Microsoft begins banning “unauthorized” Xbox consoles and accessories.

Microsoft has begun banning the use of “unauthorized” Xbox controllers and accessories on Xbox consoles. Recitera Posters spotted a warning about the ban last week, with some third-party Xbox controllers now issuing a “Connected accessory is not authorized” warning when connecting to an Xbox console. It’s unclear whether Microsoft is trying to target cheating devices, or whether the Xbox manufacturer is trying to push its own official partner program.

An error has now started appearing for some third-party Xbox controllers, along with a warning indicating that the accessory will be banned from further 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 time it will be blocked from use with the console,” Microsoft says in a statement. Support note. “At that time, you will receive error code 0x82d60003. We encourage you to contact the store or manufacturer where you obtained the accessory for assistance in returning it.

Third-party Xbox consoles that are part of the “Designed for Xbox” hardware partner program are not affected, but any consoles that are not officially licensed by Microsoft run the risk of generating this error and being banned from use. This may also prevent third-party cheats such as XIM, Cronus Zen, and ReaSnow S1 from working on your Xbox console.

These adapters are commonly used on PCs to fake controller inputs, so mouse and keyboard users can get the aim-assisted and recoil-reduced benefits of a controller mixed with the motion benefits of a mouse and keyboard. Activision, Bungie, and Ubisoft are all trying to block these device spoofers, with restrictions and bans in place Call of duty, Destiny 2And Rainbow Six Siege.

Cronus devices are becoming increasingly popular on consoles, and Microsoft’s ban will likely affect some of these unauthorized adapters. Brook Gaming, which makes an adapter that supports PlayStation controllers on Xbox, says its device is affected by Microsoft’s ban. in Share on X (Twitter) Brook Gaming warns of “functional failures in the near future” for a variety of its products, including the battlepad, controller adapter, and steering wheel adapter.

However, Microsoft’s ban may negatively impact the fighting game community. “This is basically a death sentence for local fighting game events that run on Xbox, not to mention other events that can only buy one arcade stick.” says Maximilian DoddThe largest fighting games channel on YouTube. “Brooke Gaming converters are not cheating devices. They are a huge blessing to the fighting game community. Please reconsider!”

Most third-party Xbox controllers are wired, since Microsoft has not typically licensed its Xbox Wireless protocol to other vendors. PowerA launched the first officially licensed third-party wireless controller for Xbox consoles earlier this year Windows Central He speculates Microsoft’s recent ban may be related to the company working to expand approval for third-party Xbox wireless controllers.

We’ve reached out to Microsoft for comment on the “Unauthorized” Xbox controller ban and will update you accordingly.