A new Steam Client Beta fixes DualShock 4 gamepads with recent Linux Kernels and more

Sadly, the Steam Controller isn't working as well for me anymore in SteamOS -- except for the menu navigation in BPM. Games like Mad Max recognised it as an Xbox gamepad until a few days ago, now 'nada'.

This is with the latest stable builds on a freshly installed machine.

Controller support in SteamOS is a mess all over the place ATM. Just imagine a 'regular' console guy with no background knowledge of Linux dealing with this shit. Sony or Microsoft would have been tarred and feathered for this.

I had the issue with my PS3 controller after I updated to Linux 4.12, and it was because of how the driver was refactored in the kernel (afaik the motion part was seperated to its own input device, among other things, getting the same treatment as the DS4 got in an earlier kernel). I have had issues using my DS4 in Steam games before, but I always been happy to use my PS3 controller instead, with it just working out-of-the-box and recognized as a Playstation controller in games, rumble and all. I have downgraded to kernel 4.11 so I can play with a controller.

It is nice to see it potentially getting fixed, and I'll have to try it for my self later. One thing I really hope though, is that the PS3/DS4 controller is used natively in games, and not mapped to "emulate" a Steam or Xbox controller...

Quoting: numasanI had the issue with my PS3 controller after I updated to Linux 4.12, and it was because of how the driver was refactored in the kernel (afaik the motion part was seperated to its own input device, among other things, getting the same treatment as the DS4 got in an earlier kernel). I have had issues using my DS4 in Steam games before, but I always been happy to use my PS3 controller instead, with it just working out-of-the-box and recognized as a Playstation controller in games, rumble and all. I have downgraded to kernel 4.11 so I can play with a controller.

It is nice to see it potentially getting fixed, and I'll have to try it for my self later. One thing I really hope though, is that the PS3/DS4 controller is used natively in games, and not mapped to "emulate" a Steam or Xbox controller...

Yep the same thing for me with Saints Row IV. I recently added a Shield Controller as a second gamepad and the game stopped recognizing my Steam controller. How many days will we have to deal with broken gamepad support? Its sad to see Steam OS having a lot of major issues as a modern operating system. _m_

I don't care about dualshock, use a steam controller, it is worth the price!
I'd prefer they correct the "alzheimer" bug: Steam client ask for my login/password/language at each launch.

It looks like they finally fixed Steam so that it doesn't crash when you try to enable the PS4 gamepad integration.

My only remaining gripe is that there doesn't seem to be a way to configure the lightbar outside of Steam unless using the usermode ds4drv daemon which causes you to end up with a duplicate gamepad. The light is way too bright by default which is both distracting and bad for battery life. I just wish that Linux actually exposed device settings like this in a user friendly way.

Steam controller support isn't even that good on Steam OS. Why can't they fix that first then fix PS4 support later?


Last edited by Darkdisorder78 on 17 August 2017 at 1:51 pm UTC

I see the Steam Controller support is still broken for use on the desktop... Valve really are a bunch of unfocused clowns. at least get your own controller working flawlessly before supporting other manufacturers controllers.

At this point I feel the Steam Controller is a waste of time and Valve appear to approach everything half assed, starting jobs before moving on and leaving jobs half finished. they just seem so amateurish.

This type behavior is very common in the gaming industry. Wasn't Nvidia hyping Android TV for gaming? Yea look how that turned out. It was just a little side project they hoped would break into everyone's living home.

I said this before this but it feels like Steam OS was never fully supported either. Instead it's Valve's backup plan in case they are locked out of the windows operating system. Once that happens then Steam OS will get Valve's full attention. We need a company that will take linux gaming seriously.


Last edited by Darkdisorder78 on 17 August 2017 at 10:56 pm UTC

Quoting: ImFromMostonI see the Steam Controller support is still broken for use on the desktop... Valve really are a bunch of unfocused clowns. at least get your own controller working flawlessly before supporting other manufacturers controllers.

At this point I feel the Steam Controller is a waste of time and Valve appear to approach everything half assed, starting jobs before moving on and leaving jobs half finished. they just seem so amateurish.

Indeed. My bug report to Valve has been open for a year https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/4613

Quoting: liamdawe

Quoting: Darkdisorder78

Quoting: liamdawe

Quoting: Cyba.CowboyDid I miss something?

I've been using a DUALSHOCK4 with Steam (and GOG.com!) for years (since not too long after the Sony PlayStation 4 came out)... And it works perfectly with most games (even the force-feedback/vibration)(I could count on one hand the games which don't work or don't work properly)!

I don't even need to do anything special - just pair it with my computers (I've used it on different computers over the years) via bluetooth.

What exactly is it with DUALSHOCK4 game pads that supposedly doesn't work?

My memory is a little hazy on it, but I believe in recent Kernels the way DS4 were handled was changed, causing breakages.

You must be using Windows because force feedback doesn't work on Steam OS. I doesn't work with the steam controller, so how can it work with the DUALSHOCK 4?

I think you quoted the wrong person there, with me included, but I assure you vibration does work on the Steam Controller, not many games I've tried actually use it though. Micro Machines used it quite well.

Windows? Hell no - only my son's laptop runs a Microsoft Windows-based operating system (because of his school requirements), and he'll be shortly switching to an Apple MacBook Pro!

Force-feedback/vibration does in fact work with the DUALSHOCK4 too... But it's dependant on which game you are trying to use it with.

Some games work perfectly... Others do not work at all.

In my library, probably about 1/4-1/2 of my games offer working force-feedback/vibration when using a DUALSHOCK4 controller...

Quoting: Darkdisorder78Wait so force feedback works in Ubuntu and with any game? Valve ships the Steam controller advertising haptic feedback. I thought linux didn't support rumble because it's not enabled on Steam OS?

Only certain games work with my DUALSHOCK4... It's mostly a game of "Hit 'n' Miss".

The games that support force-feedback/vibration on my DUALSHOCK4 work perfectly; the games that don't support force-feedback/vibration on my DUALSHOCK4 still work, but obviously without the force-feedback/vibration.


Last edited by Cyba.Cowboy on 19 August 2017 at 8:36 am UTC