Why consoles do not allow mouse + keyboard

[lopri]

Oh, it's a question, btw. I asked it in the other thread but didn't get any reply. I don't think there is any technical difficulty to allow mouse and keyboard for current consoles. Then why don't they let you? I've been curious because I think it'll make consoles more appealing to PC folks as well as providing easier input method for text and navigating interface.

Is there any 'official' answer to this?

 

[40sTheme]

I don't think there is any official answer, but it is the reason I do not buy consoles.

 

[I4AT]

I think it's because MS received a lot of criticism from people saying the original Xbox was just a mini PC and not a real console, so they've avoided it just because they have their panties all up in a bunch. That's my speculation anyways, even the Dreamcast had a mouse + kb (and was powered by WinCE) and the Xbox seems to have really borrowed a lot from it as far as design. The other consoles probably just don't have enough shooter titles to warrant them.

 

[Matt2]

I've gotten over my infactuation with the keyboard and mouse. I've been playing my 360 on my 50" DLP TV for a month now and i haven't missed PC gaming at all.

I use my PC to surf the web, pay bills, do school work, etc... and my 360 is for gaming. The awesome implementation of XBOX Live and the headset makes the keyboard and mouse useless for the 360 when you can just send voice messages and private chats.

As far as a kb + mouse for gaming.... The controller is just something you're going to have to get used to. I did.

 

[40sTheme]

I cannot use analog. It's just not precise enough; and I play 360 over at my friends houses all the time. Also, I don't like the buttons A, X, Y, B (or other configs on other consoles). Those four buttons are almost always unresponsive and wear out too easily.

 

[T9D]

I dont understand why it's taking so long for consoles to adopt full Key board and mouse support. It would really make a big difference in my decision to buy a console or not.

 

[Drayvn]

Search for XPS360 i think the name is, lets you use a mouse and keyboard for the 360.

From the vids of it running CoD3 it looks nearly as good as using it on the PC.

 

[imported_Ivan244]

I purchased the XCM XFPS360 and unfortunately it does not work very well. The big issue is that controllers have a "dead zone" so that little touches to the thumbsticks do not register. However, with a mouse you want pin point precision.

I hooked mine up and started playing Lost Planet. For far away shooting no problems. However, zoom in to snipe and you have to really move your mouse until you reach the boundaries of the dead zone. So nothing will happen even though you move your mouse several inches and then all of a sudden your reticle will fly across the screen.

XFPS360 is a nice try but until devs include and code for support, Mouse+KB is not very viable. Which is a shame cause I would much rather use that then reg controller.

 

[jim1976]

I think there's a plan to release a set(mouse + keyboard) if it hasn't been available already, for xbox360.. It will be useful for SP and help some of us that are mostly pc gamers or at least have had previous PC experience..

I believe what they are trying to avoid is the problems that will inevitably be created in MP..A guy using a mouse + keyboard has undoubtedly advantage over a guy that uses his joystick especially in FPS.. That will create major problems and that's what they are trying to avoid.. How are they supposed to filter out those that are trying to use such a set?

Despite that I don't think many "genuine" console gamers are interested in such a set.. Most guys looking for these stuff are gamers that have a PC as well and are used to such controls.. Most of the guys IMHO just wanna sit comfortably in their couch and play the games from their 50'' HDTV with their wireless joystick in their hands.. Look at Wii target group as another example and the success it receives with the innovation it brought to the surface, though we are talking about a mediocre console (specs wise.... )

 

[BroadbandGamer]

I gave up trying to play FPS games on the 360. I really tried to get into Rainbow Six: Vegas but just couldn't get past using a controller. I will stick to playing FPS and RTS games on my PC.

