What you need to know

• The Xbox May 2024 Update is now here, and it's a modest one focusing on Xbox Cloud Gaming and the Xbox PC app.
• Firstly, mouse and keyboard support is officially rolling out to Xbox Cloud Gaming subscribers on browser, with 26 initial games now and expanded support planned in the future.
• Xbox is also beginning to release some Compact Mode improvements that have been in testing to a select few players.
• Finally, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is getting a new curated channel in the Xbox app ahead of its release next week.

Around once a month, Xbox releases an update across its ecosystem with new features and improvements for Xbox consoles, Xbox Game Pass, the Xbox PC app, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Now, the Xbox May Update for 2024 is rolling out to players across the platform — but don't get too excited. This is a modest update that could be a sign of bigger things to come, but right now may only apply to a small subset of Xbox players.

You can check out the release notes for the Xbox May 2024 Update at Xbox Wire, but I'll tell you everything you need to know right here. It's not a lot. Firstly, Xbox is publicly releasing mouse and keyboard support for certain Xbox Cloud Gaming titles, which was previously tested in the Xbox Insider program. The initial list of supported games is 26 long, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers able to play these titles with a mouse and keyboard simply by selecting them with a mouse and keyboard in a supported browser.

Xbox also plans to expand support to more games, of course, and an imminent update to the Xbox PC app will let users access the same mouse and keyboard games without a controller. If you want to switch between inputs, you just have to press any button on your keyboard or controller. Here's the full list of supported games at launch:

• ARK Survival Evolved
• Atomic Heart
• Cities: Skylines Mayor’s Edition
• Cities: Skylines Remastered
• Deep Rock Galactic
• Doom 64
• Fortnite — browser only
• Gears Tactics
• Grounded
• Halo Infinite
• High on Life
• House Flipper
• Inkulinati (Game Preview)
• Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
• Norco
• Pentiment
• Quake
• Quake 2
• Sea of Thieves
• Slime Rancher 2
• Sniper Elite 5
• State of Decay 2
• Terraria
• The Sims 4
• Valheim (Game Preview)
• Zombie Army 4: Dead War

What else? Well, that's about it. The Xbox PC app team mentions that some of the Compact Mode improvements recently dropped to Xbox Insiders (like the Jump Back In panel and Friends list enhancements) are now rolling out to a small subset of players publicly for more testing.

Oh, and Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is getting its own dedicated channel in the Xbox PC app ahead of its impending release on May 21, 2024. If this is the first you're hearing about the game, I couldn't blame you — Xbox hasn't exactly been aggressive about marketing beyond a handful of social media posts, a scattering of blogs, and some banners on Xbox platforms. Now, the Xbox PC app also features a special channel for the gorgeous sequel, which features options to preinstall the game, play the first through Xbox Game Pass, and watch a special video to hype up the release.

You can check out our Senua's Saga: Hellblade II FAQ for more info on the game, or simply dive into our Senua's Saga story recap for a refresher on the events of the first game.

Modest updates, modest marketing

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is the first Xbox Game Studios release of 2024, so it should be an important drop for the Xbox ecosystem. It has been a long time in the making, and Ninja Theory has elevated its skills in visuals, motion capture, audio design, and storytelling to all-new levels for this landmark sequel. It's a technological achievement, with Hellblade 2's photo mode being one of the most impressive we have ever seen in a video game.

Sadly, this modest Xbox update reflects Hellblade 2's modest marketing. Xbox has been relatively quiet ahead of the game's release, with marketing only just now beginning to ramp up — mere days away from release. There are banners on the Xbox Dashboard and in the Microsoft Store for Xbox, and we've gotten teasers, tweets, and posts across Xbox and Ninja Theory social channels, but it does feel a lot more tame than you'd expect for a major first-party release.

Hopefully, the new Senua's Saga: Hellblade II channel in the Xbox App does increase the game's visibility a little, as I'm very excited for the game and want as many people as possible to experience this franchise. If you want to check the game out yourself, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is releasing on May 21 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Xbox and PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. You can preorder Senua's Saga: Hellblade II for $49.99 at Microsoft Store (Xbox & PC) or $45.39 at CDKeys (Xbox & PC).

What you need to know

• Logitech unveiled the Logitech G PRO X TKL Lightspeed keyboard and the Logitech G PRO X Superlight 2 gaming mouse.
• The gaming keyboard and mouse are available at $200 and $159, respectively.
• The entries complement the Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset to complete the PRO Series lineup.

Logitech recently unveiled two new entries, adding to its award-winning PRO Series line-up. That is the Logitech G PRO X TKL Lightspeed keyboard and the Logitech G PRO X Superlight 2 gaming mouse.

The company cited that it has worked closely with well-versed esports athletes in developing these new accessories, which, combined with the recently launched Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset, complete the PRO Series lineup. Logitech boasts that this combination will provide gamers with "the highest level of PC performance across mice, keyboards, and headsets."

Logitech promises a gaming experience like no other with its latest gaming mouse, and as the name suggests, the Logitech G PRO X Superlight 2 gaming mouse is easy to handle and navigate. The company also indicated that the entry ships with a similar experience as the first SUPERLIGHT but with significant enhancements and improvements. 

The 60-gram mouse complements the tenkeyless keyboard for users looking to achieve a simple and clean look and setup. This is because of its "compact design and its trusted lightspeed wireless technologies."

Coming in at $159, the G PRO X SUPERLIGHT 2 promises great performance, precision, and dependability when it comes to your gaming needs. The entry sports LIGHTFORCE Hybrid Switches, HERO 2 Sensor with tracking exceeding 500 inches per second and up to 32,000 DPI, 95-hour battery life, PRO-grade technology, and more.

Logitech also cites that the gaming mouse's array design helps enhance the working range while maintaining tracking performance regardless of whether the device is lifted or tilted. 

The Logitech G PRO X TKL Wireless Gaming Keyboard sports programmable keys, RGB lighting with LIGHTSYNC, dedicated media controls, and a volume roller to cater to all your gaming needs. It has LIGHTSPEED wireless technology as well, which is designed to boost its performance and reliability.

Aside from the Lightspeed dongle, the keyboard ships with a wide array of connectivity options, including Bluetooth or the USB-C to USB-A cable. 

The $200 keyboard features dual-shot PBT keycaps, which complement and pronounce the LIGHTSYNC RGB. The entry also ships with support for third-party keycap compatibility and the much-anticipated additional keys that can be mapped to create quick access while grinding. 

It's also worth noting that Logitech is embracing convenience and mobility with this keyboard, hence the carrying case. Users will also be able to choose between Tactile Switches (GX Brown), Linear Switches (GX Red), or Clicky Switches (GX Blue).

Logitech has also interconnected the DPI, sensitivity, report rate, surface, game settings, and more in its new PRO Series products. The company also promises better control and configuration capabilities for gamers, including:

• New sensitivity UI in G HUB and OMM for configuring DPI with full presets, separate X/Y axis controls, and more.
• HERO 2 sensor that can copy settings from one mouse to the other to make sure you get the exact DPI from your old mouse.
• Programmable F keys as G keys on the PRO X 2 Keyboard to enable control of your whole desktop. Change mouse DPI preset, execute multibuy macros, combine spells and abilities, and even control your stream through powerful plugins, including those from Streamlabs.

Both accessories are available in white, black, or pink.

For some gamers, playing Xbox games on an Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One with a regular Xbox controller isn’t good enough. These people desire to play with a mouse and keyboard, which can provide faster movement, more precise control inputs, and a wider range of customization options for remapping control inputs than an Xbox console controller.

With over a hundred Xbox games now enabled with mouse and keyboard support, and more being added in the future, it can admittedly be a hassle to keep track of them all. So, if you need to know what Xbox games support keyboard and mouse, then we have got you covered. 

We at Windows Central have compiled a list of all the best Xbox games you can play right now with a mouse and keyboard to make searching for them a much easier task for you.

List of Xbox games compatible with mouse and keyboard

Here is the list of every single Xbox game that supports mouse and keyboard input. Do note that wired USB and mice will only work for a select number of games and apps that have the mouse navigation option activated. Also, make sure to plug in an USB keyboard into your Xbox to enable easier text entries.

