Tales of Arise: How to Fix Controller NOT Working

Here’s the current working solution for those that have issues with the game seemingly not recognizing their gamepad.

Currently known solutions

Solution #1: Opt out of Steam Beta, select Steam Input and apply a controller preset.
Follow from Step 1 to Step 5.
I’ve personally tested this method and it was the only one that worked for me.

Solution #2: Select Steam Input, apply a community controller preset while having “Show other controll types” enabled.
Follow Step 3, beginning of Step 4, Alternative Solution #2, Step 5.
I can confirm that the game does show community control schemes which can be converted to your gamepad’s scheme.

Solution #3: Move the game’s install to the same partition as Steam.
Follow Alternative Solution #1.
I did not confirm this one.

Step 1. Opt-out of Steam Beta if you’re using it

Opt out of Steam Beta if you’re on it.
If you’re already on a stable release of Steam and you’re still having issues, skip to Step 3!
If you don’t want to opt out of Steam Beta then try Alternative Solution #2!

Settings > Account > Change > set to NONE > OK
Confirm Steam restart.

Step 2. Re-add SteamLibrary folder(s) if you’re using more than one

If you’re using multiple Steam Library folders then go to
Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders> Add Library Folder and point Steam to your games, then press Select.
Otherwise skip to Step 3.

Step 3. Change controller override to Steam Input

Go to game’s Properties > Controller and set it to Enable Steam Input.

Step 4. Launch the game and apply an official configuration

Launch game, go to options menu, select Steam Controller Settings.

If you’ve never played the game, press New Game and you’ll get options screen, where you can select Steam Controller Settings.
If you’ve played the game press Continue. Then press Tab. Select Controls. From there you can open the config.

Then Browse Configs and then pick Official Configuration for Tales of Arise for your appropriate gamepad and click apply.

Step 5. Restart the game

Your gamepad should be already connected when the game is launched.
Make sure the game is focused.

You will know the gamepad is working if you can skip intro logos with button presses.

(Optional) Step 6. Opt-in back into Steam Beta

If you want to continue to use Steam Beta then you can undo Step 1 and revert back to Steam Beta. You do not have to re-add Steam Library folders when on Beta.
Once your gamepad is working it will work even on Beta, however, when you’re on Beta you cannot access Official configurations (the list shouldn’t be empty):

Alternative Solution #1

As pointed out in https://steamcommunity.com/app/740130/discussions/0/3042733612658968514/?ctp=9#c3042733612659157004,
another solution would be moving the game to the same partition where Steam is installed.

Go to game’s Properties > Local Files > Move install folder… > Select same partition as Steam > Move Folder

Alternative Solution #2

Follow Step 3 and beginning of Step 4. When you’ve reached Steam Controller Settings:
Browse Config > Community > Show Other Controller Types > Apply one of the fitting configs.

Follow Step 5 (restart the game).

Thanks to Dfactor for his great guide, all credit to his effort. you can also read the original guide from Steam Community. enjoy the game.