Thrustmaster support responds to request for enabling FF in tmdrv (long post)

[drmaemo]

Hi All,

First, I thank members of this forum for participating in a previous discussion on a similar topic. This thread is a continuation with some new information. In full disclosure, I posted the same information below in the linux_gaming reddit page.

Thrustmaster support appears to have suggested that I share correspondence (see last message below) regarding the possibility of helping out the excellent work of hero01 and his tmdrv that enables the axes and buttons of TM TMX, TX, and T300 RS racing wheels function under GNU/Linux.

The idea is for GNU/Linux sim racing enthusiasts have another option in sim racing wheels/pedals in addition to the Logitech G29/G920.

Obviously, TM is not making any promises; however, perhaps a reply to this message with a simple "TM should support TM wheels/pedals for GNU/Linux users." If you already own a TM wheel that is not fully functional in GNU/Linux, perhaps send an email to TM Support ([e-mail]) with a similar request or show of interest.

Message #1 sent September 28, 2017

Dear Thrustmaster Support,

I pledge to purchase a TM wheel/pedal provided that is fully functional (i.e., all axes, full axis rotation/throw, all buttons, and FF) in GNU/Linux.

I am a sim racing enthusiast that exclusively uses GNU/Linux because all of the software I use runs on GNU/Linux, and many of which only runs on GNU/Linux.

Thanks to Codemasters and Feral Interactive, there has been a dramatic increase in AAA sim racing titles e.g., GRID Autosport, Dirt Rally, F1 2015 and F1 2017) for the GNU/Linux users.

Unfortunately, fully functional force feedback (FF) sim racing wheels and pedals has not kept pace. The only mid-consumer level fully functional FF wheel/pedal released in the last two years available to GNU/Linux users is the Logitech G29/920. The only other mid-level fully functional FF wheel/pedals available to GNU/Linux users were released five (5) years, or more, ago.

For example, I currently use a Thrustmaster RGT Force Feedback wheel/2 pedals released back in 2005. I am enjoying immensely full functionality (including FF) using this wheel, which has lasted me a long time. However, after many years of great use, it is wearing out and I am looking for a replacement.

My preferred replacement is the TM TX or T300 RS, which are partially functional, because my understanding is that the FF feature built into these TM wheel/pedals does not work in GNU/Linux, please see this thread https://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/comments/71sg9x/if_you_looking_for_a_sim_racing_wheel/ . I will not buy a wheel without FF.

Thus, I am requesting TM help to enable the FF feature of as many TM wheels as possible in GNU/Linux so that GNU/Linux users like myself are not discouraged from purchasing a TM wheel/pedals due to lack of FF.

I pledge to purchase a TM wheel/pedal provided when it is fully functional (i.e., all axes, full axis rotation/throw, all buttons, and FF) in GNU/Linux.

TM reply to Message #1

Thank you for choosing Thrustmaster products and for contacting us regarding this issue.

At this point we don't have driver support for any Linux OS, we will let you know as soon as this situation changes. We will take into acknowledgment the information you have sent us and forward it to the appropriate department.

We remain at your disposal for any other inquiries regarding Thrustmaster products.

To ensure the most efficient follow-up of your query, please answer directly to this email (do not open a new ticket). Kind regards, Your Thrustmaster Customer Support Agent Forever hopeful from a TM fan and proud GNU/Linux user.

Message #2 sent October 5

Thank you for the reply. I humbly request that the additional information below also be forwarded to the appropriate department?

Just to clarify, the request is NOT for TM to create a Linux driver for their wheel. Instead, the request is to work with knowledgeable people to add/enable force feedback to the tmdrv that was created by her001, see https://github.com/her001/tmdrv. The tmdrv provides axis and button support for TMX, TX, and T300 RS TM products, but not force feedback unfortunately.

Feral Interactive ports racing sim games to Linux and maintains a webpage of recommended wheels for Linux users. Unfortunately, a TM force feedback wheel is not on the list. The addition of a TM force feedback wheel to Feral's list is needed.

Earlier this year Linux gamers were asked what steering wheels they use for racing games and only 4% of respondents use a TM wheel with either no FF or non-functional FF; whereas 53% use Logitech wheels (including G29/G920) with FF that works in Linux, see this link https://boilingsteam.com/racing-wheels-linux-gamers-use/.

Clearly, the percentage of Linux gamers who use a TM force feedback wheel can be increased! Linux gamers willing to purchase a TM FF wheel is out there, see https://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/comments/73obf9/how_many_of_you_would_purchase_a_thrustmaster/

In the near future, Feral Interactive will be releasing F1 2017 and it is a dream that Linux gamers can enjoy F1 2017 with a TM FF wheel. If FF worked,

I will purchase the TM FF T300 RS or higher level wheel.

I sincerely hope TM will supplement the hard work of her001 and tmdrv by providing just the information that will enable FF feature of TM highly regarded racing wheels (e.g., TMX, TX, T300 RS).

With kind regards,

TM reply to Message #2

Thank you for choosing Thrustmaster products and for sharing this information with us.

Thank you again for this information and rest assured we will forward it to the appropriate department. In the mean time we are certain some of the users would appreciate if they could find this information on the specialized forums or other websites where you can post tutorials regarding wheel/controllers peripherals on Linux OS.

We remain at your disposal for any other inquiries regarding Thrustmaster products.

To ensure the most efficient follow-up of your query, please answer directly to this email (do not open a new ticket).

Kind regards,

Your Thrustmaster Customer Support Agent,

[psymin]

I have two logitech wheels, and I would buy a TM if they supported linux fully.

