The Xbox Adaptive Controller will soon be compatible with keyboard and mouse games
Microsoft is making PC gaming more accessible
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Microsofthas announced a suite of new accessibility options coming to Xbox and PC, including the ability to remapXbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2andXbox Adaptive Controllerinputs to almost 90 keyboard keys.
Revealed in a press release posted to the officialXbox Wire blog, the existing Xbox Accessories app for PC and console will soon be able to remap the buttons of the Elite Series 2 or Xbox Adaptive Controller (Microsoft’s innovative accessibility controller) to various mouse and keyboard inputs.
This is fantastic news for gamers with limited mobility and will potentially allow access to a much wider range of thebest PC gameswhere the lack of controller support would have otherwise been an obstacle. Although this feature is currently only available to those enrolled in the Xbox Insiders or Xbox Accessibility Insiders League programs, Microsoft says that a wider release will be coming soon.
The post also detailed a range of accessibility features available right now, however, including a new “Accessibility in Games” channel on the Xbox store. This lets you filter a range of titles by specific accessibility criteria like menu narration, subtitles, or single stick gameplay - a simple solution to help players find accessible games more easily.
Wireless pairing for new controllers has also received an overhaul and no longer requires you to press a physical button located on the Xbox console. Now, your system can be put in pairing mode remotely using a supported input device like the Xbox Media Remote, a previously paired controller, or a voice command with the digital assistant.
This comes alongside a new Game Accessibility Settings menu located on the Game Bar on PC, providing a quick and easy way to locate existing accessibility settings.
If you would like to learn more about accessibility in gaming, see ourPlayStation Access controller hands-onor discover how theXbox App for Windows is making PC gaming more accessible.
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Dash is a technology journalist who covers gaming hardware at TechRadar. Before joining the TechRadar team, he was writing gaming articles for some of the UK’s biggest magazines including PLAY, Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX. Now, when he’s not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.
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