Remote play via Steam/Moonlight - controller button problems / issues

[Dimebag]

Hi all, I am hoping someone can help point me in the right direction here (this is my first post!).

Setting the scene:

Windows 10 PC running LaunchBox/BigBox. I have all emulators set via RocketLauncher, from where I have all the emulators configured etc and it all works.

Everything works fine on the host PC. All emulators work correctly either stand alone, or via Launchbox/Big Box. RocketLauncher works correctly. I am using an XBOX 360 Controller.

I am not using JoyToKey as I have all the emulators configured to use native joypad (I haven't got into those emulators that need mouse/keyboard etc). Again - this works as it should natively on the host.

I had the idea to stream to a large TV via SteamLink and this is the problem in a nutshell:

BigBox controls are fine from the link - but when a game launches (any emulator) I seem to experience a reset of controls - for example - the 'select' button become TAB, 'start' becomes 'ESC', 'B' becomes 'SPACE'. This is common as far as I can tell across all emulators - obviously they respond differently - so for example - PC Engine does nothing with TAB - but in MAME I get the Game Menu.

I thought 'this is a STEAM link control problem' - so I installed MOONLIGHT on my second PC, and my Raspberry Pi - and to my shock I get exactly the same result! 

So what I really am asking is - has someone else experienced this, and if so how do I fix it? 

This seems to me like an issue with the nested nature of the scenario - multiple applications being started, and somehow reverting back to a 'keyboard and mouse' or 'desktop' control configuration. I played around with the 'Desktop Configuration' in STEAM Link- but it didn't make any difference - neither did enabling the Launcher options.

Apologies if this has appeared elsewhere - but after days of searching I couldn't see anyone else with the same situation!

Many thanks in advance!

 

 

 

[ThePagel]

This sounds like a rocketlauncher issue not recognizing the controller inputs its receiving from the stream. Its been ages since I used RL but I do remember having to configure a controller. Maybe launch the game in moonlight then go into RL on the host pc and try to configure it. Or just to test try not using RL for one of your emulators. I also use game stream and moonlight and have not had any controller issues but I do not use RL.

If you don't mind me asking, why do you use RL? Do you use multiple frontends? I use to use it and for the life of me I cant remember why. Maybe from my hyperspin days?

[Dimebag]

Hi there,

Yes you made a very good point - in answer to your question - I kept RL as I have migrated from HS - and all the artwork etc for bezels etc remains as is  - but I will look to remove down the line.

BUT - I have tried your suggestion - so mapped PC Engine directly to RetroArch. Firing up on the host it works as expected again - but then when I tried it on STEAM LINK - the same - START Button (Rather than RUN as on local host) turn into ESC etc...

BigBox works as expected remotely - so at that stage joypad buttons are being detected correctly (START Button is not ESC - I need to press the A button to 'go back' and the STEAM LINK works as expected on all STEAM Games.

SO again - once the emulator is started I seem to revert to Desktop Config for the Joypad...........

I'm pretty good with OS's, programming, building arcade cabs etc - but this is really stumping me......

Thanks though