Microsoft to Block 'Unauthorised Accessories' Next Month

Gaming
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Originally published at: Microsoft to Block 'Unauthorised Accessories' Next Month - XboxEra

Microsoft has begun a new policy rollout on unlicensed/unauthorised third-party accessories with the latest console update. Reported by Windows Central’s Jennifer Young, error ‘0x82d60002’ states that “a connected accessory is not authorised” and that said devices will be blocked for use on the 12th of November.

Third-party accessory and board maker ‘Brook Gaming’ issued a statement on the matter as well, dating back to the 20th.

Xbox console-related product Issue Update pic.twitter.com/QK0N41LmHW

— Brook Gaming (@brookgamingfans) October 20, 2023

Sources for Windows Central reported that this error may be related to Microsoft expanding its programme for “approved third-party wireless Xbox controllers”, and in a statement to them Microsoft offered some clarification regarding the new ban:

“Microsoft and other licensed Xbox hardware partners’ accessories are designed and manufactured with quality standards for performance, security, and safety. Unauthorized accessories can compromise the gaming experience on Xbox consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S.) Players may receive a pop-up warning that their accessory is unauthorized. Eventually, the unauthorized accessory will be blocked from use to preserve the console gaming experience. For a full list of accessories that are supported on Xbox consoles, please visit www.xbox.com/accessories, our support pages here and here, and our Designed for Xbox Partner Hardware Program page here.”

This ban is likely to target devices that allow players to “cheat” such as the Cronus Zen peripheral. But a large blank ban like this is likely to target cheaper but unlicensed controllers that are in use particularly in poorer countries. Depending on the cost and ease to become a licensed third-party, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see a lot of devices become e-waste as a result of this new policy.

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Yeah, not sure what to think about that… I dont really care as I only use official controllers, but it’s really shitty for consumers and manufacturers/sellers. There should be a better way to put a curb on cheating…

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I have this one …

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08L7LMBSL But it’s not like it does anything on Xbox. The turbo function only works on non Xbox consoles. I would recommend it for people wanting to fix the backwards control scheme for switch because you can swap X and y then also swap a and b. It’s really awesome using Xbox controller on switch with the American/ Xbox controller layout. That said, it randomly loses connection with the switch and I don’t really recommend it unless you can get it cheaply.

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I have the Wingman X2 but I only use it for the OG Xbox and Xbox 360 so I can use Series X controllers.

Regarding the Brook adapters, I assume it’s because they can be used with multiple bluetooth and wired devices that may not be authorized by Microsoft/Xbox. However, I’ve seen people complain that they will no longer be able to use their Brook Fighting board PCBs installed in their fighting sticks. Why couldn’t Brook license these with Xbox?

If 8bitdo, Hori and PDP can license their peripherals and adapters, I do not see why Brook can’t.

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True, I mean even accessories like upspecgaming can get licensed there shouldn’t be a big deal. https://twitter.com/i/status/1718946592173039896

I have used a couple of third-party controllers on PlayStation simply because it works better for me for example, I had difficulty playing KENA with the PS% controllers and had to try about 3 to 4 to get one that matched the experience of the standard Xbox controller. So, it’s possible Microsoft wants that experience to be standard as Xbox is now growing bigger and the messaging needs to be universal.

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Will this block my 3rd party media remote?

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If this is what they want to do, fine. But Microsoft needs to reach out to third party controller makers to help them get certified, because this news is going to be taken at as is and they will lose several 3rd party accessories makers.

But Microsoft actually reaching out to get the current controllers certified and update their firmware using the accessories app would go a long way to showing they’re not just trying to force everyone to use the controllers they deem acceptable.

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I personally think this is a net negative for Xbox gamers.

There is an over-the-top narrative that claims that this is typical MS money grab corporate nonsense, which is an overblown narrative but there is some truth to all of these corporations in gaming tightening their belts. Whether it’s layoffs, price increases, or things like this that can help direct revenue towards products that would make MS money. So I say there’s some truth to it but a lot of the rhetoric is over the top, mainly because if you’re going to point out MS as an evil corporation over this move you are disregarding the fact that these were not banned in the last 10 years. I mean if you were saying that this is the same evil MS rearing its head then you would have to admit that they weren’t there over the last 10 years.

