The Xbox One Controller Will Work with Your PC...Just Not This Year

Since Microsoft has designed the Xbox One, not to be confused with the original Xbox, as a "do everything machine", it wouldn't be able to do everything if you couldn't use the controller with your PC. Some of you may be thinking "but the Xbox 360 controller works with my PC". That is true, but that requires you to buy a stupid dongle for the wireless controller or a cable for the wired one. The new controller will work with your PC and PC games without the need to buy extra do-dads. Or at least it will after a software update set to release in 2014...

Still, better late than never. Microsoft has told Penny Arcade that the delay is because of their overhaul to the underlying technology between the new Xbox One controller and the previous Xbox 360 controller. They have introduced a new wireless protocol (great, more new wireless protocols), combined with the ability to work in wired mode, and the addition of features such as Impulse triggers, means that the new software has been written and 'optimized' for PC as well. Microsoft also has to ensure that current PC games that are built for the Xbox 360 will work with the Xbox One so they are kind of busy and have other priorities.

While you wait for Microsoft to come out with the software update, and Xbox One, you can use your PS3 controller (if you have one) and hook it up to your Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR compatible PC, or buy a $5 dongle if you don't have one. You need to download Motion Joy to make it work though, still cheaper than a Xbox 360 adapter.

Source: Penny Arcade

Martin Tam

Martin Tam is an editor and the Director of Video Production at [blank]’s Universe. He is also a technology enthusiast that particularly enjoys computers and photography. He enjoys breaking things and sleeping in his spare time.