Mouse and keyboard support is coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming, with Xbox Insider members who are part of the invite-only Alpha Skip-Ahead ring now getting access to an early preview.
According to a new Xbox Wire blog post, the upcoming feature, which will let you control titles streaming from Xbox Cloud Gaming with a mouse and keyboard while playing on PC, is currently part of a limited Xbox Update Preview exclusive to the Alpha Skip-Ahead Ring, which is available by invitation only. These previews provide an advanced look at features intended for wider release in subsequent Xbox software updates.
If you’re an Xbox Insider member and part of the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring, you can enable this and other preview features by launching Xbox Cloud Gaming, clicking your profile photo at the top right of the screen, going to settings navigate and then enable the preview features. Mouse and keyboard controls are compatible while playing in both the Edge and Google Chrome internet browsers in addition to the Xbox app, but there’s a big catch.
The feature is currently only supported by a total of 14 games. The full list includes major first-party titles such as Halo Infinity And Sea of thieves in addition to some third-party releases including Fortnite, Sniper Elite 5, Atomic Heart, And Deep Galactic Rock. Since the feature is currently in the early stages of testing, such limitations are to be expected and there are also some known issues with certain games that you may encounter, such as a bug in Atomic Heart that makes it difficult to switch between controller and mouse and keyboard input.
While there’s no official release date for the feature yet, its presence in the Xbox Update Preview suggests it will be rolled out more widely sometime in the coming months. Regardless, this is definitely a promising development that could dramatically improve the experience of playing Xbox Cloud Gaming titles, which currently require play with a compatible controller, on PC.
A game streaming service that lets you play supported titles in your internet browser or as part of the Xbox app. You can access Xbox Cloud Gaming with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. If you’re keen to try it out, visit our dedicated guide to the cheapest Xbox Game Pass deals to make sure you get the best price.