PowerA controller seen by Ubuntu Linux, not by Steam

[vsvg.scattered]

My XBOX controller is seen by Linux as "Bus 004 Device 005: ID 24c6:581b BDA XB1 Classic controller" yet games don't start (or stay in background) because Steam says no controller connected. Running Ubuntu MATE 20.04 64-bit, which I hoped counts as Ubuntu.

Is there a way for Steam to recognize this controller, or must I acquire one from this list: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=5199-TOKV-4426

vsvg (have fun and good luck),
scattered

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Disable PS4 and XBOX in BigPictureMode. Enable Generic. Restart Steam Client

[vsvg.scattered]

thanks. none of them were checked. restarted steam, no dice. lsusb sees it still. i will reboot next.

does steam prefer a specific driver?
should i move question to Steam for Linux board?

[_I_]

does it show in joy.cpl and test correctly?

[vsvg.scattered]

yesterday i ran someting that showed a controller on screen and responded button pushes. jstest-gtk showing blank today

with all the different drivers i tried, i may have created a conflict. xpad, xboxdrv each has someone saying it is best.

i don't see joy.cpl in aptitude. is its name different n ubuntu?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Originally posted by _I_:

does it show in joy.cpl and test correctly?

Huh? OP is using Linux

[_I_]

oops

[Bad 💀 Motha]

IDK why a "gamer" would use Ubuntu. It's horrible for gaming

[Omega]

You shouldn't have to install any special drivers for the controller unless it does something weird like make use of a proprietary USB protocol. Steam input should be enough to make most controllers work. Try using it as a PS4, Xbox or generic controller by selecting one of these options in the Steam input config screen.

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

IDK why a "gamer" would use Ubuntu. It's horrible for gaming

Ubuntu is fine for gaming as long as you run the latest release. So don't stick on the LTS versions for 5 years, update every 6 months.

[vsvg.scattered]

thank you for the suggestions. it's working fine now. i also agree with the ubuntu comments. right now ubuntu is on my that best meets steam's needs. i might switch distros or buy a windows license key. luckily, that can wait.

the good sequence is:
use lsusb to see linux sees the controller.
use jstest-gtk to verify linux sees the actions.
install steam. go to big picture mode. make sure ps4 and xbox not checked.
restart steam client
now try controller in steam.

thank you again, everyone.
vsvg,
scattered

[vsvg.scattered]

Funny thing, though.
The user does not have to USE controller to play the game.
Paradox just requires the user HAVE a controller detected to load their game Cities.
But they do not list a controller as a system requirement.
Go figure.
vs vg,
scattered

[Bad 💀 Motha]

You do not need any key to use Win10 fully.

Overall I'd just clean install a different Linux distro such as Sparky or Manjaro

[vsvg.scattered]

good point. i will try a new OS after ironing out some other stuff.

[vsvg.scattered]

yay. paradox support has indicated my premise is not correct. No controller is needed for a first launch. steam installed and ran Cities just fine on a different machine, and paradox support helped me bypass the launcher to test the quirks of my main system. steam runs cities there, too.

at some point i will do an OS reinstall, but since it's running, now, that reinstall can wait.

thank you paradox support.

vs vg,
scattered

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Stop using Ubuntu for Gaming.
Install a good Linux Distro that actually handles gaming well.

[vsvg.scattered]

yes. i will.
that's one reason i am deferring the reinstall, since it will be at least two.
the main reason is to get my support desk/little brother's recommendation.
thank you for the reminder. i sure don't miss unity.
vs vg.