Microsoft enhances Xbox cloud gaming with mouse and keyboard support

Microsoft has officially launched the beta version of mouse and keyboard support for Xbox Cloud Gaming. This new feature, initially previewed in March, is now accessible to all users. Gamers can now stream and play a selection of Xbox titles using a mouse or keyboard via Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome by visiting xbox.com/play.

The beta phase introduces this support for 26 popular games, including hits like ‘Fortnite’, ‘Sea of Thieves’, and ‘Halo Infinite’. Additionally, Microsoft plans to update the Xbox app for PC later this month, allowing users to easily identify and select games compatible with mouse and keyboard input, indicated by a special badge in the cloud gaming section.

Early tests of the feature have shown that it performs as anticipated, providing a seamless transition between mouse and keyboard or controller input mid-game. This mirrors the flexibility found on PCs and Xbox consoles that already support these input methods. The update is particularly beneficial for mobile gamers, offering the convenience of not needing to carry an Xbox controller to enjoy a range of games on the move.

Here’s the full list of games that work in mouse and keyboard mode on Xbox Cloud Gaming:

1. ARK: Survival Evolved
2. Atomic Heart
3. Cities: Skylines – Mayor’s Edition
4. Cities: Skylines – Remastered
5. Deep Rock Galactic
6. Doom 64
7. Fortnite (browser only)
8. Gears Tactics
9. Grounded
10. Halo Infinite
11. High on Life
12. House Flipper
13. Inkulinati (game preview)
14. Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
15. Norco
16. Pentiment
17. Quake
18. Quake 2
19. Sea of Thieves
20. Slime Rancher 2
21. Sniper Elite 5
22. State of Decay 2
23. Terraria
24. The Sims 4
25. Valheim (game preview)
26. Zombie Army 4: Dead War

Xbox Cloud Gaming is set to receive several exciting updates and new features:

Compact Mode Improvements: Xbox is previewing new Compact Mode features, which include ‘Jump back in’ and ‘Friends’, to a subset of players and all Xbox Insiders.

Celebration of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II: A new channel will be added to the Xbox app on PC to celebrate the game’s launch on May 21. This channel will make it easier to find the previous title and feature a captivating video.

PC Gaming Experience Updates: The Xbox app on PC will see updates that enhance the gaming experience, although specific details on these updates are not provided in the search results.

Future Inclusion of PC Games: Xbox Cloud Gaming will eventually include PC games, expanding the library of available titles beyond the current console offerings.

These updates aim to improve the overall cloud gaming experience across various devices and platforms where Xbox is available. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.