• Aery: Dreamscape (Limited capacity)
• Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition
• Age of Empires 4: Anniversary Edition
• Alan Wake 2
• Aliens: Dark Descent
• Aliens: Fireteam Elite (Limited capacity)
• Among Us (Limited)
• ANVIL: Vault Breaker (Limited capacity)
• Ark: Survival Evolved
• Ark: Survival Ascended (Limited capacity)
• Arma Reforger
• Art of Rally (Limited capacity)
• Asphalt 9
• Astroneer
• Assassin's Creed Mirage
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla (Limited capacity)
• Atlas (Game Preview)
• Atomic Heart
• Blacktail
• Block Dropper
• Bomber Crew
• Boyfriend Dungeon (Limited capacity)
• Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead
• Bright Memory
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
• Call of Duty: Vanguard (Limited capacity)
• Call of Duty: Warzone
• Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
• Call of the Sea (Limited capacity)
• Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 (Limited capacity)
• Century: Age of Ashes (Limited capacity)
• Chivalry 2 (Limited capacity)
• Cities: Skylines
• Cities: Skylines - Remastered (Limited capacity)
• Commandos 2: HD Remaster
• Company Of Heroes 3
• Coral Island
• Craftopia
• Cyberpunk 2077
• DayZ
• Deep Rock Galactic
• Deliver Us The Moon
• Destroy All Humans!
• Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed
• Disney Dreamlight Valley (Limited capacity)
• DJMax Respect V (Keyboard only)
• DOOM 64
• Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (Limited capacity)
• Dreamscaper
• Dungeons 4 (Limited capacity)
• Evil Genius 2
• Eville (Limited)
• F1 Manager 2023
• Five Nights At Freddy's 1-4
• Floppy Knights
• Football Manager 2022 Xbox Edition
• Fortnite
• Forza Motorsport
• Fuga: Melodies of Steel (Limited capacity)
• Gears 5
• Gears Tactics
• Ghostlore
• Ghostrunner (Limited capacity)
• GRID Legends
• Grounded
• Halo Infinite
• Halo: The Master Chief Collection
• Heavy Metal Machines
• Hello Neighbor 2 (Limited capacity)
• High on Life
• Hogwarts Legacy (Limited capacity)
• Horror Of The Deep
• Hot Wheels Unleashed
• House Flipper
• Hyperdot
• Hypnospace Outlaw
• Immortals Fenyx Rising (Limited capacity)
• Industria (Limited capacity)
• Insurgency: Sandstorm
• Jurassic World: Evolution 2
• Kill It With Fire (Limited capacity)
• Lamentum (Limited capacity)
• Lapin
• Last Oasis (Limited capacity)
• Life Is Strange: True Colors
• Loot River (Limited capacity)
• Maid of Sker (Limited capacity)
• Maneater
• Medieval Dynasty (Limited capacity)
• Metro Exodus
• Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Minecraft
• Minecraft Legends
• Monster Sanctuary
• Moonlighter (Limited capacity)
• Moonscars
• Mortal Shell (Limited capacity)
• Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
• MultiVersus
• Myst
• Neoverse
• Norco (Limited capacity)
• Octopath Traveler
• Operencia: The Stolen Sun
• Orcs Must Die! 3
• Outriders (Limited capacity)
• Paladins
• Park Beyond
• PC Building Simulator
• Pentiment
• Phantasy Star Online 2
• Phantom Abyss
• Pikuniku
• Planet Coaster: Console Edition
• Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator
• Praetorians - HD Remaster
• Praey For The Gods
• Project Wingman
• Psychonauts 2 (Limited capacity)
• Quake
• Quake 2
• Relicta (Limited capacity)
• Remnant: From The Ashes (Limited capacity)
• Remnant 2 (Limited capacity)
• Roblox (Limited capacity)
• Roboquest
• Rogue Company (Limited capacity)
• Scorn (Limited capacity)
• Sea of Thieves
• Shotgun Farmers
• Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath (Limited capacity)
• Slime Rancher
• Smite
• Sniper Elite V2 Remastered
• Sniper Elite 5
• Solasta: Crown of The Magister
• Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator
• Spellbreak (Limited capacity)
• Splitgate (Limited capacity)
• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Limited capacity)
• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Limited capacity)
• State of Decay 2
• Strange Brigade
• Supraland: Six Inches Under (Limited capacity)
• Surviving Mars
• Surviving The Aftermath (Game Preview)
• Tainted Grail: Conquest (Limited capacity)
• Teardown (Limited capacity)
• Terraria
• The Anacrusis (Limited capacity)
• The Ascent (Limited capacity)
• The Finals
• The First Descendant (Limited capacity)
• The Forgotten City
• The Gunk (Limited capacity)
• The House Of The Dead Remake (Mouse only)
• The Last Case of Benedict Fox
• The Last Kids on Earth and the Staff of Doom (Limited capacity)
• The Medium
• The Riftbreaker
• The Sims 4
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (Limited capacity)
• The Wandering Village (Limited capacity)
• They Are Billions
• Tokyo Warfare Turbo
• Tunic (Limited capacity)
• Ultimate Custom Night
• Undungeon (Limited capacity)
• Untitled Goose Game
• Valfaris (Limited capacity)
• Valheim
• Vampire Survivors
• Visage
• Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (Limited capacity)
• Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (Limited capacity)
• Warhammer Vermintide 2
• War Thunder
• Warframe
• Wargroove Double Trouble
• Weird West (Limited capacity)
• What Remains of Edith Finch
• World of Tanks
• X-Morph Defense
• Yes Your Grace
• Zombie Army 4: Dead War

The best Xbox mouse and keyboard games

It can be argued that every controller method is viable for playing video games so long as a player is skilled and experienced enough to use them, whether it be the best Xbox controllers or the best Xbox keyboards. But there’s no denying that a mouse and keyboard can objectively offer better controls when playing certain game genres designed with them in mind, such as First-Person Shooters, real-time strategy games, simulators, and more.

Some of the best Xbox games like Halo Infinite and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 work wonders with a mouse and keyboard, as they can help people aim shots more precisely when fighting other players in intense and chaotic online multiplayer matches. In addition, strategy games like Gears Tactics and Age of Empire 4 feature complicated control schemes and menus that are much easier to navigate with a mouse and keyboard than a controller.

On a side note, a huge chunk of Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One games on this list that support mouse and keyboard (which includes all the Xbox’s first-party titles), are free-to-play or available to download for free via Xbox Game Pass. With this in mind, you will have no shortage of incredible Xbox games to play regardless of your preferred controller method.

A controller in hand is the way to enjoy gaming on an Xbox console, but it's certainly not the only way. Microsoft's consoles also support mouse and keyboard input with a growing library of supported games, giving players more flexibility in how they play.

Getting started is as simple as picking your favorite keyboard, with practically any wired or standard 2.4GHz wireless keyboard working right away. Those on the market and looking for some guidance, though, can find some of our favorite keyboards for Xbox right here.

Our favorite overall keyboard for Xbox tends to be a classic, with the Logitech G613 LIGHTSPEED you can get for $129.99 at BestBuy.com. I also have to give a shoutout to the Nerdytech Couchmaster CYCON for $199 at Amazon.com, our favorite all-in-one lapboard to make using a mouse and keyboard on your couch as easy and comfortable as possible.

Our favorite keyboards for playing on Xbox in 2025

The best budget keyboard for Xbox

Logitech is one of the top brands for PC and console gaming accessories, so it's no wonder that the company appears a lot when we're recommending something to you. The G613 is approaching legendary status as a wireless gaming keyboard, so it's held its place on this list for years now.

The Logitech G613 isn't the most cutting-edge keyboard by any means, but its balance of design, performance, features, and pricing makes it a fantastic wireless keyboard for PC and Xbox gaming. It's hard to go wrong with this one, but you may lament the lack of key backlighting or the reliance on disposable AA batteries.

At least that battery can last you for many months of gaming time on Xbox, and there's Bluetooth connectivity if you'd like to use the G613 for work and play on other devices, as well. You can pick up the Logitech G613 for $129.99 at BestBuy.com, but keep an eye out for sales, too.

👀Read our full Logitech G613 review

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The best premium keyboard for Xbox

Alienware is one of the biggest names in gaming, but the brand is known more for its flashy laptops and towers than accessories. That has been changing in the last few years, and the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Keyboard is one of the best showcases of the company's continued investment.

This is a compact, premium wireless keyboard with a gorgeous design and lovely typing and gaming experience, and I absolutely love it. The RGB lighting can drain the battery quickly and the software is so-so — but neither of those matters as much when you're gaming on Xbox.

This is still one of my favorite keyboards of all time, and it's more than worthy of an unreserved recommendation for $199.99 at BestBuy.com. It's an especially great choice if you want something small that can rest on top of your Xbox when not in use, and it also boasts Bluetooth for connecting to other devices.

👀Read our full Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Keyboard review

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The best low-profile keyboard for Xbox

Logitech makes another appearance on this list with the G515 LIGHTSPEED, a mid-range, wireless, low-profile gaming keyboard with a stylish two-tone design, an intuitive layout, and a good balance of features and performance.

It won't give the most premium keyboards on this list a run for their money, but the G515 LIGHTSPEED looks and feels great for gaming and typing, boasts solid battery life, and has Bluetooth connectivity for use with other devices.

You won't be able to take advantage of many of its software features on Xbox, but the G515 LIGHTSPEED is a fantastic board straight out of the box, and it undercuts some other wireless, low-profile keyboards for $159.99 at BestBuy.com.

👀Read our full Logitech G515 LIGHTSPEED review

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The best magnetic keyboard for Xbox

One keyboard company that's increasingly becoming a top option for gamers is Keychron. Known for its diverse family of enthusiast keyboards, the latest Keychron products are showing up with top-notch performance and the features gamers expect, and the Keychron K8 HE is my favorite of the bunch.

It's a fantastic 80% keyboard with per-key RGB lighting and a stylish design in every color and edition, but what makes it special are the Hall Effect switches that promise increased durability and precision over normal mechanical switches. Keychron makes it easy to change your settings on the fly with a ton of built-in keyboard shortcuts, too, and its software is web-based and should even work with Xbox.

The Keychron K8 HE that I used is $139.99 at Amazon.com, and you can build your own with compatible Hall Effect switches and custom keycaps. You still get plenty of features, too, including Bluetooth connectivity for anything that isn't your Xbox.

👀Read our full Keychron K8 HE review

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The best enthusiast keyboard for Xbox

Keyboard enthusiasts can be extremely particular about their boards, and are often willing to spend a lot to get the perfect switches, the perfect keycaps, the perfect typing acoustics, and the perfect feature set.

