Heroic launcher and games don't recognize wired Xbox controller in macOS Sequoia

[max-jardetzky]

Describe the bug

I just updated to macOS Sequoia and was pleased to find out that the OS received wired Xbox controller support. I can see my wired Xbox Series X|S controller in System Settings and its inputs in https://hardwaretester.com/gamepad.

However, when I open Heroic Launcher, the launcher does not seem to recognize the controller when it's wired: inputs are ignored. The same issue presents in the two games I have installed: Rocket League and Borderlands 2. All three scenarios work well when the controller is connected via Bluetooth. I searched open Issues here but didn't find one describing this bug.

Add logs

(23:31:32) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Legendary location: /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/legendary
(23:31:32) INFO:    [Gog]:              GOGDL location: /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/gogdl
(23:31:32) INFO:    [Connection]:       Connectivity: check-online
(23:31:32) INFO:    [Connection]:       Pinging external endpoints
(23:31:32) INFO:    [Gog]:              Checking for existing gog manifests
(23:31:32) WARNING: [Backend]:          Protocol already registered.
(23:31:32) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Running command: LEGENDARY_CONFIG_PATH="/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/legendaryConfig/legendary" /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/legendary --version
(23:31:32) INFO:    [Gog]:              Running command: GOGDL_CONFIG_PATH="/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/gogdlConfig" /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/gogdl --auth-config-path "/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/gog_store/auth.json" --version
(23:31:32) INFO:    [Nile]:             Running command: NILE_CONFIG_PATH="/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/nile_config" /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/nile --version
(23:31:32) INFO:    [Connection]:       Connectivity: online
(23:31:32) ERROR:   [Gog]:              Unable to syncQueued playtime, userData not present
(23:31:32) INFO:    [Gog]:              Running command: GOGDL_CONFIG_PATH="/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/gogdlConfig" /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/gogdl --auth-config-path "/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/gog_store/auth.json" auth
(23:31:33) INFO:    [Backend]:          AreWeAntiCheatYet data downloaded
(23:31:33) INFO:    [Frontend]:         Refreshing undefined Library
(23:31:33) WARNING: [Backend]:          refresh not implemented on Sideload Library Manager
(23:31:33) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Refreshing library...
(23:31:33) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Refreshing Epic Games...
(23:31:33) INFO:    [Backend]:          Frontend Ready
(23:31:33) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking for new Heroic Updates
(23:31:33) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking for current version changelog
(23:31:33) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Running command: LEGENDARY_CONFIG_PATH="/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/legendaryConfig/legendary" /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/legendary list --third-party
(23:31:35) INFO:    [GlobalConfig]:     Searching for Gaming Porting Toolkit Wine
(23:31:36) INFO:    [Winetricks]:       Downloading Winetricks
(23:31:37) INFO:    [WineDownloader]:   Updating wine versions info
(23:31:37) INFO:    [WineDownloader]:   Fetching upstream information...
(23:31:38) INFO:    [Backend]:          Starting the Download Queue
(23:31:38) INFO:    [WineDownloader]:   wine versions updated
(23:31:56) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Game list updated, got 54 games & DLCs
(23:31:56) WARNING: [Backend]:          listUpdateableGames not implemented on Sideload Library Manager
(23:31:56) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Checking for game updates: LEGENDARY_CONFIG_PATH="/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/legendaryConfig/legendary" /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/legendary list --third-party
(23:31:57) INFO:    [Backend]:          
System Information:
CPU: 12x Apple M2 Pro
Memory: 17.18 GB (used: 7.54 GB)
GPUs:

OS:  15.1.1 (darwin)

The current system is not a Steam Deck
We are not running inside a Flatpak container

Software Versions:
  Heroic: 2.15.2 Emeth
  Legendary: 0.20.36 Urban Flight (Heroic)
  gogdl: 1.1.2
  comet: comet 0.1.2

