Xbox One mouse and keyboard support comes to insiders

by Mark Tyson on 29 August 2017, 13:01

Tags: Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Xbox

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Microsoft's Phil Spencer reaffirmed that mouse and keyboard support was on the way to the Xbox One nearly 18 months ago. Now, at long last, such input peripheral flexibility has started to appear in the Xbox Insider update rings.

The first sign of mouse compatibility has been delivered to Minecraft Beta within the Xbox Insider program. Mouse compatibility is activated within the game's options menu via a toggle. Windows Central contributor Jez Corden publicised the Xbox One peripheral flexibility news this weekend via his Twitter account. That linked Tweet includes a video of the mouse in action navigating around the Minecraft Beta UI etc. Corden said that his (Razer Hex) mouse worked fine, as did its scroll wheel, however there was a distinct input lag. It is thought that the input lag will need to be reduced somewhat before the mouse control toggle feature goes prime-time.

What about keyboards? Luckily, in response to his initial Tweet and another on this same topic, several users have confirmed USB keyboards work. As I don't have any Minecraft gaming experience I am not sure of the benefits which could make it worthwhile to deploy a mouse/keyboard rather than just play on the standard game pad.

In previous communications Microsoft has asserted that it won't be enabling mouse / keyboard combination gaming throughout the Xbox One library. Rather it will be confined to where it 'makes sense'. For example, competitive FPS and RTS titles won't get mouse/keyboard options, reckons Windows Central, as it would spoil the skill levels balances. It is suggested that there could be games with "mouse and keyboard playlists, and controller exclusive playlists, to prevent anti-competitive behaviour," says the source.



HEXUS Forums :: 6 Comments

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This would be massive if true, I'm looking forward to console getting this because it's what puts me off a fair amount about them.
Fury559
This would be massive if true, I'm looking forward to console getting this because it's what puts me off a fair amount about them.
this already exists, at least for ps4… though you have to get mouse/keyboard adapter, but it works great and is even supported by playstation itself
On the PC version of GTA5 you can toggle your controller setup and it'll matchmake you appropriately. e.g. if you enable controller auto-aim then you won't be able to join keyboard and mouse sessions.

Same could work here. If you use a keyboard and mouse then you can't play with people on a controller.
Dashers
Same could work here. If you use a keyboard and mouse then you can't play with people on a controller.

I'd be a hell of a lot more likely to play an FPS on a console if that was an option.
It will give FPS multiplayer players a serious edge over their controller brethren