ULTIMATE Steam Deck OLED TRACKPAD mouse: FULL SCREEN Mouse Region! For RTS, CRPG, 2d, desktop (2024)

It's so simple, so effective, and yet I almost didn't see people using it or even mentioning this Steam Deck Trackpad easy hack!

Choose game - click gamepad icon (controller settings) - "edit layout" - trackpads - right trackpad - mouse region (from drop down menu) - gear icon.
Been entering each game controller layout so many times that I forgot people might have never opened this menu before.
Desktop mode mouse: Steam - settings - controller - desktop configuration - set mouse region as you see fit.

If you want a really seamless MOUSE experience on your Steam Deck (I'm sure it will work with a Steam Controller as well) - apply the MOUSE REGION setting to your Right Touchpad and set it as follows:
"Return Cursor on Deactivation" toggle it OFF
"region horizontal position" "region vertical position" = DEFAULT values (50)
"Region Size" = 48
"Horizontal Scale" = 148
"haptics off" (optional; it's my preference only).
This way you get THE BEST WAY to play any RTS, RPG whether it's real-time or turn-based, 2d top down shooters, 2d side scrolling arcades, indie games with mouse cursor, point&click adventures, any in-game menu/inventory management, Steam Deck Desktop navigation. So, ANY MOMENT you need to be precise with cursor, somewhat "imitating touch screen click" - full screen Mouse Region will be your best choice.
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Setting LMB to L4 and RMB to R4 back buttons helps a lot in RTS/RPG titles, where you click a lot
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The only time this method doesn't work is when you need "endless continuous mouse swipes", eg. FPS and TPS games. For these genres "mouse region" is a poor choice of mouse handling. ALTHOUGH, it's still great to use "mouse region mode" any time you need to manage inventory/use in-game menu/play a mini-game with mouse cursor - just use "mode shift" for this functionality and you'll be all set.

Thanks to ‪@DoubleJumpPunch‬    • Noita on Steam Deck with "Mouse Region" Tr...   for the inspiration

00:00 - Quick recap
05:06 - Settings of Mouse Region full screen
07:37 - 2d side scroller - aiming (Noita)
10:43 - 2d top down shooter - aiming (Intravenous)
12:37 - RPG both real time and turn based - mouse (ATOM RPG)
16:44 - LMB to L4, RMB to R4 to reduce wobble
17:51 - RTS - mouse, hotkeys, tips (Red Alert 3: Uprising)
22:19 - RTS - mouse, mini map, custom menus (Ancestors Legacy)
26:05 - 2d indie arcade - mouse, hotkeys, menus (FTL)
30:18 - NOT for FPS and TPS (BioShock Infinite)
32:38 - mouse for menu, inventory etc.
32:50 - Desktop Mode mouse navigation (Steam Deck desktop mode)
33:50 - Mouse region full screen IS GREAT

#steamdeck #steamdecktips #rpg #rts #handheld #mouseregion #tips #tipsandtricks