There has also been an argument that this affects disabled gamers which doesn’t hold up to the fact that everything hooked up to the adaptable controller will be still able to work.

I do see an importance in having license products for fairness in regards to preventing cheating and stuff. But a few things are concerning here. First off is that there was essentially a one-month deadline to get things sorted out in terms of licensing. It would have made far more sense to make this announcement 6 months in advance and work with partners to come to a solution that serves gamers.

For example all of Brook’s devices, which allow for legacy peripherals to work on the new Xbox are very pro-consumer. Because a lot of these peripherals are no longer on sale, it’s not like any active dollars are being taken away from licensed products. But at the same time, being able to use my old fight sticks that I bought for my 360 would actually prevent me from buying a new fighting stick for the new Xbox. So there is some potential loss. But if Brooks pays a licensing fee for every one of their peripherals then some of that potential loss is reduced.

A lot of the discourse disregard the fact that there may be pressure from peripheral makers to Microsoft about reigning this in. Look, Microsoft had a very open stance about this over the last 10 years. They weren’t too chuffed about it. So it’s quite possible that peripheral makers have a role to play here.

I was looking at Brooks peripherals for my TE2 fighting sticks so I can play all the new fighters on my Xbox Series X with my 360 sticks. I have thousands of dollars invested in wheels and I was just about to check if Brooks sold a peripheral that allowed me to use my Fanatec wheels and pedals for Forza Motorsport (and possibly GT7).

In regards to anti cheating, it appears that this may not be as effective as a route to take as suggested.

Which is why I am concerned about the abruptness of this move. Had the announced it as a change to be implemented in 6 months, the proper discourse and solutions could have played itself out.

I’m not too familiar with the modern fighting stick compatibilities for all the major consoles. I know that there are a ton of sticks and button pads being released for fighting games, all of which are innovative and require iterative design. As such there are dozens and dozens of products released every 3 months and I don’t think they feature licensing for the Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles and so I don’t know how switch and PlayStation are dealing with them at the moment.

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I was disappointed by my brooks adapter. I thought it would let me add a turbo function to my controller.

I’m an older gamer and come from an era where turbo controllers weren’t considered this terrible blight on the sanctity of gaming.

I like turbo buttons on some games. I had turbo controllers for most of my consoles back-in the day. If you modern gamers really think cheating is so bad, consider we had entire magazines in every stores newstand dedicated to cheat codes. Game Genie was an essential accessory for the NES back in the day.

Anyway, modern gaming is stupid sometimes. There’s this obsession with balancing a game. Back in my day we had OP characters in some games and everyone was cool with it.

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Kind of agree. Now that Microsoft has ABK they are looking at centralizing things and the opportunity of big business. For example, the more they adopt every device the more option they get to sell accessories of some kind and in situations they don’t they can make money from their licensed partners especially if they are intending to reach 3billion plus gamers, that’s a lot of accessories to make money from.

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A lot is being made about these unofficial brooks type brands can I just say something positive about Official brand “Hori”

They’ve been killing it this generation with Xbox accessories.

The official Hori Series x fighting stick alpha is great and the official series X Hori wheel is awesome too. Hori has the Hori Xbox App which allows you to change around button configurations which seems like a small thing, but then you hear reports about other fight sticks having limited support… Hori on the other hand supports every game and not just fighting games. Hori allows it’s mode 2 to support any game, not just fighting games.

Same is true about the Hori series x wheel. It’s not just for “supported” games, hop into the Hori app and configure the wheel for mode 2. Play ANY game with a wheel stuff like Disney Speedstorm or grand theft auto 5.

I think Xbox gamers should give Hori more props for the awesome job they’re doing with the official series x Xbox wheel and fight stick. :v:

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Truly positive also I do think the ordeal over all can be positive as it would allow more visibility for licensed accessories.

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