Controller doesn't work on demo

[LNXlady]

Neither my plugged in controller nor the steam deck controls work on the demo for me. I know they are supposed to, but I can't get any of the buttons or the sticks to do anything at all. I've tried with steam input and also with "Use Native Controller" checked and steam input disabled. I can launch the game with the controller but then I can't click anything in the menu to start the game with either controller or steam deck controls.

[Catman]

Hello! I just tested this with a Steam account and a Dualshock and it works fine using Steam Input. Are you sure you can see the controller being detected in steam input? I noticed that the demo does not recognize the input if you try to use the controller after it has started instead of from the beginning, so maybe that happened? Can you send me your log file, as it might have more information? (please see https://steamcommunity.com/app/638510/discussions/1/3875968426426397099/)

[LNXlady]

Originally posted by Catman:

I noticed that the demo does not recognize the input if you try to use the controller after it has started instead of from the beginning, so maybe that happened?

Hi! Do you mean it doesn't recognize the controller if plugged in after the game is already running or do you mean it doesn't recognize it if you've ever played the game before without the controller? Because I did try the demo on my Linux laptop the day before without a controller or a mouse hooked up and was trying to continue that game on the Deck. But the day I tried it on Steam Deck, the controller was plugged into the dock before I booted the deck or the game. It stays plugged in always and I rarely use the deck off the dock.

Even if it isn't detecting the controller (I don't know how to see this), shouldn't it work with the steam deck controls? Not that that would help me since I want to play it docked, but it just seems weird. I had to use a wireless mouse just to exit the game.

[Catman]

I meant the former, but it might just have been some issue with my controller trying to be recognized.

However, it is weird indeed, as the deck controls should be using steam input directly and should not be affected. I am not sure whether I can test the demo with the deck, I'll try that, but it is strange it was not reported beforehand if that's really not working!

[LNXlady]

Originally posted by Catman:

I meant the former, but it might just have been some issue with my controller trying to be recognized.

However, it is weird indeed, as the deck controls should be using steam input directly and should not be affected. I am not sure whether I can test the demo with the deck, I'll try that, but it is strange it was not reported beforehand if that's really not working!

I know! I'll try to get you the log file but since I can't get further than the main menu, I don't know if it will be any help.

[Catman]

Hello! Thank you for sending the files, unfortunately those do not tell anything about this. Let me try and play the demo on the deck (I think I should be able to play it with a second account) and I'll get back to you tomorrow!

I know for a fact that people are playing the game the actual game with the Steam Deck (and I do too!), so I wonder if it's something with Steam Input's built in controller support for demo that is messing up!

[LNXlady]

Originally posted by Catman:

Hello! Thank you for sending the files, unfortunately those do not tell anything about this. Let me try and play the demo on the deck (I think I should be able to play it with a second account) and I'll get back to you tomorrow!

I know for a fact that people are playing the game the actual game with the Steam Deck (and I do too!), so I wonder if it's something with Steam Input's built in controller support for demo that is messing up!

Thanks for taking the time to check. I'd only be able to play if I can get it to work docked with the controller, though.

[Catman]

Indeed, it seems that Steam changed something about demos and the default config was not working anymore on the Steam Deck! Unfortunately, that part has always been a bit buggy, and it seems they have changed something under the hood. I was able to change it and now it works on my Deck, so please try again and let me know!

[LNXlady]

Originally posted by Catman:

Indeed, it seems that Steam changed something about demos and the default config was not working anymore on the Steam Deck! Unfortunately, that part has always been a bit buggy, and it seems they have changed something under the hood. I was able to change it and now it works on my Deck, so please try again and let me know!

Well, it's a little better. I can start the game and I can access the settings but I can't zoom in or out and the game is starting zoomed all the way in. Neither the bumper buttons nor the triggers seem to do anything and the config says the triggers should zoom. The game says R1 to get to research but that doesn't work. I did try with both the controller and the Deck controls but the triggers and bumpers don't work on either, for me.

[Catman]

Originally posted by LNXlady:

Originally posted by Catman:

Indeed, it seems that Steam changed something about demos and the default config was not working anymore on the Steam Deck! Unfortunately, that part has always been a bit buggy, and it seems they have changed something under the hood. I was able to change it and now it works on my Deck, so please try again and let me know!

Well, it's a little better. I can start the game and I can access the settings but I can't zoom in or out and the game is starting zoomed all the way in. Neither the bumper buttons nor the triggers seem to do anything and the config says the triggers should zoom. The game says R1 to get to research but that doesn't work. I did try with both the controller and the Deck controls but the triggers and bumpers don't work on either, for me.

Can you please check whether the Controller Settings in Steam Input rare using the official dotAGE Demo layout? If not, can you select it from the layouts? Also make sure "Enable Native Controller" is disabled in the Game's settings. I just tested both the zoom and research tree with the demo and they seem to work for me on a Steam Account that only has the demo

[LNXlady]

Originally posted by Catman:

Can you please check whether the Controller Settings in Steam Input rare using the official dotAGE Demo layout? If not, can you select it from the layouts? Also make sure "Enable Native Controller" is disabled in the Game's settings. I just tested both the zoom and research tree with the demo and they seem to work for me on a Steam Account that only has the demo

The official dotage demo layout is selected and was yesterday, as well. Weirdly, today I can get to the research and it says RB there where yesterday it said R1. The only change I made was to tell bluetooth to forget the controller, since it is plugged in. I still can't zoom with either controller or steam deck controls. I unplugged the controller and tried the steam deck controls again but still no luck. "Enable Native Controler" is disabled. I even unplugged from the dock in case that was causing a problem but still no zoom on the deck. Sorry to be a bother!

[Catman]

The controller UI on screen updates based on the current layout, so it depends on what Steam detects as the controller. The zoom not working is really strange, especially if the rest works, can you try enabling "Advanced Zoom Controls" and see whether that works? That requires you to hold R2 and then use the right stick to zoom in/out (or maybe you enabled that already and that's why you can't see it working? if so, try toggling it off!)

[LNXlady]

Originally posted by Catman:

The controller UI on screen updates based on the current layout, so it depends on what Steam detects as the controller. The zoom not working is really strange, especially if the rest works, can you try enabling "Advanced Zoom Controls" and see whether that works? That requires you to hold R2 and then use the right stick to zoom in/out (or maybe you enabled that already and that's why you can't see it working? if so, try toggling it off!)

I don't remember seeing that. Is it in the game settings or steam's controller settings?

[Catman]

Game settings, under Controls (sorry, it's called "Free Zoom")

[LNXlady]

Originally posted by Catman:

Game settings, under Controls (sorry, it's called "Free Zoom")

It works! Yay, I'll be able to play the demo tonight! Thanks so much for your help.

[Catman]

Originally posted by LNXlady:

Originally posted by Catman:

Game settings, under Controls (sorry, it's called "Free Zoom")

It works! Yay, I'll be able to play the demo tonight! Thanks so much for your help.

Awesome!! :D