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Mouse and Keyboard Support Could Be Coming To the Xbox One This Year (theverge.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the long-time-coming dept.

Over the weekend, Windows Central received a purported internal Microsoft presentation from earlier in the year detailing plans for mouse-and-keyboard support for the Xbox One. Microsoft has been teasing the support for years now, but it's finally becoming a reality soon. The Verge reports: Sources familiar with Microsoft's plans tell The Verge that Microsoft and Razer presented their plans at the annual Xfest event for developers earlier this year. Razer is planning to allow game developers to tap into its API to bring Chroma lighting effects to games. If all goes according to plan, Xbox One users will start to make use of this later this year with Microsoft's fall update for the Xbox.

Xbox gamers will welcome the addition of keyboard and mouse support, but some will question the impact on multiplayer games. Microsoft is allowing developers to detect whether a keyboard or mouse is present on an Xbox One, and games could potentially only match keyboard and mouse users with similarly equipped players. Balancing games will be down to developers, and Microsoft is offering up all the tools required to ensure games can implement the support in a variety of ways.

43 comments

  1. Wow ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So, let me get this straight ... Microsoft have taken what has always pretty much been a locked down PC, and finally adding support for basic USB devices that they probably had to do work to disable in the first place?

    Holy shit the fucking innovation never fucking stops with these guys, does it?

    Seriously, if Microsoft is reduced to braying about supporting a keyboard and a mouse, they really are adrift and in danger of losing relevance.

    1. Re:Wow ... by Darinbob · · Score: 2

      I thought they already had mouse/keyboard support in older xboxes? There are some games on xbox that I can't even begin to imagine being played with only a console controller.

    2. Re:Wow ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Seriously, if Microsoft is reduced to braying about supporting a keyboard and a mouse, they really are adrift and in danger of losing relevance.

      Seeing as none of the current generation consoles allow mouse/keyboards, it's pretty hard for you to claim Microsoft is any further behind than anyone else.

      Not that this is the case due to inability, but by choice.
      If you look at the last two generations of hardware by the same companies (Sony, Nintendo, MS) none of their systems did this naively and arguably none of them do it currently with blessings or assistance from those companies. It's only been added in after the fact by hardware hackers once the system is cracked open.

      The older playstation supported it in hardware, but not in the OS for gaming. "OtherOS" running Linux could use it however.

      The original Xbox supported a keyboard, but it had fixed keys directly mapped to gamepad buttons only. No mouse either. Of course modded versions did but again that wasn't supplied by MS.
      I think it was the 360 that had a hardware phone-style keypad for sending messages to other players, but it wasn't supported in any games outside of that.

      Most of the consoles did support an onscreen keyboard, for entering your name and similar simple tasks needing text input, but not at all inside anything a game dev could make use of.

      This is just par for the course in the console world.

    3. Re:Wow ... by Rewind · · Score: 1

      Not really. They had 3rd party tools that (poorly IMO) emulated a mouse via the controller input, and they had a keyboard input for text entry (as have several other consoles). That said, the entire issue is that it is a console and they do not want to give other players the advantage of the KB&M in multiplayer. Microsoft did toy with this on Shadowrun (don't get me started on how that game had nothing to do with Shadowrun...), and it didn't end well for the controller people. Ultimately the decision was made that since it was a console designed to use a controller they wouldn't pit the two against one another and that those looking for KB&M would go the PC route. /shrug I don't really have an opinion on that either way. I usually play racing, fighting, and RPGs on console and PC for everything else. It wouldn't impact me one way or the other were they to try cross-platform play again.

      --
      ?
    4. Re:Wow ... by Pubstar · · Score: 1

      Seeing as none of the current generation consoles allow mouse/keyboards, it's pretty hard for you to claim Microsoft is any further behind than anyone else.

      Final Fantasy 14 has full keyboard and mouse support for our, so it's not like the PS4 can't do it.

    5. Re:Wow ... by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

      So much misinformation in your post

      Seeing as none of the current generation consoles allow mouse/keyboards,

      The PS4 most certainly DOES support them. The real quandary is that it isn't mandatory for games to support it, SIE leaves the choice up to developers. Some do, Most don't. Generally, text input is most commonly supported. Good examples are text chat in games or naming items in games like Skyrim.

      If you look at the last two generations of hardware by the same companies (Sony, Nintendo, MS) none of their systems did this naively

      This is also wrong. I've used keyboard and/or mouse with PS2 games. Often such support isn't mentioned on the box. Examples?

