CtrlAssist v0.4.0 introduces demultiplexing functionality along with enhancements to the system tray and rumble targeting. The updated README now features FAQ and Cookbook sections with practical examples, such as the "Double Agent Tag Team" scenario, where a single assist controller uses a demux to help multiple primary players across separate mux instances, and the "Couch Co-Op Swap" scenario, in which two players take turns assisting each other using toggle mode, with force feedback following the currently active controller by default.
While controller demultiplexing was a requested feature from a prior release, I didn't have a concrete use case until I found myself helping a pair of youngsters play couch co-op multiplayer games with each other. Instead of needing separate assist controllers for each player, otherwise charging/pairing four controllers in total, being able to unicast between mux instances with a single assist controller made juggling both inputs much simpler. Then after being roped into the "It Takes Two" session myself, I found being able to swap primary and assist players outright much simpler when both helping and playing, allowing the Helpee to also aid the Helper when it really does take two.
New Features
Demux Operation Mode
CtrlAssist now supports demultiplexing (demux), allowing a single physical controller to be split into multiple virtual gamepads. This complements the existing multiplexing (mux) functionality and enables more advanced input routing scenarios.
Demux Modes:
- Unicast (default): Routes primary controller input to the currently active virtual gamepad. Cycle between virtual gamepads using the reserved Mode button.
- Assist multiple players across separate mux instances
- Multicast: Broadcasts primary controller input to all virtual gamepads simultaneously.
- Replicate controller input for advanced input multiplexing pipelines
Enhanced System Tray
The system tray interface has been redesigned with improved usability and better state management:
- Unified Operation Management: Toggle between Mux and Demux modes directly from the tray menu
- Per-Mode Configuration: Separate, persistent settings for mux and demux operations
- Dynamic Reconfiguration: Update mode and rumble settings while operations are running
- Improved Menu Structure: Streamlined menu organization using radio groups and submenus
Active Rumble Targeting
A new "Active" rumble target has been added as the default option for mux operations. This routes force feedback to whichever controllers are currently active according to the selected mode:
- Toggle Mode: Rumble follows the currently active controller
- Priority/Average Modes: Rumble sent to both controllers, same as before
Expanded Documentation
The README has been significantly expanded with:
- FAQ Section: Addresses common questions about who CtrlAssist is for, why it was developed, game compatibility, supported controllers, and running multiple instances
- Cookbook Section: Provides practical examples demonstrating complex multi-instance setups:
- Couch Co-Op Swap: Two players alternating assistance
- Double Agent Tag Team: One assist controller helping multiple primary players
Technical Improvements
Robust Steam Configuration Handling
Steam blacklist modifications now use file locking to prevent race conditions. The implementation also now always removes added entries on shutdown rather than restoring only from prior state, ensuring hidden devices are consistently unhidden.
Enhanced Signal Handling
Replaced the ctrlc crate with signal-hook for more robust signal handling. The application now properly responds to both SIGINT and SIGTERM, ensuring graceful shutdown in containerized and systemd-managed environments.
Improved Device Discovery
Simplified gamepad resource discovery by leveraging an upstreamed devpath API from gilrs-core, eliminating fragile device matching logic and improving reliability.
Better Shutdown Management
- Asynchronous shutdown signaling using tokio::sync::watch channels
- Proper thread lifecycle management with efficient blocking on shutdown signals
- ScopedDeviceHider lifetime now tied to operation handles, ensuring devices are properly restored
Bug Fixes
- Fixed race conditions in operation startup and shutdown
- Corrected device hiding lifetime issues
- Improved error propagation in device open operations
Breaking Changes
- The rumble target enum options now defaults to "Active" instead of "Both"
- Configuration file format has been extended to accommodate separate mux and demux settings
Installation
CtrlAssist v0.4.0 can be installed via:
- Cargo:
cargo install ctrlassist --force - Flatpak: Download the bundle from the releases page and install with
flatpak install
Full installation instructions are available in the README.
What's Changed
- docs: add FAQ or Frequently Asked Questions by @ruffsl in #43
- feat: add demux subcommand and operation config for system tray by @ruffsl in #44
- refactor: rename source file and folder hierarchy by @ruffsl in #45
- refactor: streamline gamepad resource discovery by @ruffsl in #46
- refactor: ScopedDeviceHider for clarity and robustness by @ruffsl in #47
- chore: update gilrs dependency to version 0.11.1 by @ruffsl in #48
- fix: idiomatic async shutdown of system tray by @ruffsl in #49
- feat: add Active as default for MuxRumbleTarget enum by @ruffsl in #50
- chore: update release version to v0.4.0 by @ruffsl in #51
- chore: update release version to v0.4.0 in metainfo.xml by @ruffsl in #52
Full Changelog: v0.3.0...v0.4.0