  Nile: 1.1.2 Will A. Zeppeli

(23:32:02) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Found 0 games to update
(23:33:34) INFO:    [Backend]:          Launching Borderlands 2 (Dodo)
(23:33:34) INFO:    [Backend]:          Preventing display from sleep
(23:33:34) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking if wine version exists: GPTK Wine (DX11/DX12 Only) - wine-7.7
(23:33:34) INFO:    [Backend]:          Preventing machine to sleep
(23:33:34) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking if wine version exists: GPTK Wine (DX11/DX12 Only) - wine-7.7
(23:33:34) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking if wine version exists: GPTK Wine (DX11/DX12 Only) - wine-7.7
(23:33:34) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking if wine version exists: GPTK Wine (DX11/DX12 Only) - wine-7.7
(23:33:34) DEBUG:   [Backend]:          Running Wine command: wineboot --init
(23:33:40) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Launching Borderlands 2: HEROIC_APP_NAME=Dodo HEROIC_APP_RUNNER=legendary GAMEID=umu-0 HEROIC_APP_SOURCE=epic STORE=egs LD_PRELOAD= WINEPREFIX="/Users/mjardetz/Games/Heroic/Prefixes/default/Borderlands 2" WINE_FULLSCREEN_FSR=0 WINEESYNC=1 WINEMSYNC=1 LEGENDARY_CONFIG_PATH="/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/legendaryConfig/legendary" /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/legendary launch Dodo --wine /usr/local/Cellar/game-porting-toolkit/1.1/bin/wine64 --language en
(23:33:40) INFO:    [Backend]:          Preventing display to sleep
(23:35:42) INFO:    [Backend]:          Trying to kill legendary
(23:35:42) INFO:    [Backend]:          Killed legendary
(23:35:43) INFO:    [Backend]:          Stopping Display Power Saver Blocker
(23:35:43) INFO:    [Frontend]:         Refreshing legendary Library
(23:35:43) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Refreshing library...
(23:35:43) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Refreshing Epic Games...
(23:35:43) INFO:    [Backend]:          Stopping Power Saver Blocker
(23:35:43) INFO:    [Backend]:          Stopping Display Sleep Blocker
(23:35:43) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Running command: LEGENDARY_CONFIG_PATH="/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/legendaryConfig/legendary" /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/legendary list --third-party
(23:35:44) INFO:    [Backend]:          Launching Borderlands 2 (Dodo)
(23:35:44) INFO:    [Backend]:          Preventing display from sleep
(23:35:44) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking if wine version exists: GPTK Wine (DX11/DX12 Only) - wine-7.7
(23:35:44) INFO:    [Backend]:          Preventing machine to sleep
(23:35:44) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking if wine version exists: GPTK Wine (DX11/DX12 Only) - wine-7.7
(23:35:44) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking if wine version exists: GPTK Wine (DX11/DX12 Only) - wine-7.7
(23:35:44) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking if wine version exists: GPTK Wine (DX11/DX12 Only) - wine-7.7
(23:35:44) DEBUG:   [Backend]:          Running Wine command: wineboot --init
(23:35:50) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Game list updated, got 54 games & DLCs
(23:35:51) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Launching Borderlands 2: HEROIC_APP_NAME=Dodo HEROIC_APP_RUNNER=legendary GAMEID=umu-0 HEROIC_APP_SOURCE=epic STORE=egs LD_PRELOAD= WINEPREFIX="/Users/mjardetz/Games/Heroic/Prefixes/default/Borderlands 2" WINE_FULLSCREEN_FSR=0 WINEESYNC=1 WINEMSYNC=1 LEGENDARY_CONFIG_PATH="/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/legendaryConfig/legendary" /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/legendary launch Dodo --wine /usr/local/Cellar/game-porting-toolkit/1.1/bin/wine64 --language en
(23:35:51) INFO:    [Backend]:          Preventing display to sleep
(23:37:12) INFO:    [Backend]:          Stopping Display Power Saver Blocker
(23:37:12) INFO:    [Frontend]:         Refreshing legendary Library
(23:37:12) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Refreshing library...
(23:37:12) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Refreshing Epic Games...
(23:37:12) INFO:    [Backend]:          Stopping Power Saver Blocker
(23:37:12) INFO:    [Backend]:          Stopping Display Sleep Blocker
(23:37:12) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Running command: LEGENDARY_CONFIG_PATH="/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/legendaryConfig/legendary" /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/legendary list --third-party
(23:37:13) INFO:    [Backend]:          Launching Borderlands 2 (Dodo)
(23:37:13) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking if wine version exists: GPTK Wine (DX11/DX12 Only) - wine-7.7
(23:37:13) INFO:    [Backend]:          Preventing machine to sleep
(23:37:13) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking if wine version exists: GPTK Wine (DX11/DX12 Only) - wine-7.7
(23:37:13) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking if wine version exists: GPTK Wine (DX11/DX12 Only) - wine-7.7
(23:37:13) INFO:    [Backend]:          Checking if wine version exists: GPTK Wine (DX11/DX12 Only) - wine-7.7
(23:37:13) DEBUG:   [Backend]:          Running Wine command: wineboot --init
(23:37:18) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Game list updated, got 54 games & DLCs
(23:37:20) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Launching Borderlands 2: HEROIC_APP_NAME=Dodo HEROIC_APP_RUNNER=legendary GAMEID=umu-0 HEROIC_APP_SOURCE=epic STORE=egs LD_PRELOAD= WINEPREFIX="/Users/mjardetz/Games/Heroic/Prefixes/default/Borderlands 2" WINE_FULLSCREEN_FSR=0 WINEESYNC=1 WINEMSYNC=1 LEGENDARY_CONFIG_PATH="/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/legendaryConfig/legendary" /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/legendary launch Dodo --wine /usr/local/Cellar/game-porting-toolkit/1.1/bin/wine64 --language en
(23:37:20) INFO:    [Backend]:          Preventing display to sleep
(23:38:32) INFO:    [Backend]:          Stopping Display Power Saver Blocker
(23:38:32) INFO:    [Frontend]:         Refreshing legendary Library
(23:38:32) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Refreshing library...
(23:38:32) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Refreshing Epic Games...
(23:38:32) INFO:    [Backend]:          Stopping Power Saver Blocker
(23:38:32) INFO:    [Backend]:          Stopping Display Sleep Blocker
(23:38:32) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Running command: LEGENDARY_CONFIG_PATH="/Users/mjardetz/Library/Application Support/heroic/legendaryConfig/legendary" /Applications/Heroic.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar.unpacked/build/bin/arm64/darwin/legendary list --third-party
(23:38:38) INFO:    [Legendary]:        Game list updated, got 54 games & DLCs