 

[Dainas]

Its strange, the Dreamcast had mouse+keyboard down pat for all its FPS all those years ago pretty much from launch. Microsoft probably doesnt think its worth it as only a small fraction would use such a setup, and plus it would encourage more OS hacking.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

probably because it does not go well with the living room environment

 

[zephyrprime]

They do allow it. The problem is that using a keyboard and mouse requires a desk. THAT is the reason why KB+M are not popular with consoles. Console players sit on couches and chairs where desks are not readily available.

 

[Dainas]

Originally posted by: zephyrprime
They do allow it. The problem is that using a keyboard and mouse requires a desk. THAT is the reason why KB+M are not popular with consoles. Console players sit on couches and chairs where desks are not readily available.

Not really, that investment scam company from a few years ago came up with a elegant solution for using keyboard+mouse on your lap.

 

[A554SS1N]

Wireless keyboard and mice wouldn't require desks? stick the keyboard on your lap, and the mouse on a book and you're good to go!

I've tried using gamepads before on consoles - for beat em' ups and footy games they are great, for an FPS they are awful - as such I'll never ever get a console unless it has keyboard and mouse support.

 

[tuteja1986]

Very simple Question... Microsoft doesn't want to screw up the sale of pc Windows games , problem with k&M vs controller online , people tent to sit on coach. Sony does allow its developer to use keyboard and mouse if they want to use it. Nintendo doesn't allow but they don't even encourage its developer to put online multiplayer. Also they use friend code crap for the machine and also when people thought they would use a unified friend code they went and shocked everyone by putting different friend code system on pokemon (1st online wii game). At least they got the news channel alright which i think its pretty awesome feature as i do like to read the news late in the night.

 

[mooncancook]

probably they have marketing guys did researches on that already and didn't think it'll be popular enough to make profits. Like someone mentioned dreamcast had it, but how many DC owners actually bought one.

 

[tuteja1986]

Originally posted by: mooncancook
probably they have marketing guys did researches on that already and didn't think it'll be popular enough to make profits. Like someone mentioned dreamcast had it, but how many DC owners actually bought one.

Dreamcast was so much more awesome than playstation 2 and it had so many good games. It had keyboard and mouse support with windows ce. Sony just hyped it up and killed the Dreamcast by saying how awesome the playstation 2 would be at launch and blow all dreamcast games out of the water. Well when playstation 2 came out it had crap launch title and it took em at least 2 years to catch up to where dreamcast was at launch. If only sega didn't run out of cash and now i hope sony suffers the same faith as sega.

 

[enz660hp]

its a sin to play fps with a controller...
the next consoles will be able to whipe your A$$, but they still wont support a mouse & keyboard. No matter, tons of pc games are comming out in 07, so im good here.

 

[SickBeast]

I agree that they should release a KB/mouse. Most consoles these days have USB; it should be simple and cheap!

Actually I'm thinking for consoles they should make a special gaming keyboard that's really small, and only has the arrow keys, numeric keypad, and maybe 10 keys. That way it would fit nice in the hands and would work on the sofa. :thumbsup:

 

[Zenoth]

I had a Keyboard and a Mouse with my Dreamcast.

 

[hardwareking]

imagine playing gears of war with keyboard and mouse.
That would totally rock.I'd be killing the guys using controllers.

 

[A554SS1N]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
I agree that they should release a KB/mouse. Most consoles these days have USB; it should be simple and cheap!

Actually I'm thinking for consoles they should make a special gaming keyboard that's really small, and only has the arrow keys, numeric keypad, and maybe 10 keys. That way it would fit nice in the hands and would work on the sofa. :thumbsup:

That would be a good idea actually - just enough buttons to get by, and the use of the mouse for turning - by not having lots of letters, it would mean that it couldn't be simply used as a PC, so keeping MS happy.

 

[PorscheMaD911]

My Dreamcast had a mouse and k/b. I loved caning my friends in Quake 3 who had to make do with controllers hahahahahaha! Oh and Soldier of Fortune was cool ...

 

[Bateluer]

A mouse and keyboard is too complicated for the average consoler to use.