For many enthusiasts, Glorious is unparalleled for customization. Everything about these keyboards can be customized, and Glorious even has its own in-depth GMMK 3 and 3 Pro configurator. The GMMK 3 Pro is a phenomenal keyboard with an absurd amount of character.

It's expensive, though. Depending on your design choices, you can end up spending hundreds on a single keyboard. For some, that'll be worth it — for others, the Keychron K8 HE above this keyboard is a more affordable alternative. Still, it's hard to ignore the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro.

👀Read our full Glorious GMMK 3 Pro review

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The best lap desk for Xbox

I know you're here for the best keyboards for Xbox, but if your Xbox is in the living room, and you want to game from the comfort of your couch, it's absolutely worthwhile to consider a lap desk to make using a keyboard and mouse as comfortable as possible.

As far as lap desks are concerned, our favorite is definitely the Nerdytec Couchmaster Cycon. One cable to your Xbox, and you'll have connectivity for your keyboard, mouse, and other accessories on a portable and comfortable table that works anywhere (but mostly your couch).

We reviewed the Cycon2, and the third iteration makes some ergonomic improvements and adds more RGB lighting. The Nerdytec Couchmaster Cycon 3 runs for $209.99 at Amazon.com, which is admittedly pricey — but it's a great investment for those who are serious about mouse-and-keyboard gaming from their couch.

👀Read our full Nerdytec Couchmaster Cycon review

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How to choose the best Xbox keyboard for you

Honestly, most of the best keyboards in general are also the best keyboards for Xbox. As long as the keyboard is wired or uses a standard 2.4GHz wireless connection (as in, it doesn't require any special drivers or firmware to function), it should work.

Just bear in mind that there aren't really "Xbox keyboards" anymore, which means keyboards that were designed with Xbox in mind. The Razer Turret we reviewed was the first and last we've seen, and it's basically impossible to find that keyboard in stock anywhere.

So, while a growing list of Xbox games support mouse-and-keyboard input (especially Xbox games that feature Xbox Play Anywhere support), there's always some level of compromise when connecting a keyboard to your Xbox. A lot of special functions, shortcuts, and features may not work correctly — especially those that require software that's almost never available on Xbox.

Whatever your needs, though, the keyboards on this list should serve you well. The Logitech G613 for $129.99 at BestBuy.com is still our go-to mostly because it's a tried-and-true solution for keyboard gaming on Xbox. It's a great all-around keyboard and you can often find it on sale, which is a huge boon.

If you're serious about connecting a keyboard to your Xbox and gaming from your couch, though, I can't stress the value of lap desks like the Couchmaster Cycon for $209.99 at Amazon.com enough. A great lap desk will make any compatible mouse and keyboard you choose even better for gaming on Xbox.

Whether you're looking for a competitive advantage in online games or to make the convoluted controls of strategy games easier to manage in your head, a keyboard can be an awesome addition for your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. Just keep in mind that Xbox consoles may not support 100% of the features your keyboard of choice possesses.

Of course, you can always stick with one of the best Xbox controllers for a more reliable way to game.

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The Xbox One packs a steadily growing lineup of mouse and keyboard-compatible titles, bringing a signature of PC gaming to the living room. Games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare are among the early heavy hitters offering a secondary input method, complementing their support for cross-play and other inter-platform features. However, the Xbox One's dashboard and menus remain heavily controller-centric and fail to support simple cursor input.

But using a mouse and keyboard on Xbox One doesn't need to be a chore, with a list of inputs to navigate menus and access console features. Microsoft's baked-in solution isn't as accommodating as a Windows PC but makes everyday tasks possible without reaching for the controller. We've rounded up every keyboard shortcut compatible with Xbox One today.

Xbox One mouse and keyboard controls

While the Xbox One doesn't support mouse and cursor input, one dozen keyboard inputs will get you moving around the console menus. These inputs allow you to navigate the Home menu, open the Guide menu and use Xbox Live features, or access other components of the OS. While incompatible with game menus, most titles feature full cursor support once loaded into the application.

While in-game, control schemes vary from title to title, with a sizeable list adopting their inputs from PC counterparts. Controls for individual titles are often by searching their PC versions, with some even offering custom keyboard bindings via settings. However, when getting through the Xbox One's own menus, the above keyboard inputs or a dedicated controller is required.

What you need to know

• The Sims 4 for Xbox One has received Xbox Dynamic Lighting support.
• Xbox Dynamic Lighting support brings RGB lighting enhancements, currently exclusive to the Razer Turret for Xbox One mouse and keyboard.

With Xbox One boasting native mouse and keyboard support, a steadily-growing pool of titles supports its controller alternative. Electronic Arts was among initial adopters with The Sims 4 earlier this year, especially fitting given the series' past PC successes. Its latest Xbox One update elevates this integration, hooking into Xbox Dynamic Lighting for the Razer Turret mouse and keyboard.

Xbox Dynamic Lighting serves in-game lighting effects to RGB keyboards, currently exclusive to the Razer Turret combo for Xbox One consoles. Like Razer Chroma for PC, the feature aims to enhance titles via custom contextual lighting. The Sims 4 now leverages this to convey moods, secret world themes, among other components. The feature has dropped with its latest The Sims 4 update, dubbed V1.19.

The Sims 4 joins five accompanying titles with Xbox Dynamic Lighting support, including Gears 5 and Vermintide 2. While Xbox One mouse and keyboard support welcomes countless existing USB and wireless accessories, RGB features are available only to the premium Razer Turret for Xbox One combo in 2019.

To try out Xbox Dynamic Lighting, while securing a leading couch mouse and keyboard experience, the Razer Turret is currently available for $248 at Amazon.

They Are Billions is a cult-hit zombie apocalypse RTS set in a steampunk future, where humanity clings to a bleak existence in a dark world plagued by, quite literally, billions of zombies. The game is a success story on Steam, enjoying a large following and plenty of free updates, including a sizeable campaign mode which recently hit the PC version.

As a strategy game with fairly complex gameplay, it remains to be seen how well the game translates over to regular gamepad controls. If you don't fancy playing that type of game with a controller, thankfully, They Are Billions will also support mouse and keyboards on Xbox One.

In They Are Billions, your aim is to simply survive for as long as possible on a variety of map styles with plenty of modifiers. The campaign mode brings a dash of story into the mix, allowing you to get acquainted with some of the game's lore and characters, as you progress your way through a vast tech tree of research and upgrades.

As you progress through each game, the hordes will become increasingly ravenous, sending larger waves to attack while throwing in more powerful mutants into the mix. Your base can evolve too, getting more powerful units, stronger defenses, and more efficient resource gathering.

They Are Billions is a viciously addictive strategy game, and something of a personal favorite. Look out for our Xbox One version review in the near future, ahead of the game's launch on July 5, 2019.

With the Xbox One now serving full mouse and keyboard support, a growing pool of games deliver an alternative to the controller. While limited to just a dozen in early days, a strong lineup is slated for future compatibility, with Microsoft and Razer delivering a bespoke mouse and keyboard combo too. And with adoption on the rise, Electronic Arts is the latest to add full integration for The Sims 4.

Like all compatible Xbox titles, using a mouse and keyboard is a plug-and-play experience over USB and wireless adapters. Your existing PC peripherals are all likely functional on the console (aside from Bluetooth) adding enhanced precision for aiming and inputs. With The Sims' roots well-established in PC, the feature is an ideal pairing for the title.

Mouse and keyboard support drops as a part of the larger v1.14 patch, also packing overdue Lunar New Year content and various tweaks and fixes. The update is now available for download to all existing owners, mandatory before starting the game.

The Sims 4 joins the early list of Xbox mouse and keyboard games, including Fortnite, Metro Exodus, Minecraft, and more on the system. Eager users should also consider the new Razer Turret for Xbox One, delivering an officially-licensed solution built around the console.

Razer Turret is an interesting option .... for righties

The Razer Turret is a wireless mouse and keyboard two-in-one accessory for Xbox One that's expected to come out March 31 of this year. It features a special magnetic mouse pad, a built-in board that makes playing on your lap a breeze, and the mouse has top-notch features such as Razer's 5G optical sensor and 16,000 dots per inch (DPI) while the keyboard uses Razer mechanical switches, which offer excellent performance. Both the mouse and the keyboard make use of Razer's famous RGB lighting, which can be heavily customized to suit your preferences. At $250, the Turret is pricey, but it's looking like it will be worth the investment ... at least for some people.

However, if you aren't right-handed, the Razer Turret isn't too great since the mousepad can't be swapped to the other side, and the mouse isn't built ambidextrously. Alternative solutions for left-handed players do exist, however, and while you'll have to sacrifice wireless functionality, you can also save a big chunk of money.

Why get the B945 Light Strike keyboard?

Sadly, "left-handed keyboards" don't exist.

The closest thing is keyboards with the number pad on the left of the device, but most of these aren't designed to be used for gaming. However, there is a keyboard that breaks this trend: the B945 Light Strike. The location of the number pad can help make gaming more comfortable for left-handed people, and the keyboard itself features advanced optical sensors for the keys that are completely digital, removing the need to worry about metal-on-metal friction or other issues.

