Console Keyboard and Mouse Support

[Kinetics202]

Why can’t consoles have keyboard and mouse support like other FPS games? I don’t like using the word “disabled,” but due to a condition, I’m unable to hold a controller. However, I can compensate by using a keyboard and mouse. It’s extremely frustrating that I can’t play with K&M on my Xbox.

I understand I’m probably in a very small minority, but it feels like a huge slap in the face every time a game I enjoy disables this option. Games like Call of Duty and Fortnite allow K&M support and even match players in input-specific lobbies. Why doesn’t this game have that option? Are there any future plans to add it?

I know some will say, “Just buy a gaming PC,” but that’s not something I can afford right now. It’s frustrating, to say the least.

[Marzoval]

Because non-disabled people will have an advantage. You are a tiny percentage that was ignored when considering the ban.

[Kinetics202]

Originally posted by Marzoval:

Because non-disabled people will have an advantage. You are a tiny percentage that was ignored when considering the ban.

Non-disabled players already have plenty of advantages in gaming, from reaction times to fine motor skills. The ability to use keyboard and mouse isn’t about creating an unfair advantage; it’s about accessibility. For someone with a condition that makes using a controller impossible, K&M support isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity to even play the game.

Games like Call of Duty and Fortnite have implemented input-specific matchmaking, showing that it’s entirely possible to support both K&M and controller players without compromising fairness. By outright disabling K&M support, developers are excluding a portion of the community, including those who rely on alternative inputs due to disabilities. Accessibility matters, even if it’s a minority need. Gaming should be for everyone.

[Kinetics202]

Does anyone know of any alternatives to bypass this? Specifically, is it possible to use a keyboard and mouse in PC lobbies through Xbox Cloud Gaming while leveraging my Xbox GPU power instead of my PC?

[Shercat1]

Reasnow and cerebral palsy guy here.

I believe from my memory that if you have a low end to average PC or laptop, you can install the Xbox app and pass through K/M inputs through programs such as reWASD. Or just setting in the converter the controller as the input and your PC as the output.
As for Xbox to PC lobbies, I don't really know how to do that, because it is a proprietary OS. There might be a homebrew tool, but I doubt it.

Even though that I have a full gaming PC setup, I am still quite mad, because sometimes I use my PS4 to play with my PlayStation friends.
Maybe you try to file a complaint with NetEase?

[Kinetics202]

Originally posted by Shercat1:

Reasnow and cerebral palsy guy here.

I believe from my memory that if you have a low end to average PC or laptop, you can install the Xbox app and pass through K/M inputs through programs such as reWASD. Or just setting in the converter the controller as the input and your PC as the output.
As for Xbox to PC lobbies, I don't really know how to do that, because it is a proprietary OS. There might be a homebrew tool, but I doubt it.

Even though that I have a full gaming PC setup, I am still quite mad, because sometimes I use my PS4 to play with my PlayStation friends.
Maybe you try to file a complaint with NetEase?

he argument that K&M support could create an "advantage" is flimsy at best, considering the industry already has solutions in place. Accessibility shouldn’t take a backseat just because the player base requesting it is smaller. For some, like you, K&M support isn’t about gaining an edge—it’s literally the difference between being able to play or being locked out entirely.

Excluding this feature not only limits accessibility but also alienates players who physically can’t use a controller. It’s frustrating and, frankly, disappointing that the developers didn’t prioritize an option that’s already standard in many other FPS games. If Call of Duty and Fortnite can do it, this game has no excuse not to.

[Smellycat]

an option to allow K&M on a console would likely break the anticheat

[Kinetics202]

Originally posted by Smellycat:

an option to allow K&M on a console would likely break the anticheat

The reality is that cheats and adapters are an ongoing battle for all platforms, regardless of input. Disabling K&M entirely doesn’t solve the problem—it just excludes legitimate players, especially those who need K&M for accessibility reasons.

If other games can successfully manage anti-cheat while supporting multiple input methods, there’s no reason this game can’t follow suit. It’s a matter of developer effort and prioritizing accessibility without compromising fairness.

[Hunu]

get a PC that can play the game.

[Steve]

Originally posted by Kinetics202:

Originally posted by Shercat1:

Reasnow and cerebral palsy guy here.

I believe from my memory that if you have a low end to average PC or laptop, you can install the Xbox app and pass through K/M inputs through programs such as reWASD. Or just setting in the converter the controller as the input and your PC as the output.
As for Xbox to PC lobbies, I don't really know how to do that, because it is a proprietary OS. There might be a homebrew tool, but I doubt it.

