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Steam Controller - Gordon

The first Steam Controller with the nickname Gordon.

Steam Input support

Yes

Linux Kernel Support

Yes, since 4.18 - hid-steam

Udev rules

# Valve USB devices
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="28de", MODE="0666"

# Steam Controller udev write access
KERNEL=="uinput", SUBSYSTEM=="misc", MODE="0660", GROUP="input", OPTIONS+="static_node=uinput"

# Valve HID devices over USB hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{idVendor}=="28de", MODE="0666"

# Valve HID devices over bluetooth hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", KERNELS=="*28DE:*", MODE="0666"

What is the Official - Steam Controller: Gordon RetroDECK profile called?

  • Steam Controller - Gordon: RetroDECK: Steam Controller - Gordon

The hotkey button

The global hotkeys are activated by pressing and holding the HKB aka the HotKey Button and pressing the corresponing button togheter for the command you want to do. For the Steam Controller Gordon the HotKey Button is both SELECT and L4, you can press either depending on what you feel is more confortable.

Global Hotkeys: Steam Controller Gordon Button Combos

Function Shows what the hotkey does.
Button / Combination Shows the input you need to make to trigger the command.
Command Shows what is being sent to the emulator.
Emulator Support Shows what emulators support the command.
Comment Just extra comments.

Function Button / Combination Command Emulator Support Comment
Pause / Resume HKB + A CTRL + P RetroArch Citra Dolphin/Primehack Duckstation MelonDS PCSX2 Yuzu
Take Screenshot HKB + B CTRL + X RetroArch Citra Dolphin/Primehack Duckstation PCSX2 Yuzu
Fullscreen Toggle HKB + X CTRL + ENTER Citra Dolphin/Primehack Duckstation MelonDS PCSX2 Yuzu
Open Menu HKB + Y CTRL + M RetroArch Duckstation PCSX2 Yuzu
Quit Emulator HKB + Start CTRL + Q RetroArch Citra Dolphin/Primehack Duckstation PCSX2 Yuzu
Previous State Slot HKB + D-Pad Left CTRL + J RetroArch Dolphin/Primehack Duckstation PCSX2
Next State Slot HKB + D-Pad Right CTRL + K RetroArch Dolphin/Primehack Duckstation PCSX2
Increase Emulation Speed HKB + D-Pad Up CTRL + 1 Citra Dolphin/Primehack Duckstation PCSX2
Decrease Emulation Speed HKB + D-Pad Down CTRL + 2 Citra Dolphin/Primehack Duckstation PCSX2
Load State HKB + L1 CTRL + A RetroArch Citra Dolphin/Primehack Duckstation PCSX2
Save State HKB + R1 CTRL + S RetroArch Citra Dolphin/Primehack Duckstation PCSX2
Rewind HKB + L2 CTRL + - RetroArch Duckstation
Fast forward HKB + R2 CTRL + + RetroArch Duckstation MelonDS PCSX2
Simple Radial Menu HKB + Left Joystick Opens the Radial Menu

Simple Radial Menu

The Simple Radial Menu is activated by holding SELECT and by moving the Left Joystick, then by pressing L3 allows you press the selected radial button.

Read more at the:

Standard Controller: Simple Radial Menu to see all the available commands.

Right Touchpad as Temporary Mouse

By holding HKB and moving the Right Touchpad you can use it as a mouse for various systems that uses mouse input.

Function Button / Combination Command Comment
Touchpad as Mouse HKB + Right Touchpad
Right Click HKB + L3 Right Click
Left Click HKB + R3 Left Click

Right Touchpad: Joystick Mode / Mouse Mode Switch

By pressing R4 and you can switch the right between semi-permanent Joystick Mode or Mouse Mode.
This function is useful for games that the primary input is a mouse as you don't need to hold either of SELECT or L4.

Example usecases:

  • ScummVM for point and click games.
  • Dolphin for Wiimote movement.
  • Lightgun games.
  • PC-Systems type games.

NOTE: That going into the global hotkeys mode above by pressing SELECT or L4 will switch the Right Touchpad to Joystick Mode again.

Function Button / Combination Command Comment
Touchpad as Mouse / Joystick Switch R4
Left Click - Mouse Mode R3 Left Click

RetroArch: Additional Hotkeys

These hotkeys also work for RetroArch and are built in.

Function Button / Combination Emulator Support Comment
Open Menu L3 + R3 RetroArch

Arcade Systems: Additional Hotkeys

This hotkey work for RetroArch, MAME, FBNEO and other arcade systems.

Function Button / Combination Emulator Support Comment
Insert Credit HKB RetroArch MAME FBNeo