Yes it does work with actual controllers as well! I've tested it with Xbox and Joy-Con controllers but any controller that you can connect to the central screen should work. Let me know if you have any problems connecting and I'll see what I can do.

Thanks. Very excited to play. I am trying it right now. Opened site on TV and pressed play now. From controller I pressed start. Then it asks to enter name. I am unable to go to that box for some reason. Can't move the pointer on TV any more to select that box. It should automatically be selected for input so that it shows up the keyboard. Will update this message or post a reply if I figure it or fail.

Edit: I think I can't move pointer on TV using controller any more because it's input is being captured by that screen at that point. May be assign a random name and give option to change the name.

Edit: Used Shields app to move pointer like actual mouse and was able to enter name and play the games.

Feedback: it might help to show who is controlling the screen at the moment when browsing games. I was connected with phone and my kid was on controller and initially I was mashing keys on controller to actually start the games (pressing A to start). Realized later than since I am the leader may be I should press A on the phone screen.

Are you opening the website via your smart tv's browser? If so, it could mean that the TV is not able to handle the live connections. I've noticed some Samsung Tv's exhibiting this behauviour. At the moment the recommended way is to run the games on a computer. Still a lot of optimization for me to do when it comes to smart tv's

Would it be possible to enable controllers on the client? That would be the best way to use a steamdeck. Could host on or stream to the steamdeck for one player but my friend also has a handheld

I think it could be possible to make it work like that but I'm not familiar with Steamdeck itself so I can't say for sure. Need to look into it. Just so I understood you correctly, you want to host the session on the steamdeck and control your own character via the deck, while at the same time your friend uses their own smartphone to control their character while looking at your steamdeck?

I would host the game on a regular pc and use multiple steamdecks as clients.

Ah ok, now I understand. I don't have a steam deck at hand but based on a quick google search I think it should be possible. The key is whether you are able to connect the steamdecks to the PC so that the Javascript Gamepad API recognizes the decks as controllers. You can connect the decks to the PC and if they show up on this site: https://hardwaretester.com/gamepad they should work with Gaming Couch!