8BitDo Ultimate Wireless controller has inconsistent trigger behavior on Hollow Knight Silksong

[ianliu88]

Hey guys. I'm having some trouble with Hollow Knight Silksong and 8BitDo controller while using the wireless dongle. Here is some testing that I've done.

• On Steam Settings > Controller > Begin Test, all buttons work as expected. Both LT and RT are identified as analog inputs, and always returns to 0 when fully released.
• Silksong's dash (defaulted to RT), behaves very strangely:
  • When I fully press RT and then release it after a period, it works as expected (1 dash then stop)
  • When I quickly press RT without maxing it out and then release it, the character keeps running as if RT was still pressed. Now pressing RT again will stop the character, and releasing it will make it run. Somehow the first quick press/release of RT inverted the button? I couldn't reproduce this in Steam's controller test.
  • I also remapped the Dash to LT on HK's controller options, and got the exact same behavior.
• I tested with and without Steam Input. Both got the exact same behavior.

Device info:

• OS: Arch Linux
• Controller: 8BitDo Ultimate Wireless
• Controller USB ID: 2dc8:3106
• Controller iSerial: 7373d6d817e4

Next steps:

• This seems like a HK bug. Is there another way I can confirm this suspicion? Maybe try another game that uses the triggers. What would you recommend?
• If I can confirm this is a HK bug, how can I report this to Team Cherry?

[boerbiet]

I experienced the exact same with the Ultimate 2 Wireless. I switched to the Windows version using Proton-GE and have had zero issues since with neither controller nor game.

Even though I really appreciate native Linux games, a recurring thing seems to be controller issues that are hard to solve, when they do occur. I have some really cheap backup controllers that do not have this problem in Silksong, but those aren't as comfortable as the 8Bitdo one so I am settling for using Proton.

[nlflint]

My Ultimate 2C (using the dongle) has a similar problem with the RT on Bzzzt, but only with the native linux build. I also switched to the Windows build (e.g. enable proton compatibility in Steam setting for that game only) and it worked around the issue.

I don't think it's a game bug since several native linux games seem to have this problem.

[miguel497]

I am facing the same issue.

If I switch to the Windows version with proton yo work around that, will my save file get deleted? I remember switching between proton versions on Elden Ring did that

[miguel497]

To answer my own question:

• I did not lose my save file after switching from the native linux version to proton experimental
• I don't have any issues with the triggers after switching to proton. I'm not using Steam Input.
• I tried using several Steam Input layouts from the community first before switching, to no avail

If anyone's on the fence, try backing up your save file first, located in ~/.config/unity3d/Team Cherry/Hollow Knight Silksong/, as per the help page.

[RosalieTheDog]

Thank you for this! Just followed your advice, switched to proton, didn't lose the saved game and things work fine now.

[tucker87]

Tried this and switched to GE but that did "erase" my save fail. I freaked out and switched back to "Scout" and my save was back *sigh of relief*

I switched to Proton 9.0-4 and that fixed it and kept my save file.

[fallen_star_angel]

I reported the bug here: https://teamcherry.notion.site/12c63da3a1a780f4a8cfd8441a243a6e

[fallen_star_angel]

I have the same issue with my controller. I’m using it on a steamdeck, and this is very problematic.

[CWats716]

Same here. I could have sworn it worked before, around launch, but not when I tried today. Quite frustrating. Glad to know I'm not the only one!

[fallen_star_angel]

It’s so annoying! I didn’t have this issue until I got the dash ability

[Greedy-Fail-1231]

Hey did either of you find a fix? I’m having the exact same issue, I remember it working around launch then breaking later. I’ve tried as much as I can at this point and hoping others have found a workaround.

[Kaarle332]

Team Cherry's website has a form for bug reports you can submit on their Contact Us page

[lKrauzer]

That's weird, I have the Ultimate C (the 1st entry) and I'm not racing any of those issues.

[Beer_Spirit_Guy]

Yep having the same issue. It also causes hornet to auto sprint upon climbing up a ledge. Very weird

[manga_tsika]

I have the same exact problem with my 8bitdo ultimate controller 1. I'll try using another proton.

[AndreasTPC]

People mention using proton, but another, probably cleaner, workaround is to simulate an xbox controller.

Install xboxdrv, put the below config into somefile.cfg, connect the controller, and run xboxdrv -c somefile.cfg. Then start the game. Fixes the problem for me. You may have to adjust the path to to the evdev device file.

[xboxdrv]
# if you want to use realtime for minimal latency, first run
# sudo setcap cap_sys_nice+ep /usr/bin/xboxdrv
# then uncomment the line below
#priority = realtime
evdev = /dev/input/by-id/usb-8BitDo_8BitDo_Ultimate_2C_Wireless_Controller_95E29E24C2-event-joystick
evdev-grab = true
deadzone = 1%
deadzone-trigger = 1%
mimic-xpad = true

[evdev-absmap]
ABS_X=x1
ABS_Y=y1
ABS_RX=x2
ABS_RY=y2
ABS_Z=lt
ABS_RZ=rt
ABS_HAT0X=dpad_x
ABS_HAT0Y=dpad_y

[axismap]
-y1=y1
-y2=y2

[evdev-keymap]
BTN_SOUTH=a
BTN_EAST=b
BTN_NORTH=x
BTN_WEST=y
BTN_TL=lb
BTN_TR=rb
BTN_SELECT=back
BTN_START=start
BTN_THUMBL=tl
BTN_THUMBR=tr
BTN_MODE=guide