Not sure how to make my gamepad work in Steam

[Parcival]

I run a desktop computer with Debian stable (currently Stretch) and I am not sure how to get my gamepad (Microsoft Sidewinder Plug & Play Gamepad) to work in Steam. Outside of steam the gamepad works just fine (Supertux, Chromium BSU, etc.)

At first, everything looks promising because in big picture mode, steam shows my gamepad and I can click on it:
Screenshot of Controller Settings - Detected Controllers[imgur.com]

After I clicked on it, a new window opens and Steam asks me to press the various buttons:
Screenshot of Controller Settings - Button Configuration[imgur.com]

On this screen everything is going smoothly using the gamepad and the keyboard until I need to click DPAD Down, which erases the entry "Axis 1" in DPAD Up to keep it for itself alone. Similarly, pressing DPAD Right on the gamepad erases the value "Axis 0" from DPAD Left.

I also find it quite irritating that I only have a Cancel and a Clear & Exit button. Is there no Save button at all (because of Autosave) or will the Save button only appear once a minimal set of buttons is defined?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Just mouse-click "Clear and Exit" and don't change them.
Why would you need to change the mapping?
Check that everything on the controller works via WINKEY+R --> JOY.CPL
Then load up a game that supports game controllers and try the controller in-game.

[Parcival]

I am running a Linux rig with Debian stable, so your suggestion with WINKEY+R is not applicable. However, you brought me onto a new idea: is this just a remapping tool, in other words not required for a proper installation?

Either way, the gamepad works in Linux just fine, but I can't find it anywhere in any Steam game. There is no effect when pressing a button in game whereas Steam's button mapping tool clearly shows the button presses.

I interpret my problems in terms of that I somehow need to save a valid default configuration first.

[ReBoot]

It is just a remapping tool, not required at all. Well, unless the game doesn't support the gamepad in question, then you need it. But if the gamepad works just fine without Steam, why would you need Steam's input mapper to get it to run?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Yes, you basically never need to remap anything within Steam for a Controller, that is optional.
All u need to do is check ONLY the Generic box there; if controller is not; Steam / PS4 / XboxOne; type of Controller. Note how it shows the device and it's name. If that is correct and when u click it and click on identify, the controller (if a gamepad) should Rumble/Vibrate very briefly as part of feedback to the user that it definitely sees it properly.

I'm not familiar however with how controllers work within Linux for the most part.
I can only assume if Steam is seeing it all fine, there is not much reason why it would not work within a Steam Game as well.

However please keep in mind not all games even allow going through the main menu systems with a controller, some games have "Partial Controller" support, meaning it will require interactions via KB and/or Mouse at some points of the game, like in menu systems perhaps. Some games might even require the user to go into the in-game options via KB/Mouse and then from inside there, enable the controller for it to even work in-game at all.

[Parcival]

Thanks guys, this was really helpful because you explained to me the purpose of this screen rather than just how to do it as in the countless tutorials I googled.
I assume then the problem is that Steam recognizes my controller, but the game doesn't (Axis Football 18). It's ok because I enjoy coach mode just as much.

[Silicon Vampire]

https://steamcommunity.com/app/221410/discussions/