# Linux 7.4 adds GameSir Nova Lite controller support to XPad driver

> **Key takeaway:** The budget $22 GameSir Nova Lite wireless controller gains out-of-the-box Linux support through a simple device ID addition to the existing XPad driver.

**Published:** 2026-10-26T08:14:15Z 
**Source:** Phoronix Benchmarks & Drivers 
**Category:** kernel-os 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/linux-74-adds-gamesir-nova-lite-controller-support-to-xpad-d.html 

## Summary
The input subsystem changes for Linux 7.4 have been merged, bringing with them support for the GameSir Nova Lite gaming controller in the widely-used XPad driver. The patch adds the Nova Lite's device ID alongside existing GameSir controller entries, enabling force feedback rumble and standard controller functionality without additional configuration. The GameSir Nova Lite is an inexpensive wireless controller retailing for approximately $22 USD, positioning it as a low-cost option for PC gaming.

The broader input subsystem update for Linux 7.4 also contains numerous fixes, some of which were generated with assistance from AI or LLM agents. The XPad driver serves as the default Xbox-style controller driver for Linux and supports a wide range of third-party gamepads through incremental device ID additions like this one.

## XPad driver changes in Linux 7.4
- **Device ID addition:** The patch merges the GameSir Nova Lite's USB device identifier into the existing XPad driver table alongside other GameSir hardware entries.
- **Force feedback support:** The controller's rumble functionality operates through the driver's existing force feedback implementation without requiring new subsystem code.
- **AI-assisted fixes:** Multiple input subsystem corrections in this merge were developed with contribution from AI or LLM agents, marking an emerging pattern in kernel maintenance workflows.
- **No driver architecture changes:** The implementation reuses current XPad infrastructure rather than introducing a standalone HID driver or modifying input core APIs.

## Why it matters
Low-cost controller support directly benefits Steam Deck users and Linux gamers seeking inexpensive input hardware, reducing the barrier to entry for gamepad-based play. The continued expansion of XPad's hardware compatibility table reinforces Linux's position as a viable gaming platform where peripheral support increasingly arrives upstream before or alongside Windows drivers.