So I used to really like the 8bitdo controllers but firmware updates and reconfiguring on Linux is… not a thing. Theoretically a windows VM can do the former and I can use my android phone and tablet for the latter but… no. Combine that with finally getting around to playing Crosscode (beautiful game that goes on for way too long and has the jankiest engine ever used in a video game) and I ended up back on just an xbox series controller.

Then I found out that apparently Valve are finally adding support to Steam Input for 3rd parties so that I can theoretically map those back paddles and the like without grabbing my phone and shuffling dongles. And I also remembered that I have all those extra features on my Steam Deck that I never use because my brain isn’t smart enough to remember two full control schemes per game.

And doing research on the 8bitdos and gamesirs and the like… at BEST you get a brief mention of “this has steam deck support but let’s look at my phone games instead”. Knowing how clicky a face button is is nice but I would also REALLY like to know polling rates under bluetooth, what modes expose the gyro, etc.

So is anyone aware of any websites/blogs or youtubers who tend to go into even a shallow dive on gamepads and Linux? Configuration software/firmware updating, what features are exposed on what connection type, etc. Would obviously prefer someone who understands what Linux is, but even just a heavy focus on the Steam Deck would probably provide enough data (for me, at least).