Microsoft is cracking down on unauthorized third-party controllers for its Xbox game platform.
The news was quietly announced on the Xbox support forum recently.
Users of these devices will receive an error code with a warning that they have two weeks to return the device for one that is authorized by the company.
After two weeks, users will see a different code and the device will be permanently disabled.
Devices that carry the “designed for Xbox” label will not be affected.
The new policy will also disable so-called “cheat devices” like Chronos Zen and XIM.
These devices are very controversial within the gaming community because they augment user’s abilities unfairly.
The devices are often used with first-person shooter games like Call of Duty where players are able to aim and fire more quickly.
The Chronos Zen costs $120 and utilizes emulation control over the software.
Game makers like Activision Blizzard have targeted the devices with software changes, however, it is difficult to cut the devices off via software alone.
The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft was recently finalized and now Microsoft has more incentive to utilize its hardware to detect and block these cheat devices.
Brook Gaming, the company that manufactures the Chronos Zen, warned users of the impending action in an X post.
Xbox console-related product Issue Update pic.twitter.com/QK0N41LmHW
— Brook Gaming (@brookgamingfans) October 20, 2023
The new change of policy also looks to stamp out the sale of controllers from third-party companies that don’t come to Microsoft to be authorized.
The company argues that this control is necessary to maintain quality play on its platform while detractors say that it is just another way that Microsoft is using its dominance to control smaller players in the market.
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