Microsoft and Razer are working on Xbox mouse and keyboard support

Microsoft has been tinkering with keyboard and mouse support for Xbox One for years, but this is finally becoming a reality soon. The software giant has teamed up with Razer to activate its Chroma RGB lighting support in Xbox games. Chroma allows players to have an assortment of colors lit on a keyboard, and it is also useful for spotting capacity cooldowns in games like Overwatch. Windows Central reports that Microsoft has started informing developers about support coming sooner this year, and The edge can confirm that the partnership is genuine.

Sources close to Microsoft's plans tell The edge Microsoft and Razer presented their plans at the annual Xfest event for developers earlier this year. Razer plans to allow game developers to tap into its API to bring Chroma lighting effects to games. If all goes well, Xbox One users will start using it later this year with Microsoft's fall update for Xbox.

Windows Central

Xbox players will appreciate the addition of keyboard and mouse support, but some will dispute the impact on multiplayer games. Microsoft allows developers to detect if a keyboard or mouse is present on an Xbox One, and games can potentially match keyboard and mouse users only with similarly equipped players. Balancing games will be the responsibility of the developers, and Microsoft offers all the tools necessary to ensure that games can implement support in different ways.

Microsoft will support a variety of USB mice, including those with wireless dongles. Bluetooth and custom mouse drivers will not be supported initially, however. Microsoft is also on new gaming APIs that will allow developers to detect and block keyboard and mouse accessories like the Xim that unjustly mimic the behavior of the controller.