Xbox 2 peripherals to be compatible with PCs
Future Windows PCs to support Xbox controllers, Xbox Live, and XNA.
Microsoft's efforts to tie the Windows PC and Xbox platforms closer together have moved forward once more, with Windows Gaming boss Dean Lester revealing that Xbox 2 peripherals will work on PCs.
Speaking in a recent interview, Lester confirmed that "Xbox 2 peripherals will all work on PC," while the next version of Windows, currently codenamed Longhorn, will provide support for Xbox Live functionality.
The inclusion of Xbox Live functions in Windows isn't news - in fact, it was one of the first tangible benefits to be announced from the XNA programme, which aims to make cross-platform development across Microsoft's systems as easy as possible.
However, the cross-compatible controllers are new, and suggest that Xbox 2 will utilise the standardised joypad design which Lester and his team have been championing as a concept for Windows Gaming for some time.
The current generation Xbox peripherals use a "ruggedised" version of the USB standard to connect to the console, and third-party adapters have been made available which allow normal USB devices to be connected to the Xbox.
It seems likely, based on Lester's comments, that future Xbox peripherals will have the ability to plug directly into PC USB ports as well as into the more rugged ports on videogame consoles.
