New Proton Experimental Update Adds Controller Support to More Launchers on Linux / SteamOS

Why It Matters

Enhanced controller compatibility lowers the barrier for Linux gamers, boosting SteamOS’s appeal and accelerating Windows‑game adoption on open‑source platforms.

Key Takeaways

• Controller support added to multiple game launchers.
• Metal Fatigue now playable on Linux via Proton.
• Hot‑plug fixes for 8BitDo Ultimate 2C controllers.
• Regression fixed for Ghost Recon Wildlands on Experimental.
• Xalia updated to 0.4.7, fixing Rayman tab issue.

Pulse Analysis

Proton Experimental serves as Valve’s sandbox for pushing Windows titles onto Linux, and each iteration narrows the performance and compatibility gap that has long hampered the platform. This February release focuses on input parity, extending native controller handling to a suite of launchers that previously required keyboard‑mouse workarounds. By integrating DirectX Runtime installer support and fixing hot‑plug detection for popular 8BitDo devices, Valve removes a common friction point for console‑style gamers transitioning to SteamOS, reinforcing the ecosystem’s credibility among both developers and end‑users.

Beyond immediate gameplay benefits, the update signals a strategic push to broaden the Linux gaming catalog. Adding Metal Fatigue and fixing critical regressions like Ghost Recon Wildlands demonstrates Valve’s commitment to maintaining a stable, feature‑rich environment even for legacy titles. The Xalia 0.4.7 upgrade, which resolves UI focus bugs in Rayman: Raving Rabbids, exemplifies attention to niche compatibility issues that can deter adoption. These incremental improvements collectively enhance the perception of Linux as a viable primary gaming platform rather than a secondary hobbyist niche.

For the broader market, expanded controller support translates into higher user retention and potentially greater sales for titles that rely on gamepad‑first design. Developers can now target Linux with increased confidence, knowing that Proton Experimental will handle a wider array of input devices out‑of‑the‑box. As the Linux gaming community continues to grow, such updates lay the groundwork for deeper integration with mainstream console ecosystems, positioning SteamOS as a competitive alternative in the next generation of cross‑platform gaming.

New Proton Experimental update adds controller support to more launchers on Linux / SteamOS

By Liam Dawe · 11 Feb 2026 at 7:13 pm UTC

Valve have released a new update to Proton Experimental, their testing ground for getting more Windows games running on Linux / SteamOS systems. Since there are a few different versions of Proton it’s easy to get confused, so check out what they’re for in the GamingOnLinux guide.

February 11 update – what’s changed

• Now playable: Metal Fatigue.

• Updated Xalia to 0.4.7:

  • Fixed Xalia wrongly selecting options from unfocused tabs in Rayman: Raving Rabbids.

  • Added controller support for DirectX Runtime Components installer when launching BioShock for the first time.

  • Added controller support for launchers of the following games: Rocket Knight, Puddle, Zero Escape: The Nonary Games, Metal Slug XX, Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition, Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY, LocoCycle, Ys SEVEN.

• Fixed Experimental regression that made Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands unplayable.

• Fixed controller hot‑plug not working for 8BitDo Ultimate 2C and other controllers that expose multiple HID devices.

• Fixed Sea of Solitude showing a black screen on Proton.

![Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition]

Pictured – Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition

If you already have Proton Experimental downloaded, it will appear as an update in your Steam Downloads; otherwise you can search for it to install manually. To use Proton Experimental, open the game’s Properties → Compatibility menu, tick the box at the top, then select Proton Experimental from the drop‑down list. The setting will apply to that specific game.

Source: Valve GitHub – Proton changelog