Steps to reproduce

1. Plug in wired Xbox controller on macOS 15 (in my case 15.1.1)
2. Observe input in https://hardwaretester.com/gamepad
3. Open Heroic Launcher or Rocket League/Borderlands 2 (as launched by Heroic)
4. Attempt controller input, and observe no input

Expected behavior

I expected controller input to work

Screenshots

No response

Heroic Version

Latest Stable

System Information

• OS [e. g. "Ubuntu"]: macOS 15.1.1
• Computer: MacBook Pro 14" (2023), M2 Pro

Additional information

I found a Redditor having the same issue: https://www.reddit.com/r/macgaming/comments/1f75utb/rocket_league_on_mac_os_using_heroic_games_and/

Thanks for your consideration!

[DutchErwin]

I'm having the same issue but on 14.5 (M1 Pro), it lets me navigate in the heroic launcher app perfectly fine, but when rocket league opens the controller stops working. I'm assuming it has something to do with wine?

[arielj]

Heroic itself doesn't do anything to detect controllers, we just receive the information as provided by Electron, we can't fix that cause we don't have access to the hardware directly.

Also, Heroic has no control at all over what games detect, we just tell wine/crossover/proton/gptk to launch a game but how the inputs work with games then it's up to those translations layers, we can't really change any of that either.

I'm afraid this is unfixable at least from the Heroic side.

[astrooom]

Having the same issue - guess we gotta use some workaround to fix it. Haven't found one yet.

[arielj]

Closing as this is not something we can fix in Heroic's side. It has to be either Electron, or drivers on Mac, or crossover/gptk for the games. But we don't have direct access to hardware.