Microsoft launches mouse and keyboard support for some Xbox Cloud Gaming titles

Microsoft has announced long-awaited mouse and keyboard support for some titles on Xbox Cloud Gaming. After a long wait, testers of the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring (version 2408.240321-2200) can now try out this functionality in browsers like Edge and Chrome, in addition to the Xbox PC app.

To enjoy mouse and keyboard support on Xbox Cloud Gaming, you must have a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and be enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview program. But there are also free titles, such as Fortnite, that are on the compatible list and do not require a subscription. In browsers, there’s an extra step: users need to enable “Preview Features” in their profile settings at xbox.com/play.

Here are the currently supported titles and known issues reported by Microsoft.

• Fortnite (browser only)
• ARK Survival Evolved
• Sea of ​​Thieves
• Grounded
• Halo Infinite
• Atomic Heart (known issue: difficulty switching between gamepad and KBM)
• Sniper Elite 5
• Deep Rock Galactic
• High on Life
• Zombie Army 4 Dead War
• Gears Tactics
• Pentiment
• Doom 64
• Age of Empires 2

It is worth mentioning that, in browsers, the mouse and keyboard only work in full screen and you need to click directly on the game stream so that the system recognizes mouse input. To exit mouse and keyboard mode, simply press F9 or hold ESC to exit full screen mode.

Microsoft advises that some games will display controller-facing UI elements (e.g., “press A to launch”) by default. The user interface will only adapt to mouse and keyboard input after the user starts using them to interact with the game, whether by moving the cursor or pressing keys.

The new feature is interesting, for example, for gamers who prefer to play first-person shooter titles with a mouse and keyboard, but do not have a powerful enough PC. This addition represents a significant advancement in the accessibility of the service, making games more accessible to a wider audience.