The B945 Light Strike is also quite durable, as it is made out of anodized aluminum, and it even comes with an attachable wrist-rest mat if your hands get tired while playing. As if that wasn't enough, the keyboard also comes with a water-resistant coating and has built-in liquid drainage holes. The former lessens the chances of damage from spills, while the latter means you'll still be able to finish a moment of gameplay following said spills. Finally, it comes with RGB lighting, and while it's not as advanced as what you'll find with Razer products, it's still nice. It can be configured by using the manufacturer's KeyDominator 2 software.

Why get the Razer Lancehead mouse?

The Razer Lancehead is a great choice for left-handed players because the mouse is designed ambidextrously, meaning that it works equally well for both left-handed and right-handed players. In addition, it's incredibly well-built, meaning that there's very little risk of accidental drops (or intentional bangs against your surface, if you're a hothead) causing damage to the mouse. It also has a top-tier optical sensor with a maximum of 16,000 DPI, offering a huge range of sensitivity options for players.

In terms of looks, the Lancehead is sleek and stylish, and like all Razer products, it features the trademark RGB lighting that can be customized using Razer's Synapse software.

Why get a Razer Turret?

While it's true that there are a multitude of different keyboard and mouse options available for Xbox One users, there are a few reasons why Razer's upcoming Turret device will likely be a fantastic choice for Xbox One users. One of them is that it's completely wireless, meaning that you won't need to worry about how far away you're sitting from your Xbox One. Another is the magnetic mouse pad, which ensures that your mouse won't slip and slide off the pad if you tilt the device on an angle.

You'll get style points for using a Razer Turret, too — the keyboard, like most other Razer products, makes use of the company's famous chroma lighting, which allows you to customize the lights under the keys in 16.8 million different ways. For games that support it, you'll also be able to take advantage of Xbox Dynamic Lighting, which causes the keyboard to light up in-sync with moments from your gameplay experience.

Despite an announcement from CES 2019 that the Turret would be available soon, it's still only listed for preorder. We expect the device to be released by the spring of 2019, at the latest.

What games work with Razer Turret?

Here's a list of every title that can currently be used with mouse and keyboard, and the Razer Turret, on Xbox One:

• Bomber Crew
• Deep Rock Galactic (Xbox Dynamic Lighting)
• Fortnite
• Minecraft
• Strange Brigade (Xbox Dynamic Lighting)
• Warframe
• Vermintide 2 (Xbox Dynamic Lighting)
• War Thunder
• X-Morph Defense (Xbox Dynamic Lighting)

The developers of each of the following games have stated that they will be adding mouse and keyboard support in the future:

• Children of Morta (Xbox Dynamic Lighting)
• DayZ (Xbox Dynamic Lighting)
• Gears 5 (Xbox Dynamic Lighting)
• Minion Master
• Moonlighter (Xbox Dynamic Lighting)
• Paladins
• Realm Royale
• Roblox (Xbox Dynamic Lighting)
• SMITE
• Surviving Mars
• Vigor (Xbox Dynamic Lighting)
• Warface
• Wargroove

Make sure to frequently check our guide to all games with mouse and keyboard support on Xbox One for any updates, as it's likely more titles will be added to the list as time goes on.

For those with an Xbox One, the dream of using a real gaming keyboard and mouse designed to be used with the console today is your day. The Razer Turret for Xbox One is now available direct from Razer and the Microsoft Store for $250.

We got our hands on an early edition of the exciting peripheral – the first to be officially licensed by Microsoft and the only keyboard with a dedicated Xbox key. Since this isn't a cheap accessory, we figured a proper old fashioned unboxing and demo of how it all works was in order (we'll have a full review in the coming weeks).

Razer Turret for Xbox One what it is

Announced at CES 2019 the Razer Turret for Xbox One is the first official keyboard that's built for couch gaming. Here's what we said back then:

Of course, developers need to add support for general keyboard and mouse usage, but many of the biggest titles have already begun to do so, including:

Keyboard and mouse support + Xbox Dynamic Lighting

• X-Morph: Defense
• Vermintide 2
• Gears of War 5
• Day Z
• Deep Rock Galactic
• Children of Morta
• Moonlighter
• Roblox
• Strange Brigade
• Vigor

Only keyboard and mouse support

• Fortnite
• Warframe
• War Thunder
• Sims
• Minecraft
• Surviving Mars
• Minion Masters
• Warface
• Wargroove
• Bomber Crew

Those lists are continually being updated and we have a dedicated list for those to keep track.

Razer Turret for Xbox One first impressions

Weighing in at 1860 grams (4.10 pounds) the Turret for Xbox One is a heavy, dense accessory. That's a good thing as it's a satisfying feeling to have it in your lap while also preventing it from sliding around with intense gaming.

The mouse features a 5G optical sensor with up to 16,000 DPI sensitivity and 1000 Hz polling, all of which is configurable through the Turret's app for Xbox One. Contrasting with the weighty keyboard the mouse is featherlight (106 g / 0.21 lbs), perfect for those quick frags in a first-person shooter like Fortnite.

Xbox One mouse and keyboard support: Everything we know

Unboxing and setting up the Turret only took a few minutes. The keyboard and mouse are mostly charged out of the box. There is a single USB Type-A dongle included that broadcasts a 2.4 GHz wireless connection that's always shifting to find the strongest signal.

The box includes a Type-C cable to recharge the keyboard and a micro USB for the mouse. An included wall wart helps with the AC power part although users can piggyback the mouse recharging through the Turret keyboard directly (there's even a short cable for this so that you can use it during gaming).

Once plugged in the Xbox One works as expected. Mouse support for the Xbox OS is not ubiquitous, so you'll mostly rely on the keyboard's arrows and Enter key for navigation.

How to use a keyboard and mouse on Xbox One with ANY game

We then fired off one of my favorite games – X-Morph: Defense for Xbox – which worked beautifully with the whole setup.

The keyboard and mouse were responsive, and while I was used to playing Xmorph Defense with a controller, I quickly adapted to the familiar WASD and mouse gaming combo popular in so many PC games.

Build quality of the Razer Turret for Xbox One was excellent. The Chroma lighting – fully configurable by the user – is always a sweet visual treat, but also really helps in low light. The sliding mouse deck is also genius and was more than enough room for us to blast ships with no complaints.

Overall, the Razer Turret for Xbox One gave an excellent out-of-box experience. While it's not cheap – Razer products rarely are – the new two-year warranty program and overall feel of this setup were outstanding, making it ideal for the more serious gamer.

We'll have more on the Razer Turret for Xbox One in the coming weeks, but if you've been thinking of jumping into the wild, weird world of keyboard gaming on your couch Razer's Turret seems like the best of the best right now. If you need more and specifications info, you can find it directly on Razer's site.

Xbox One picked mouse and keyboard support back in 2018, offering the first alternative to the standard gamepad. Taking to its X018 showcase in Mexico, Microsoft unveiled a select pool of titles planning support, with more to come later down the line.

At CES 2019, third-party accessories manufacturer Razer is showcasing its new Turret keyboard, designed for Xbox One couch-gaming. Paired with its reveal, the firm has detailed a refreshed list of planned mouse and keyboard games.

Updated January 8, 2019: Cecilia Lee, community manager on PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), has taken to Reddit to refute the debut of mouse and keyboard on Xbox One. While PUBG was "incorrectly listed" it's unclear if other titles were erroneously included.

Updated January 9, 2019: Razer has issued an updated list removing Gears Tactics.

Original article:

Among the new entries, Gears 5, PUBG, and The Sims 4 join upcoming titles. Microsoft's Sea of Thieves also makes its debut, paired with Roblox and Surviving Mars. Upcoming turn-based strategy spin-off, Gears Tactics is also listed, despite being a planned Windows 10 PC exclusive.

This raises the current Xbox One mouse and keyboard portfolio to 23 titles, as detailed in our full list.

List of Xbox One mouse and keyboard games

Microsoft just rolled out its freshest Xbox One update, delivering native mouse and keyboard support across select games. Further expanding the console's feature set, its implementation brings a viable gamepad alternative, with compatibility for most USB-connected peripherals. However, despite extensive Xbox Insider testing, it appears some users are experiencing mouse issues following the public release.

We're seeing numerous reports of Fortnite Xbox One players experiencing input latency when using a mouse and keyboard; a delay between moving the mouse and a subsequent on-screen action. The issue's cause is unclear, affecting only select Xbox One players, and we're currently unable to replicate it as of publication.

Given the variety of modern mice and keyboards on the market, it comes as no surprise issues are arising in the early days. Current reports detail extensive latency in Fortnite exclusively, with both Warframe and Minecraft mostly absent of the issue, indicating something isn't playing nice with Microsoft and Epic Games' solution.

It's hard to identify a fix, but one likely culprit could be polling rates, essentially the response time of a mouse, measured in Hz. For example, a mouse with a polling rate of 500Hz will report its position to the PC or console 500 times each second. While a higher polling rate means finer control in theory, it requires both hardware and software to keep up, which can be a cause of input issues.

Depending on the polling rate used by your mouse, you may be able to increase or decrease it to alter performance and how the pointer handles in-game. Microsoft doesn't offer the functionality natively on Xbox One, meaning this option is limited to those with onboard mouse memory, by changing polling rates via a PC. Razer Synapse, Corsair iCUE, and Logitech Gaming Software are among those touting configurable polling rates for respective accessories.

Alternatively, if you have multiple mice in the home, switching it out could be a temporary fix until Microsoft addresses the issue.

