Steam for Linux

Steam for Linux

Lee Hibbs Apr 24, 2016 @ 2:36pm
Thinking of moving over to Linux. But have questions about Steam Controllers compatibility
I'm thinking of moving to over to Linux fully. I have dabbled in Mint briefly but the Steam controller's Keyboard seems to lock up and become unusable in firfox/desktop use etc..

Im hoping someone can recommend a fully compatible distro for the steam pad that is stable for the desktop, firefox etc
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Showing 1-15 of 20 comments
SRH Apr 24, 2016 @ 2:42pm 
SteamOS is compatible but doesn't have a "desktop" mode without doing some hacks to it.
Last edited by SRH; Apr 24, 2016 @ 2:43pm
Lee Hibbs Apr 24, 2016 @ 2:53pm 
Thanks for the reply. I don't mind using alternative Linux distributions as long as I can use all the steam controllers features such as typing with the virtual keyboard in Firefox etc
SRH Apr 24, 2016 @ 3:04pm 
Originally posted by Lee Hibbs:
Thanks for the reply. I don't mind using alternative Linux distributions as long as I can use all the steam controllers features such as typing with the virtual keyboard in Firefox etc
When was the last time you used Linux? Some bugs may or may not have been worked out since you last used Linux Mint with the steam controller. You'd have to try a few distro's and see what works and what don't. The community here can more than likely help solve whatever is wrong on your end.
halifax Apr 24, 2016 @ 3:10pm 
Originally posted by srh420:
SteamOS is compatible but doesn't have a "desktop" mode without doing some hacks to it.

No... Unfortunately, even SteamOS itself isn't too hot for controller support in Gnome 3 desktop mode :-/

And I should know, I only run SteamOS 2 Brewmaster on my Alienware Steam Machine in full desktop mode, with the main Debian 8 repos spliced into my /etc/apt/sources.list file. When I try and use the Steam Controller desktop mode keyboard - it goes south and locks or has other terminal bugs. Only in full SteamOS booted BPM (using its custom compositor) does it work right.
Lee Hibbs Apr 24, 2016 @ 3:12pm 
I have an older 2nd machine with mint on. I tried it a few days ago seems to work fine generally but as soon as i try to type in firefox the virtual keyboard becomes non responsive. this was through the cable rather than the reciever.
There is also the option of using the lutris client (lutris.net). It is possible use lutris to run your Steam games without having to run the Steam client. Thereby bypassing Steam bugs, conserving CPU cycles, conserving memory, and saving time. As you have and older machine, this might work better for you. But working around the Steam bugs is preferable for some people.
Last edited by c704710 [🐧 #LinuxOnly]; Apr 24, 2016 @ 3:22pm
SRH Apr 24, 2016 @ 3:22pm 
Originally posted by halifax:
Originally posted by srh420:
SteamOS is compatible but doesn't have a "desktop" mode without doing some hacks to it.

No... Unfortunately, even SteamOS itself isn't too hot for controller support in Gnome 3 desktop mode :-/

And I should know, I only run SteamOS 2 Brewmaster on my Alienware Steam Machine in full desktop mode, with the main Debian 8 repos spliced into my /etc/apt/sources.list file. When I try and use the Steam Controller desktop mode keyboard - it goes south and locks or has other terminal bugs. Only in full SteamOS booted BPM (using its custom compositor) does it work right.
Thank you for the correction, I don't own a steam controller personally so I figure i'd at least try to send OP in the right direction. That sucks that Valve can't even get their sh*t right even on SteamOS.

Guess we can't escape the keyboard/mouse can we lol. GG Valve.
Lee Hibbs Apr 24, 2016 @ 3:24pm 
Right. thanks for the help guys. thats a deal breaker for me on my main pc until the controller has function/feature parity with the windos drivers.

Getting frustrated with Valve. They should at least get their hardware functioning correctly on Linux if they want Steamos to succeed.
Lee Hibbs Apr 24, 2016 @ 3:32pm 
Thanks again guys. that Lutris looks very interesting, I will have to give that a try, Cheers halifax for informing me of that.
Originally posted by halifax:
Guess we can't escape the keyboard/mouse can we lol. GG Valve.
Actually, if you are only gaming and _never_ need to do anything else and none of your games need words to be typed, its quite possible to get by without a keyboard and mouse by remapping controls using QJoyPad. I setup a gaming PC for a client that used a gamepad to move the mouse cursor and gamepad buttons to press keys. He runs and plays all of his 100 or so games except Ultima IV using only the gamepad (xu4 requires unique four character word answers to some questions, but can still be gamepad controlled the other 98% of the time). There is actually only 12 layouts needed (every FPS can use the same layout, all the platformers can use the same layout, etc...). Selecting a lutris shortcut runs a script to choose the needed layout for the game, then it runs. After, it loads the desktop layout when the game goes away (even if xkilled, which is in every layout). Oh, it also helps that he as a 17 button gamepad with a built-in FPS mode button (effectively creating 34 total buttons). But scripting could be used to create a 'mode button' on any gamepad.
Last edited by c704710 [🐧 #LinuxOnly]; Apr 24, 2016 @ 3:45pm
retro_Ed Apr 24, 2016 @ 3:48pm 
Ubuntu + Onboard (keyboard) + Steam Controller = Rock Solid Combo for light typing
Last edited by retro_Ed; Apr 25, 2016 @ 6:37am
halifax Apr 24, 2016 @ 4:38pm 
Steam Controller desktop keyboard overlay support isn't a show stopper for me for Linux.

For me, the only thing that took with the Valve Revolution (BPM, In-Home Streaming, Steam Controller, SteamOS, Steam Machines) was Linux PC gaming...

I'm back in my Man Cave again, with a keyboard and mouse on my gaming PCs - only now with Linux distros installed on them vs. Windows. Because there are a ton of games available for Linux, now.

The fact that there's three tons of games for Windows isn't so bad when there's 1/3rd of that available for Linux. 1/3rd of a three tons still equals a ton :-)

You need to ask yourself one question: If I was on a deserted island with nothing but PC games and one input control method, the input method would be _____.

If you answered purple dildos, you've been playing too much Saints Row now that it's ported to Linux. If you answered Steam Controller, you need to cut back on the Heroin AM. If you picked standard gamepad controller, you're a console lover and wouldn't be reading this anyway.
Which leaves only one answer: keyboard and mouse.

See my point? Fiddling with touchpads to type is a phase you're going through - it will probably not be terribly important to you in a year.



Lee Hibbs Apr 25, 2016 @ 2:36am 
I see your point, but I have my windows pc hooked up to my TV in the living room. the pad just works so well for a relaxed living room enviroment for gaming, movies/tv and a little web browsing etc

I have used all kinds of input devices/configurations but the steam controller just works and feels natural. Obviously if I was gaming from a desk it would not make as much sense.

I want to get free of microsoft and will once valve pulls their thumb out of their ass and sorts out the compatibility issues.
Cybertao Apr 25, 2016 @ 4:35am 
Have you tried the Standalone Steam Controller Driver[github.com]?
Lee Hibbs Apr 25, 2016 @ 5:52am 
Not heard of it before. I'll have a look at it. Thanks for the suggestion cybertao
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Date Posted: Apr 24, 2016 @ 2:36pm
Posts: 20