[SOLVED] Using a remote USB game controller with unsupported games

[Emblem Parade]

As the knowledge base points out, "some games use raw input instead of XInput or DirectInput and are not yet supported."

However, not all is lost. :) I'll show you a way to get this working by exporting your controller at the low, USB level.

There are actually a few non-free products that let you share a USB device over the network. But a great free one is NoMachine, Actually, NoMachine is a complete remote desktop solution, but it also supports remote USB, which is what we'll use it for.

First, install NoMachine on both the server and client:

https://www.nomachine.com/

In my case, the server is Windows 10 and the client is Ubuntu Linux. Unfortunately, out the box the USB support for Linux is broken. To get it to work I followed the official guide:

https://www.nomachine.com/AR12J00658

However, in my case I encountered a compilation error. A patch to message_queue.c is mentioned here:

https://www.nomachine.com/forums/topic/unable-to-connect-remote-usb-device-win-to-linux

I restarted the client OS, connected via NoMachine to the server, and pressed CTRL+ALT+0 (zero) to open the menu. From there I could share my local USB controller with the remote Windows machine. Hooray!

Of course, during gaming with Steam In-Home Streaming you don't want to broadcast the sound (otherwise you will hear the sound twice on two different phases) and also you don't want NoMachine to slow things down by displaying the desktop. So make sure to disable audio in the menu, and also leave the NoMachine client in the menu so it won't try to display the remote desktop.

It works exactly as you would expect: the USB device is detected on the remote machine as if it were local, and you are prompted to install drivers. Any nifty utilities would also work: for example, x360ce. (Remember to install them on the server, not the client: the client is forwarding the USB device.)

It's been working very well for me, and I hope it will work for you!

We can only hope that Valve will include a built-in USB remote solution into In-Home Streaming in the future.

[kreiselhoschi]

+1

[Relik]

Sadly, games that worked just fine over in-home streaming with controllers (such as Xbox 360 controller) no longer work properly with the late July steam client update. I'm glad you solved the problem with a "hack", but this used to work 100% through Steam without the need for additional programs.

[TimoV]

Please change your title from [Solved] to something like [Substitute].

This issue is NOT solved by installing other software that emulates usb devices over the network.

Several people are having this problem.

I have a thread in Bug Reports in which I try to assemble all the people that are experiencing this issue, together with regular updates in which I test my setup with the new Steam Client Beta.

Please go to that thread and respond with your experience or a +1.

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/homestream/discussions/1/1470840994955648024/

Edit: This issue also affects games that support XInput (as per my thread), the fact that In-Home streaming does not work with raw or DirectInput is wider known, but not the cause of the recent issues (starting beginning of July).

[Emblem Parade]

I'll keep my [SOLVED] because I am specifically discussing unsupported games, games that never worked, even before July. Very obviously the solution is a workaround, but it's still a solution, and a good one at that, in that it produces the desired result.

[TimoV]

Originally posted by Emblem Parade:

I'll keep my [SOLVED] because I am specifically discussing unsupported games, games that never worked, even before July. Very obviously the solution is a workaround, but it's still a solution, and a good one at that, in that it produces the desired result.

Depends on the gamer. Your solution will introduce more lag on the network, as mentioned by several people using VirtualHere, a similar solution, on the steam link.

+ Your solution implies a controller directly connected through USB or using a USB receiver. I use a bluetooth controller and the bluetooth in my laptop is built-in, so I cannot use this.

[Emblem Parade]

Sure, it's imperfect. Beyond the possible problems with performance (I don't have them) it's also cumbersome to set up. But a solution is still a solution even if it's not great. You seem to be nitpicking: the point is for people to be able to find this page via search engines and be able to game and have fun.

I just added "USB" to the title, thanks.

[TimoV]

Originally posted by Emblem Parade:

Sure, it's imperfect. Beyond the possible problems with performance (I don't have them) it's also cumbersome to set up. But a solution is still a solution even if it's not great. You seem to be nitpicking: the point is for people to be able to find this page via search engines and be able to game and have fun.

I just added "USB" to the title, thanks.

Apologies for being so direct, but I'm starting to get pretty annoyed about this, especially the fact that Steam Support does not even respond to my issue.

And for me, In-Home Streaming is THE ONLY WAY to play. My gaming pc is in the garage, with no screen attached and I'm using streaming exclusively. This issue is literally gamebreaking for me.

[Emblem Parade]

Until they fix this, perhaps try using a USB-based controller and this workaround? (Wireless controllers with a USB dongle would also work). There are some cheap aftermarket ones, or you can buy a used one. My favorite controller, personally, is the PS2 DualShock. I use xboxdrv on Linux to map it to the Xbox 360 controller setup for maximum compatibility with games. It's not worth the frustration, focus on having fun. :)

[TimoV]

I'm already using Moonlight as an alternative.

I shouldn't need to use that.