If you're among those with Fortnite Xbox One mouse and keyboard issues, drop into the comments section below with your experience. As new details or fixes emerge, we'll be sure to update this post.

Every month or so, Microsoft updates the Xbox One software to add new features. A few weeks ago, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer promised to add mouse and keyboard support for all users very soon. Well, that day has finally arrived, aside from providing bug fixes and some other useful features, mouse and keyboard support is the biggest addition with this patch. Luckily, it's a small download too.

You can read about the major changes coming with November's Xbox One update below. The "Xbox Skill" for Amazon's digital assistant Alexa is quite a handy feature to say the least. Rumor has it that a lot of these devices will go on sale for Black Friday.

• Mouse and keyboard support: Developers can now add mouse and keyboard inputs to their games. As we all know, Fortnite and Warframe will be supported at launch, with more titles joining the roster down the line. Bomber Crew, Deep Rock Galactic, Strange Brigade, Warhammer: Vermintide 2, War Thunder, and X-Morph Defense should add support in November. Developers working on Children of Morta, DayZ, Minion Master, Moonlighter, Vigor, Warface, and Wargroove promised support in the future. Right now, it seems like only Razer will offer "Designed for Xbox" mice and keyboards, which feature a dedicated Xbox key and "Xbox Dynamic Lighting."
• Xbox Skill for Alexa: This Xbox Skill will receive updates based on customer feedback. For example, the ability to close a game or other program is coming soon.
• Amazon Music: According to a press release we received from Microsoft, Amazon Music is launching a new app for Xbox One. You can download it right now in the United States, but other countries will have to wait a bit. Amazon Music is great if you're an Amazon Prime member because you can stream a number of songs through it at no additional cost.
• Search: Lastly, Search in the Guide is expanding to include results from Xbox Assist, games you have "Ready to Install", in Xbox Game Pass, or EA Access.

It's great to see that Microsoft is adding features at a remarkable pace. Hopefully this trend will continue in the future. If your console is on "Instant-on" mode, then you should automatically receive the update. However, if you want to force the update, you can always go into "Settings," and then go to "System," and click on "Console Info & Updates." There should be an option to "Update now" there. For more detailed introductions, check out our guide.

• See Xbox One X at Amazon
• See Xbox One X at Microsoft Store

Keep an eye on WindowsCentral.com/Gaming for all the latest in Xbox and Windows 10 gaming, accessories, news, and reviews!

Updated November 19, 2018: Microsoft reached out to us and clarified that most wired and wireless mice and keyboards are supported with this new functionality on Xbox One, but Razer is the exclusive partner for "Designed for Xbox" mice and keyboards. The dedicated "Xbox" button and "Xbox Dynamic Lighting" are reserved for Designed for Xbox products, for which Razer is the exclusive partner.

At Microsoft's X018 in Mexico City, Microsoft detailed its plans to bring mouse and keyboard support to select Xbox One titles. While a majority of wired and wireless USB peripherals are set to be compatible with the console, a partnership has been formed with third-party manufacturer, Razer, delivering bespoke sofa-friendly hardware for Xbox consoles. It now appears Corsair is entering an agreement with Microsoft too, serving as an "Xbox licensed hardware partner" for months ahead. However, it's unclear if features like a dedicated Xbox button or "Xbox Dynamic Lighting" will be available on these products. We've reached out to Microsoft for comment.

Taking to Corsair's official site, the firm discussed its compatibility with Xbox One consoles, highlighting aspects of its product line best-suited to console gamers. Positioning its K63 lapboard and Dark Core RGB mouse for the couch, this setup offers a seamless solution for the average living room. Meanwhile, it recommends the K70 RGB MK.2 and Glaive mouse for desktop gamers, alongside its HS50 headset.

While specific manufacturers are touting Xbox One mouse and keyboard support, most will offer full compatibility on Xbox One. However, support across games is limited to specific developer implementation, considering balance for competitive titles. It's up to developers to make sure that however they implement mouse and keyboard support, it's fair for everyone.

• See Xbox One X at Amazon
• See Xbox One X at Microsoft Store

Keep an eye on WindowsCentral.com/Gaming for all the latest in Xbox and Windows 10 gaming, accessories, news, and reviews!

Microsoft has taken to its X018 event in Mexico City to unveil an upcoming partnership with Razer, delivering a new and keyboard designed for console gaming. Complementing a hefty lineup of games, the third-party manufacturer plans to release a wireless mechanic keyboard, "designed from the ground up" for Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs.

Speaking on X018's Inside Xbox live broadcast, Razer CEO, Min-Liang Tan, discussed the manufacturer's established PC product line, and plans for its Xbox partnership. Details on the sofa-friendly setup are thin, though expected to share similar philosophies to its existing Razer Turret "lapboard." Razer Chroma, a staple of Razer design, translates via Xbox's dynamic RGB lighting support too.

Razer is promising a full CES 2019 reveal, which kicks off on January 8, 2019, in Las Vegas. No release date has been provided, but expect an arrival sometime next year.

Xbox One mouse and keyboard support: Everything we know

Mouse and keyboard support has been a long-time coming for Xbox One, delivering a formal alternative to the console's gamepad. After releasing to a subset of Xbox Insiders last month, Microsoft has taken to its "X018" event in Mexico City to unveil further plans for the feature.

Mouse and keyboard input will be enabled for a subset of Xbox One games, only if implemented by the game's developer. Furthermore, studios are being educated on how to approach mouse and keyboard support to ensure fair, balanced gameplay. Taking to its Inside Xbox show, the first full wave of Xbox One mouse and keyboard titles has been revealed.

Mouse and keyboard support will be headed by Fortnite, Epic Games hit battle royale, alongside War Thunder, Vermintide 2, and Strange Brigade. Support for Deep Rock Galactic, X-Morph Defense, Bomber Crew, will also debut this month, joining the previously-unveiled Warframe.

Microsoft has also outlined games with future support planned, including DayZ, Vigor, Warface, and Moonlighter. Lastly, mouse and keyboard updates for Wargroove, Children of Morta, and Minion Master are also in the works.

Let us know which Xbox One mouse and keyboard games you hope to see next.

For a few years, Microsoft has discussed bringing mouse and keyboard support to Xbox One games, although it didn't materialize until this month, as part of the Xbox Insider program's Alpha ring. Now that it's finally here, how well does it work?

Plug and play-ish

Thankfully, Microsoft doesn't sanction specific requirements for what mice and keyboards work on the Xbox One. If it works on Windows 10, it should also work on Xbox One. The Xbox One doesn't support Bluetooth connections, however, sadly limiting you to wireless dongles and/or wired solutions. Simply plug your mouse and keyboard into your console, and you're good to go. That's the idea, anyway.

As of writing, the Xbox One dashboard doesn't support mouse inputs in any way, shape, or form, so you'll have to keep your controller nearby if you want to navigate the dashboard efficiently.

In terms of settings and features, right now there isn't a great deal. Although that will no doubt change in the future, if Microsoft is serious about this, that is. You can adjust the pointer speed, and also switch primary and secondary mouse buttons if that's your bag, but beyond that, there's nothing.

How does it handle in-game?

So far, only two games support mouse and keyboard inputs fully on Xbox One, these include Warframe and Minecraft. The list of supported titles will no doubt expand in the future, probably to include Microsoft's first-party titles like Sea of Thieves and Gears of War 4, both of which support cross-play and mouse and keyboard on PC. For now, however, we're limited to these two.

Warframe

The first annoyance with Warframe is that it doesn't actually fully support mouse and keyboard across its menus. You'll still have to reach for your controller to get going, which is annoying. But hey, that's what the Alpha ring is for.

The second annoying part is that the game is a bit of a pain to use with a mouse, because the cursor still thinks its bound to a joystick. Moving the cursor around in menus is painfully slow, making the necessity to have a controller nearby even more important. But make sure you disable vibration ... or it'll be rumbling all over your desk, probably onto the floor.

You can offset the sluggish menu cursor by turning up the sensitivity to its maximum settings in the Xbox One app. In-game, turning up the joystick sensitivity helps in the same way with movement and aiming. Once I found improved settings, I began to have a blast.

Warframe is a fast-paced free-to-play shooter on Xbox One, with an emphasis on co-operative PvE. The games frenetic combat benefits from improved turning and aiming accuracy afforded by a mouse, and the possibilities mouse and keyboard support could truly bring to Xbox began to become more apparent.

Warframe (or Xbox, if work still needs to be done there) could do more to bring mouse support to more of its menus to offset the need for a controller, as well as surface unique settings separately between mouse and controllers, but this early effort is promising.

Minecraft

One game that has had a bit more time to implement these features is Minecraft. Built on the UWP-oriented Bedrock Edition, Minecraft has actually supported mouse inputs for some time. Throughout the whole game, Minecraft can detect your inputs and switch on-screen prompts dynamically between controller and mouse, hiding the cursor when it detects joystick input.

In Minecraft, it felt far more intuitive, even if the cursor latency felt a bit high when compared to running it through a PC. There might be some optimization work to do here.

Annoyingly, since I turned up my mouse sensitivity for Warframe, it remained far too high in Minecraft. Microsoft probably needs to ensure that cursor movement is normalized across the board to prevent users from having to change their settings constantly.

