Microsoft had loads to announce at its X019 event in London today. However one of many strangest tidbits is that you'll quickly have the ability to use Sony’s DualShock 4 gamepad for the PlayStation 4 with Xbox video games.
Beginning subsequent yr, Microsoft’s Project xCloud streaming tech is getting help for extra controllers. These embrace third-party peripherals from well-known producers. It additionally consists of Sony’s controller as nicely.
“Enabling individuals to play video games on the system of their alternative goes past a telephone or pill. It extends into the way you management the sport,” Venture xCloud boss Kareem Choudry writes in a blog post. “Along with utilizing an Xbox One wi-fi controller, we’ll increase help to extra Bluetooth controllers starting subsequent yr. That features the DualShock Four wi-fi controller and gamepads from Razer.”
Microsoft didn’t say precisely how that is going to work. For instance, will PlayStation-style button prompts start exhibiting up in video games streaming from the Xbox cloud? Xbox Sport Move video games on PC already work with DualShock 4, so that is possible an enlargement of that. Nonetheless, Venture xCloud makes use of racks of Xbox One S programs, so it’s nonetheless unusual to consider a DualShock Four controlling an Xbox.
However this official help for a competing controller is a part of Microsoft’s current tendency to be extra open and accommodating to gamers. The corporate simply needs individuals to get into the Xbox ecosystem by Sport Move, shopping for a console, or taking part in on PC. And the one motive to ban individuals from utilizing a DualShock Four on xCloud is to doubtlessly promote extra Xbox One Wi-fi Controllers.
And equipment make some huge cash for corporations like Microsoft. Regardless of that, it has determined that giving gamers one more alternative is value extra.