Steam Deck Virtual Gamepad (not found) Controller Issue(s)

[guestuser68]

Heya heya!

This happened around two nights ago, I was mucking about in the emulator from my Steam Deck's Desktop Mode, not having changed much if anything at all, and accidentally launched F-Zero X Expansion Kit from the mode, and suddenly the game stopped detecting my inputs. It boots, enters title screen, even does the demo! But it doesn't detect anything from my Steam Deck and thus I can't get past the title screen into the main menu.

Initially, I just held the start button (the button with the 3 horizontal lines) and let it change actions to gamepad on the desktop mode, but still no dice. Doing the same in gaming mode also yielded the same results.

I tried to change the controls from the Emulator in two ways;

1. From the main global settings. I changed it to Steam Deck Controller (0) and it worked there, but not when I get back into F-Zero. Same as before with no inputs. It seems to not accept the change, which also segues into...

2. The second option was to change the game's inputs. I did so by left trackpad clicking the file and opened Edit Game Input Settings, and tried to change the controller to Steam Deck Controller (0). It read my inputs like I expected it to, but after clicking 'OK' and exiting from the settings, and then returning to them again, it forces me back onto the not found Virtual Gamepad.

So I suppose this issue is more like issues, sadly, as it's both not saving the control profiles I make a change to with a game, and also not detecting the virtual gamepad in general.

F-Zero EXpansion isn't just the only ROM with this issue, as it seems. Smash 64, Pokemon Stadiums 1 and 2, even Smash Remix are also zilch on input detection, and I imagine it's gonna be the same roads for them attempting to change controls.

Hoping this isn't just a unique issue for me... Any help is appreciated! For hardware reference, I'm using an LCD Steam Deck model that's fairly new, about 2 months I've had it, opted into the Beta. I'm of course using the latest 0.7.2 build on the deck as well.

[BlueInterlude]

Add RMG to Steam and open RMG through Steam in Desktop or Game Mode to remap controls.

If you're opening in Game Mode, using the STEAM > Stop Game button can force an unclean close. That can cause settings not to save re: your second issue (not just in RMG but in other emulators and applications as well).

[guestuser68]

I had to take a couple moments to infer what you meant, but I think I can close this thread now a happy person!

I reinstalled the game with the now new 0.7.5 build, through Desktop Mode, and clicked the Input Settings and changed the Virtual Gamepad back to Steam Deck Controller (0), which ironically not only saved, but also registered it to every other game! And it worked like a charm! As long as it stays for future boots which I'll test later, I don't have to worry about that stupid Gamepad anymore. Now to find out how to close these dang things from Desktop, but that's irrelevant to this specific forum.

I'll have this thread still open to see what Gaming Mode says as the final judge, since that'll be my premier way to playing n64. For anyone finding this thread at any time within the week as I'll give it and wanting to say anything else feel free to do so. If the issue pops up again then the time will be extended until either I or someone else with the power closes this thread.

And thanks for the massive help BlueInterlude! I may have to start over again on F-Zero EXpansion and Smash 64, which was likely my mistake, but no problem with that in my opinion. Smash 64 especially feels really linear with its unlockable content. Gives me more opportunity to really let this get to work again.

[BlueInterlude]

Sorry about that.

Attaching some pictures:

You can add Flatpaks (applications installed from Discover) to Steam in Desktop Mode by right clicking on them in the applications launcher and clicking Add to Steam

Remaining in Desktop Mode, you can then open Steam and search for your newly added application.

Opening the application through Steam in Desktop Mode will allow you to configure any input settings that will match the inputs you use in Game Mode.

---

Alternatively once you have added the application to Steam, you can open it in Game Mode. In Game Mode the GUI will look a little different. There's no X button to exit out of the application.

Once you have made your changes to settings, click System in the top left, click Exit. This will ensure your settings are saved. Sometimes when you click the STEAM button and click Exit Game, this can force your application to exit uncleanly (not just in RMG, other applications and emulators as well) and cause any changed settings to not be saved.