More work to do, many questions to answer

Clearly, there's still a lot of work to do before mouse and keyboard support is really ready for the prime time. It'll depend a lot on developer support, Microsoft ensuring that the systems that govern these features work well, and, most importantly of all, the inclusion of mouse support doesn't hinder competitive play in any way.

Already, players using a XIM mouse and keyboard converter can gain a huge advantage when playing shooters on Xbox One, able to turn rapidly without sacrificing accuracy. Microsoft says it is working on systems that will allow developers to separate players by what inputs they're using, but we haven't really got an example of how this will work as pertains to Xbox, so far.

On the flip side, mouse and keyboard support could bring a wealth of games to console that simply haven't been able to exist there previously, such as cursor-heavy management/strategy games like Football Manager and Civilization. Whether we ever see those games materialize remains to be seen, particularly since there seems to be a question of whether or not developers are even allowed to make a game that doesn't support controller inputs.

We'll be keeping our eye on how mouse support for Xbox develops in the coming months, that's for sure.

Microsoft recently unveiled plans to roll out Xbox One mouse and keyboard support, offering the first everyday alternative to the standard controller. While offering a different way to play, Microsoft also hopes the feature will bring new games to the console that simply can't adapt to the controller. Further blurring the lines between systems, the feature could have a big impact on the future of Xbox.

We've lined up 10 titles we're dying to see on Xbox One with support for mice and keyboards.

Xbox One Mouse and Keyboard Support: Everything We Know

Heroes of the Storm

Heroes of the Storm is Blizzard's take on the DOTA gameplay format, and given the popularity of other Blizzard titles like Overwatch and Diablo on Xbox, bringing across Heroes of the Storm seems like a no brainer.

Heroes of the Storm features heroes (and villains) from across decades of Blizzard history, including Diablo, Warcraft, Starcraft, and many more. Teams of players go head to head in a hero-based strategy format across a variety of map modes, typically with the aim of pushing the enemy back to their keep and destroying it. Heroes of the Storm is vibrant, fun, and a little easier to get into than some of the other DOTA-type games out there, making it a good fit for console.

Age of Empires IV

Age of Empires is an icon among Microsoft's property lineup, among the games that shaped today's real-time strategy (RTS) scene. Despite the series' decade-long hiatus, Age of Empires IV is in the pipeline at renowned strategy studio, Relic Entertainment. We're yet to receive details beyond a brief animated trailer, however, know the game is a planned Windows 10 exclusive.

Xbox head and Microsoft's Executive Vice President of Gaming, Phil Spencer, previously discussed how mouse and keyboard support will open the platform to previously isolated titles. Overcoming the limitations of a controller could justify Age of Empires IV's Xbox One debut, showing Microsoft itself is committed to the feature. With Age of Empires Definitive Edition on Windows 10 and two further remastered on the way, the series could find a second home.

Halo Wars 2

As Microsoft's own RTS already on Xbox One, Halo Wars 2 is an obvious candidate for mouse and keyboard integration. In the wake of Xbox Play Anywhere, the game was developed for console and PC and served as a great entry-point for RTS newcomers. While among the few strategy titles that nailed gamepad support, the keyboard is still favorable for many.

Leading up to the Halo Wars 2 release, Phil Spencer agreed that mouse and keyboard support "makes sense" for the game's launch. That period has sailed, but the statement still remains true today. Throughout Microsoft's existing in-house lineup, there's no better game than Halo Wars 2.

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Fortnite

Fortnite is dominating the world through its battle royale mode, capturing the hearts of millions with tense last-man-standing gameplay. It's also changing up long-established industry standards, convincing major platform holders to adopt new policies in support of cross-platform multiplayer. And with cross-play realized between PC, console, and mobile, Fortnite could provide ideal backing for Xbox One mouse and keyboard support too.

As with all multiplayer shooters, the implementation is critical to ensure a balanced arena for all. The high-stakes nature of battle royale rewards precise aim and a high-DPI mouse provides heightened accuracy over standard thumbsticks. However, Fornite already has a proven method of handling differing inputs, meaning mouse and keyboard isn't a major step. If any game can sustain the mouse and keyboard lineup, Fortnite is one to watch.

Gears Tactics

Microsoft discussed several Gears of War projects at E3 2018, featuring the highly-anticipated Gears 5, alongside a duo of spinoffs. The highlight was a new XCOM-style turn-based strategy project, named Gears Tactics. And in a rare move for Microsoft, the title is currently pitched as a PC-only experience.

Although the current state of Gears Tactics is unknown, the franchise's roots mean an Xbox One debut wouldn't be surprising. As an experience seemingly designed for mouse and keyboards, its arrival would ensure the widest reach, without compromising on the original vision.

World of Warcraft

Another Blizzard game, World of Warcraft is quite easily the world's most successful MMO of all time, enjoying a healthy subscriber base for 14 years. Taking place in the Warcraft universe, player factions of the Horde and the Alliance battle it out across a huge, huge variety of PvE and PvP content, including up to 25-player raids, difficult and dynamic Mythic+ 5-player dungeons, and various competitive modes.

Blizzard would have to completely upend the UI, controls, and balance of the game and its legacy content in order to make it work properly with a controller. Simply adding it as an exclusive mouse and keyboard-only title would vastly improve the PC game's reach.

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Civilization VI

It's hard to talk strategy without the Civilization series, which still sits among the top of its genre. Civilization VI, the latest installment, further builds on the Sid Meier's empire, challenging players to scale nations over the years. Players will need to grow their influence on the world while defeating rival power-hungry factions.

Civilization VI's debut on Xbox One would be a huge addition to the Xbox One library and could draw the attention of other major players in the strategy space. With its arrival on iOS and Nintendo Switch, here's hoping Xbox is next.

See at Amazon

Stellaris

Paradox Interactive's latest strategy hit is soon headed to consoles following its PC success. Focused on space exploration, the title sees players building large-scale fleets, with rewards for uncovering universe secrets.

Paradox has been among the recent wave of historically PC-focused publishers making the move to console. Its previous console release of Cities Skylines is a port done right, with user interfaces and controls overhauled for controllers. However, for those looking for the original experience, additional mouse and keyboard support would be welcomed.

Dota 2

Dota 2 is the monolith of PC gaming, regularly positioned Steam's top-played games, just beneath PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). Overseen by Valve, the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) has maintained a player base for five years, with steady growth in 2018 too. The game is also dominating the esports space, securing the world's largest prize pool at "The International 2018."

Valve has made no indication of expanding beyond desktops, however, is easily the biggest game absent from Xbox. While earlier titles from the publisher are on console, it's unlikely they'll sever Dota 2's heavy ties to the Steam platform.

League of Legends

After nearly a decade on the market, League of Legends still remains a huge title among PC gamers. The hero-based MOBA pits teams of five in competitive battles, with regular updates drawing millions of daily active players. Between its free-to-play nature and easy-to-grasp mechanics, it's the go-to title for both casual and hardcore gamers.

While League of Legends has been historically tied to Windows and macOS, the game hasn't had a real chance to expand to new platforms. Mouse and keyboard support could open the titles to millions more, making that transition considerably easier.

Your thoughts

Which mouse and keyboard games would you like to see on Xbox One? Drop into the comments section below with your top picks.

Microsoft has announced the formal rollout of mouse and keyboard support for Xbox One, offering an all-new input method to the console. While limited to a select pool of titles, its arrival brings promising new capabilities beyond the standard controller. We've wrapped up everything you need to know so far.

Xbox One mouse and keyboard support explained

As tradition with most gaming consoles, Xbox One has historically been a standardized platform, featuring uniform experiences across hardware and software. In recent years Microsoft has distanced itself with increasingly "PC-like" features, with updates delivering improved function and flexibility. The latest addition is the long-awaited arrival of full mouse and keyboard support.

Mouse and keyboard support has been a long time coming, with the official word on its "imminent" arrival dating back to 2015. With the rise of unauthorized adapters mimicking gamepads, native support brings formal regulation ensuring proper execution and balancing. Support heads to a select library of titles soon, promising an optional PC-like experience if desired.

Related: Official Xbox mouse and keyboard support could be amazing (and disruptive)

Xbox One mouse and keyboard features

Mouse and keyboard support brings increased flexibility, yet its arrival has also faced criticism. A high-DPI mouse offers vastly improved precision over controller thumbsticks, sparking worries in shooters and other competitive titles. Similarly, as the mouse and keyboard are increasingly adopted, some worry controller users will be deprioritized.

Microsoft is approaching mouse and keyboard support on a title-by-title basis, only offering the input if desired by the developer. Once the feature arrives at a platform level, developers will have the ability to add support alongside controller input, tailoring its implementation around their title. Microsoft states it has educated developers on keeping games "fun, fair and correctly balanced" to ensure its arrival doesn't negatively impact those on a standard Xbox One controller. Developers will be able to separate players by what inputs they're using, to maintain competitive fairness.

Related: Pros and cons of Xbox One mouse and keyboard support

As detailed via an internal presentation we leaked in June, Microsoft is looking to bring full-fledged mouse integration to the console. This allows users to leverage more advanced mouse features, and enable developers to integrate them into their games.

• Support for up to 5 mouse buttons.
• Support for wheel movement (horizontal and vertical).
• Ability to query for mouse capabilities.
• Ability to report absolute pointer location.
• Ability to report relative pointer movement.
• Ability to set cursor glyph and visibility.
• New API for polling the above data.

