Xbox is adding keyboard mapping to controllers

Xbox is adding keyboard mapping to controllers according to a new post on the company’s Xbox Wire blog. The feature changes, spotted by VideoGamesChronicle, are part of a new build of software for Xbox Insiders, but only to those on the Alpha ring.

The update preview is headed out to users but may not be immediately available to all users on the Alpha ring from today. But here’s what you can look forward to, based on the details in the patch notes.

Xbox says keyboard button mapping is coming to controllers but for the moment, it’s only for two options. This may roll out to more controllers in the future. And likely will once it’s ready for stable releases. Until that time though, you’ll be limited. If you’re an Alpha ring insider, you’ll need either an Xbox Elite Series 2 controller, or an Xbox Adaptive Controller. Only these two controllers can use the button mapping as part of this test build. It’s also important to note that the button mapping itself has some other limitations outside of controller compatibility.

Xbox keyboard button mapping for controllers supports single keys only

Keyboard button mapping is likely going to be a huge feature for players. But players also need to know how the feature works to make the most use of it.

For starters, Xbox says that keyboard mapping will support mapping a controller button to a single key. This does not include the modifier keys like alt, ctrl, win, or shift. Here’s how that looks. You can map keys like ctrl + alt + w to say, the X button on your controller. You cannot however map ctrl + alt + w + e. As the “e” adds a second key to the mix that isn’t one of the modifier keys.

This feature is also dependent on the game. The team notes that some games may have more complete support for this than others. You also can’t map keys to your controller buttons then use them via Bluetooth. As it’s not currently supported. So basically, if you want to use the feature, you have to have your controller plugged in.

Again though, keep in mind that these details may change as Xbox gets closer to releasing this as a stable feature for all users.