Skip to main content

Mouse and keyboard support coming to Microsoft cloud gaming

Mouse and keyboard support is finally on the way for Microsoft’s cloud gaming service, formerly known as xCloud, though it may be a bit later this year before players get to test it out.

Jorg Neumann, head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, opened up during a developer Q&A about incoming mouse and keyboard support for the game, claiming that the option is on its way. Microsoft’s popular streaming service has previously only supported touch controls and gamepads, but Neumann stated that keyboard and mouse support isn’t something that developers can opt to include themselves. Instead, he said Microsoft is working to implement the feature in an upcoming update which will, in turn, allow developers to finally provide players with such options in their games.

“The next step for us is mouse [and] keyboard,” Neumann stated. “This is platform-level support, so it has nothing to do with us. The platform team is working on this, and no, I can’t give a date because it’s the platform team.” He stopped short of confirming precisely when users can expect to get their hands on the cloud service’s keyboard and mouse support, but he seems confident about it showing up by the middle of the year.

“I don’t know their date, but it’s coming. I would say it’s in the next months. It’s not weeks. I’m hoping it will be done by June or so, but I can’t ever tell. Everybody wants it. I want it. It’s coming.,” he said.

Microsoft Flight Simulator was added to Microsoft’s cloud service earlier this month for Xbox Game Pass members, allowing subscribers to stream the game at 1080p/30 frames per second on supported devices. Hopefully, mouse and keyboard support won’t be terribly far behind.

Editors' Recommendations

Billy Givens
Billy Givens is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience writing gaming, film, and tech content. His work can be…
The best Xbox Series X games for 2024
Key art for Starfield

After an uneven console cycle with the Xbox One, Microsoft's latest consoles are aimed at getting the ship back on course. The Xbox Series X is a next-generation powerhouse that rivals gaming PCs, while the Xbox Series S is an affordable stopgap for those who are curious about trying new games.

There's no shortage of games to play on either console thanks to Xbox Game Pass, which gives players immediate access to a library of titles old and new. That built-in catalog is an extra value on top of all the new games available on the system that take advantage of its impressive technical specs. When it comes to first-party exclusives, the Series X is still growing. Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 gave a good boost to the console's library following a somewhat sparse first year. More games are also on the way. Microsoft's Bethesda acquisition will bring exclusives like Starfield and the potential addition of all Activision Blizzard games would further bolster that list, but the console's real strength lies in third-party support.

Read more
Madden 24 is coming to Xbox Game Pass just in time for the Super Bowl
Players make a tackle in gameplay action of Madden NFL 24.

Xbox revealed a new batch of library additions coming to its Game Pass service. The list includes some heavy hitters in Resident Evil 3 and Madden 24, as well as some indie hidden gems.

Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft's subscription service that gives players access to select games for a monthly fee, will add eight new games in the first half of February. The rollout will start today with Anuchard and continue until February 20 with the sci-fi title Return to Grace.

Read more
Xbox games on PS5? It’s not as shocking as you think
Key art for Starfield

It's been a busy few weeks for console war soldiers.

Tensions spiked last month when "Nate the Hate," an industry insider with a decent track record, claimed that Hi-Fi Rush was headed to Nintendo Switch. The rumor sparked some mixed feelings among Xbox fans, some of whom expressed dismay over one of the console's system-selling exclusives coming to another platform. Other reports at the time claimed that Rare's Sea of Thieves could also be bound for PlayStation and Switch. That rising anger came to a head this weekend when XboxEra reported that Xbox is planning to launch its biggest exclusive, Starfield, on PS5.

Read more