While documents from earlier in 2017 seem to indicate that every game on the platform must primarily support a controller, recent information seems to indicate that mouse and keyboard-only titles might be on the cards, for games where controller support simply doesn't make sense, such as management simulation games.

List of Xbox One mouse and keyboard games

With mouse and keyboard support yet to hit the console, we're yet to receive details on how many titles will offer implementation. Microsoft claims it's "working closely with studios of all sizes" ahead of launch, indicating a sizeable library of titles could be on the way.

The first game to natively support mice and keyboards on Xbox One is Warframe, a cooperative third-person shooter which first saw success on PC. First built for a mouse and keyboard input, its arrival could be a natural fit, taking its learnings from the PC. We've also seen partial support for Minecraft debut last year, indicating Microsoft's blocky adventure game could be among the early lineup.

Microsoft is expected to announce more games with mouse and keyboard support on November 10, 2018.

Which Xbox One mouse and keyboard should you buy?

Microsoft hopes "most" keyboards and mice will function with Xbox One, although some outliers will remain. All wired USB mice should work and accessories with wireless USB dongles should also operate. However, the Xbox One's lack of Bluetooth and custom driver support means some conventional keyboards won't connect to the console.

As also detailed in our leaked presentation, a partnership with Razer is to come. Highlighting to third-party manufacturer's established product line, Microsoft specifically showcased its sofa-friendly Razer Turret setup. We also expect support for Razer Chroma RGB lighting, with a dedicated app within the Microsoft Store. Official teasers for the collaboration are now surfacing, indicating these plans are still underway.

Xbox One mouse and keyboard release date

Mouse and keyboard support was first detailed in late September, with the promise of its arrival to select Xbox Insiders "in the coming weeks." This makes an October 2018 debut likely for Alpha ring members of the Xbox Insider Program, with a broader rollout in the following weeks. As for the public, we may see a release before the year concludes.

On November 10, Microsoft will also be hosting its X018 fan event in Mexico City, with announcements scheduled for its Inside Xbox live show. During this event, we expect details on additional mouse and keyboard titles and the upcoming Razer partnership.

Your thoughts

What are your thoughts on Xbox One mouse and keyboard support? Drop into the comments section below and let us know.

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Mouse and keyboard support for Xbox has been in the cards for years at this point, and finally, Xbox head Phil Spencer announced that it's just around the corner. It'll become available for select Xbox Insiders after RS5 ships in October, and will be compatible with Warframe starting out, before expanding to other titles.

Mouse and keyboard support has an odd relationship and history when it comes to consoles. For example, the PlayStation 4 already supports mouse too in some cases, Final Fantasy XIV: Realm Reborn was designed PC-first, and supports mouse inputs on Sony's console. Both the Xbox 360 and Xbox One support keyboard inputs, occasionally for games, with Final Fantasy XI being playable completely with a keyboard back on Xbox 360. It goes to show that some games simply play better with a keyboard and mouse, and finally, Microsoft is acknowledging it.

We exclusively reported Microsoft's plans to bring mouse and keyboard support to Xbox back in June 2018, and inside those documents, we got an idea about how Microsoft intends to implement the features for developers, while protecting the console experience Xbox gamers know and love.

Let's dissect what mouse and keyboard support for Xbox will, and won't look like, when it finally goes public.

An explosion of new games

The first thing to note is that Microsoft is putting mouse and keyboard support firmly in the hands of developers. Microsoft will not dictate whether a game is required to support these inputs or not, and controller-enabled games will remain the default. Our original documents from early in 2018 seemed to indicate that developers would be unable to make games exclusively for mouse and keyboard, and that controller support would remain mandatory. However, Phil Spencer's language in the announcement video seems to indicate this stance might have changed.

Indeed, in previous conversations with developers bringing PC-native games to Xbox, one of the most difficult aspects of development is reworking user interfaces and controls to be gamepad-friendly. If Microsoft allowed PC devs to port their games as is without having to include controllers, it would save them a huge amount of work and investment. Also, as noted by Spencer in the video, some games simply handle better with a mouse and keyboard. In conversations with Blizzard developers previously, they had noted to me how Heroes of the Storm, the company's colourful MOBA strategy game, simply wouldn't work with a controller. Heroes would have to be completely rebalanced, maps would have to be reworked, among other things, it would almost, effectively, be a separate game, and thus an investment risk.

If Microsoft has lifted the requirement for developers to default to controller, then games that have never found an audience in the living room could begin making their way across. This includes hugely popular simulation games like Football Manager or Planet Coaster, actions-per-minute intensive strategy games like Age of Empires II and StarCraft, or hardcore PC shooters like Counter-Strike: GO, which never truly found an audience on console.

We've also heard some credible rumors that Microsoft is working with Valve to further bridge the networking gap between Xbox and Steam's networking platforms, which would vastly decrease the risk for PC game developers to invest in bringing multiplayer titles to Xbox One (and indeed, the Microsoft Store on PC). Killer Instinct already enjoys cross-platform connectivity, and we've heard rumors of Microsoft's underrated RTS Halo Wars 2 heading to Steam for quite a long time. The issue has always been how to separate player pools by input, which Microsoft is working to solve with these features.

In this scenario, an Xbox One would effective becomes an affordable, if simple gaming PC, more accessible to the masses than a proper Windows gaming rig. New freedoms bring new risks and uncertainty, though, and the success or failure of mouse and keyboard on Xbox One will hinge on its implementation from developers.

Potential pitfalls

Sea of Thieves already allows mouse and keyboard PC players to share a world with controller-using Xbox players. Mouse and keyboard inputs allow you to turn faster, without sacrificing aiming precision. If you want to turn faster using a controller, you'll have to turn up the joystick sensitivity and thus, lose precision in the process. As such, in shooters, this grants mouse players a considerable advantage, an advantage which is often abused quite prevalently even now in on Xbox.

You can use a mouse and keyboard in Xbox One shooters, using input-modifying devices like the XIM that mimic the signal from a controller, despite the fact you're using a mouse. Killcams in Call of Duty and other games expose XIM-using players, who turn extremely fast and acquire targets almost instantaneously, obliterating the competition. It's cheating, basically. Thankfully, Microsoft is addressing this problem as part of this package.

As part of the toolsets Microsoft is building to allow developers to separate multiplayer pools by input device, new tech will begin preventing players from circumventing input segregation. As long as developers leverage it, of course. Therein lies a potential pitfall with this system.

By taking a hands-off approach, Microsoft is allowing developers to decide the extent to which input mixing will take place in multiplayer titles. In non-competitive games like Sea of Thieves, it might not be a huge problem. However, being destroyed by a player who is clearly turning faster and acquiring targets far more rapidly due to their choice of input device makes for a pretty crappy experience, and Microsoft surely knows this. You'd hope other developers know it too, but even if they do separate players by input device, you end up with divided player pools, slower matchmaking times, and less-balanced matches. Linking Steam PC versions to their Xbox counterparts might help offset this player pool shrinkage to some degree, but it all depends on whether or not developers bother to set it up (if it's even planned).

Microsoft needs to make it as seamless as possible to connect different networks, if that is truly the goal, or we could end up with problems seen by Call of Duty on the Microsoft Store for PC, which has virtually zero players online at any given time.

Huge potential

The potential in robust mouse and keyboard support for Xbox games is quite clear, particularly as future iterations of Xbox consoles will further bridge the gap between PC and Xbox console game development. In the future, theoretically, it would be trivial for a PC game developer to bring their title to Xbox and vice versa, with all APIs and code unified across platforms. Naturally, that includes mouse and keyboard inputs, and the ability to detect input types dynamically.

Minecraft should be seen as the prototype for this future game development model. Minecraft intelligently detects whether the user is using a mouse and keyboard, a touch screen, or an Xbox controller, and updates its UI on the fly to reflect those inputs dynamically. Microsoft is applying that mentality to all games, in a world where the user will roam from device to device, whether playing titles natively or via the cloud, streamed to mobile devices from the internet.

Whether Microsoft's grand vision translates into an explosion of PC-oriented titles hitting Xbox One remains to be seen, but it's great to see these artificial barriers come down. Bring on the future, I say.

Update, September 25, 2018: Razer posted this on their twitter teasing the imminent announcement of the partnership, and Xbox's Mike Ybarra confirmed mouse and keyboard support is on the horizon for Xbox One. We'll find out more during Inside Xbox this November.

Keyboard and mouse support for Xbox remains a hot topic, despite never fully materializing. Support for keyboard and mice would open up Xbox to a far larger array of games, potentially, since many titles like Age of Empires DE simply won't work well with a controller. Minecraft (Bedrock version) already supports mouse and keyboard on Xbox One, but so far, that's it.

Earlier in the year, Microsoft spoke to developers about its plans for keyboard and mouse support on Xbox One. Leaked documents we've recently received detail how Microsoft was at least planning to bring mouse support to the April update of the Xbox dev kit. Redmond showed off the sofa-friendly Razer Turret keyboard and mouse peripheral in partnership with Razer, who joined Microsoft for the presentation.

Whether these plans are still set to go ahead or not remains a mystery, but we can at least get a glimpse at what the two companies might be working on.

The presentation details a Microsoft and Razer partnership to enable Razer Chroma RGB lighting support directly on Xbox in games, showing off how it works today in PC versions of Overwatch, DOTA2, and other titles. Chroma lighting can provide visuals cues for abilities coming off cooldown and so on, which can be useful and immersive.

The presentation also details some rules and guidance for developers on their implementation of mouse and keyboard support for Xbox. Gamepad support is still a requirement for all titles, and the Xbox can only support one mouse and keyboard per console, unlike gamepads, of which it can support several.

Microsoft also offers some guidance on the impact mouse and keyboard support might have for competitive multiplayer titles. It notes that it's entirely up to developers on how they want to utilize mouse and keyboard support, emphasizing that the presence of mouse and keyboard can be detected, meaning a developer could potentially lock players to specific playlists based on their inputs to preserve balance.

Microsoft encourages developers to monitor how mouse and keyboard players compete against gamepad players and make adjustments where necessary, while "highly suggesting" that use of mouse and keyboard should be used in separate matchmaking rules.

The presentation notes that support for all USB mice supported by Windows would be available on Xbox, including mice with wireless dongles. Mice with custom drivers or Bluetooth reliance would remain incompatible, however. The presentation also discussed unauthorized peripherals which emulate controller behavior. In response, Microsoft is introducing a new API developers can leverage to detect (and potentially block) mouse and keyboard accessories that mimic controller inputs unfairly.

The presentation closes noting that mouse and Razer RGB lighting support for games was at least supposed to arrive in the April 2018 XDK update, targeting a Fall 2018 Windows 10 Update rollout, internally known as RS5. We haven't been able to verify if it actually did land in the hands of developers as of yet, or whether it got cancelled or delayed.

Whether these plans go ahead or not remain to be seen, so take it with a pinch of salt. However, maybe soon, gamers could get a lot more choice over how they control games on Xbox, and the list of games jumping across from PC could also grow.

For decades, couch-friendly controllers have been the go-to input method. Joysticks shrank, triggers crept, and the d-pad became secondary. However, PC gaming has typically revolved around the keyboard and mouse, offering greater mobility in first-person shooters (FPS), and allowing for games to be far more complex, such as real time strategy games (RTS).

It looks like this is all set to change, with the coming of mouse and keyboard gameplay options on Xbox One. Minecraft's "Better Together" beta already supports it, and more are on the way.

What does this mean for Xbox gamers? How will it be implemented? Let's look at the facts, as well as the pros and cons (with a side of speculation).

The facts

One of the biggest fears about keyboard and mouse support is the idea Microsoft will force Xbox gamers – who have enjoyed controller-only setups for years – to compete with other users on a keyboard and mouse. The very idea that you'd be able to just hook up a keyboard and mouse to play competitive shooters and similar games would destroy all notion of balance and fairness. Millions of gamers who have enjoyed balanced controller-only play for years would have to relearn how to compete and figure out how to fit a keyboard and mouse into their living room. Hopefully, that's not going to happen.

Speaking at PAX, Xbox Platform Chief Mike Ybarra said Microsoft was taking great care with the implementation. The first games to implement it will be co-op focused, such as the aforementioned Minecraft, and quite possibly Sea of Thieves, which recently announced both Xbox controller and PC keyboard and mouse players would share the same servers. Other games like the RTS Halo Wars 2 don't feature cross-play at all because it would simply unbalance the game, even in co-op play.

So how will Microsoft solve these issues?

Ybarra said that Microsoft will create an environment where multiplayer pools can be separated by input, presumably at a software level. It certainly seems as though Microsoft will have the capability to achieve this through the Xbox Live and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) APIs that Microsoft has complete control over. Ybarra said developers will be coached to be cautious about mixing controller types, due to the unfairness and imbalance they could create.

The key takeaway here is that Microsoft doesn't want to destroy the experience for those who have chosen controllers over keyboard and mouse, while, at the same time, offering new options for gamers and devs.

The pros

Certainly, the key pro here is that you'll have the option of playing with a keyboard and mouse, obviously. Mouse controls in FPS games can offer more precision when aiming, without sacrificing fast turning and directional mobility.

Judging by Ybarra's recent comments, and older reassurances from Xbox head Phil Spencer, there will be separate playlists for keyboard and mouse players. Microsoft already implemented this on Gears of War 4, where Xbox players have the option of competing against Windows PC players or remaining on controller-only playlists.

Additionally, bringing full mouse support to Xbox One will massively reduce the development time on some games.

Cities: Skylines' UI had to be completely reworked for consoles. Seen here is the PC UI (left) vs. Xbox UI (right).

Management games like Cities: Skylines didn't hit consoles for years purely because the UI and control schemes had to be completely reworked and redesigned to be squished onto the relatively limited Xbox controller. Imagine a world where developers port cRPGs, RTS, management, and MOBA games to Xbox One without needing to worry about controller inputs. It could lead to a huge, huge boost for the Xbox Store, and thus the Windows 10 Store, as APIs become fully aligned and cross-platform capable.

The cons

Ybarra said Microsoft would leave it up to developers in how they implement mouse and keyboard support, which could, in theory, lead to annoying scenarios where keyboard and mouse input is favored by devs coming in from PC. Maybe the developers of the next big FPS decide that there won't be separate playlists at all, and controller players would just have to deal with getting wrecked by the faster mobility and accuracy of a mouse player. Ybarra said developers would be coached against doing that, but that by no means sounds like a guarantee.

Turning up the joystick sensitivity for faster turning sacrifices cursor precision prohibitively on a controller.

Even if Microsoft does succeed in creating API-level separation of input types for creating segregated playlists, that could harm the size of player pools. In games like Battleborn, which suffer from really small player pools, dividing those players by input type will only make matchmaking times even longer, reducing the quality of skill-based matchmaking in the process.

For players who are happy with the current landscape and have no interest in keyboard and mouse gameplay, any implementation that negatively impacts existing Xbox customers could push them to other platforms such as PlayStation, which probably won't get keyboard and mouse support anytime soon.

Speculating on the future

While Windows PC gaming is experiencing growth, the PC market in general is in free fall decline. Mobile gaming has become a contender not just for casual gamers, but increasingly, core gamers, too. That's becoming a huge problem not only for Microsoft but also for Valve.

Valve runs the biggest gaming platform on PC by a large margin, and despite flirting with macOS and Linux, Windows PC gaming remains the dominating force in that sector. The failure of Windows gaming could mean the failure of Steam, and thus Valve, and while I'm by no means suggesting Windows PC gaming is in trouble, it looks as though Windows and Steam could become increasingly dependent on each other for growth.

This seems to be the driving force behind Valve throwing its lot in with Windows Mixed Reality, which will include SteamVR games and support. VR won't grow if companies fight against Windows, which is required to power a lot of these experiences.

The dialogue between Valve and Microsoft also seems to have led to the opening of cross-network play between Steam and Windows 10 Store UWP games. Rise of Nations, an RTS recently remastered for Steam and Windows 10 UWP, enjoys cross-network play, despite using the Xbox Live APIs. Previously, UWP games on PC, like Call of Duty Infinite Warfare, have been segregated from the Steam version, creating pathetically small player pools for the Windows 10 Store version. I was told Steam was directly involved with making cross-network play a reality.

If Microsoft is to begin supporting keyboard and mouse playlists on Xbox One, perhaps bringing Steam PC players directly to Xbox Live could solve the player pool issues. Some games, like Rocket League, already feature cross-network play, but there's no need to separate by input, as neither control method gains a significant advantage.

If Microsoft and Valve play nice, perhaps Xbox and Steam can enjoy full cross-network capabilities in the future, where even PC players can opt for controller-only playlists, restricted by Steam's own APIs, lining up with Xbox's. Xbox could become a proper companion console for hardcore PC gamers who maybe want a solid 4K gaming device in the living room, with Xbox gamers enjoying larger player pools and higher quality matchmaking across the board. Killer Instinct is coming to Steam soon, and I'd throw down money to bet it'll feature cross-network play.

Xbox beyond gaming

Additionally, Xbox gaining mouse support further opens it up to non-gaming UWP apps, such as Office and other productivity apps.

For certain audiences, an Xbox could become a great budget gaming PC and light productivity machine, flipping between games, OneNote, or Word. As long as it is UWP native, Xbox will be able to run it without any changes required by developers.

The combination of Xbox and Windows Mixed Reality_requiring_ native UWP applications could lead to increased adoption of the format, particularly if Microsoft positions Xbox as an app store for the living room with developers. The new Xbox customizable Content Blocks, available in the 1710 update coming to Xbox One, have already been teased by Mike Ybarra as supporting third-party apps in addition to games, using Twitter as an example.

Final thoughts

Gamers concerned Microsoft is suddenly going to flood Call of Duty with keyboard and mouse players should rest assured that the company will strongly discourage that sort of scenario, if not ban it outright. Competitive games will get separated playlists at best. And I doubt the major players in the industry will have the balls to screw with the tried and tested formula for console gaming until Microsoft proves that it won't ruin the Xbox experience first.

As for non-competitive games, or games where keyboard and mouse input offers no advantage, like Killer Instinct, expect larger player pools, better quality match making, and potentially, a vast amount of new games that are too complicated or simply too costly to be redesigned for controller inputs.

There's also the prospect of Steam and Xbox gaining closer cross-network support, as the two companies work together to define the future of core gaming and VR, in a world where mobile seems increasingly unstoppable.

I believe Xbox gamers should trust Microsoft to get this right. Microsoft has no mobile platform, and PC gamers are skeptical of pretty much anything the company attempts in this space.

Microsoft (hopefully) knows what's at stake here.