30% frames lost with Remote Play and rumble emulation

steamopen StreamingSteam controller

ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#7728 · opened 2021-03-30 by Willdrick · updated 2023-12-23 · 4 comments · github

WWilldrick 2021-03-30 github

Your system information

Steam client version (build number or date): Mar 25 2021, at 23:05:15 / 1616719696
Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Fedora 34 Workstation (Beta)
Opted into Steam client beta?: Yes
Have you checked for system updates?: Yes

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

Occurred: Running SteamLink app, I noticed I was having severe frame drops (over 30% lost frames according to analytics HUD on the SteamLink app) when running some games (native and proton).

Expected: When using RemotePlay on a Samsung TV (Via SteamLink app) framerate should not be affected by rumble feature on steam controller

Workaround / Rationale: Testing on Dirt Rally 2.0 I noticed that the game menus and replays were smooth, but as soon as I started racing the game would stop for a second every few seconds, the resolution would lower and the codec quality would lower severely. Disabling ForceFeedback/Rumble ingame, the issue was resolved. I think that ForceFeedback/Rumble on the Steam Controller is making SteamLink lag.
I am talking about Steam Controller's Rumble emulation feature (i.e. simulating xbox controller rumble), not its native haptic feedback.

Steps for reproducing this issue:

Enable Rumble on steam controller
Launch SteamPlay on a remote client
Run any game with rumble support
Disable rumble ingame (to work around the issue)

WWilldrick 2021-03-30 github

I should probably add that both client and host are connected via gigabit ethernet cable to the same router (Asus ROG AC5300) with traffic prioritization enabled.

Rrokam 2021-03-31 github

I think that is similar to my issue #7726
The spikes are also related to the steam controller rumble. But even disabling it the issue remains on various games. I've only disabled the rumble emulation on the steam controller menu, i have not tried inside the game

Aandrebrait 2022-10-22 github

It seems this is reproducible on the Steam Deck as well

Mmicksam7 2023-12-23 github

Same problem on Kubuntu 23.10 using the Steam client & Steam Controller paired over Bluetooth.

The stuttering only occurs when the game is sending rumble to the controller. Turning off rumble fixes stutter. This seems to occur in every game I've tried that uses rumble.

https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/assets/5876099/a36d3e17-b0a3-4bdd-b3f1-5361a10b756c

Nothing extracted yet.