If there’s one good thing about the Xbox ecosystem, it’s that there are hundreds of options in the market when it comes to buying accessories. Many of them are official, while others are unauthorized third-party products. But they all work. Or, well, they used to work.
Microsoft is beginning to block the use of “unauthorized” controllers and accessories on Xbox consoles (likely on the new Xbox Series X as well).
It’s not clear whether Microsoft is trying to deceive the devices to make them not work or if the Xbox manufacturer is attempting to promote its official partner program. It’s probably the latter.
Goodbye to unauthorized controllers, and there are millions of them
An error has started to appear for some third-party Xbox controllers, accompanied by a warning stating that the accessory will be blocked for use after two weeks.
“From the moment you connect an unauthorized accessory and receive error code 0x82d60002, you will have two weeks to use the accessory, after which its use will be blocked with the console,” says Microsoft in a support note.
“At that point, you will receive error code 0x82d60003. We recommend that you contact the store or the manufacturer where you obtained the accessory to assist you in returning it,” concludes the message, which seems more like a threat.
Third-party Xbox controllers that are part of the “Designed for Xbox” hardware partner program are not affected, but any that have not been officially authorized by Microsoft are at risk of generating this error and being blocked.
A measure that could put an end to cheating on consoles
This could also potentially block third-party cheating devices such as XIM, Cronus Zen, and ReaSnow S1 from working on an Xbox console.
These adapters are commonly used on PCs to spoof controller inputs, allowing users of mouse and keyboard to gain the advantages of controller aim assist and reduced recoil mixed with the precision of mouse and keyboard movement.
Companies like Activision, Bungie, and Ubisoft have attempted to block these hardware spoofing devices with restrictions and bans in games like Call of Duty, Destiny 2, and Rainbow Six Siege.
However, Microsoft’s crackdown could negatively impact the fighting game community. Most third-party Xbox controllers are wired, as Microsoft typically doesn’t license its Xbox Wireless protocol to other providers.
PowerA released the first third-party wireless controller with an official license for Xbox consoles earlier this year, and Windows Central speculates that Microsoft’s recent ban might be related to the company working to expand approval for third-party wireless Xbox controllers.
