Using IPEGA bluetooth gamepad with Steam @ Linux

Question

I have successfully paired gamepad IPEGA PG-9025 (bluetooth) with my notebook (Ubuntu 14.10).

IPEGA PG-9025 can handle 4 different device modes when pairing, but only one makes sense for Steam gaming - Joystick Mode, so I pressed X and Home keys together and pairing was successful in a minute.

Steam does not see my gamepad /dev/input/js0 and I absolutely don't know how to fix it.

Solution

There is working solution (you must create remapped virtual xbox gamepad using xboxdrv software, which works great in Steam Big Screen and Steam Games):

1. install xboxdrv sudo apt-get install xboxdrv
2. connect your ipega bluetooth gamepad and pair it with computer (hold X button and HOME button together, device is ready to pair when red LED blinking fast and successfully connected when red LED lights continuously)
3. find XX number (/dev/input/eventXX) of connected gamepad using command cat /proc/bus/input/devices

4. at the end, create virtual xbox compatible gamepad using command:

   sudo xboxdrv --evdev /dev/input/eventXX --evdev-absmap ABS_X=x1,ABS_Y=y1,ABS_Z=x2,ABS_RZ=y2,ABS_HAT0X=dpad_x,ABS_HAT0Y=dpad_y --axismap -Y1=Y1,-Y2=Y2 --evdev-keymap BTN_A=a,BTN_B=b,BTN_X=x,BTN_Y=y,BTN_TL=lb,BTN_TR=rb,BTN_TL2=lt,BTN_TR2=rt,BTN_THUMBL=tl,BTN_THUMBR=tr,BTN_SELECT=back,BTN_START=start --silent &
   

Don't forget to replace eventXX with value, discovered in step 3.

NOTE: remapping scheme, used in step 4. http://goo.gl/XFhYvI is usable probably only for ipega controllers, if you have another gamepad manufacturer, just follow these instructions https://steamcommunity.com/app/221410/discussions/0/558748653738497361/.