Microsoft cracks down on third-party Xbox controllers and accessories

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Microsoft banning unapproved Xbox controllers and accessories

Microsoft will start blocking third-party controllers or accessories that aren't part of the "Designed for Xbox" hardware partner programme from being used on Xbox consoles.

The policy change was first highlighted online after a third-party accessory manufacturer — Brook Gaming — issued a statement on Twitter/X acknowledging that some of its products might encounter functional disruptions soon.
 
I would be so cheesed off with this!
That's pulling an Apple maneuver, forcing revenue from accessories. Not even Sony does this (as far as I am aware anyway)

What next, same thing on a PC when using xbox live or whatever its called for their gaming platform?

Alienating your clients is a helluva way to push them to the opposition... especially when the PlayStation generally is the better product for the most part...
 
Scummy move. Don't think this is going to go down well with competition authorities.
 
good move .im sure a lot of the badly made chinese junk causes havoc with the xbox ,get approved or go away .
 
Death said:
I would be so cheesed off with this!
That's pulling an Apple maneuver, forcing revenue from accessories. Not even Sony does this (as far as I am aware anyway)

What next, same thing on a PC when using xbox live or whatever its called for their gaming platform?

Alienating your clients is a helluva way to push them to the opposition... especially when the PlayStation generally is the better product for the most part...
Click to expand...

Do unofficial Sony controllers even exist?

I don’t remember ever seeing any, so I suspect they enforced this from the very start.

Microsoft has a certain quality to maintain and crappy third party product can tarnish their brand so it makes perfect sense.
 
I want to get my kids headsets for xmas, not to keen to pay gazzilion rands for a headseat, how would I know if it was designed for xbox?
 
SauRoNZA said:
Do unofficial Sony controllers even exist?

I don’t remember ever seeing any, so I suspect they enforced this from the very start.

Microsoft has a certain quality to maintain and crappy third party product can tarnish their brand so it makes perfect sense.
Click to expand...
Seems like they do exist. Maybe licensed partners? I know there were tons for PS2 and PS3 back in the day.

gamerant.com

The Best PS5 Controllers in 2024

The PlayStation 5 is an innovative console. Here are some of the best controllers to pair with it and reach new gaming heights.
gamerant.com gamerant.com
 
Death said:
Seems like they do exist. Maybe licensed partners? I know there were tons for PS2 and PS3 back in the day.

gamerant.com

The Best PS5 Controllers in 2024

The PlayStation 5 is an innovative console. Here are some of the best controllers to pair with it and reach new gaming heights.
gamerant.com gamerant.com
Click to expand...

Those all look pretty officially licensed to me.

People seem to be confusing the issue here, Microsoft isn’t cracking down on all third controllers here, just ones that they haven’t officially sanctioned and approved for market.

As it would reflect badly on them if there is utter **** floating around I don’t see them as the bad guys here.

I’m also not sure they are “forcing revenue” from this but rather protecting revenue. Don’t see any indication they are taking royalties or forcing a fee on anyone.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Do unofficial Sony controllers even exist?

I don’t remember ever seeing any, so I suspect they enforced this from the very start.

Microsoft has a certain quality to maintain and crappy third party product can tarnish their brand so it makes perfect sense.
Click to expand...
I doubt anybody would buy a crappy Chinese controller and then blame the Xbox. Most standards enforcing is really just a way to generate extra revenue either through fees or shrinking the 3rd party market.
 
Swa said:
I doubt anybody would buy a crappy Chinese controller and then blame the Xbox. Most standards enforcing is really just a way to generate extra revenue either through fees or shrinking the 3rd party market.
Click to expand...
The deeper problem as alluded to earlier is also cheating and that's a good reason to have standards in place.

You say this but I've heard plenty of people have a moan about things directed at the "source" of the product and meanwhile it's got nothing to do with them.
 
Swa said:
I doubt anybody would buy a crappy Chinese controller and then blame the Xbox. Most standards enforcing is really just a way to generate extra revenue either through fees or shrinking the 3rd party market.
Click to expand...

Imo that's incorrect. Probably not a majority, but there is a moderately large minority that blame and/or call the manufacturer for support on compatibility issues, especially if the controller initially worked and then stopped working. And it's not just happening on consoles, anything that involves unsanctioned 3rd party accessories/equipment tends to get this sort of scenario.
 
sounds a bit like Apples way of doing things, pay extra for it to work on our system, or else.
what next? they hike the prices on approved controllers? and you end up paying for it.

scummy Move Microsoft, Firstly there will be an uproar, and secondly the Pirate Makers are already thinking of ways to get past it.
we might end up with this arms race between pirate Controllers and microsoft

and we all know how this ends, a game of whack a mole
 
Grubscrew said:
I want to get my kids headsets for xmas, not to keen to pay gazzilion rands for a headseat, how would I know if it was designed for xbox?
Click to expand...

normal plug and play should work

i hope

cause thats what we have , cheap headphones for the xbox

the officail ones are in the 1000s
 
Shouldn't be any of their business what controller someone uses.
 
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