to your PC using USB cables or Bluetooth connections, and have them recognized by SCP Server. You can then play PC games in local or online multiplayer with your friends.

Can SCP Server be easily uninstalled from my PC?

Yes, SCP Server can be easily uninstalled from your PC. You can do this by following these steps:

Unplug your PS3 controller from your PC.
Run the ScpDriver.exe file as administrator.
Check the “Uninstall” box and click “Uninstall”.
Restart your computer.

Is SCP Server compatible with alternative operating systems such as Linux or Mac OS?

No, SCP Server is not compatible with alternative operating systems like Linux or Mac OS. It is exclusive to Windows. To use a PS3 controller on Linux or Mac OS, you can try other software such as QTSixA or SixaxisPairTool.

Is the SCP Server updated regularly?

No, SCP Server is not updated regularly . It's software that dates back to 2018 and hasn't received any new versions since. However, it's quite stable and performs well, and it doesn't require frequent updates.

What are the alternatives to SCP Server?

If you are not satisfied with SCP Server or are experiencing problems with this software, you can try other solutions for playing on PC with a PS3 controller. Here are a few examples:

DS4 Windows : software that emulates the PS4 controller on your PC. It also works with the PS3 controller, but requires a special Bluetooth adapter for wireless connection. It supports PS4 controller-specific features, such as the touchpad and vibration.
Steam : an online gaming platform that natively recognizes PS3 and PS4 controllers. Simply plug your controller into your PC and launch Steam to use it with compatible games. It also allows you to customize the controls and appearance of your controller.
Xpadder : software that lets you assign keyboard or mouse keys to your controller. It works with any controller, including the PS3 controller. It's useful for playing games that don't support controllers or have poor configuration.

How to solve a problem with a PS3 controller not being recognized on PC?

If your PS3 controller is not recognized by your PC , you can try the following solutions:

Check that your USB cable or Bluetooth dongle is working properly . Try plugging your controller into a different USB port or a different computer to see if the problem persists.
Verify that you have correctly installed the SCP Server driver and the Bluetooth driver if necessary . You can do this by running the ScpDriver.exe file as administrator and clicking “Install”.
Before playing, make sure you have launched the SCP Server software. You can do this by running the ScpServer.exe file as administrator and verifying that your controller appears in the software window.
Make sure your game is compatible with the Xbox 360 controller, which is emulated by SCP Server . You can do this by checking the list of compatible games on the official Microsoft website .
Check that you have correctly configured your game controls according to your preferences . You can do this by accessing the game options and changing the buttons assigned to your controller.

Conclusion

SCP Server is a free and effective software for playing games on PC with a PS3 controller. It allows you to connect your controller to your PC using a USB cable or a Bluetooth connection, and have it recognized as an Xbox 360 controller, compatible with most PC games.

It is easy to install and use, but it does not support all the specific features of the PS3 controller.