TechGamingGaming AccessoriesIncoming Xbox controller update could change the way you gameTime to ditch the mouse and keyboard?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechGamingGaming AccessoriesIncoming Xbox controller update could change the way you gameTime to ditch the mouse and keyboard?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Time to ditch the mouse and keyboard?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty)
(Image credit: Getty)
There has long been a stigma in PC gaming about using a controller when mouse and keyboard is an option. TheXbox Elite ControllerandSony’s Dualsense Edgeshowed that controllers could be serious gaming hardware, and Xbox is about to bring another upgrade to its gamepads.
Xbox insiderson the Alpha and Alpha-skip programmes are now able to map keyboard controls to the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 or Xbox Adaptive Controller. This is likely to be a testing ground before the features reach the masses at a later date,
But why is an update like this such a big deal? Well considering the extra buttons on the Elite controller (found at the rear of the pad), and the accessibility focus of the Adaptive Controller, this update will allow them to play their favourite titles in a whole new way, or perhaps even for the first time.
It has been explained that the buttons on the controllers will be able to represent either a single key such as “S” or a combination of a single key and modifier for example “Ctrl + S”, you could not have “Ctrl + S + A”, for instance, mapped onto one button.
(Image credit: Axville Unsplash.com)
(Image credit: Axville Unsplash.com)
A lack of inputs compared to one of thebest gaming keyboardshas often been many gamers' concern with using a controller but this new update, coupled with the additional mappable buttons on the rear of the Xbox Elite Controller, could fix these concerns. There are of course some games such as shooters and real-time strategy titles (ThinkAge of Empires) that many will argue can never be played as effectively with a controller as a keyboard and mouse.
Xbox has stated that support for this functionality will fall to developers, so some titles will feature it fully, partially or not at all. Hopefully, with accessibility at the forefront of many people’s minds, this will become common practice. Of course in some competitive titles where more than fun is at stake, there will need to be some limit on input customisation, no one wants an “I-win” button.
While Steam supports most of thebest controllers, one of the most common ways to play PC games, Xbox Game Pass, doesn’t supportPlayStationpads. Some gamers may find a specific pad best for accessibility (and financial) needs so hopefully, this signals that restriction will change sometime soon.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
PC Deals1 deals availableFreetrial$169.99ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
PC Deals1 deals availableFreetrial$169.99ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
PC Deals1 deals availableFreetrial$169.99View
PC Deals1 deals available
PC Deals1 deals available
PC Deals
1 deals available
Freetrial$169.99View
Freetrial$169.99View
Freetrial$169.99View
Freetrial$169.99View
Freetrial
Freetrial
Freetrial
$169.99View
$169.99
$169.99
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
TOPICSCES
TOPICS
Vollebak pushes the limits of outerwear with Double Graphene Puffer and Shielding SuitThe company continues to weave innovation into every thread
The company continues to weave innovation into every thread
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
PS5 could finally be getting Gears of War and Halo after game-changing decisionThe age of exclusives is coming to an end
The age of exclusives is coming to an end
I went to Kyoto to try Technics' new flagship earbuds – here’s what’s newTechnics is claiming some big gains with the AZ100
Technics is claiming some big gains with the AZ100
The best of CES 2025: 21 top gadgets from the showThe Consumer Electronics Show 2025 didn’t disappoint. These are T3’s award-winners from the Las Vegas event
The Consumer Electronics Show 2025 didn’t disappoint. These are T3’s award-winners from the Las Vegas event
I’m finally playing a game that makes my PS5 Pro feel worth itKingdom Come: Deliverance II is a visual powerhouse
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a visual powerhouse
Satechi’s SM3 Slim is the mechanical Mac keyboard we’ve always wanted from AppleThis impressive keyboard won’t look out of place in your Apple setup
This impressive keyboard won’t look out of place in your Apple setup
This clever iPhone upgrade gives you massive storage without the Apple priceNo room on your iPhone? This MagSafe adapter gives you huge space
No room on your iPhone? This MagSafe adapter gives you huge space
How to watch the new Xbox Games Showcase – Developer_Direct returnsXbox will host a new Developer_Direct soon, where we’ll get deep dives on forthcoming games – here’s how to watch it live
Xbox will host a new Developer_Direct soon, where we’ll get deep dives on forthcoming games – here’s how to watch it live
Hisense’s new wireless surround system looks like a serious rival to SonyHisense’s wireless surround system packs a low-end punch that rival’s could struggle to match
Hisense’s wireless surround system packs a low-end punch that rival’s could struggle to match
