Highlights
Members of the Xbox Insider program in the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead tiers can now enhance the accessibility of PC games by conveniently mapping keyboard keys to their Xbox controllers.At present, this feature is only accessible for specific controllers and is still under development, without a specified timeline for its public release.
The introduction of this new feature broadens the variety of games that players can enjoy, as it enables them to play PC games that are not originally designed to be used with Xbox controllers.
Certain Xbox controllers will soon have the capability to assign keyboard keys to their gamepads. Presently, this feature is exclusively accessible to members of the Xbox Insider program, particularly those who belong to the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead tiers. Xbox has announced that eventually, this feature will be available to all players; however, it is currently limited to a select number of controllers.
Xbox Insider offers the opportunity for players to participate in the testing process of Xbox software. While anyone can sign up, those who want to reach the highest level, Alpha Skip-Ahead, must receive an invitation after meeting certain requirements. This program allows Xbox users to explore upcoming Xbox OS features before they are released to the public.
Recently, Xbox announced that members of the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead tiers of the Xbox Insider Program, who own either the Xbox Elite Wireless Series 2 Controller or the Xbox Adaptive Controller, will have the ability to map keyboard keys to their controllers using their Windows PCs. This new feature enables players to enjoy PC games that are not originally compatible with Xbox controllers. By bridging the gap between keyboard-dominant games and console controllers, this feature has the potential to expand the player base for these games, as it offers a more accessible and comfortable gaming experience on the couch.
Xbox Insider members who qualify now have the opportunity to map keyboard keys to their controllers. To begin, simply open the Xbox Accessories app on your console and select the "Configure" option. From there, you can either create a new profile or edit an existing one. Next, you'll need to specify whether the button you're mapping is a "Primary" button or a "Shift" key. Finally, navigate to the Key tab and select the desired key. Keep in mind that you can only map one button to a single key, but you can include modifier keys like Alt, Ctrl, Shift, and Win to modify the function of the primary key that you activate.
The release date for this useful new feature is uncertain as it is currently exclusive to the Xbox Insider program. While it is functional, it still requires further development before it is available to the general gaming public.
