Home Gaming Xbox is getting system-level mouse and keyboard support for games

Xbox is getting system-level mouse and keyboard support for games

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21

x1mk

Xbox is becoming a platform more than it is a console. I experienced that playing Forza Horizon 4 on my PC, together with my wife who was playing the game on the ol’ Xbox One. Over the years Microsoft has been trying to position Xbox as ecosystem, so it makes sense that the Xbox One console would eventually begin supporting mouse and keyboard controls.

It’s happening for Insiders next month, and it’ll be built right into the system. That doesn’t mean that it’ll be forced though; it’ll be up to developers whether they want to implement mouse and keyboard controls or not.

“With this new input support at the platform level, developers can now build mouse and keyboard support in their games if and how they choose. It’s important to note that mouse and keyboard support for games is added on a title-by-title basis, entirely at developers’ discretion. For all other titles, nothing changes. Mouse and keyboard input is not enabled by default for games. Each development team knows their titles best and we support them in creating the right experience for their games as they see fit, to ensure an optimal and fair gaming experience.”

One of the first games that’ll implement the controls will be Digital Extreme’s immensely popular, overwhelmingly dense cyberninja game Warframe.

Microsoft says that when the feature rolls out next month, most wired USB keyboards and mice will work – though Razer fans can expect some new Xbox One specific mice and keyboards in the near future.

“We’ve been working closely with studios of all sizes to ensure mouse and keyboard experiences on console are fun, fair and correctly balanced, and look forward to introducing more games with support for mouse and keyboard input in the future.”

And that’s neat. I like that it’s not forced, and I presume that games that do use the feature will allow for multiplayer sessions to be split between keyboard/mouse users and controller users. System-level support also means that maybe the next iteration of the criminally underappreciated (but with plenty of room for improvement) Halo Wars will allow for a more complex input system.

For more recommendations, check out our best gaming mouse for small hands article.

Last Updated: June 16, 2021

21 Comments

  1. Pieter Kruger

    September 26, 2018 at 08:01

    Age Of Empires

    Reply

    • G8crasha

      September 26, 2018 at 14:21

      Somebody that knows my heart!!!! I so loved spamming my warriors! Bugger strategy – just throw as many soldiers as possible at the opponent until they crack under the weight!!!!

      Reply

  2. Original Heretic

    September 26, 2018 at 08:10

    Proving yet again that they have the best hardware.

    Reply

  3. G8crasha

    September 26, 2018 at 12:17

    I not going to complain about having increased options in choosing which control option best suits my gameplay. When I first started gaming 25 years ago, I would never have believed that I needed a controller connected to my PC to enjoy some games. Time though has increased my wisdom, and some games just play far better with a controller than a keyboard and mouse with PC gaming. If you don’t have a steering wheel, try play any vehicular based game with a keyboard and mouse, and it’s terrible in comparison to a thumbstick. But then, I would never play BF with a controller. I’d get smashed worst than how I currently get smashed using a K&M configuration.

    Reply

  4. Kromas

    September 26, 2018 at 08:22

    So basically the Xbox One is now just few features away from being a standard PC. 😛

    Reply

    • Guz

      September 26, 2018 at 09:16

      All be it a standardized one, but yes its basically a PC with a big ass screen

      Reply

  5. GooseZA

    September 26, 2018 at 09:20

    This is fine but they absolutely have to make sure that for PVP / multiplayer games it’s one or the other and not mixed, otherwise controller users are going to get destroyed and that’s not fun or fair.

    Will be interesting to see if more RTS games or even something like DOTA will make their way to consoles now.

    Reply

    • I_am_Duffman!

      September 26, 2018 at 10:09

      can’t see dota leaving the steam ecosystem any time soon. Plus, I think pretty much any cheap laptop can run dota, so i have to ask, why?

      Reply

  6. John Willson

    September 26, 2018 at 09:46

    RIP gamepad players.

    Reply

    • Ir0nseraph

      September 26, 2018 at 10:06

      Indeed.
      I think I will stick to PS4 for console, and rather save up for a decent PC/gameing laptop and have have a chance to compete then none at all

      Reply

      • Guz

        September 26, 2018 at 10:09

        Pus the PS has a some really good exclusives, better than Xbox imo

        Reply

      • Guz

        September 26, 2018 at 10:09

        Pus the PS has a some really good exclusives, better than Xbox imo

        Reply

        • Ir0nseraph

          September 26, 2018 at 10:10

          O yes, God of war and spiderman easily makes into my top 10 games ever.

          Reply

  7. Magoo

    September 26, 2018 at 10:12

    Because you accidentally bought an xbox when you meant to buy a gaming system. >.>

    Reply

  8. G8crasha

    September 26, 2018 at 12:17

    I not going to complain about having increased options in choosing which control option best suits my gameplay. When I first started gaming 25 years ago, I would never have believed that I needed a controller connected to my PC to enjoy some games. Time though has increased my wisdom, and some games just play far better with a controller than a keyboard and mouse with PC gaming. If you don’t have a steering wheel, try play any vehicular based game with a keyboard and mouse, and it’s terrible in comparison to a thumbstick. But then, I would never play BF with a controller. I’d get smashed worst than how I currently get smashed using a K&M configuration.

    Reply

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