Have you checked for updates in Settings > System?: [Yes]
Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:
Please note this has been a problem since the original Steam Controller, and has been migrated into Steam Deck, SteamOS and new Big Picture Mode:
The "Adaptive Centering" feature for trackpads (when emulating a joystick) does not function according to its official description. The settings menu states that this feature should treat the initial touch point as the new "center" to allow for off-center thumb placement without accidental motion.
Current Behavior:
The software seems to use "Off-Center Rejection" logic instead of true adaptive centering. If the initial touch occurs outside a small central "safe zone," the input is ignored entirely. The user must then slide their thumb back to the physical center of the pad to activate the joystick. Once activated, the joystick center remains fixed at the physical center of the trackpad.
Expected Behavior:
Any point on the trackpad touched first should immediately become the 0,0 coordinate for the joystick. This would allow the user to start a movement from any part of the pad without the input being discarded or requiring recalibration to the physical center.
Steps for reproducing this issue:
Map a Steam Deck trackpad to "Joystick" or "Joystick Move" in Controller Settings.
Enable "Adaptive Centering" within the trackpad settings.
Place a thumb on the outer edge of the trackpad and attempt to move it.
Observe that no input is registered until the thumb crosses the physical center of the pad.
Your system information
Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:
Please note this has been a problem since the original Steam Controller, and has been migrated into Steam Deck, SteamOS and new Big Picture Mode:
The "Adaptive Centering" feature for trackpads (when emulating a joystick) does not function according to its official description. The settings menu states that this feature should treat the initial touch point as the new "center" to allow for off-center thumb placement without accidental motion.
Current Behavior:
The software seems to use "Off-Center Rejection" logic instead of true adaptive centering. If the initial touch occurs outside a small central "safe zone," the input is ignored entirely. The user must then slide their thumb back to the physical center of the pad to activate the joystick. Once activated, the joystick center remains fixed at the physical center of the trackpad.
Expected Behavior:
Any point on the trackpad touched first should immediately become the 0,0 coordinate for the joystick. This would allow the user to start a movement from any part of the pad without the input being discarded or requiring recalibration to the physical center.
Steps for reproducing this issue: