Xbox Game Pass: Keyboard & Mouse Support Arrives in Testing
Following previous indications that cloud streaming games included in the Xbox Game Pass subscription service would receive updates to support keyboard and mouse inputs, Microsoft has finally commenced testing this feature within the Alpha Skip-Ahead trial version, allowing Xbox Insiders program participants to utilize keyboard and mouse controls within games accessed through the Microsoft Edge and Chrome browsers, as well as the Xbox PC application.
Before this development, gameplay for all cloud streaming titles available on the Xbox Game Pass was predominantly facilitated through gamepad controls. However, a considerable segment of the player base expressed a desire for the quicker response times afforded by mouse and keyboard inputs. Microsoft had revealed plans to incorporate this functionality into the Xbox Game Pass subscription service quite some time ago, with testing only recently underway.
This functionality is primarily integrated through the KBM (keyboard and mouse) interface, requiring users to possess an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and to be enrolled as members of the Xbox Insiders program.
Additionally, users must navigate to “xbox.com/play” via the Microsoft Edge or Chrome browser, log into their account to configure settings, and enable the preview feature.
The initial wave of Xbox Game Pass service’s cloud streaming games supporting keyboard and mouse gameplay includes titles such as “Fortnite,” “ARK: Survival Evolved,” “Sea of Thieves,” “Grounded,” “Halo: Infinite,” “Atomic Heart,” “Sniper Elite 5,” “High on Life,” “Zombie Army 4: Dead War,” “Gears Tactics,” “Repentance,” “Doom 64,” and “Age of Empires II.” However, as this is still a preview test phase, some games may experience compatibility issues.
For certain games, controller-based operation prompts might still appear on the display. Nonetheless, once the player initiates mouse movement or presses a keyboard key, the game automatically transitions to keyboard and mouse controls for gameplay.
