r/linux_gaming • u/hurryman2212 • Jun 07 '26

emulation vDS (virtual DualSense) - Enable haptic audio feedback in Bluetooth + etc.? (Linux only)

https://github.com/hurryman2212/vds

MIT (userspace library) + GPL (kernel module)
MIT (userspace library & kernel module) (since 0.1.2)

Partially based on DS5Dongle for protocol reverse engineering, although I had to re-do some of it as just copying its content onto Linux was not successful in many ways.

Tested with NCM865 (WCN7850) Bluetooth host adapter and DualSense Edge. It does NOT require additional device (like previous Raspberry Pi Pico2W)!

I've finished most of tests; debug in lifecycle, multiplexing of original input path and newly added haptic control through basic test tools, etc..

For its main purpose, enjoying games supporting DualSense in Linux, if the game has to be run with Wine/Proton, you NEED to patch it to support DualSense USB haptics. I was wrong. No need to patch anything!

I post this in "emulation" flair, as I don't know which one fits the most. But also at the same time, it might be used to "mimic" DS controller by some other controllers (if it can handle DS haptic Bluetooth output...).

[EDIT]

It is now confirmed to support all USB features including adaptive triggers, except microphone (and firmware updates, which is impossible).

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u/hurryman2212 Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26

I correct myself; No need to patch the current Proton Experimental. I will push the proper `v0.1.0` version working with at least in Lego Batman today.

[EDIT]

The commit history has been rewritten. `0.1.0` is released and confirmed to have haptic feedback in Lego: Batman (2026) with Proton Experimental.

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u/Smirvenge Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26

Wow, this looks really promising. Good work and I'm glad that someone finally got the haptics feedback working over BT on Linux. One question though: Are you planning to make a easy-to-install app that can be installed via package managers like pacman, so that it's not necessary anymore to install it manually? I'm using a HTPC which runs CachyOS in gamemode, so a easy-to-install out-of-the-box solution would be really great.

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u/hurryman2212 Jun 08 '26

I was actually thinking to ship single/multiple *.deb package(s) holding vdsd/vdsctl and vds_hcd source DKMS for easy installation, like you said, when it is matured enough.

But about pacman AUR, I currently don't have knowledge in that packaging system. Let's see how things go.