Sony Publishes An Official Linux Driver For PlayStation 5 DualSense Controllers

[phoronix]

Phoronix: Sony Publishes An Official Linux Driver For PlayStation 5 DualSense Controllers

Well here is a pleasant Christmas surprise... Sony has published a new "hid-playstation" Linux kernel driver for bringing up the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller and will also be used for supporting other PlayStation hardware on Linux...

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Sony-HID-PlayStation-PS5

[Aryma]

this not 1 april why are posted this

[ThoreauHD]

They must be leaning on Linux for something. Sony doesn't do anything that doesn't directly cut them a check. Including hiring Denzel Washington.

[baryluk]

This is very unexpected and pleasant surprise.

My guess, is they are thinking to move to more Linux based OS for PS6 or something. But that is super unlikely actually (especially considering Linux license), but at the same time, who knows. Other option is, they might want to do virtualized Linux on their PS5, and be able to run Windows games via wine and dxvk, or something even more crazy.

Or just some Sony employ being nice to the community. Right now most people use Steam or Microsoft controllers on Linux, even if they don't own any console. This move just makes the Sony controller more Linux friendly, and it is always a bit of revenue for Sony from such users. (Granted probably small, but still).

Still good thing to community, which is rare from Sony.

[RSpliet]

My guess would be that this allows game developers to do initial development or porting on Linux rather than on the PS5. Probably makes for quicker code-compile-test-fix cycles than involving an external locked-down device.

[ElectricPrism]

Thank you Benevolent Japanese Overlords =P just kidding. But I definitely will take notice the next time I go to purchase electronics and see SONY in the lineup and remember.

[M@yeulC]

They must be leaning on Linux for something. Sony doesn't do anything that doesn't directly cut them a check. Including hiring Denzel Washington.

Well, for one, they allow streaming PlayStation games to Android phones, and control them over Bluetooth. Maybe that's just furthering this line of thought, for Android boxes, TVs, etc... Though it might take some time to trickle down, it could be backported.

[SyXbiT]

This is very unexpected and pleasant surprise.

My guess, is they are thinking to move to more Linux based OS for PS6 or something. But that is super unlikely actually (especially considering Linux license), but at the same time, who knows. Other option is, they might want to do virtualized Linux on their PS5, and be able to run Windows games via wine and dxvk, or something even more crazy.

Or just some Sony employ being nice to the community. Right now most people use Steam or Microsoft controllers on Linux, even if they don't own any console. This move just makes the Sony controller more Linux friendly, and it is always a bit of revenue for Sony from such users. (Granted probably small, but still).

Still good thing to community, which is rare from Sony.

You've come up with some of the most ridiculous theories of 2020 .
A simpler theory could be that this helps sell PS controllers, as they'll work better on other platforms

[xcom]

We need Sony to step up against DX12 with supporting SDL and Vulkan on PS5.
If you Sony do this, I will buy a PS5, ;-)

[shmerl]

Knowing Sony, they are probably trying to undercut someone by doing it. But whatever - officially supported open drivers are always welcome.