Even though that I have a full gaming PC setup, I am still quite mad, because sometimes I use my PS4 to play with my PlayStation friends.
Maybe you try to file a complaint with NetEase?

he argument that K&M support could create an "advantage" is flimsy at best

Except it isn't. It wouldn't take much to fake a doctor's note on that, esp. in countries like the US or UK that have very strict data privacy laws. A dev would have to take the word of a player.

And yes, there are definitely people who do that.

Finally, don't try to use an input emulator because they're banned as cheat devices.

[Kinetics202]

Originally posted by Steve:

Originally posted by Kinetics202:

he argument that K&M support could create an "advantage" is flimsy at best

Except it isn't. It wouldn't take much to fake a doctor's note on that, esp. in countries like the US or UK that have very strict data privacy laws. A dev would have to take the word of a player.

And yes, there are definitely people who do that.

Finally, don't try to use an input emulator because they're banned as cheat devices.

While it’s true that some people might exploit the system, that’s not a justification to exclude legitimate players who need accessibility options. The solution isn’t to gatekeep features like keyboard and mouse (K&M) support—it’s to implement systems that balance accessibility with fairness. For example, games like Call of Duty and Fortnite allow K&M on consoles without requiring proof of need, and they manage to maintain competitive integrity just fine. Why? Because they use input-based matchmaking and robust anti-cheat measures to handle exploits.

Faking a doctor’s note might happen, but that’s a fringe issue and doesn’t outweigh the importance of providing accessibility for players who genuinely need it. Blanket bans on K&M support hurt the entire community, especially disabled players who literally can’t use a controller. It’s also worth noting that input emulators are already banned in most games with anti-cheat systems, so enabling native K&M support wouldn’t increase the risk of cheating—it would actually reduce the need for emulators in the first place.

At the end of the day, other games have proven that this can work. It’s about giving everyone the opportunity to play while still addressing fairness through matchmaking and anti-cheat—not shutting the door entirely.

[Kinetics202]

Originally posted by Hunu:

get a PC that can play the game.

Telling someone to “just get a PC” isn’t a solution, it’s dismissive and ignores the realities many players face. Not everyone can afford a gaming PC, especially when they already own a console and have invested in that ecosystem.

[Steve]

Originally posted by Kinetics202:

Originally posted by Steve:

Except it isn't. It wouldn't take much to fake a doctor's note on that, esp. in countries like the US or UK that have very strict data privacy laws. A dev would have to take the word of a player.

And yes, there are definitely people who do that.

Finally, don't try to use an input emulator because they're banned as cheat devices.

While it’s true that some people might exploit the system, that’s not a justification to exclude legitimate players who need accessibility options. The solution isn’t to gatekeep features like keyboard and mouse (K&M) support—it’s to implement systems that balance accessibility with fairness.

We're still working on that as a species, but it's slow going because there's more than just some that would exploit the system. It's quite a few. If you leave an alley open, players WILL take the shortcut.

Were it not a competitive shooter with cash prizes, I'd be more inclined to agree with you. But this is a competitive shooter with cash prizes. Security is paramount.

[sylvalee]

That's why I've been suggesting input based match. PC players who wanna use controller and console players who wanna use kbm problem would be solved.

[Steve]

Originally posted by sylvalee:

That's why I've been suggesting input based match. PC players who wanna use controller and console players who wanna use kbm problem would be solved.

This would open the door for programmable input emulators, which are rightfully banned. They're so bad I won't even mention product names.

Some are so bad that whole platforms ban them. It's not really a can of worms any honest player wants opened without having a viable solution.

[Roland's 2nd]

Originally posted by sylvalee:

That's why I've been suggesting input based match. PC players who wanna use controller and console players who wanna use kbm problem would be solved.

I've been saying this for weeks.
( https://steamcommunity.com/app/2767030/discussions/0/600767308647905977/ )
Paladins did it and it was great.

Originally posted by Steve:

Originally posted by sylvalee:

That's why I've been suggesting input based match. PC players who wanna use controller and console players who wanna use kbm problem would be solved.

This would open the door for programmable input emulators, which are rightfully banned. They're so bad I won't even mention product names.

Some are so bad that whole platforms ban them. It's not really a can of worms any honest player wants opened without having a viable solution.

They supposedly have a way of dealing with that exact issue.
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2767030/view/546723866324501249?l=english


I absolutely want Input-based matchmaking for Comp and I suggest anyone else that does to use the Suggestion form in-game and on the Discord.