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Developers 'Have the Choice' to Allow Xbox One Keyboard and Mouse Support: Microsoft

Developers 'Have the Choice' to Allow Xbox One Keyboard and Mouse Support: Microsoft

By Rishi Alwani | Updated: 19 February 2018 17:05 IST

Highlights

Microsoft leave it up to developers to allow keyboard and mouse support
It cites user accessibility and developer empowerment for this stance
Some users feel that keyboard and mouse use in Xbox One games is cheating

While native Xbox One keyboard and mouse support is yet to be revealed, that hasn't stopped some from using third-party adapters to allow for keyboard and mouse play. Certain developers are against this, feeling it gives these players an unfair advantage.

Some gamers too feel the same and have taken to Twitter to ask if Microsoft would police users who do this. The company claims its up to developers to allow for Xbox One keyboard and mouse support in games.

"Developers have the choice to use APIs that detect and not allow these. It’s up to them, but the capability is there," tweeted Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Gaming Mike Ybarra in response to queries regarding this.

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When further asked as to why the choice has been left to developers, Ybarra claimed it has to do with accessibility.

"We could [remove keyboard and mouse functionality in games] but there are helpful scenarios with these devices (accessibility for one). Our general approach is to empower the developer to manage their game how they want," he said in a follow up tweet.

Blizzard, creator of popular shooter Overwatch is opposed to such a move. Citing it ruins the experience and could be seen as cheating.

“We have contacted both first-party console manufacturers and expressed our concern about the use of mouse and keyboard and input conversion devices,” said Overwatch Director Jeff Kaplan. “We have lobbied and will continue to lobby for first-party console manufacturers to either disallow mouse and keyboard and input conversion devices or openly and easily support mouse and keyboard for players. I encourage you to reach out to the hardware manufacturers and express your concerns (but please do so in a productive and respectful way).”

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