      EQOA, the MMO. You could control the entire game with a keyboard if you want. You also use it for text chat.

      FFXI, the MMO, you could play the game entirely with keyboard+mouse if you want.

      most online games in general supported text chat via keyboard.

      Deus Ex. Keyboard+mouse are fully supported for game control, the same goes for the PS2 port of Half Life.

      The older playstation supported it in hardware, but not in the OS for gaming.

      That is also wrong, again most online games support keyboard for text chat and there are games that support it and mouse for game control. Ever play Dust514, the shooter linked with EVE online? It has it.

      Most of the consoles did support an onscreen keyboard, for entering your name and similar simple tasks needing text input, but not at all inside anything a game dev could make use of.

      This is also incorrect. Any game that uses the PS3/PS4 on-screen keyboard, which is ANY game that uses text input for ANY reason, has USB keyboard support for text input by default. This includes games like Minecraft, Skyrim, Fallout 4, Star Trek Online, etc etc.

      Ever play Fortnite? You can play the PS4 version with keyboard+mouse if you want.

    6. Re:Wow ... by Darinbob · · Score: 2

      Multiplayer screws up so many games. Ie, Skrim, single player, you want to use a mouse, and Microsoft says "no, it's unfair for you to have a mouse". Stupid.

  2. Trump undermined the Constitution today. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    We need to get rid of the traitor, pronto.

  3. Great, another FP advertisement for M$ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm all out of bubblegum

  4. KB+M vs Gamepad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well I hope you didn't enjoy using a controller to play shooters online, because that's about to die.

    1. Re:KB+M vs Gamepad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      lol. good riddance to dumbed down gameplay.

    2. Re:KB+M vs Gamepad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Using a gamepad to play most types of games is like trying to fly an F-16 with a steering wheel.

  5. Keyboard works fine. Didn't know it wasn't suppose by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I have long passwords and since I'm forced to be online and logged into an account, I plugged a keyboard in my XBOX 1 to type the password. No way I'm going to type that in with a controller.

    Or, as I call it, my XBOX_3.

  6. xBox doesn't support a mouse or keyboard? by AlanBDee · · Score: 1

    Seriously, this entire time I thought you could plug in a keyboard and mouse into any xBox and they'd work; I've just never needed to plug on in.

    1. Re:xBox doesn't support a mouse or keyboard? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I assume XBOX is like PS4: my PS4 recognizes both mouse and keyboard, and it'll let me use the mouse to navigate the built-in web browser and the keyboard to type passwords and comments, but it won't allow me to use either one as a game controller.

    2. Re:xBox doesn't support a mouse or keyboard? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      it definitely supports some level of keyboard usage because just a few days ago I plugged in a USB keyboard to enter some longer text bits and it worked fine

    3. Re:xBox doesn't support a mouse or keyboard? by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

      That's because SIE leaves the choice of letting the player use keyboard+mouse as game controls to the developer because it's not a TRC requirement.

      Though as I've said, if a game uses the standard PS4 text widget for ANY reason, it has keyboard support for text input (USB AND Bluetooth are supported)

      And there are games where you can use them for game control. War Thunder, Onigiri, Fortnite, DCUO, FFXIV. There's probably more I don't know of.

  7. Now we're REALLY competing with tablets! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It looks like the videogame console makers are finally getting wise to the rise of "mobile gaming" (which really just means games you can play on your phone or tablet). Given that even the cheapest $50 tablets can use a keyboard and mouse if you plug them into the usb port (not even counting bluetooth here), it's time for the xbox and playstation to catch up to 1998 tech!

    Just imagine trying to play Adventure on an xbox. Maybe next hardware iteration, it will actually be practical.

  8. First of the bunch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Last to the punch

  9. I didn't think Xbox players could spell by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 1

    (ducks)

  10. My X Box came way before M$ Xbox by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just research the history of X on *nix boxes.

    At every level, I hope M$ fails.

  11. First step in stopping the cheaters by Avidiax · · Score: 0

    Lots of people are using mouse and keyboard through 3rd party adapters on Xbox to gain competitive advantage (aiming in an FPS is much more precise with a mouse).

    Step #1 here is to let people use it legitimately against other M+KB users, and build a data set of what M+KB input looks like versus controller input

    Step #2 is maybe using the ML model from step #1 to ban people using M+KB adapters to cheat.

    1. Re:First step in stopping the cheaters by DarkRookie · · Score: 1

      There was a game dev that came out and said that average PC players almost always beat good XBox players
      I don't recall the dev or the game.

