SteamLink app / Linux host / 8bitdo issues -- Works fine with Windows

[SpottedOwl]

I've got an 8bitdo SN30 controller that works fine with many Steam games under xInput mode when connected via Bluetooth directly to my Linux host (Linux Mint 20.3). But when I use the Steam Link app to connect to the same Linux host from either my Raspberry Pi (3b), my HP Chromebook x2 (ARM based), or my Samsung TV, the same controller will no longer work with these games (or any others that I've tried). Skipping ahead a bit -- everything works perfectly from my RPI and Chromebook if I instead boot the same PC into Windows 10 and host Steam games from there.

My goal is to have the SN30 gamepad working with my Linux host via SteamLink on the Raspberry Pi (because I prefer Linux), connected via Bluetooth, using the xInput method. I've tried many other settings, devices, and combinations, to see if I could find anything that does work.

I've been trying each test scenario with five different games that are supposed to have full controller support (Cuphead, Stardew Valley, Lara Croft Go, Kingdom, Wolfenstein II New Colossus) just for consistency, but I've tried other games at times as well. With Steam Link via the Linux host, the controller works within the big picture mode menus, but not under the games -- UNLESS I manually map keyboard keys or mouse buttons to the gamepad buttons. This is not necessary when playing locally on my Linux host (no Steam Link) with the same gamepad; all of these games (and others) work with the official button templates, without customization in most cases.

My controller is fully recognized by the SteamLink launcher when testing and mapping keys. It is also recognized by the test input function in the controller section of Settings while connected to the Linux host via SteamLink. If I do manually map keys using a new template, the games I'm having problems with work fine. But obviously, mapping keys for every game I have is time consuming and not something I want to do. Especially when the games work fine with the official button templates when using a Windows-based Steam host.


Here's what I've tried so far:

I've got two SN30 gamepads from 8bitdo and the issue occurs with both gamepads under all four input methods (although I think under at least one of the methods, it doesnt work at all -- not even in the SteamLink menu). I'm trying to use the xInput method because I've read that is the most compatible, but I tried the others just to see if it would make a difference.

I updated the firmware of the gamepads to the latest. There was no change.

I tried these controllers while being connected to the RPI with USB instead of BT. There was no difference, including with different input methods instead of just xInput.

I purchased the 8bitdo Pro 2 controllers, and the same issue occurs with those, both with the original and latest firmwares. I also tried the 8bitdo Ultimate controller -- the BT model, and the same issue occurs, including with the latest firmware. The RPI wouldn't recognize the 2.4ghz dongle when trying that mode instead, btw.

I haven't tried any other controllers except some older USB/wired Logitech controllers which are not officially supported, and those work fine directly to the Linux host but not under Steam Link with the RPI, nor do they work under the menus.

So although this could be an 8bitdo issue and some other brand's controller might work, it's definitely not an issue for these 8bitdo controllers with a Windows-based Steam host.

My gamepad works perfectly with the various game emulators in EmulationStation/Retropie on the same Raspberry PI build, btw. I also tried a clean RPI build, without EmulationStation/Retropie installed. There was no difference in Steam Link between the two.

I have not yet tried using another gamepad driver like xpadneo, mostly because these controllers work just fine when paired directly with my Linux host and not using Steam Link. They also work when connected to the Linux host with USB, but again, not with USB via the RPI over Steam Link.

We have a second Linux PC with a different motherboard and other hardware, but also running Linux Mint (but it's on 19.3) and I can reproduce the same issue using that as the host as well.


I would really appreciate any assistance or ideas -- surely someone else has run into this!?

[SpottedOwl]

I have purchased a SteelSeries Stratus Duo and have ran through all the same tests as before under the 2.4G, USB, and BT connectivity methods with multiple games. This is supposed to be an officially supported controller for SteamLink on the RPI. However, with my Linux host there is no change from the 8bitdo with one exception. With the 8bitdo SN30, the controller will work while playing locally on the Linux host in either USB or BT modes. With the Stratus Duo, it will not -- it only works in the menus. On Windows, everything works, including on the RPI.

[SpottedOwl]

For anyone having this issue, this problem has been resolved. See this post. https://steamcommunity.com/app/221410/discussions/0/3823034248726274459/