PS4 controller not working on Linux

[k317h]

I know Thumper doesn't officially support Linux, but since my controller works in every other game flawlessly, (including those without official Linux support) I'm not sure why my PS4 controller won't work in this game. The game doesn't seem to detect it at all. Even tried launching through Big Picture while the controller was on and connected. The "controller config loaded" popup appears after starting the game. Tried both wired and wireless connections, same results. In my Big Picture controller settings, Dualshock 4 support is on, but generic gamepad support isn't. Any suggestions?

[Marc Flury]

I know almost nothing about Linux, but controller problems are often caused by interactions between the game's controller detection and the Steam controller configuration (at least on Windows). The Steam client can make controllers "appear" as different controller to the game, so adjusting those settings (or disabling them might help).

[k317h]

Thanks for the response. Are there any logs or anything that I could look at that would show details of the controller the game detects?

The only configuration settings I could think to adjust were Big Picture > Settings > Controller Settings > "Generic Gamepad Configuration Support" and "Playstation Configuration Support". I tried turning them both on, both off, as well as both on individually, but still got the same result: the controller seems to be detected by Steam, ("controller detected" popup appears after starting the game, light on controller flickers) but the game ignores it and only responds to the keyboard.

[Marc Flury]

Thanks. I'm looking into controller related issues, in part to improve how the game will work on Steam Deck. Steam Deck runs Linux, so there's a good chance what I do for that will help your situation too. I'll post here when I have an update.

[Marc Flury]

Can you please get our "experimental" branch and then try running the game again? I think this will fix the issue for you, but again, I don't have a Linux machine to test on atm.

If it works, I'll update the main/default branch so you can just use that from now on.

BTW, how are you running the game on Linux? Via Steam Play and Proton?

How to get the experimental branch
- Right-click Thumper in your Library > Properties
- Click the BETAS tab
- Select "experimental" in the drop down box.
- Now it should say "Thumper [experimental]" in your Library (sometimes you have to restart the Steam client for this to happen)
- Once the update is downloaded/updated (sometimes you have to restart Steam to make this happen), run the game.

Thanks.

[k317h]

Attempted using the controller on the experimental patch, but got the same results. Just to be sure, I also tried restarting Steam too. Then I tried launching the game from Big Picture mode, as well as toggling controller support options. Same results: the game doesn't respond to any input from the controller, but responds to the keyboard just fine.

I am running Steam Play using Proton Experimental. I also tried Proton 6.3-8.

I recorded a brief video displaying the issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhRf_rw-Qhk

In the video, I tried launching the game in Big Picture mode, with the controller already connected. You will see that the game doesn't respond to any input from the controller. I then used the keyboard to close the game. Then I immediately launched another game that also was not made for Linux and does has full controller support. You will see that the controller is detected in that game.

If you'd like any more information, just let me know what you need. Appreciate you looking at this!

[Marc Flury]

Thanks for the update! As another test, can you try adding the following under Library > Thumper > Properties > General > Launch Options:

-force_win8

So your launch options should just be "-force_win8" (without the quotes). Then try running the game again. I think that might fix the controller input issue for you.

If it does, I'll work on making it so you can run without that launch option.

[k317h]

That was it! Thanks for your help.

[Marc Flury]

Great.

If you don't mind, could you try getting the latest version on the experimental branch and let me know if your controller works with it? In this version, the "-force_win8" command line option doesn't do anything. I'm hoping it just works for you.

I'll release this new version on the default branch after I do some more testing. Thanks!

[k317h]

Hey, sorry, just got around to testing this. It still worked, no changes made (still experimental, still -force_win8). Should I go ahead and set it back to the stable patch now?

[Marc Flury]

Yes, it should work the same on both the experimental and default branches now. And you don't need the -force_win8, it shouldn't have any effect anymore.

Thanks!

[k317h]

Awesome, everything is still working great on the stable patch. Thanks again for your help!