      --
      The millennial that doesn't like most of the stuff designed for millennials.
    2. Re:First step in stopping the cheaters by JackieBrown · · Score: 1

      I don't recall the dev or the game.

      Great example!

    3. Re:First step in stopping the cheaters by DarkRookie · · Score: 2

      Ah-ha. I found it. My google-fu must've have not been strong that day.
      The example I was thinking of:
      https://www.gamesradar.com/pc-...

      A most recent example:
      https://www.pcgamer.com/mouse-...

      --
      The millennial that doesn't like most of the stuff designed for millennials.
  12. yuck: who would want to do business with them by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    seriously, folks, why do business at all with these guys?

    you should read these sites first:

    http://www.groklaw.net/
    http://techrights.org/

    1. Re:yuck: who would want to do business with them by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      why

  13. TES6 by Dracos · · Score: 1

    Maybe with this "innovation" Bethesda won't hobble the game play and UI of the next Elder Scrolls game like they did with Oblivion and Skyrim to make them console-friendly.

  14. And according to MS, it won't support Bluetooth... by ffkom · · Score: 1

    ... because in 2018, it seems asked to much from a 500,- EUR computer to support complicated technology like Bluetooth keyboards/mice.

    Hilarious...

  15. Auto-Aim by dohzer · · Score: 1

    Will the keyboard and mouse still benefit from the normal auto-aim, or will it be disabled/optional?

    1. Re:Auto-Aim by Raistlin77 · · Score: 1

      Auto-aim would be a hindrance to aiming with a mouse, not a benefit.

    2. Re:Auto-Aim by CronoCloud · · Score: 1

      Aim Assist is almost always optional in any game that has it. You got a backwards compatible PS3 or PS2? Get a copy of PS2 Half Life, plug a mouse and keyboard in. You'll want to turn the assist off if you use a mouse, though I heartily recommend using hybrid controls for this game, use the controller to move, but the mouse to aim. I also recommend turning off the assist if you solely use the controller, the assist got in my way.

      Deus Ex is similar.

  16. Welcome to 1990 Microsoft ! by UnknownSoldier · · Score: 1

    Congratulations Microsoft! It only took you ~30 years to add basic functionality that YOU supported in Windows 3.0 !

    What's next -- dual TV support where I can play the game on one TV and view the map on the second TV ?

    Meanwhile I could plug in a standard USB keyboard and mouse into a PS3 and PS4. Way to keep innovating!

    --
    SJW, noun, Stupid Juvenile Whiner; constantly whining about "issues" no one gives a fuck about over their bullshit "drama". The ONLY (winning) solution/move is to ignore these dumb fucks. What, you thought you could use "Logic"? LOL

    1. Re: Welcome to 1990 Microsoft ! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I did not realize the Xbox was 30 years old.....

    2. Re: Welcome to 1990 Microsoft ! by DarkRookie · · Score: 1

      The XBOX got its name from DirectX.
      The name in development was DirectXbox
      DirectX came out in September 1995, so 25 years and not 30.
      But still...

      --
      The millennial that doesn't like most of the stuff designed for millennials.
  17. Oh man by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    BUY BUY BUY GET IT WHILE ITS HOT. A game console that supports MOUSE and KEYBOARD; HOLY SHIT. MAGA.

  18. Hmm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's a game changer. Mouse and keyboard are, by FAR, superior to a controller. I might start gaming again.

  19. What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's already been there for a long time... Unless they're talking about actually in-game, in which case PS4 has a huge lead allowing it for a while now in games like fortnite

  20. All praise to Microsoft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You mean they'll let their customers do what the flip they want with the hardware they bought? Ewww what generosity!

  21. move by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Controllers suck. I only play games with trackball support.

  22. Pointless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I have a PC as most people do, and I can play games on that, so why should I wast time and money buying a console game at all? Just get a PC game and call it a day.

  23. My PC is WAY more powerful than a XBOX by DarkRookie · · Score: 1

    My PC is WAY more powerful than a XBOX, and with very few games to convince me to buy a XBOX.

    What do they have that’s worth anything?
    Halo? They can go fuck themselves with that. I couldn’t co-op with my friend thru the Halo 5campaign like all the other ones. Has soured me completely.
    GoW? Good mechanics and gameplay but the characters and story suck.
    Forza? I cannot say anything with this. Not a racing genre fan.

    --
    The millennial that doesn't like most of the stuff designed for millennials.
    1. Re:My PC is WAY more powerful than a XBOX by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not everything has to be for you.