With the increasing popularity of these different form factors and device types, it seems like people are finally starting to realize just how horrible Windows is… especially for gaming.
I just wish Valve spent a bit more time squashing bugs. I’m on my third deck after the first one had a dead screen and the second one bricked itself through a mandatory update. The third one is better, but even tonight on stock software, the deck refused to play nice with two Xbox One controllers and a Switch Pro controller during 4 player games of Towerfall. Great game, just wish we didn’t spend so much time with controllers disconnecting, menus freezing onto the screen, and pairing issues. It’s so close in some regards to contemporary platforms. But it’s so frustrating whenever I need it to work in party settings, and it falls flat on its face where my windows laptop just…doesn’t. :/
Yeah that’s where windows shines is devices. Windows supports more random devices than Linux. Linux might have the most drivers for devices but they are half baked most of the time and with windows you know that’s the supported and tested platform for it. Linux needs serious buy in from vendors before it becomes big and the only way to get that is a large audience. It’s a catch 22 that Linux folks won’t admit it exists.
My experience may be dated, but I’ve always had issues with controllers on Windows and Linux. Less so with Linux these days because my controllers are dated and the drivers are in the mainline kernel.
The biggest issue was solved with steam and it’s controller interface / community layouts.
What controllers are you using that don’t work on Windows? One of the most commonly used PC controllers are Xbox controllers and they work amazingly on Windows. On Linux they suck and have constant issues. For the cheapest options something like Logitech works better on Windows and typically just use the same API as the Xbox controllers.
Yeah, I know, I’ve dabbled with Linux on and off for nearly a decade at this point, hehe. It’s just annoying when I just want things to work for a fun little post-thanksgiving match with the younger generation. It’s a bummer when it turns to troubleshooting for 15 minutes while everyone sits there. I really wish Linux was a bit more…er…professional, in that regard. Some stuff still feels a bit homemade even on first-party devices all these years later.
I just want them to focus on the basics right now, like bluetooth Xbox controllers. VKB flight sticks eventually, haha.
Yup, I think the core design philosophy is the fault and thus the janky always behind the times Linux os will never be a leader. It’s because there is no driving force to make something coherent, well polished, and unique in a productive way. When your design philosophy is everyone design and implement by committee nothing will feel like it has a goal.
The Xbox controller(s) won’t pair, they essentially have to be added each time or wait 5-10 minutes. The switch controller was worse, disconnecting about every 10 minutes.
Sometimes, the Xbox controllers would duplicate their movements or even switch from p1 to p3, but perhaps that was the game. Both are Xbox one and switch pro controllers, but these are what…6, maybe 7 years old at most?
They usually have worked wired, so I think Bluetooth is just a shitty standard in general. But there’s some weird quirks that even windows doesn’t have. Just a bummer when I assume everything will work without cables and then it devolves into lots to troubleshooting and restarts in front of guests, lol
Interesting, i havent had any of those issues with my controllers; Granted on my primary rig I use the USB dongle for my Xbox Series controller, but I use Bluetooth fine on my Steam Deck when I’m playing docked. Sucks to have trouble when you’re trying to show off for sure though lol
Yeah, but… think about it for a second: we’re now in a world where a Linux-based OS is, in certain contexts, better for playing games built for Windows than Windows.
As a person who’s been running Linux on his devices for almost 30 years now, that’s incredible and I absolutely understand why folks would’ve initially been skeptical.
With the increasing popularity of these different form factors and device types, it seems like people are finally starting to realize just how horrible Windows is… especially for gaming.
I just wish Valve spent a bit more time squashing bugs. I’m on my third deck after the first one had a dead screen and the second one bricked itself through a mandatory update. The third one is better, but even tonight on stock software, the deck refused to play nice with two Xbox One controllers and a Switch Pro controller during 4 player games of Towerfall. Great game, just wish we didn’t spend so much time with controllers disconnecting, menus freezing onto the screen, and pairing issues. It’s so close in some regards to contemporary platforms. But it’s so frustrating whenever I need it to work in party settings, and it falls flat on its face where my windows laptop just…doesn’t. :/
Yeah that’s where windows shines is devices. Windows supports more random devices than Linux. Linux might have the most drivers for devices but they are half baked most of the time and with windows you know that’s the supported and tested platform for it. Linux needs serious buy in from vendors before it becomes big and the only way to get that is a large audience. It’s a catch 22 that Linux folks won’t admit it exists.
My experience may be dated, but I’ve always had issues with controllers on Windows and Linux. Less so with Linux these days because my controllers are dated and the drivers are in the mainline kernel.
The biggest issue was solved with steam and it’s controller interface / community layouts.
What controllers are you using that don’t work on Windows? One of the most commonly used PC controllers are Xbox controllers and they work amazingly on Windows. On Linux they suck and have constant issues. For the cheapest options something like Logitech works better on Windows and typically just use the same API as the Xbox controllers.
Nintendo controllers 😬
Ah, yes, using non-PC controllers on a PC does sound like a nightmare.
Yeah, I know, I’ve dabbled with Linux on and off for nearly a decade at this point, hehe. It’s just annoying when I just want things to work for a fun little post-thanksgiving match with the younger generation. It’s a bummer when it turns to troubleshooting for 15 minutes while everyone sits there. I really wish Linux was a bit more…er…professional, in that regard. Some stuff still feels a bit homemade even on first-party devices all these years later.
I just want them to focus on the basics right now, like bluetooth Xbox controllers. VKB flight sticks eventually, haha.
Yup, I think the core design philosophy is the fault and thus the janky always behind the times Linux os will never be a leader. It’s because there is no driving force to make something coherent, well polished, and unique in a productive way. When your design philosophy is everyone design and implement by committee nothing will feel like it has a goal.
I use a Bluetooth Xbox series controller all the time with my deck and my Linux desktop. What kind of trouble does it give you?
The Xbox controller(s) won’t pair, they essentially have to be added each time or wait 5-10 minutes. The switch controller was worse, disconnecting about every 10 minutes.
Sometimes, the Xbox controllers would duplicate their movements or even switch from p1 to p3, but perhaps that was the game. Both are Xbox one and switch pro controllers, but these are what…6, maybe 7 years old at most?
They usually have worked wired, so I think Bluetooth is just a shitty standard in general. But there’s some weird quirks that even windows doesn’t have. Just a bummer when I assume everything will work without cables and then it devolves into lots to troubleshooting and restarts in front of guests, lol
Interesting, i havent had any of those issues with my controllers; Granted on my primary rig I use the USB dongle for my Xbox Series controller, but I use Bluetooth fine on my Steam Deck when I’m playing docked. Sucks to have trouble when you’re trying to show off for sure though lol
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Yeah, as soon as I read that I stopped. The writer is an idiot
Yeah, but… think about it for a second: we’re now in a world where a Linux-based OS is, in certain contexts, better for playing games built for Windows than Windows.
As a person who’s been running Linux on his devices for almost 30 years now, that’s incredible and I absolutely understand why folks would’ve initially been skeptical.
not defending the author, but there were plenty of people with a “no windows no buy” mentality prior to the steam deck release.
It is surprising to still see them around.