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The excellent SC Controller project adds Bluetooth support

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SC Controller [GitHub], the rather great driver and user interface for working with the Steam Controller (and now many others) outside of Steam recently added Bluetooth support.

Version 0.4.3 was released only three days ago and it comes with a pretty impressive list of changes. The Steam Controller, the Sony Dualshock 4 (PS4 gamepad) and all other Bluetooth pads recognised by evdev are now supported.

It also fixes unexpected behaviour when ring bindings are combined with pad clicking.

It now comes with a rather nice AppImage, which should work across all distributions. No compiling, no hunting for packages. Just download, make it executable and run.

Such an incredibly useful project, especially since I love my Steam Controller and this makes using it in GOG and itch.io games an absolute breeze.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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12 comments
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Liam Dawe May 28, 2018
Quoting: GuestHi ! Do you manage to get rumble support with it ? I must say I was quite disappointed by the "cheap plastic" feel of the SC. Also the D-Pad felt aweful compared to Logitech gamepad for instance. But maybe I got an old unit. Is it still the case ?
The unit is the same as it was when it was first released, they haven't done any revisions on it. I personally love the feeling of it, don't really have an issue with the dpad either.

In comparison, the Logitech F310 to me feels a lot worse, especially the triggers.
xuwang May 28, 2018
I also really love the steam controller. But I've only played a few games with it, especially Awesomenauts (great game and works great on Linux!). I've also known people who really dislike the controller, so I guess it just depends on feeling.
no_information_here May 28, 2018
Quoting: GuestI must say I was quite disappointed by the "cheap plastic" feel of the SC.
Depending on your needs the SC is either brilliant or a let-down. Personally, I really like it, but know that it doesn't fit some game types.

1) I don't like the haptic so I turn it off completely. It doesn't "rumble" in the same was as you might be used to, so that may be a disappointment.

2) The lack of a real D-pad is a frustration for me. I like metroidvania platformers and using a thumbstick isn't the same for many precision games. Some people report loving the left thumbpad, but I never like it.

3) The under-side squeeze buttons felt fragile to me, but they have held up to millions of clicks so far.

4) The ABXY buttons are a little small and close together, but I got used to it.

Good side:

a) For First-Person games, this thing rocks. I love the touch-pad for mouse look and the gyro fine-tune is awesome. No, it won't be enough for competitive games, but that is not me. I love sitting back with the controller and not having to use a keyboard.

b) I love the under-side squeeze buttons, even thought they should feel a little more solid. Other controllers should adopt them.

c) Adaptability is great. Both Steam and SCC allow me to make the controller anything I want. This has saved me in many games that would be otherwise unplayable.

YMMV
Shmerl May 28, 2018
So what will developers do once Steam controller driver will be in the upstream kernel, will the project switch to it?

Also, question to the experts. How can Steam controller firmware be updated without Steam?


Last edited by Shmerl on 28 May 2018 at 5:26 pm UTC
ElectricPrism May 28, 2018
Quoting: GuestHi ! Do you manage to get rumble support with it ? I must say I was quite disappointed by the "cheap plastic" feel of the SC. Also the D-Pad felt aweful compared to Logitech gamepad for instance. But maybe I got an old unit. Is it still the case ?

I agree, I dislike the d-pad negative embossment. If anything a d-pad should be raised not lowered.

If I could mod my Steam Controller to make it a slick surface like the right I would.

I don't use my SC often but i still wrestle with the correct way to hold it -- am I supposed to have my index fingers on the top triggers or middle triggers.

Also the wings coming at me up instead of down flys in the face of every other controller's design.

If I had 3d skill I would make those edits and print my own new shell to see if that improved the experience.

These SC Controller devs are the bomb, they're fast.


Last edited by ElectricPrism on 28 May 2018 at 6:18 pm UTC
DoctorJunglist May 28, 2018
Has anyone figured out a way to make the Steam controller work for Wine gaming? I tried it with the SC Controller driver, but the button mappings are messed up (at least in Tekken 7).
NOX LinuX May 29, 2018
Finally a GUI Software to configure your Gamepad!!!!
M@GOid May 29, 2018
Quoting: liamdawe
Quoting: GuestHi ! Do you manage to get rumble support with it ? I must say I was quite disappointed by the "cheap plastic" feel of the SC. Also the D-Pad felt aweful compared to Logitech gamepad for instance. But maybe I got an old unit. Is it still the case ?
The unit is the same as it was when it was first released, they haven't done any revisions on it. I personally love the feeling of it, don't really have an issue with the dpad either.

In comparison, the Logitech F310 to me feels a lot worse, especially the triggers.

Assuming the F710 and F310 have the same physical characteristics, the problem with the triggers are three fold:

1, the springs are too hard to press, compared to other controllers;

2, the triggers are a full 10mm farther reative to the analog sticks. Yeah, I measure it and compared with all the other major gamepads.

3, The triggers are too small, with a short point of articulation.

And the unity I have of the F710 is the noisiest controller I own, followed by the Steam Controller, the Xbox 360 being the quietest.
M@GOid May 29, 2018
Quoting: no_information_here
Quoting: GuestI must say I was quite disappointed by the "cheap plastic" feel of the SC.
Depending on your needs the SC is either brilliant or a let-down. Personally, I really like it, but know that it doesn't fit some game types.

1) I don't like the haptic so I turn it off completely. It doesn't "rumble" in the same was as you might be used to, so that may be a disappointment.

2) The lack of a real D-pad is a frustration for me. I like metroidvania platformers and using a thumbstick isn't the same for many precision games. Some people report loving the left thumbpad, but I never like it.

3) The under-side squeeze buttons felt fragile to me, but they have held up to millions of clicks so far.

4) The ABXY buttons are a little small and close together, but I got used to it.

Good side:

a) For First-Person games, this thing rocks. I love the touch-pad for mouse look and the gyro fine-tune is awesome. No, it won't be enough for competitive games, but that is not me. I love sitting back with the controller and not having to use a keyboard.

b) I love the under-side squeeze buttons, even thought they should feel a little more solid. Other controllers should adopt them.

c) Adaptability is great. Both Steam and SCC allow me to make the controller anything I want. This has saved me in many games that would be otherwise unplayable.

YMMV

Your sentiments reflect mine. For precision aiming on first and third person games, the SC is far away of any other gamepad out there. For other types of games, there are better options.

But that is okay to me. We are on the PC platform, where choice is a given, while on the consoles you are stuck with what the companies want you to use.
M@GOid May 29, 2018
One gamepad I wish got PC support already is the GameSir G5. It could give the Steam Controller a run for its money:

Youtube review
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