[SIGKILL]

Seems like you've never had support blow you off before; this is what it looks like.


These companies don't author kernel drivers -- hell, they can barely manage to write terrible, ugly, low-performance spyware/bloatware "drivers" for Windows.

Most of the kernel hardware support is NOT first party. tmdrv is not owned/authored/supported by ThrustMaster. Users and Linux-industry employees [effectively] write most of them.

Why?

Well, take a moment to imagine an untrustworthy closed-source binary Linux driver ecosystem, suffering from all the quality, bloat, adware, spyware and performance issues present on Windows.

Even if you could appeal to them for support, good luck getting them to embrace a safe, open-source model.

See if you can contribute to code or funding to tmdrv on github. Maybe, put up a code bounty. Convince TM to send me hardware and money and I'll do it myself, lol.

[Aoi Blue]

I know that many of the newer "USB HID" class devices use the same industry standard force feedback psudo-standards.

These ones are supported on Linux. The problem is that being psudostandards there are differences in implementation.

I personally recommend buying USB HID standard equipment if you can get it. It's generally the best assurance of the hardware being supported for it's full lifespan.

There are several other, lesser known, companies that make excellent racing and flight sim hardware. For instance CH Products makes good heavy duty products that mostly target the OEM market. Also, if you prefer to build yourself they make very high end industrial control and equipment build for arcade games that you can use to build yourself something custom that dwarfs anything from ThrustMaster.

[drmaemo]

Thanks to all who responded.

I followed up with Thrustmaster Support again and received the reply below. Thrustmaster Support is communicating an intent to provide a driver but no commitment on when it will be released. I highly recommend Linux gamers who have an interest in TM products, or just want to show support for more peripherals for Linux gamers to express their interest loudly (but respectfully) by either sending Thrustmaster Support an email or post/reply a message in a public forum .

Originally posted by TM_Support:

______________________________________________________
Dear Alan,

Thank you for choosing Thrustmaster products and for contacting us regarding this issue.

Thank you for all the good work, we're sure that the racing sim community will be very happy to find out they can make use of their wheels on Linux. Even though only partially at this point, we hope to rectify this in the future.

We remain at your disposal for any other inquiries regarding Thrustmaster products.

To ensure the most efficient follow-up of your query, please answer directly to this email (do not open a new ticket).
Kind regards,
Your Thrustmaster Customer Support Agent, Emil
http://support.thrustmaster.com
______________________________________________________
Your message:

Dear Thrustmaster Support,

Thank you so much for the reply. I did as suggested and shared your
positive feedback with like-minded others in the steam community and reddit
linux_gamers, see links below

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/OnlyBuyLinuxGames/discussions/0/1489987634020669998

https://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/comments/75drqv/hardware_thrustmaster_support_responds_to_request/

Edwin from the linux force feedback steam community responded positively
that the community can be resource in creating a linux driver that supports
force feedback for TM wheels/pedals, see this link...

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/linuxff/discussions/0/1488861734119806325/

Edwin was the person involved in creating the linux driver for Logitech
wheels/pedals (G29/G920). According to Edwin, all that is needed a some
hardware information from Thrustmaster support. I sincerely hope TM support
will consider providing the necessary information for the community to
create a GNU/Linux driver, or provide a driver (nothing fancy) that makes
TM wheels (T150 Pro, TMX Pro, T300 RS, T-GT, TS-XW, TS-PC) functional in
GNU/Linux.

For now, purchasing a TM wheel for my GNU/Linux PC is a dream. I do hope
this dream will come true in the very near future.

With kind regards,

Al

[drmaemo]

Yep... Upgrade path for linux sim racing enthusiasts is to purchase a Fanatec wheel. However, I plan to request confirmation from Feral Interactive that the wheels they specify on their website (http://support.feralinteractive.com/docs/en/f12017/latest/linux/faqs/) should work in Linux.

[Macarena]

So in 2021 (or in fact it appeared in 2020 AFAIK) there's support for Thrustmaster T150 wheel at least, and it works great (I play ATS right now with it and oh my God it is brilliant!)

The support is coming from this repo: https://github.com/scarburato/t150_driver
In my case, the driver compiled and just worked. The only thing I had to tweak is to enable autocenter, you need to do:
sudo sh -c 'echo y > /sys/devices/pci0000:00/<...>/input/input16/device/enable_autocenter'
(path to device you can find in dmesg output) - and after that it's a breeze!

[drmaemo]

Originally posted by Macarena:

So in 2021 (or in fact it appeared in 2020 AFAIK) there's support for Thrustmaster T150 wheel at least, and it works great (I play ATS right now with it and oh my God it is brilliant!)

The support is coming from this repo: https://github.com/scarburato/t150_driver
In my case, the driver compiled and just worked. The only thing I had to tweak is to enable autocenter, you need to do:
sudo sh -c 'echo y > /sys/devices/pci0000:00/<...>/input/input16/device/enable_autocenter'
(path to device you can find in dmesg output) - and after that it's a breeze!

Wow! More wheel support is fantastic. Opensource development is a beautiful thing. I hope the driver gets further support (wider community development) in future.

[440Music]

I did a stupid thing when I replaced my G29 with a ThrustMaster TMX Pro, I didn't think and bought without checking if drivers were available. My first wheel was a TM and my second FF Wheel was a TM and then I decided to try Logitec and both the G27 and G29 worked with Linux. I though ThrustMaster being one of the leader in gaming wheels would support Linux. Good FF wheels are hard to find when you can only afford $150 to $300.