As mainly a console gamer over the years, I’ve become quite used to playing with a controller that has vibration. I feel that this is one thing the Deck is missing out on.
So I’m wondering if it’s possible to somehow connect up a small vibration motor (externally) that can be connected to the Deck, and have it recognised as a controller?
Possibly more effort than it’s worth but would be interesting to see if anyone has any ideas.
As a programmer that has little to no idea how to program a driver, I think it’s basically zero chance. It would take a LOT of research and learning. Define the problem, choose an appropriate language, choose and install the programming tools, learn how to program a device driver, learn about controller hardware, learn about Linux, learn the programming language, learn about Steam Deck, write code and test probably hundreds or thousands of times. If I were to wildly speculate I’d say it would be several months starting with basically zero knowledge but having time, will, and aptitude.
I think OP thought you meant a software driver but you meant a hardware driver, didn’t you?
I don’t know LOL. My experience is mostly with Windows, I assume things are different with Linux.
Ah, I would definitely struggle then! I guess my most realistic options would either be to take apart the Deck and replacing the existing motor with a stronger one, or hope that someone smarter than me has a similar idea and can code a driver
The Deck vibration isn’t an ordinary motor like most console controllers use. It’s a haptic feedback engine built into the touchpads. Basically it’s kind of like a speaker - a coil (on the touchpad surface) placed over a fixed magnet. Instead of vibrating a cone like a speaker would to make sound, it vibrates the touchpad in a very precise way to mimic clicking and other haptic effects, but the downside is that it isn’t as strong as just putting a spinning weight on a motor and making it go, which is what most controllers do.